The hottest Chemistry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

But good sir, what is electricity?

lcamtuf’s thing • 18977 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🔬 Science Electricity Physics Chemistry Electronics Materials
  1. Electricity is about how electrons interact with atoms. Electrons can move from one place to another, creating electric current in conductive materials like metals.
  2. Conductors, like metals, allow electrons to flow freely, while insulators hold onto their electrons tightly. This difference determines how well materials conduct electricity.
  3. The movement of electrons in a wire is what allows us to use electricity for various tasks. It can be quick, but individual electrons move slowly compared to the speed at which electrical signals travel.

AI-Designed Enzymes

Asimov Press • 457 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry AI Research Engineering
  1. Researchers are now able to design complex enzymes from scratch using AI. This new ability could help create custom enzymes for various chemical reactions.
  2. The process of designing these enzymes is not easy, as they need to change shape during reactions. Scientists have developed methods to improve their ability to predict how these enzymes will work.
  3. Even though the newly designed enzymes are not as fast as natural ones yet, this work is a big step toward making more effective enzymes for scientific and industrial purposes.

How To Break Up With Your Toxic Acid

Intercalation Station • 59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Chemistry Batteries Sustainability Manufacturing Innovation
  1. Fluorine plays a big role in making lithium-ion batteries better. It's important for key parts like the electrolyte salt that helps the battery work efficiently.
  2. Hydrogen fluoride is super toxic and can cause serious harm on contact. Finding safer ways to handle fluorine is crucial for both workers and the environment.
  3. FluoRok, a new company, is working to make fluorination safer and more sustainable. They aim to provide a better way to create essential materials without the risks associated with traditional processes.

High-Throughput Chemistry and Engineering with Kadi Saar

Lever • 19 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Biotechnology Engineering Research Health
  1. Kadi Saar has an impressive background in both chemistry and engineering. She excelled in academics and sports, even winning a talent show in mental arithmetic.
  2. Her research focuses on combining high-throughput structural biology with computational chemistry to help develop new drugs. She has shown that analyzing diverse ligand structures can lead to better drug design.
  3. Kadi emphasizes the importance of enjoying the people you work with when choosing projects. Collaborating with good people makes the journey more fulfilling.
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News! & Longer Living Through Chemistry

Unsettled Science • 545 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🔬 Science Research Health Chemistry Lifestyle Wellness
  1. A new Substack newsletter is being launched due to challenges faced in a joint project. Leaving the previous newsletter was not an easy decision but necessary to move forward.
  2. There is a mention of an anti-aging pill in the news. It's important to think carefully about whether to take such a pill or not.
  3. The focus is on exploring longer life through chemistry. This suggests that science might hold keys to better health and longevity.

How to Measure Molecules

Asimov Press • 367 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🔬 Science Physics Chemistry History Experimentation Mathematics
  1. In the late 19th century, Lord Rayleigh measured the size of a single molecule using simple materials like oil and water. This clever experiment showed how basic observations can lead to important scientific discoveries.
  2. Benjamin Franklin also made significant observations about oil on water in the 18th century, but he didn't calculate the size of molecules. His work laid the groundwork for future scientists like Rayleigh.
  3. Rayleigh's experiment demonstrated that you don’t always need complex tools to make groundbreaking discoveries. Even simple experiments can provide valuable insights that inspire later research.

4.2.2 Fluid Theories of Electricity

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
🔬 Science Electricity Physics History Technology Chemistry
  1. Electricity was thought to behave like a fluid that could flow through conductors, which helped scientists understand how it could be transmitted over distances.
  2. Benjamin Franklin proposed a one-fluid theory of electricity, categorizing electricity into 'positive' and 'negative' charges, which laid the groundwork for future electrical theories.
  3. Alessandro Volta created the first battery, making it possible to study electricity as a continuous flow, leading to advancements in electrical science and technology.

