Chemistry In Its Element

A lightweight, bulletproof material made from ice and wood pulp

Kat Arney explains the unlikely link between fake snow and babies' nappies

Mike Freemantle discusses the drug that keeps his gout at bay

When you need to get your glassware extremely clean, you need a cleaning solution with real 'bite'

Wood has been vital in the development of human civilisation. Brian Clegg looks at the compound at its heart

Mike Freemantle introduces a chemical weapon developed in the first world war that fortunately failed to live up to its terrible potential

Tabitha Watson introduces the most aristocratic of acids: Aqua regia

The enzyme that helps us turn milk into cheese is also responsible for the biggest commercial success story of any genetically modified organism

One of the most popular plastics of the early 20th century was accidentally invented by a cat, as Kat Arney finds out

Despite early setbacks, this conducting crystal shows great promise across a wide range of electronics

Caesium chloride is packs a lot of radioactivity into a small volume, making it ideal for treatments where the radioactive material needs to be accurately sited

Katrina Kramer speaks with  Manchester University researcher David Leigh about compounds that resemble machine parts and could pave the way for molecular robots

From scabby knees to life-threatening strokes, this important protein is the fundamental link in the complex molecular chain that forms blood clots.

When a batch of cinnamon whiskey meant for the American market made its way to Europe, it highlighted starkly different regulations controlling how much propylene glycol is allowed in food and drink

If you’ve ever built plastic scale models of aeroplanes or spacecraft, you’ll be familiar with the sharp, sweet smell of butanone

Rowena Fletcher-Wood discovers how to stave off stage fright, with a simple compound that revolutionised drug development

Michael Freemantle explores the pigments responsible for the rich colours of autumn foliage: ‘the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves’.

Katrina Krämer examines these extremely versatile materials and speaks to MOF pioneer Omar Yaghi

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Ragworts and other plants are popular with pollinators but a potent poison to wildlife and livestock, as Mike Freemantle discovers

Kit Chapman on the compound that could be the chemical cause of mysterious lights in the night: Phosphines