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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@aberdeenchem.bsky.social
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Explore the wonders of chemistry at the University of Aberdeen! From groundbreaking research to inspiring education, we shape the future of science. www.abdn.ac.uk/chemistry #StudyChemistry #StudyAtAberdeen #ChemSky 🧪

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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Squadrons of Pigs www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Stefan Collini · Squadrons of Pigs: Bonfire of the Universities
The problems with Britain’s universities are systemic and deep-rooted, not just local or contingent. Yet political and...
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BlueRemediomics @blueremediomics.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
🌊 New article on marine innovation! A new article co-authored by our partner Professor Marcel Jaspars Jaspars from the University of Aberdeen highlights how Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) are being translated into real-world innovation. 🔗 blueremediomics.eu/blue-genes-g...
blueremediomics.eu
Blue genes, green promises: new article co-authored by BlueRemediomics partner - Blueremediomics
A new article supported by BlueRemediomics and co-authored by our partner Marcel Jaspars from the University of Aberdeen highlights how Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) are being translated into real-w...
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 22/05/2026
A consultation will be held to allow staff & trade unions to respond to the administration’s proposed cuts over the coming weeks. @jtdurrani.bsky.social www.chemistryworld.com/news/notting...
chemistryworld.com
Nottingham’s chemistry department faces loss of 30% of faculty amid university-wide staff cuts
The department's technicians and support staff are also at risk
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 21/05/2026
‘My whole scientific career, and that of many others at Nottingham, was based on the quality of the technical staff that we had,’ says former head of chemistry Steve Howdle. www.chemistryworld.com/news/notting...
chemistryworld.com
Nottingham’s chemistry department faces loss of 30% of faculty amid university-wide staff cuts
The department's technicians and support staff are also at risk
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 22/05/2026
The Royal Society of Chemistry has welcomed the support for the ‘vital chemicals sector’ and will work with the government as its plans develop, says trustee Jonathan Oxley. @rsc.org @ukparliament.parliament.uk www.chemistryworld.com/news/uk-gove...
chemistryworld.com
UK government promises £350 million support for the chemicals sector
Officials say funding will help industry build resilience, remain competitive and decarbonise
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 22/05/2026
‘We are taught that chemistry is the ‘central science’, yet its economic and industrial potential remains underused,’ writes Sandile Mtetwa. www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/afri...
chemistryworld.com
Africa should treat entrepreneurial science as a lifeline, not a luxury
Synchronised action from universities, policymakers and scientists is needed to bridge the gap from ideas to impact
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 30/04/2026
Battery week 2026 will see a special, one-hour webinar with pioneering chemist Clare Grey on all things battery science. In partnership with The Faraday Institution, we’re excited to bring you this broadcast on 15 May: #SponsoredPost #Battery #ChemSky @rsc.org www.chemistryworld.com/webinars/in-...
chemistryworld.com
In conversation with Clare Grey
Hear from the pioneering British chemist redefining how we think of battery science - live on 15 May
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 15/04/2026
Researchers working on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social looks at applications of MOFs, including water harvesting, gas storage, and more: cen.acs.org/materials/me... #ChemSky 🧪
This infographic, "MOFs: What are they good for?", defines Metal-Organic Frameworks as crystalline "molecular sponges" made of metal ions and organic linkers. It details four commercial applications: carbon capture using zinc-based CALF-20, safer gas storage for semiconductor manufacturing, harvesting atmospheric water in deserts using aluminum-based MOF-303, and the detoxification of chemical warfare agents. It notes that MOF research won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
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Nick Peterson @thetecheng.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
My vote goes to Chlorine Trifluoride to not just atomize you but also burn through the shag carpet, 2 feet of concrete, and another couple of feet of sand before the fire decides to die out.
It is, of course, extremely toxic, but that’s the least of the problem. It is hypergolic with every known fuel, and so rapidly hypergolic that no ignition delay has ever been measured. It is also hypergolic with such things as cloth, wood, and test engineers, not to mention asbestos, sand, and water-with which it reacts explosively. It can be kept in some of the ordinary structural metals-steel, copper, aluminium, etc.-because of the formation of a thin film of insoluble metal fluoride which protects the bulk of the metal, just as the invisible coat of oxide on aluminium keeps it from burning up in the atmosphere. If, however, this coat is melted or scrubbed off, and has no chance to reform, the operator is confronted with the problem of coping with a metal-fluorine fire. For dealing with this situation, I have always recommended a good pair of running shoes.
