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. 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

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Laxatives... Keeping Things Moving

    Everybody needs to excrete solid waste. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. When things stop moving, a little help in the form of a laxative can mean big relief. Learn how laxatives work by adjusting how water moves within the colon.

    Issue Date | December 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Molecular Organic Frameworks

    On October 8, 2025, the recipients of the Nobel Prize in chemistry were announced. This year’s award went to three chemists on three different continents for their work on metal organic framework (MOF) materials: Richard Robson from
    the University of Melbourne, Australia; Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University, Japan; and Omar M. Yaghi from the University of California, Berkeley, United States.

    Issue Date | December 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Nano Reads

    This curation of Nano Reads includes: Does Poop hold the Screet to Staying Young?, Restoring the Coast with Leftover Glass, and more.

    Issue Date | December 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Seed Oils Frying Up Controversy

    Critics are using chemistry in an attempt to prove that common ingredients are far more unhealthy than doctors say. Does the evidence support their claims?

    Issue Date | December 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Synthetic Food Dyes Are Getting Banned. What Now?

    Food colorants have long been contentious, misunderstood and a target for chemistry researchers hunting for a breakthrough.

    Issue Date | December 2025

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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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