Chemistry

Spray 3D printing could reinvent how we build earthquake-proof buildings

Concrete 3D printing is revolutionizing the building industry by cutting costs and construction time. However, most current systems use an extrusion-based method, laying down concrete...

Eco-friendly” bamboo dishes may not be so safe after all, study warns

Bamboo cups and plates are often sold as green, natural alternatives to plastic tableware. But a new study shows that many of these “eco-friendly” dishes...

Bacterial spores could create self-healing, sustainable building materials

Scientists are bringing the concept of “living materials” one step closer to reality by using one of nature’s toughest survivors—bacterial spores. A team of researchers,...

Cooling paint that pulls water from the air could transform cities and farms

Scientists in Australia have developed a remarkable new paint-like coating that can keep buildings cool and collect fresh water straight from the air—without using...

Scientists create artificial proteins that can store and conduct electricity

Scientists in Spain have developed a new class of artificial proteins that can conduct and store electricity—paving the way for safer, faster, and more...

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in Canadian sea otters near cities

A new study has revealed that sea otters living along Canada’s Pacific coast have surprisingly high levels of toxic “forever chemicals” in their bodies—especially...

New zinc-air battery keeps working even after being punctured or submerged in water

A team of scientists in Mexico has built a tough new battery that could one day replace the lithium-ion batteries used in phones and...

Scientists boost perovskite solar cell efficiency to 26% with new protective coating

A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new material that makes solar cells more efficient, durable, and stable than...

From nail bars to firefighting foams: How chemicals are deemed safe enough or too...

If you've sat in a nail salon recently, you may well have encountered TPO or trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide to give it its full chemical...

How hops create the compounds that give beer its iconic bitterness

Beer lovers owe much of their favorite drink’s flavor and aroma to hops—the cone-shaped flowers of the hop plant. Now, scientists have finally solved a...