John Drury Clark, Ignition!: An informal history of liquid rocket propellants
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 02/04/2026
With #Artemis II blasting off to the Moon, here's a look at the different fuels used to get rockets off of the ground in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/physical-che...
This "Fuels for Spacecraft" infographic explains how rockets launch and move through space. The left side covers "Getting Off the Ground," detailing solid propellants like ammonium perchlorate and aluminum powder used in boosters, and liquid propellants like liquid oxygen and hydrogen used in main engines. The right side explores "Propulsion in Space," highlighting chemical propulsion via hydrazine decomposition, electric ion propulsion using xenon, and solar sails.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 31/03/2026
Robert Bunsen was born #OTD in 1811 🎂 The eponymous Bunsen burner was actually constructed for Bunsen by instrument maker Peter Desaga. The burner was essential to the discovery of caesium and rubidium through their emission spectra. www.compoundchem.com/2023/03/31/b...
"Today in Chemistry History" commemorating Robert Bunsen’s birthday on March 31. It features a portrait of Bunsen (1811–1899) and notes his discovery of caesium and rubidium. A central diagram labels the parts of a Bunsen burner: the blue flame, the barrel, the fuel source (methane), the collar for air adjustment, and the air hole. It explains that a closed collar creates a yellow safety flame, while an open collar produces a hot, blue roaring flame for heating.
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 27/03/2026
Read about the new potential researchers are finding for nitrile rubber, where single-use gloves need not be discarded but can instead present an exciting opportunity for upcycling with the help of chemistry. www.chemistryworld.com/news/modifie...
chemistryworld.com
Modified nitrile rubber gets new lease of life as carbon capture material
Two teams are exploring scaling up processes that could tackle the 800,000 tonnes of glove waste created every year
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now...
dailyrecord.co.uk
Aberdeen ranked as one of the UK's most affordable cities to live alone
Single residents in Aberdeen are spending just over half of their take-home pay on living expenses, making the city one of the most manageable places in the UK to live alone
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 17/03/2026
Happy #StPatricksDay! ☘️ If you’ve ever wondered why the bubbles in Guinness appear to fall instead on rising, or what gives the beer its dark colour, check out this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/articles/93/...
Infographic on the chemistry of Guinness. It details how a mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen is responsible for the bubbles, iso-alpha-acids are responsible for bitterness, and melanoidins are responsible for the beer's dark colour.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 18/03/2026
How are plastics recycled and how do the recycling rates of different plastics compare? This 2012 edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social takes a look: cen.acs.org/environment/...
Infographic on how plastic is recycled. The graphic shows the mass of different plastic types produced in kilograms and the percentage of this mass that is recycled according to the US EPA. It also illustrates how plastics are sorted by type with a variety of techniques before washing, separation from contaminants, then drying and pelletisation.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 20/03/2026
Spring is here in the northern hemisphere! Here's a graphic from the #PeriodicGraphic archives in @cenmag.bsky.social looking at the pigments that give daffodils their golden glow: cen.acs.org/articles/93/... #ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled "The Chemistry of Daffodils" by Compound Interest for C&EN explains the flower's biological makeup. It features a bouquet of yellow daffodils and three main sections. The Aroma section highlights (E)-beta-ocimene for its woody scent, plus 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and (E,E)-alpha-farnesene. The Color section identifies carotenoids like zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. The Poison & Medicine section shows the toxic alkaloid lycorine and galantamine, used to treat Alzheimer's.
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The quest to understand where atoms end www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-que...
chemistryworld.com
The quest to understand where atoms end
Atomic size measurements like van der Waals and covalent radii are central to chemistry, but are they grounded in reality?
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 11/03/2026
A mathematical framework originally developed to describe stereoisomerism has been expanded to explore the full spectrum of molecular configurations. The extended polytope formalism combines graph theory with energy calculations to map chemical space.
chemistryworld.com
Polytope formalism offers a new way to chart chemical space
Framework can investigate regions of chemical space that are normally inaccessible, painting a clearer picture of how molecules can form, transform and interconvert
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 14/03/2026
‘The venom arsenal is extremely compelling from a chemical standpoint' – Anthony King explores how researchers are harnessing nature's undersea weaponry to develop pain medications.
chemistryworld.com
Cone snail venom peptides offer new hope for pain relief
Cone snails deploy sophisticated venom cocktails to paralyse prey. Anthony King talks to the researchers harnessing these peptides to develop new pain medications
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 11/03/2026
It's #NationalProposalDay 💍 There's more to diamonds than meets the eye; this graphic highlights the hidden chemistry: www.compoundchem.com/2015/12/15/d...
