Applied chemistry highlights: Super-absorbent hydrogel, zero-emission chlorine and more
Nigel P. Freestone from the University of Northampton discusses selected research papers from recent journal issues for Issue 3 2026 of C&I magazine.
Chinese coal power peaks
China’s coal-fired power generation decreased 1.9% in 2025, marking a historic shift driven by new non-fossil generation that has finally outpaced demand growth. Power demand grew 5% in China in 2025 (494 TWh), yet for the first time in a decade, coal-fired generation did not increase to meet demand.
Molecular ‘stickers’ help spin spider silk
Sticky patches on amino acids are essential for spiders to spin their dragline silk. This finding from an international study of the western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) might inspire new high-performance sustainable fibres for medical and aerospace applications.
EU briefs - news from the chemistry industry in Europe
Read the news in brief from the EU from C&I Magazine Issue 3 2026.
Research sheds new light on Parkinsons’ disease origin
New research reveals how Parkinson’s disease spreads from the gut to the brain with the help of immune cells, offering new potential therapeutic approaches.
Organic chemistry: Research from recent scientific journals
Expert scientists summarise some of their selected research papers from recent journal issues. Read the organic chemistry highlights from G. Richard Stephenson, University of East Anglia, UK in Issue 3 2026 of C&I magazine.
Greener solvents: The search for more sustainable choices
Solvents play a critical role in industrial processes, but most are derived from the energy intensive petrochemical sector. Now, new bio-solvents are entering the mix – offering safer and more sustainable choices. Anthony King reports
Leader: The true measure of sustainability
The concept of sustainability is core to ensuring that an increasing population is able to exist without detrimental harm to the planet. True sustainability is delivered when science can deliver solutions for sustainable business models and sustainable economies.
Researchers work on lithium recovery from brine
Demand for lithium for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles and grid energy storage continues to grow, with the metal a key ingredient in battery technologies.