Collections
The future of analytical chemistry
We’re looking ahead to the future of analytical chemistry, from monitoring the planet from satellites, diagnosing cancer quickly and easily from small blood sample, to where the discipline itself is heading. And with a century and half passing since the Society of Public Analysts was founded, what does the future hold for this important role?
Highlights
How satellite remote sensing is enhancing our understanding of Earth
Instruments in space have studied the planet’s atmosphere and surface, and are now being joined by powerful new ones, finds Andy Extance
Blood biopsies for cancer
Testing small amounts of blood for the presence of disease markers could revolutionise how we detect cancer. Clare Sansom reports
Analysing a chemist’s wish-list
Analytical techniques have come a long way, but what does the future hold? Rachel Brazil asks the experts what they’d like to see
Opinion
Why we need public analysts
As the Association of Public Analysts winds up, Duncan Campbell reflects on the continued importance of the profession
Opinion
Analytical chemistry is never far from the frontiers of science
New and better tools are pushing back boundaries and changing the world
ResearchNanopore sequencing set to transform our understanding of proteins
Rapid sequencing technique can not only deal with proteins hundreds of amino acids long but can detect modifications
ResearchHydrogen dimers finally detected at room temperature
Researchers revisit spectrum of fragile dimer with high-sensitivity spectroscopy
OpinionScience can make doping tests more trustworthy
Contamination cases at the Olympics and beyond highlight the need for minimum reporting thresholds for drug testing in sport
ResearchReading into the dangers of poison paint in Victorian-era books
Brightly coloured fabric covers hide poisonous dye legacy
ResearchStonehenge Altar stone likely came from Scotland, not Wales
Mineral analysis matches sandstones from over 750km away
NewsAward-winning chemist threatens to sue critic
Tensions flare in latest dispute over spherical nucleic acid technology
ResearchAnalytical chemistry tools point to the future of personalised medical diagnostics
Molecular fingerprinting techniques outperform standard blood tests for detecting the onset of many diseases
FeatureThe irregular habits of crystals
Centuries of study have refined theories of how substances with periodically ordered structures behave. Anna Demming talks to the researchers exploring where these theories can apply in materials that are not ordered periodically, or even ordered at all
OpinionWhat’s lurking in your drink and drugs?
How to test illicit substances at festivals and identify the rodent in your beer
WebinarNavigating pharmaceutical manufacturing changes with Lundbeck: Insights into process optimisation
Join us on 1 October to learn how to visualise data, develop best practices and comply with regulations
ResearchAI tool outperforms existing x-ray structure methods
Deep learning approach determines phase of diffracted beams with lower-quality data
ResearchAmorphous clusters across a vast range of sizes found to affect crystal nucleation
The clusters provide sites for nucleation, which contradicts classical nucleation theory
ResearchNanopore proteins designed from scratch and turned into biosensors
Artificial ion channels used to detect disease indicators and pharmaceuticals
ResearchOptical trap experiments pick up recoil of a single alpha particle blasting off
High sensitivity measurements were able to detect electrons ejected by force of departing helium nucleus
NewsBritish cyclist’s doping case raises questions over testing precision
Lizzy Banks’ case puts exceptional sensitivity of tests under scrutiny
ResearchAlgorithm predicts bitterness from mass spectra data alone
New tool could find use in food science and drug development
NewsElemental analysis under scrutiny again as competition raises accuracy questions
Doubts grow over the standard used by journals as competition highlights 26% failure rate with simple molecule
ResearchPlastic recycling studies need reliable polymer data. This database is ready to inform them
Database set to support recycling research by detailing the chemical composition and physical properties of 59 polymers from common commercial vendors
FeatureThe wonder of whisky
Kit Chapman takes a closer look at the chemistry of the water of life, from the slow reactions of its ageing to testing for fakes
NewsNew European Union Drugs Agency to strengthen bloc’s response to illicit drugs
EUDA will have broader remit to respond to challenges illicit drug pose
ResearchPioneering preservative removal from ancient Greek ship allows accurate dating
Extraction of polyethylene glycol from ship’s wood enables radiocarbon recalibration