Infographic on the chemistry of diamond rings. The four c's of diamonds are highlight: cut, colour, clarity and carat. Metals used in diamond rings are also highlighted.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 08/03/2026
On #InternationalWomensDay, here's another edition of Women in Chemistry History. This edition features women whose achievements in chemistry include the creation of synthetic emeralds, the impact of diet on intelligence and health, and more: www.compoundchem.com/2026/03/08/i... #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic highlighting the contributions of twelve women in chemistry history. Full alt-text available at the link in the post.
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
@chemistryworld.com www.linkedin.com/posts/chemis...
linkedin.com
Ocean carbon storage boosted by alkalinity enhancement, finds open-water trial | Chemistry World
A small pilot study in the Gulf of Maine has shown that chemically increasing the ocean's alkalinity leads to it absorbing more carbon dioxide. https://lnkd.in/gXE6tPR7
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 28/02/2026
Unravelling the unique reactions behind the sea sparkle phenomenon, with Rachel Brazil steering the way.
chemistryworld.com
Unravelling the chemistry behind the sea’s bioluminescent sparkle
Researchers are piecing together the unusual chemical reactions that enable dinoflagellates to create spectacular light displays in tropical bays. But the mechanism behind their bioluminescence…
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Chemistry has always been women’s business www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/chem... @rsc.org @chemistryworld.com #ChemSky 🧪
chemistryworld.com
Chemistry has always been women’s business
Female chemists played essential roles in developing chemical practice
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BlueRemediomics @blueremediomics.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
BlueRemediomics is supporting a new podcast mini‑series on marine genetic resources under the BBNJ Agreement, produced with ANCORS Episode 1 is live, unpacking how MGRs shaped the treaty negotiations and the political compromises behind access and benefit‑sharing 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xEs...
youtube.com
Episode 1: Setting Sail: Negotiating the Treaty
YouTube video by Ocean Equity Research
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 22/02/2026
As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, what are the medals that the top athletes will be taking home made of? This graphic takes a look and also highlights the values of each medal: www.compoundchem.com/2026/02/22/w... #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “The 2026 Winter Olympics medals” shows gold, silver and bronze medals with ribbons. Gold medal value is $1,938 / £1,437 and is 500 g silver with 6 g gold plating. Silver medal value is $1,003 / £744 and is 500 g of 99.9% silver. Bronze medal value is $5.13 / £3.81 and is 420 g copper. Text notes medals use recycled metals from the Italian State Mint and have protective coatings.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 18/02/2026
Can antiviral sprays spare you from the flu? And how do they claim to work? In the latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social, we examine the evidence: cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “How do antiviral nasal sprays work?” shows a nasal spray bottle centered between panels explaining mechanisms, effectiveness, and side effects. Left panel describes polymer gel barriers like HPMC and carrageenan that trap viruses, block spike proteins, and acidic pH buffers that suppress viruses. Middle notes saline sprays may form hypochlorous acid. Right panel cites a 2024 trial showing sprays reduced average sick days versus usual care, with mild side effects such as headache, sinus pain, and sneezing.
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 22/02/2026
How did non-living chemistry on prebiotic Earth start to self-replicate and evolve? James Urquhart unravels the RNA mystery.
chemistryworld.com
Self-synthesising RNA strand offers clues to life’s origins
RNA strand, made of just 45 nucleotides, performs two key reactions required for self-replication
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 14/02/2026
Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are some of the molecules of love ❤️ www.compoundchem.com/2023/02/13/v... #ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled "Valentine’s Day Chemistry" explores the molecules behind love. It features pink chemical structures for dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, and oxytocin. Dopamine is linked to pleasure, while serotonin levels decrease, potentially causing obsession. Adrenaline increases heart rate and excitement. Oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone," fosters trust.
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 08/02/2026
The technique is a step forward in the field and works with atropoisomerism, coordination chemistry and more.
chemistryworld.com
Mapping tool delivers quantitative visualisations of steric interactions
Technique uncovers subtle interactions that previous methods have missed
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 11/02/2026
Today is the #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience 👩‍🔬 This graphic highlights women of the periodic table, the elements they discovered, and the two elements named after women. Plenty more graphics on women in chemistry here: www.compoundchem.com/category/wom... #ChemSky 🧪
This infographic titled "The Women of the Periodic Table" highlights ten women and their contributions to element discovery. A central periodic table marks specific elements in green and orange, with lines connecting them to names and portraits. Featured scientists include Marie Curie (polonium, radium), Marguerite Perey (francium), and Clarice Phelps (tennessine). It traces history from early pioneers like Harriet Brooks to modern teams including Dawn Shaughnessy and Darleane Hoffman.
