Features 2008
December 2008
A whisky tour
Is this the most chemically complicated drink in the world? Victoria Gill attempts to unlock some of the mysteries of Scotch malt whisky
Literary reactions
Chemistry makes occasional appearances in fiction but rarely takes centre stage. Philip Ball unearths chemistry's fictional roles
Organic pioneer
Christopher Ingold's insights into mechanism and reactivity established many of the principles of organic chemistry. John Ridd reveals more about his life and work
Structuring Europe
Not every country in Europe can afford a synchrotron. So as new member states join, how is EU funding getting the best out of research across the continent? Clare Sansom reports
November 2008
A glowing green Nobel
The molecule that revolutionised and illuminated cell biology started with a jellyfish. Lewis Brindley tells the story of this year's Nobel prize for chemistry
Looking outside
Chemical companies are opening their doors to outside innovation, but does this give larger companies the monopoly on new ideas? Sean Milmo reports
Breaking the cycle
The creation of a new ministry has put science back on the political agenda in Argentina. Ana Fraile and Federico Williams look at what it means for the future of the country
A clash of symbols
Two centuries ago, a Swedish chemist developed a system of symbols that formed the basis of the modern language of chemistry. Mike Sutton finds out more
October 2008
The winning chemistry
As the US prepares for its presidential election, Rebecca Trager looks at where each candidate stands on science
Microwaving myths
Microwaves are moving beyond organic synthesis, but there is still some confusion about what they do to molecules. Richard Van Noorden reports
Chemists without borders
As we look forward to the 2008 Nobel prizes, Mike Sutton recalls the work of two scientists who redefined chemistry's disciplinary boundaries
Kitchen chemistry
One of the world's largest food companies has reinvented its approach to R&D. Victoria Gill reports
September 2008
Something in the water
Drugs have been finding their way into our water supplies for as long as they have been in use, so should we worry? Maria Burke reports
Delving the depths
The field of water analysis is entering a new area, with much talk of data sharing, new testing devices and water quality forecasting, as Emma Davies discovers
Solvent from the sky
Nature's favourite solvent can also give great results in the lab, as James Mitchell Crow finds out
Thirsty work
As water shortage becomes an increasing concern, the chemical industry aims to use it wisely. Sean Milmo reports
August 2008
Cold chemistry
Intrepid researchers will brave the harshest conditions in the name of science. Ned Stafford talks to some of Antarctica's chemists
Trouble brewing
Chemical reactions during storage can destroy a beer's flavour. Henry Nicholls finds out how brewers are striving to stabilise beer's chemistry
A healthy dose
Is it really worth supplementing your diet with health-boosting pills? Emma Davies reports
Rebuilding Africa with science
As the RSC launches the first African hub of its Pan Africa Chemistry Network, Victoria Gill finds out how science can provide real solutions for the continent
Molecule of murder
In an exclusive article adapted from his new book, John Emsley explores the hallucinogen, medicine, deadly poison and antidote that is atropine
July 2008
Sparks of creation
Chemists are at the forefront of synthetic biology, the burgeoning field that could soon create artificial life. Ananyo Bhattacharya reports
Genome maverick
In an exclusive interview, controversial scientist and entrepreneur Craig Venter tells Richard Corfield how he thinks synthetic genomics can save the planet
A new beginning
As BP approaches its centenary, Sean Milmo finds out how the UK energy giant plans to innovate its way out its recent troubles and to navigate a turbulent market
What David did next
After seven years as the UK government's chief scientific adviser, chemist David King is still fighting to keep climate change at the top of the political agenda.
Playing the genes you're dealt
Predictive toxicogenomics uses the genetic hand you're dealt to forecast your reaction to environmental chemicals. Lisa Melton reports
June 2008
Breaking the rules
Sarah Houlton finds out about some chemical tricks that can give a new drug the best possible odds of success
See the wood for the fuel
Countries are turning to their commercial forests as a source of non-agricultural biofuels. Elisabeth Jeffries reports
A sustainable generation?
The use of palm oil to make biodiesel has incited environmental and humanitarian concerns. Jane Qiu unpicks the controversy and the possibilities
Keeping it simple
A discouraging chemistry teacher and a failed rock band just made Harren Jhoti all the more determined to succeed. Sarah Houlton meets the 2008 Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the ...
May 2008
Pulling our strings
There is much more to DNA than that elegant double helix. Philip Ball explores the twists and tangles of chromatin
A forgotten triumph
In 1858, a new theory revolutionised organic chemistry, but its originator was brushed aside. Mike Sutton revives the memory of Archibald Scott Couper
Snapshots from the NMR frontier
From structural biology to nanoscale catalysts, Joe McEntee finds that researchers are exploring all sorts of creative variations on the NMR theme
Chemistry's millionaire
Steve Davies has made successful business his hobby. He reveals some of the secrets of entrepreneurial chemistry to Sarah Houlton
Let registration commence
Over the next ten years the European Chemicals Agency will undertake a mammoth task - registering 30,000 chemicals ready for Reach. Brigitte Osterath reports
April 2008
Malaria no more?
Has malaria finally met its scientific match? Victoria Gill finds out whether a fresh round of research funding could put an end to the killer disease
The graphene challenge
Atom-thin sheets of carbon are taking the materials world by storm. Richard Van Noorden discovers that now is the perfect time for chemists to join the party
Raman reinvented
Raman spectroscopy is no longer an insensitive technique. Tom Westgate finds out how this advancing technology offers new possibilities in biology and security
The icing on the cake
A deeper understanding of the biological role of sugar molecules is transforming drug design. Susan Aldridge finds out more
March 2008
Complexity crystallised
Protein x-ray crystallography has come a long way from a 12 year search for the structure of a single protein. Philip Ball reports
The concrete conundrum
Concrete is the single most widely used material in the world - and it has a carbon footprint to match.
The house that BASF built
Chemistry is the secret ingredient behind an energy-efficient house that has been built in Nottingham, UK
Political chemists
Simon Hadlington meets some of the chemists who are bringing their scientific knowledge into the political realm
Chemist in the cabinet
John Denham gave up life in the lab for a career in politics, and now runs the British government's department for science. Richard Van Noorden meets him
February 2008
Resistance is useless
Chemistry holds the key to commercialisation of high-temperature superconductors that could revolutionise electrical power supply
The chemistry of private equity
Private equity has transformed the chemicals industry, but can it play the same role in high-risk R&D driven companies? Nuala Moran reports
A town called science
An ambitious project in Switzerland aims to create the world's first fully integrated science city. Yfke Hager reports
The chemist who saved biology
A long voyage led one young chemist to steer evolutionary biology onto the right course. Richard Corfield explores the life of chemistry's Darwin
January 2008
A model city
Shanghai is being sculpted into the ideal of a modern Chinese city. It's also becoming China's centre for scientific innovation, as Victoria Gill reports
How to kill your RNA
Switching off problematic genes with RNA interference promises treatments for a huge range of disease - if investigators can get it to where it's needed. Lisa Melton reports
Portable organs
A combination of medical research and engineering could bring an end to the era of putting precious human organs on ice to keep them alive for longer. Michael Gross reports
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