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. Quick Read: The Amazing Disappearing Purple Glue Sticks

    There’s a dizzying array of glue sticks on the market. One particularly intriguing type is the disappearing-purple glue stick. It goes on purple but dries colorless. Not only is it fun to use, but it's also quite practical. You’ll know exactly where you’ve applied the glue.

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Chem in Person: Scissor-Kicks on Titan

    Ashley L. Walker studies the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. As a graduate student, she works with her faculty advisers to figure out the chemistry and physics of the clouds that cover these giant planets.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. From Blue to Bright: The Path to White LEDs

    Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a fashion statement, room accessory, and a low-energy light source. The discovery of the blue LED light was pivotal. Discover the chemistry behind LED light strings.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. It's a Small, Small World The Chemistry of Microchip Fabrication

    The first computer occupied the equivalent square footage of a small three-bedroom house—now we carry a more powerful computer in our pocket. Semiconductor innovations made the microchip possible.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Plastic or Metal?

    Looking for the most environmentally friendly products? Should you choose metal or plastic? The answer is complicated. Recycling materials, whether plastic or metal, suffers from similar issues: diversity and availability. Perhaps the answer lies beyond chemistry.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Quick Read: Using Computational Chemistry to Build Proteins

    On October 9, 2024, the recipients of the Nobel Prize in chemistry were announced. The award went to three computational chemists who solved one of the biggest challenges in biochemistry—protein structural prediction—and they used computers to do it.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Skin Emissions

    Wearable devices such as smartwatches make it easy to measure our heart rate, body temperature, or sleep statistics. These are physical statistics, however, that provide only limited information about our health.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. The Role of Journalism in the Scientific Method

    We usually think of journalists as bringing us news about politics and world events, but science journalism plays an underappreciated role in the scientific process.

    Issue Date | December 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. A Look Inside

    Medical doctors use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or ligament tears in your knee. How do these giant magnets work?

    Issue Date | October 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Changing the World Through Photography

    George Masa, a Japanese immigrant and photographer, used black-and-white prints to help create the Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail.

    Issue Date | October 2024

Generate a Student Pass

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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