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Stable copper superatom breaks carbon dioxide electroreduction records www.chemistryworld.com/news/stable-... @rsc.org @chemistryworld.com @acs.org @acsjacs.bsky.social #ChemSky 🧪
chemistryworld.com
Stable copper superatom breaks carbon dioxide electroreduction records
Highly efficient nanoclusters can form fuels and basic chemicals such as ethylene, ethanol and acetic acid
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 26/01/2026
Asbestos is in the news after traces of tremolite asbestos were found in some brands of play sand: www.theguardian.com/business/202... This graphic covers asbestos health concerns: www.compoundchem.com/2018/08/14/a...
An infographic titled "Chemical Concerns: Asbestos" explains that asbestos, including chrysotile, is a group of fibrous, heat-resistant minerals. Historically used in insulation, tiles, and brake pads, it is now banned in 55+ countries because inhalation causes asbestosis and cancer. It accounts for 107,000 deaths annually and 4% of lung cancer cases, with a latency period of up to 40 years. Despite these risks, 2 million tons are still mined each year.
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
This new periodic table will help classify and predict how quantum rules for atoms are altered by strong relativistic effects in highly charged ions with applications in modern quantum materials #ChemSky 🧪 www.chemistryworld.com/news/atomic-...
chemistryworld.com
Atomic physics gets its own ‘periodic table’ that covers highly charged ions
New table could help with the redefinition of the second and creation of the next generation of atomic clocks
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Iupac announces it is moving from the US to a joint home in Spain and Italy www.chemistryworld.com/news/iupac-a... @chemistryworld.com @rsc.org #ChemSky 🧪
chemistryworld.com
Iupac announces it is moving from the US to a joint home in Spain and Italy
Dual headquarters decision a result of strong bids from both cities
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 16/01/2026
US ICE agents have been using tear gas on protestors in Minneapolis. There's been plenty of tear gas misinformation flying around on social media; here's a summary of the chemistry and the best way to get rid of it (TLDR: water): www.compoundchem.com/2020/06/09/t... #ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled "Tear Gas: Chemistry, Dispersal Methods & Effects". It details the active agent in tear gas, 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, showing its chemical structure. It explains dispersal via burning canisters (using charcoal and potassium nitrate) or sprays. Health effects include eye, nose, and respiratory irritation lasting 15–30 minutes. Treatment steps advise moving to fresh air, removing clothing, and flushing with water or saline.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 17/01/2026
“[The study] identified no association between exposure to paracetamol in utero and a baby being autistic, having ADHD or an intellectual disability.” To the surprise of absolutely no one. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Study debunks Trump claim that paracetamol causes autism
Taking drug in pregnancy does not raise chances of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, ‘gold standard’ review finds
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 19/01/2026
Two startups that produce chemicals from whisky residues are attempting to fill the economic gap left as the nearby oil refinery closes. Government funds will support designing and building new biorefineries to ferment omega-3 fatty acids and acetone, butanol and ethanol.
chemistryworld.com
Funding boost for Grangemouth whisky waste-to-chemicals firms
Governments hope £9 million in grants will help MiAlgae and Celtic Renewables replace oil-refining jobs
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 07/01/2026
It's been 1 year since Donald Trump returned as US president. Many of the worst fears that scientists had about his government have been borne out with science agencies cut, universities targeted and grants cancelled.
chemistryworld.com
One year on, Trump’s second term has upended US science
Fears that the president's return to the White House would seriously damage science agencies and universities have been borne out
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Chemistry World @chemistryworld.com · 10/01/2026
What does 'democratising science' really mean? Vanessa Seifert looks at the many meanings of democratisation and reveals the insight in a lesser-known history.
