Chemistry in the News

Why can leaves cause rail delays_

Why can leaves cause train delays? The chemistry of leaves on the line

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Why can leaves cause rail delays_
Click to enlarge

Autumn is here, and for most of us, it’s a time of beauty as the leaves cascade through an array of hues before pirouetting down from the trees. If you have to travel by train, however, you might tire of ‘leaves on the line’ being the supposed cause of train delays. It turns out to be more than just a flimsy excuse – and particular chemical reactions are partly to blame.
Read more
Chemical Warfare – Novichok nerve agents June 2018

What are Novichok agents? What we do (and don’t) know about them

Chemical Warfare – Novichok nerve agents June 2018
Click to enlarge

Over the past week, UK news has been dominated by the mysterious poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia. Today, this culminated in the British government revealing that it is believed a type of Novichok agent was the chemical culprit behind the attempted murder. This graphic takes a look at what we do know about Novichok agents and what is still unclear.

Read more