Today in Chemistry History American chemists Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben discovered the isotope carbon-14. This graphic takes a quick look at the carbon-14 isotope and how it can be used to estimate the age of biological materials.

Today in Chemistry History: The discovery of carbon-14 and how radiocarbon dating works

8 March is International Women’s Day, and here’s another edition of the Women in Chemistry History series. This graphic highlights another twelve women whose achievements in chemistry range from developing antifungal medicines to creating milk substitutes for people with lactose intolerance.

International Women’s Day: Twelve women from chemistry history – pt. 7

A walk in most seaside harbours or rocky shores reveals marine animals such as mussels and barnacles clinging to rocks. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we examine how mussels hold fast to surfaces underwater and the chemical secrets of their bioadhesives.

How do mussels stick to rocks? – in C&EN

I’m delighted and honoured to have been awarded the 2025 James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public from the American Chemical Society. I travelled to San Diego to receive the award at the ACS Spring Meeting Awards Ceremony last week. Making an infographic on the medal’s composition and those it […]

The 2025 James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public

Industrial sabotage, government intervention, and a race against time to avoid devastating consequences — not a summary of a fictional political thriller, but the real-life drama that engulfed the UK steel-making industry in recent weeks. At the story’s centre were the formerly Chinese-owned blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, which were at risk of shutting down until […]

Having a blast: The furnaces that forge iron and steel

Magnets: How do they work? The latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN takes a brief look at the origins of permanent magnetism before examining the different types of permanent magnets available and how they compare. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.

The origins and types of permanent magnets — in C&EN

This week, Cardinals of the Catholic Church are gathered in the Vatican to select a new Pope. Traditionally, smoke signals are used to indicate the results of their ballots. Black smoke indicates no decision has been made, while white smoke shows that a new Pope has been chosen.

The chemistry of the Papal Conclave’s smoke signals

Sexual chemistry isn’t something you can force or manufacture—it’s either there or it’s not. It’s that unspoken, electric pull between two people, an immediate, almost instinctual connection that you feel the moment you meet. It’s not just about physical attraction; it’s the way someone’s energy matches yours, the way they look at you, the way […]

Sexual chemistry

What’s crystallography, you ask? For those of you who may not know: Crystallography is the branch of science devoted to the study of molecular and crystalline structure and properties. The word crystallography is derived from the Ancient Greek word κρύσταλλος, and γράφειν. (Source: Wikipedia) Women scientists involved in crystallography are of special interest to me […]

Women in Science: Introducing crystallography and Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin

When Saturn moves in your synastry, the tone shifts. There’s gravity now, a certain stillness that enters the room when you’re together. Things feel heavier—but not in a way that weighs you down. More like a sense of meaning, of consequence. The relationship carries weight. Promises matter. Time stretches long between you, not as a […]

When Saturn behaves, chemistry thrives.