Movers & Shakers
Read all the news about the movers and shakers in the chemistry-using industries in September 2021.
An ethical perspective
James Kennedy represents a brave attempt to make sense of a largely futile debate about good and bad chemicals. It would probably be better if we chemists made more efforts to explain the importance of chemistry and chemicals in the world around us rather than describe them as good or bad. After all there is much to be proud about!
Good versus bad chemicals – a futile debate
As the world is still fighting a pandemic as well as a wave of disinformation about scientific issues such as vaccines, the importance of science ethics does not need introduction or explanation. Read the book review of Good Chemistry.
Everybody’s problem
Helm reiterates that it is now time to get serious about combating climate change. The actions that need to be taken at the personal, local, national, and global levels to avoid the looming climate crisis are spelled out in detail. Read the book review.
Efficient urea synthesis
Researchers in Texas and Singapore have developed a way to make urea for fertiliser that makes use of renewable electricity and saves on emissions from fossil fuels.
Rechargeable salt battery
The commercial battery with the highest energy density is the lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) battery. Developed in the 1970s, this non-rechargeable battery is still widely deployed in military, space, utility metering and GPS tracking applications. It uses thionyl chloride as the catholyte, lithium metal as the anode and amorphous carbon as the cathode.
Code red for humanity
Commenting on the latest report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), UN Secretary-General António Guterres has declared it as nothing less than a ‘code red for humanity. The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable’.
Tracking enzyme evolution
Researchers have tracked the steps taken in evolution to improve synthetic enzymes in the lab in an effort to better design future protein catalysts.
Data with discovery
Machine learning technology is being harnessed by researchers in the hunt for the next generation of antibiotics and antivirals, reports Jon Evans
Greener gene editing
New UK rules on genetic editing of crops could have a positive effect on food production and the environment, reports Anthony King