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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  • Chemistry in Pictures | February 2020

    Swiss artist Fabian Oefner created a stunning series of watercolors called “Millefiori,” a term that combines the Italian words “mille” (thousand) and “fiori” (flowers).

    Issue Date | February 2020

  • Chemistry Takes to the Skies

    The puffy white letters of skywriting look similar to the contrail streaks that you see trailing from airplanes. But a close look at the chemistry reveals what makes them so different.

    Issue Date | February 2020

  • Chernobyl’s Legacy

    The Chernobyl disaster serves as a tragic reminder of the risks of nuclear energy. Examining what went wrong has made nuclear power safer, while other issues are factoring heavily into the industry’s future.

    Issue Date | February 2020

  • Crystal Caves

    Natural crystals of mind-blowing proportions have captivated scientists since their discovery in a Mexican cave 20 years ago. Researchers have unlocked the secrets of the crystals’ past, and now work to secure their future.

    Issue Date | February 2020

  • Is Iron The Most Important Element?

    Iron plays a crucial role in many aspects of life, whether it’s in living things or the Earth’s crust and core. Find out more about this amazing element, and why you can’t live without it.

    Issue Date | February 2020

  • Open for Discussion | Can Nuclear Power Save the Planet?

    Nuclear power, once hailed as the future of cheap electricity, is now often viewed by many as an extremely expensive and dangerous technology that should become a relic of the past.

    Issue Date | February 2020

  • Chemistry in Person | Setting Standards

    Every day, everywhere in the world, people make measurements in some way. Whether a measurement is for a blood test or baking a cake, its quantity has been determined by a known reference.

    Issue Date | December 2019

  • Chemistry in Pictures | December 2019

    James Hope, a science teacher at Millfield in Street, England, wanted to show his students that minerals, such as table salt, aren’t the only sub-stances that form crystals.

    Issue Date | December 2019

  • Open for Discussion | When to Ban a Product

    Suppose you wake up feeling ill on a weekday. What do you do? Do you go to school and hope you feel better
    soon, or stay home?

    Issue Date | December 2019

  • The Battle Against Body Odor

    To prevent embarrassing body odor, you can invest in clothing infused with odor-busting silver nanoparticles. Before you buy, however, consider important factors to help you decide whether it’s worth it.

    Issue Date | December 2019

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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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