ChemMatters Archive

ChemMatters is produced by the American Chemical Society in October, December, February, and April. The archive gives you access to all of ChemMatters’ past articles, dating back to February 1983. The most recently released issue is available through a complimentary subscription, if you chose to receive one when you joined AACT.

For recent articles, issues, or available teacher’s guides visit acs.org/ChemMatters.

AACT members can access the archive and generate a Student Pass that gives their students access to the articles. Available Teacher’s Guides can also be found next to the corresponding issue and article in the archive.

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  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Can Mushrooms Save the Planet?

    Just below your feet as you wander through the forest is a cache of fibrous material: mycelium. Mycelium is the living roots that connect mushroom caps to the material they grow on. Mycelium can be used to make leather alternatives, caskets and windmills.

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Chemistry in Person: Simplifying Science onto a Screen

    With more than 1.5 million subscribers and over 160 million channel views, it could be said that Tyler DeWitt’s videos on YouTube have helped many people understand chemistry in a nontraditional way. He works at the intersection of technology, science and education.

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Crochet Chemistry: Chemistry Shapes Every Stitch

    From polymers to dye molecules, the chemistry behind the art of crochet determines everything from the feel of the final product to its color.

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Green Chemistry and Wildfire Smoke

    Green chemistry may help reduce air, water and soil pollution during urban fires.

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Hold the Fluorowax!

    As skis glide across the snow, they leave behind more than tracks. The wax on the bottom rubs off. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been used in fluorowaxes for skis for decades, but these forever chemicals persist long after the snow melts.

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. How to Make Fashion Sustainable

    The life cycle of the clothes you were start with the production of carbon dioxide and often ends with the production of methane in landfills. Can chemistry help solve this problem?

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Quick Read: How Do Insulated Water Bottles Work?

    In 2026, water bottles, tumblers and their numerous variations are an essential school supply. A classy one can set you back $50. Why are they so expensive? And how do they keep their contents cold (or hot) all day long? A simple observation can provide some insight.

    Issue Date | February 2026

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Discovery of Science Scissors Shapes Genetics

    In 2020, Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, alongside Emmanuelle Charpentier, Ph.D., for the development of CRISPR-Cas9, a method for genome editing.

    Issue Date | December 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. From Sewers to Solutions

    Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have monitored sewage to detect and monitor disease outbreaks. What more can wastewater tracking do to help keep communities safe?

    Issue Date | December 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Kopi Luwak

    Would you drink coffee made from an animal’s poop? The better question might be: should you drink coffee made from an animal’s poop? The answer is: you probably shouldn’t, but maybe not for the reasons you’re thinking.

    Issue Date | December 2025

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Teacher Members, use a Student Pass to give your students 7 days of access to our locked member-only videos, animations, and archived articles of ChemMatters Magazine.

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About ChemMatters Magazine

Published four times a year since February 1983, ChemMatters Magazine is an award-winning high school chemistry magazine from the American Chemical Society that helps students demystify chemistry and make connections to the world around them. AACT members receive a complimentary subscription.

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Discover how an AACT membership enhances your experience in the chemistry classroom. Join now to access a wealth of resources, professional development, and other member benefits. Members have access to the archive and can generate a Student Pass.

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