Matthew Blow
Although he has a background in physics, Matthew somehow ended up working for the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is a publishing editor on some of the RSC’s materials and nanoscience journals, where physics and chemistry (and sometimes biology too) come together to inspire cutting-edge technologies. Writing for Chemistry World is an occasional diversion from his day-to-day work. Matthew enjoys bringing science to life and telling the stories of the researchers who discover it.
ResearchQuantum tunnelling drives aromaticity flip-flop
Augmented pentalene structure could be a molecular Schrödinger’s cat, aromatic and antiaromatic at the same time
ResearchWhy some sunscreens turn clothes crimson when bleached
Laundry mishap leads researchers to a surprising substitution reaction
ResearchChloride ions tunnel free from PVC
Computational clues uncover quantum escape route from common plastic
ResearchInstanton theory extended to describe quantum tunnelling through a conical intersection
Quantum pathfinding cuts computational burden and offers fresh insights
ResearchUntangling the spin-favouritism of chiral molecules
Theory shows why DNA can be picky over electron spin
ResearchElectric fields bring new dimension to debate on atomic size
A new methodology gives surprising answers to an old question
ResearchMolecular Newton’s cradle challenges theory of transition states
Nanoscale trick-shot sees fluorine atoms knocked along chain
ResearchFrom nerve agent simulant, to pharma ingredient
Portable microreactor offers a new way to dispose of paraoxon
ResearchMineral plastic made into fireproof foam
Pre-gelation strategy could be key to non-combustible insulation materials
ResearchPlanar fivefold bonding with silicon and germanium at the centre
Electronegative elements key to stabilising exotic structures, simulations show
ResearchMolecular ferroelectric is one cool crystal
Scientists find powerful new type of electrocaloric material
ResearchElectrochemistry steers microplastics management in the right direction
Microchannel with strategically placed wires sorts plastic particles according to type
ResearchOcean motion turns carbon dioxide into renewable fuel
Bridge rectifiers and a supercapacitor help electrochemical system manage intermittent nature of wave energy
![An image showing cyclo[18]carbon](https://d2cbg94ubxgsnp.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/2/7/3/502273_indexuntitled1_212753.png)
ResearchRing of pure carbon takes on negative charge
Scientists use simulations to reveal the properties of the newest carbon allotrope
ResearchLarge gold nanoclusters are surprisingly stable paramagnets
An odd electron makes the magnetism
ResearchSelf-threading monomer provides protection for carbon nanotubes
Strategy assembles three-component nanostructure with nanoscale precision