All minerals articles
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Research‘Dolomite problem’ that has puzzled scientists for centuries may have finally been solved
Solution helps to explain the mystery of why common mineral won’t crystallise in the lab
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ResearchChemical definition of brine as water could help clear up Chile’s lithium controversy
As evidence grows that lithium mining damages water sources, reclassifying brine as water – rather than as mineral – could empower Indigenous communities to protect their rights and convince mining companies to act more responsibly
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ResearchMineral map hopes to end concrete that has damaged thousands of US homes
Concrete containing pyrrhotite can disintegrate on exposure to air and water
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Research‘Living bricks’ that can reproduce could cut construction’s carbon footprint
Bacterial biomineralisation harnessed to create building material from sand
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ResearchMineral never before seen in nature found inside Australian meteorite
Black-and-red rock that fell to Earth 68 years ago contains iron carbide compound
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PodcastBeryllium oxide
Brian Clegg examines the duality that makes beryllium oxide so valuable to the electronics industry
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PodcastTalc: Magnesium silicate
Coating your naked body with powdered magnesium silicate may sound strange, but it's an important part of many bathtime rituals
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PodcastFerrous sulfate
The iron compound that has been turning oak gall extract into indelible ink for centuries, but is now eating though our ancient manuscripts and musical scores
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ResearchMineral surfaces promoted variation in prebiotic RNA
Thermodynamic model probes the entropic cost of enriching RNA strands adsorbed on a surface
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PodcastIron sulfides
One mineral form may look like gold, but Brian Clegg isn't fooled by the value of iron sulfides
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ResearchAbandoned Cornish mine may hold clues to uranium clean-up
First time arsenic has been found to lock up uranium in a mineral
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ResearchMild method turns common mineral into fertiliser
Process could cut transportation costs and save farmers money