A Flicker of Something Deeper

What does the Periodic Table tell us? Something about nature and something about human nature.

Money Trouble

Inside common banknotes is some very uncommon chemistry. Discover how rare earth elements foil the nefarious attempts of counterfeiters.  

Plastic Communications

The 19th century created its own version of the Internet, one made possible by a natural plastic.

The Lucky Polymer

Crystal clear, lighter than glass, strong, and heat resistant, polycarbonate’s versatility and adaptability earned it the nickname “the lucky polymer.” The history of the CD is often recounted as a triumph of electronics rather than as an achievement of the chemistry that created it.