Thesis

Michelle Francl considers the long-lost art of the reprint card and the debate that once raged about its use and misuse.

Understanding the effects of adding a simple salt to an aqueous solution of a protein is far from simple — and Bruce C. Gibb explains why.

Michelle Francl wonders if there is a risk to making yourself at home in the lab.

M. Pilar Gil and Eli Zysman-Colman look back at the history of two periodic tables that date from the late nineteenth century.

When lightning strikes, Bruce C. Gibb reminds us that not only do sparks fly, but there’s also some chemistry going on too.

Michelle Francl wonders if a molecule can be just a little bit chiral?

Bruce C. Gibb explains why plastic isn’t always fantastic.

Weighing up whether or not to drink heavy water, Michelle Francl plunges into its history.

After a PhD in Canada, a post-graduate career in the USA and fellowships in Japan and Austria, Reuben Hudson discusses how a universal language enables the meaningful pursuit of chemistry across cultures.

Michelle Francl suggests that we should expand our view of the periodic table to new dimensions.

The elements of the periodic table are more integral to our daily lives now than they have ever been before. Bruce C. Gibb takes a look at the factors used to decide just how critical the supply of any given mineral is.

Bruce Gibb focuses on fatty acids and wonders whether we’ll all be eating cyanobacteria before too long.

Michelle Francl considers how metaphor breathes life into chemistry.

Bruce C. Gibb takes us on a journey through the physical and chemical evolution of planet Earth and suggests that the reverse Hofmeister effect, the phenomenon whereby poorly solvated ions associate in water, could be a powerful driving force towards the first hint of life on the rock we call home.

Michelle Francl dusts off Pauling’s notes on bonding to explore the illusory link between electron promotion and hybridization.

Bruce C. Gibb discusses the biochemistry behind the sensory experiences associated with eating chillies and the lesser-known tingle-inducing ‘sanshools’.

To appreciate women’s contribution to science, Michelle Francl suggests it’s time to stop talking about the most famous one.

As another semester of organic chemistry comes to a close, Bruce Gibb looks back on what he has learned about learning.

Michelle Francl muses on fantastic beasts of chemistry and why we try to find them.

We all appreciate how chemical knowledge has advanced over the years, but Bruce C. Gibb reminds us that chemical culture has similarly made great advances.