Chemistry World Blog

1 November 2010: Have something to say about an article you’ve read on Chemistry World this week? Leave your comments below…

This week’s stories:

Inhaled nanoparticles, from there to where?
The size and surface charge of nanoparticles affects where they end up in the body after they are inhaled

Nanofibres defuse explosives
Researchers have used carbon nanofibres to separate components of a highly sensitive explosive system to make it much safer to use

A system that mimics the human nose
An artificial membrane can distinguish between perfumes like a human nose

Blocking cancer drug’s toxic side effects
Compound could drastically reduce toxic side effects associated with a widely used cancer drug by inhibiting bacterial enzyme in the gut

Colourful ‘green’ polymers
New environmentally friendly concept allows coloured dye to be integrated directly into polymers that can be used in clothing and packaging

World’s smallest chromatography column
Single metal-organic framework crystals can be used to separate mixtures of dyes just like a miniature chromatography column

Could ‘nano-urchins’ be the key to greener batteries?
A mineral discovered 60 years ago could lead to improved aqueous lithium ion batteries

Universities to get £9000 fees option
UK government plans to raise university tuition to at least £6000 but students will not pay upfront

Hydrogen bond set to be redefined
Evidence of a more covalent nature and more possible partners than previously thought leads to a long-needed reclassification

Artificially controlling cell division
An artificial mitotic spindle could help shed light on cell death and Down’s Syndrome

Nanoparticle detector promises fast virus identification
Low cost label-free detection technique could help stop the spread of flu and other viral diseases

Iron complex could prevent cardiovascular disease
An iron-based antioxidant binds to cholesterol to reduce damage to arteries

Molecular motors find reverse gear
Researchers use simple chemistry to trigger molecular rotary motors to switch direction

Interview: Chemistry kibbutz
George Whitesides talks to Bibiana Campos-Seijo about patents, working as a collective and quirky chemistry