Periodic Tabloid

Our vital fluids are more than just bodily emissions—they can also be considered the purest expressions of our humanity, at least metaphorically speaking. In a three-part podcast and video series, the Distillations team checks out some of their lesser-known properties.

A provocative series of articles in Nature raises the tricky subject of how far we should allow science to go in conferring advantage to an athlete in competition.

In the interest of history, chemist William McMillan wrote two volumes reflecting on his work in the Manhattan Project. But as of the date of his oral history—1999—those documents were still classified.

Rare earth elements are much in the news these days. Chemical and Engineering News, Forbes, and CHF’s own First Friday each offer their take on the subject, albeit with very different audiences in mind. Why the fuss? Modern life depends on the availability of the rare earths.

I recently received a letter criticizing Chemical Heritage for running an article on a creationist. A fair criticism, right? After all, we run a science and history magazine, not a religion magazine. Except that the creationist in question is a chemist. As the editor of the magazine I approved the inclusion. I had three reasons.

The International Year of Chemistry technically ended with 2011, but it’s clear from IYC’s  event page that the celebrations – and discussions – aren’t over.

Watching the United Nations climate change conference going on in Durban, South Africa this week, it’s evident that the world’s political systems are largely deadlocked on ways to slow the rate of addition of CO2 to the atmosphere. But what if we could recycle CO2 by using it as a starting material for the carbon-based chemistry that now originates with oil?

It’s not often that chemical issues drive international politics. But China’s recent decision to temporarily halt most of its production of rare earth elements has been a hot news topic. What’s all the fuss about?

What if we had a source of power that generated no greenhouse gases and was essentially limitless? We do. It’s called hydrogen, and every molecule of water on earth contains a molecule of H2, just itching to be combusted for energy.

Today is Thanksgiving and most Americans are celebrating with friends, families, and feasts. Such occasions raise our spirits and lie on the plus side of the ledger. It’s also worth reflecting that not all of our fellow citizens share in the banquet.