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. At this time, the archive does not include the teacher’s guides.

Search for Articles

Use the filters in the Filter by: section to search for an archived article by title, keyword, month, and/or year.

Pro Tips:

• Read about the ChemMatters Archives’ updates!
• To view an article’s ChemMatters Issue, click on the Issue Date link.

---

Filter by:

1. Text content or title cont*

1. YearSelect Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983
2. MonthSelect Month February April September October December

1. Submit »
2. Reset Filters »

---

• 

  Clearing the Air

  More than 70 years ago, a deadly smog helped spur a national fight against air pollution. Today, most of us breathe cleaner air, but at least one primary pollutant is still putting the health of many at risk.

  Issue Date | April 2020

• 

  Cow Power!

  As the world heats up, farmers are figuring out what they can do to help fight climate change. A growing number are turning a greenhouse gas that comes from raising animals into a source of energy.

  Issue Date | April 2020

• 

  Open for Discussion | Is Your Phone Sustainable?

  You might have heard that the world is on the verge of running out of certain elements and compounds, and that our use of such materials is not sustainable.

  Issue Date | April 2020

• 

  Why Avocados Are So Appealing

  Avocados have become so popular that entire merchandise lines have been devoted to them. How did the once obscure fruit become a common ingredient to smear on toast, blend in smoothies, and top our salads?

  Issue Date | April 2020

• 

  Chemistry in Person | The Sweet Life of a Candy Chemist

  Sarah Houle’s love for food science began with eggs.

  Issue Date | February 2020

• 

  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