chemistryworld.com
Democratising science, one step at a time
Artifical intelligence is just the latest method to open up chemistry to more people
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 05/01/2026
Icy weather is hitting here this week ❄️ If you've ever wondered why snowflakes are six-sided, why ice floats on water, and what ice cores can tell us about the past climate, then check out this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/environment/... #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “The Chemistry of Snow and Ice” explaining why snowflakes have six sides, why ice floats, and how ice affects atmospheric chemistry. Sections show snowflake formation via hydrogen bonding creating hexagonal crystals; types of snowflakes varying with temperature and humidity; a graph comparing ice and water density showing ice is less dense; Antarctic icy chemistry illustrating ozone-depleting reactions on ice crystals; and ice cores revealing past climate data from oxygen isotopes and carbon dioxide.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 08/01/2026
Getting snow where you are? Did you know that there are 121 categories of snowflake? ❄️ This graphic is an old favourite which gives an overview of the 39 intermediate categories: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/10/s... 🧪
Infographic titled “Snowflakes: Classifications & Shapes” showing how snowflakes are categorized by crystal form. Sections illustrate column crystals, plane crystals, combinations of column and plane crystals, rimed snow crystals, aggregation, germs of ice crystals, irregular particles, and other solid precipitation. Each category uses simple blue icons with codes (e.g., C1, P3). A key explains three classification levels: 8 general, 39 intermediate, and 121 elementary categories, highlighting the wide variety of snowflake shapes found in nature.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 25/12/2025
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Photo of a peptide made from amino acids, the code for which spells out “Merry Christmas”
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 24/12/2025
It's Christmas Eve and the final day of #ChemAdvent! We're finishing off with Christmas pudding and why you shouldn't hide a coin in the mixture as was customary in the past 🪙 #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the chemistry of Christmas puddings. The graphic shows the chemical structures of tartaric acid (from raisins) and citric acid (from citrus peel). It also explains how the custom of hiding small silver coins in the mixture is not advisable with modern coiins due to their nickel content.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 22/12/2025
Keeping warm on day 22 of #ChemAdvent 🔥 Winter fire smells come from smoky syringol and guaiacols. Herring under a fur coat doesn't actually involve a fur coat, but a layer of beetroot and vegetables over pickled herring #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the smell of winter fires. The structures of several compounds that contribute to the smell of winter fires are shown, including guaiacol, syringol, isoeugenol and 4-methylguaiacol.Infographic on herring under a fur coat, a layered salad which includes pickled herring, grated boiled eggs, vegetables, onion and mayonnaise. A layer of grated beetroot gives the dish a vivid purple colour, due to the pigment betanin, the structure of which is shown.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 21/12/2025
Terpenes unite the graphics for day 21 of #ChemAdvent Menthol in candy canes is responsible for the cooling sensation in your mouth when you eat one ❄️ The muddy flavour of carp is dominated by the compound geosmin, another terpene 🐟 #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on candy canes. The chemical structures of sucrose and menthol are shown. Menthol from peppermint triggers cold-sensitive receptors when eaten, making your mouth feel cold.Infographic on carp. The earthy flavour of freshwater fish is due to the compound geosmin, produced by bacteria. The structure of geosmin is shown.
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Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 20/12/2025
Cracking chemistry for day 20 of #ChemAdvent! First up are Christmas crackers, taking advantage of friction-sensitive silver fulminate to deliver a big bang 💥 For tamales, preventing cracking of the corn husk wrapping is the aim, so they're soaked in water to make them flexible 🌽 #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on Christmas crackers, showing the structure of silver fulminate and explaining how this friction-sensitive compound is placed on the ends of the two strips of card that form the cracker snap and detonates when the snap is pulled.Infographic on tamales, made from a corn-based dough and steamed inside a corn husk. Nixtamalisation is the process of cooking and steeping corn kernels in an alkaline solution to degrade the outer layer of the corn kernel and soften the corn, making it easier to grind into flour.
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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @aberdeenchem.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
The Department of Chemistry will be closed from today until the 5th of January. Hope you all have a fantastic holiday, and we’ll see you in the New Year 🎆🍾🎉🥳🎇
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Reposted by Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 19/12/2025
Mulled wine and tangyuan for day 19 of #ChemAdvent! Both wine and tangyuan contain long, chainlike molecules. In wine, it's the polymeric tannins that influence astringency and mouthfeel. In tangyuan, made from glutinous rice flour, branched chains of amylopectin make the rice sticky. #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on mulled wine, showing the structures of two key flavour compenents: eugenol from cloves and cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon.Infographic on tangyuan, Chinese dumplings made from glutinous rice flour. Low amylose content and higher amylopectin content makes glutinous rice sticky. Simplified structures of amylose and amylopectin are shown.
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