Bringing new innovations or refinements of well-established chemical processes to the attention of students can help them appreciate the dynamic nature of chemical research. Providing a focus on individuals involved in the development of chemical ideas from time to time can help students understand the importance of people in the development of chemistry. In the articles below we explore some of these issues in the context of equilibria and the chemical industry.

Nobel chemistry rises to the surface

This article describes the work of Gerhard Ertl of the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin, who was awarded a Nobel Prize in 2007 for his studies on chemical processes occurring on solid surfaces, focusing originally on the Haber–Bosch process.

A soluble solution to the Haber process?

A soluble iron catalyst for the Haber–Bosch process that could boost efficiency and avoid the problems of solid catalysts is closer than ever, thanks to the work of an international team.

Titanium takes on Haber–Bosch process

Research by chemists in Japan may lead to a low-temperature, low-pressure synthesis of ammonia in smaller reactors.

Haber–Bosch power consumption slashed

Research chemists claim that the power consumption of the Haber–Bosch process could be significantly reduced by using a ruthenium catalyst.

Who really discovered the Haber process?

Alan Dronsfield and Peter Morris tell the story of the synthesis of ammonia – with some surprising suggestions about who should be given the credit for doing this first.

Vanadium oxides

Brian Clegg describes vanadium oxides, vital catalysts in the manufacture of sulfuric(VI) acid by the Contact process.