Features – Page 12
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The Mole
Chemical waste
In the school lab, the chemicals you deal with are easily disposable but what about back in the technician’s store?
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Diamond Light Source: illuminating chemistry
Synchrotron light allows chemists to see within structures and individual atoms, without disrupting samples
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Forensic science and the case of Dr Mario Jascalevich
Forensic science is depicted in several television programmes as a near-perfect means of solving major crimes. In real life, forensics may sometimes point to guilt, but in the end be insufficient to prove it. This is the account of one such case
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Vincent van Gogh, chemistry and absinthe
The consumption of absinthe was once banned due to its reputation as a mysterious psychoactive drink. What does it contain? Was it responsible for the death of Van Gogh?
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The Mole
Rare earth elements
They sit at the bottom of the periodic table like they don’t belong, but these elements are vital ingredients in many gadgets and ‘green’ technologies. Tom Westgate finds out what makes them so versatile and valuable.
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The Mole
Alien planets
Last November’s discovery of an alien planet in the Milky Way will provide scientists and astronomers with a wealth of new information
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Greener Chlorine
Chlorine is becoming greener; not in the colour, of course, but in the environmental impact of its manufacture
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Radium - a key element in early cancer treatment
An early example of how blue skies research by Pierre and Marie Curie led to the treatment of previously incurable cancers
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A sinister side to a synthetic sex hormone
The story of the discovery, synthesis and prescription of a synthetic hormone, and the effects on those who took it and their descendants
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Really cheesy chemistry
Stilton, camembert, limburger and cheddar - why, and how, does cheese come in such a variety of smells and tastes?
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The Mole
National Treasure: can lemon juice and hot breath reveal invisible ink?
On screen chemistry with Jonathan Hare
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Nanoparticle Protection
New inorganic nanoparticles that simultaneously restore and preserve ancient artworks have been developed by researchers in Italy
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From LCDs to medical materials
A green technology can be used to extract valuable chemicals and the recovered low-value plastic can be turned into higher-value materials for new and important applications
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The curious story of toxic ice
In 1944 a fake article was submitted and published as a scientific paper. In the context of How Science Works, can a hoax have educational value?
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The Mole
Clay Plastic Fantastic
Nanotechnology is being applied to plastics to make conductive plastics, scratch resistant plastics and lighter plastics. Now clay could make plastics stronger and more flame retardant say Scientists at the State University of New York, US