News & Comment

Neodymium is a key element in a wide range of modern technologies, yet its extraction, processing and long-term availability present substantial challenges. Bruce Gibb examines the chemistry and geology of this rare earth element, and considers how its recovery from mine waste could strengthen future supplies.

Se’vIr lIngDI’ tamlertej, tlhIngan Hol QaQ law’ DIvI’ Hol QaQ puS jatlh Michelle Francl (‘Should chemists publish in Klingon rather than English, wonders Michelle Francl’).

Presenting research as a group leader means considering the range of projects one is simultaneously involved in and crafting an overarching story. Shira Joudan describes her approach and reflects on preparing and presenting a seminar.

Industry based around the generation of lime from calcium carbonate is responsible for a large proportion of anthropogenic carbon emissions — and thus has a significant impact on climate change. Bruce Gibb takes us through the chemistry of lime and considers how chemists can help in the development of alternative processes with reduced carbon emissions — with a particular focus on the generation of cement.

It is 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics, and not only did it bring with it a greater understanding of the world around us, it also introduced a new lexicon. Now, Michelle Francl wonders how the language of quantum mechanics has been flipped to the dark side and appropriated by pseudoscience.

Collaboration allows us to tackle big scientific questions, but figuring out how to do it effectively can be difficult. Shira Joudan describes making new connections, being a good collaborator, and what to consider when you inevitably mess up.

The buffering capacity of the world’s oceans has helped offset the effects of CO₂ emissions on climate; however, it is not without cost. Bruce Gibb discusses the causes, the chemistry and the consequences of ocean acidification.

When the facts can’t speak for themselves, scientists can give them a voice, argues Michelle Francl.

Science is about discovering new knowledge, so, logically, there will be disagreement. Shira Joudan contemplates how disagreements can be useful, and how to deal with them when they arise.

While intellectual virtues might be more within the remit of philosophers, many scientists would also see them as important within their domain. Dominic T. Chaloner, Michelle Francl, and T. Ryan Byerly consider what it takes to train up virtuous chemists

Humans have a habit of overusing natural resources even though there are numerous examples through history of the issues that this causes. Chemists can sometimes help to avoid such tumultuous events, but in doing so can gravely impact sectors of society. Amid the backdrop of the Highland Clearances in Scotland, Bruce Gibb discusses the farming of kelp and how chemistry became its ‘enemy’ with the industrial generation of sodium carbonate.

Modern scientists exist within the digital world. Shira Joudan describes how an online presence is beneficial to researchers, and what a baseline presence can look like.

Global energy consumption is rising rapidly; however, fossil fuel use is anticipated to peak soon owing to the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources. Bruce Gibb explores the pivotal role chemists can play in developing alternative technologies within the renewable energy sector, with a particular focus on thermal energy storage.

Did meteorites fall between the interdisciplinary cracks? Michelle Francl tells the nineteenth-century tale of the extraterrestrial origin of meteorites and suggests that there are lessons for those studying topics that involve multiple disciplines today.

There are many steps to preparing a research article for publication, from generating the figures and writing the draft, to responding to reviewers. Shira Joudan explains how their group approaches this task, specifically during the preparation of the research group’s first paper.

Artificial intelligence is being used in many aspects of chemical research. Bruce Gibb discusses top-down and bottom-up approaches to the development of AI, highlighting the issues with cultural divides and the challenges of data quality. He also introduces 'Eric', a potential AI research assistant for the future chemist.

The acknowledgements sections of papers are used formally to recognize those who have contributed to an article but are not authors. Michelle Francl suggests that they can be more than that — they can say more than thank you and can flesh out a story.

In grad school, there is time to focus on learning about your field and your project — and to keep up with the literature. Now, as an assistant professor, Shira Joudan explains how learning science is necessarily different as they manage multiple projects and a busy schedule.

About two thirds of western society are extroverts, but the contemplative nature of science means that this is not true of the academic population. Bruce Gibb discusses extraversion and introversion in science and asks whether the movement towards larger projects involving teams of scientists is making it harder for introverts and for disruptive discoveries.

Before the internet, chemists used references books to find necessary information. Michelle Francl takes us on a journey through the weird and wondrous world captured in the most famous reference book of them all, known to some as the ‘Rubber Bible’.