In chemistry, there are as many solvents as there are uses for them. In this graphic, we look at the basic chemical differences between different solvents, the groups into which they can be categorised, and some example uses.
A film that grosses millions at the box office, with chemistry in the starring role. No, not a chemistry communicator’s fantasy, but the reality of the 2019 film Dark Waters. Less happily, the chemicals industry is the villain of the piece, which charts the battle between activists and chemicals company Dupont over the effects of PFOA: perfluorooctanoic acid.
Confectioners produce around 9 billion pieces of candy corn every year, according to the US National Confectioners Association, with a significant chunk of this consumed by trick-or-treaters. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we look at what candy corn is made of and the chemistry behind its vibrant colours. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.
Hitting the swimming pool this summer? Swimwear relies on a range of materials to keep you comfortable and prevent it from breaking down. This edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN looks at what swimsuits are made of, and how a little chemistry knowledge goes a long way when it comes to keeping them in good shape and stopping their materials from fading and stretching.
This month’s edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN comes off of the back of my ending up on tetracyclines for a chest infection a month or so ago. This alerted me to their ability to make the skin of people taking them more sensitive to sunlight. It turns out that there are a number of odd and unexpected side effects of medications people take for a variety of conditions, so this graphic rounds up some of the oddest I came across. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.
Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey I put out at the end of last year, both to find out a bit more about the site’s readership, and also to hear what you want to see from the site this year. The results are summarised in the image above, but are also shown individually below, along with some brief discussion. Hope you continue to enjoy the posts this year!