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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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  • Left Life? Right Life? Chirality in Action

    In the same way as our left and right hands cannot be super-imposed, two “chiral” molecules, which are mirror images of each other, cannot be superimposed. This property, called chirality, affects all life on Earth.

    Issue Date | April 2015

  • Open for Discussion | Be Smart— Recycle that Old Cell Phone!

    What should you do with your cell phone when it dies? Recycling it offers both economic and environmental benefits.

    Issue Date | April 2015

  • Parabens: A Source of Concern?

    Parabens are chemicals present in a wide variety of everyday products, such as makeup, sunscreen, and food. Studies have linked parabens to the incidence of breast cancer, but what is the likelihood that this would happen when using or consuming these everyday products?

    Issue Date | April 2015

  • Smartphones, Smart Chemistry

    One of the main reasons smartphones are so “smart” is their chemistry. Smartphones contain at least 70 chemical elements, the displays are very strong thanks to hardened glass, and their touchscreens are made of materials that are sensitive to the touch of a finger.

    Issue Date | April 2015

  • The Skinny on Fats

    Many of us avoid fatty foods, but new scientific evidence is showing that eating a moderate amount of fat, including saturated fat, may actually help us to stay lean and healthy.

    Issue Date | April 2015

  • Venoms: From Lethal to Life-Saving

    Surprisingly, venom contains toxins that can be used as an antidote to its most life-threatening effects. Drugs made from these toxins are now used to remove blood clots, lower blood pressure, and even treat cancer.

    Issue Date | April 2015

  • 3D Printers: The Next Print Revolution

    3D printers are being used to print a variety of products or product pieces. We tell you how they work and how they are already transforming many people’s lives.

    Issue Date | February 2015

  • Air Travel: Separating Fact from Fiction

    Have you ever wondered why ears pop during takeoffs and landings? Or whether a person is more likely to die in a car crash than in an airplane flight? We provide answers to these and other air travel-related questions.

    Issue Date | February 2015

  • As a Matter of Fact | February 2015

    The Chemistry of Body Odors

    Issue Date | February 2015

  • ChemDemos Demystified

    Sometimes, chemistry demonstrations give great results, but the explanation is wrong or inaccurate. We show you how this happens with three common chemistry demonstrations.

    Issue Date | February 2015

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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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