Features – Page 18
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FeatureThe chemistry of self-healing polymers
A familiar example of a system with self-healing ability is the human body. But could an analogous strategy be used for the self-repair of polymeric composites?
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FeatureInvestigating the secrets of the Stradivarius
For the past 200 years violin makers around the world have sought to produce violins that would rival those of Stradivari and Guarneri made during 1700-50.
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FeaturePain relief: from coal tar to paracetamol
Analgesics, ie pain-relieving drugs, fall into two categories: those that also reduce body temperature in fevers (antipyretics), and those that act mainly on the brain - typically morphine and diamorphine/heroin. Here we consider members of the first group, particularly those once designated 'coal tar analgesics'. Paracetamol, our most popular over-the-counter pain killer, is one of these.
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FeatureAnalytical chemistry makes the news
University departments traditionally divided chemistry into inorganic, organic and physical subsets, with analytical chemistry sitting somewhere in between. But this is changing. The teaching of analytical chemistry is currently undergoing a renaissance in many universities.
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FeatureThe fight against food adulteration
Today's quality control of the food and drinks industry is thanks to pioneering work started in the 19th century
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FeatureSalty solvents – ionic really
Ionic compounds are usually high melting point solids. But mix together a powdered organic salt with aluminium chloride and the result is a clear, colourless, 'ionic liquid'
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FeatureMaking ice cream - it's physical chemistry
An understanding of the physical chemistry of ice cream is the route to a smooth, soft, creamy dessert
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FeatureThe beginnings of Mössbauer spectroscopy
In 1958 Rudolf Ludwig Mössbauer, aged 29, published the results of an experiment which gave rise to the branch of spectroscopy which now bears his name.