Virtually chemistry

School students using VR in a chemistry lesson

Source: Shutterstock

Gaming-style tech is putting the fun into fundamental molecular simulations

Chemists have been building molecular models for centuries. It’s a crucial exercise in understanding the interactions that take place and are otherwise invisible. But there’s no denying drawing structures or fiddling with Molymod lacks the excitement and spectacle of a live experiment. Now, this traditionally dull activity could be about to get a new lease of life, thanks to advances in a technology more often associated with gaming: virtual reality (VR).