Constructing space-filling curves

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 90 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Physics Biology Chemistry Engineering
  1. Space-filling curves, like the Hilbert curve, can fill a whole area by connecting points in a specific way through iterations. They start small and grow by adding more points and connections at each step.
  2. Different seeds can lead to different types of curves. Each seed can be developed using two choices for how to connect the points, leading to many possible variations.
  3. The process used to create these curves can also be reversed. By looking at a curve and breaking it down, you can see how it was made step by step.

Guilt by Association

Doomberg • 6508 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🔬 Science Energy Chemistry Geopolitics Natural Gas Oil
  1. Old practices of thrift are now merchandised as 'upcycling.'
  2. Utilizing byproducts from manufacturing and petrochemical industry is both necessary and economical.
  3. High oil prices incentivize more oil drilling, leading to oversupply and lower natural gas prices in the US.

Science and Serendipity

Dr’s Newsletter • 746 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Chemistry Toxicity
  1. PhD research can be challenging but can lead to unexpected and serendipitous discoveries
  2. The stability of certain compounds is crucial in preventing toxicity, as observed in experiments with aluminium and silicic acid in fish
  3. Understanding the chemistry behind experimental outcomes is key, as seen in the success of a PhD research project despite initial doubts

A short brainstorm on niobium

Intercalation Station • 779 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🔬 Science Materials Chemistry
  1. Niobium is a versatile material with unique properties like superconductivity and strength.
  2. Thermal runaway in batteries can be analyzed and mitigated using tools like differential scanning calorimetry.
  3. 90% of niobium is used in steelmaking, but it has potential in battery technology for durability and fast charging.

Complex systems emerge from simple rules

Tecnica • 55 HN points • 28 Jul 24
🔬 Science Biology Physics Chemistry Emergence Complexity
  1. Complex systems can develop from just a few simple rules, like in the Game of Life. It shows how starting with basic ideas can create amazing patterns and interactions.
  2. Emergence means that new, complex properties appear from simpler components interacting together. This is true for nature, biology, and even technology like AI.
  3. Human thoughts and actions also have an emergent nature. We often wonder where our ideas come from and what rules guide our decisions.

The Sequence Chat: Can AI Solve The Riemann Hypothesis? Some Ideas About the Progress and Limitations of AI in Science

TheSequence • 70 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Artificial Intelligence Physics Chemistry Technology
  1. AI has made impressive strides in scientific fields, helping tackle complex problems across various disciplines like chemistry and physics. This progress shows that AI can be a powerful tool in advancing our understanding of science.
  2. The Riemann Hypothesis is a famous unsolved math problem that could significantly enhance our knowledge of prime numbers. Its simplicity in concept and complexity in proof makes it a unique challenge for both humans and AI.
  3. While AI has potential in scientific research, there are limitations to what it can achieve, especially in tackling deeply complex problems like the Riemann Hypothesis. The unique nature of such challenges may be beyond AI's current capabilities.

Friday Links

Niko McCarty • 39 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Technology Health Environment
  1. Forever chemicals are really tough to break down because of their chemical structure. Researchers are looking for ways to engineer microbes that can help eliminate these harmful substances.
  2. SGLT2 inhibitors can help the immune system clear out old cells, which could be important for health. There’s growing interest in how these inhibitors can benefit kidney treatment.
  3. Advances in cotton plant genomes could make it easier to breed better plants in the future. This could lead to improvements in cotton production and farming.

Is Earth A Computational Process?

Surfing the Future • 119 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Computing AI Sustainability Chemistry
  1. Stephen Wolfram's TED talk on computational thinking explores AI, the universe, and more, opening up new possibilities for the future.
  2. Earth being a computing process is a fascinating concept with implications for sustainability and AI.
  3. The work of James Lovelock, especially his Gaia theory, holds significance and influences the thinking of many individuals.

QuantumSi - Routes Forward

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Electronics Chemistry Data processing
  1. QuantumSi has recently laid off employees as they restructure due to poor sales. This is tough for those affected, and it's hoped they find new jobs soon.
  2. To reach billions of reads, QuantumSi is exploring chip reuse but it's tricky since they might need to clean the chip quickly and keep it working well after many uses.
  3. They are also looking at using multiple imaging regions to help with throughput instead of reusing chips, which could be a more practical solution for their counting goals.

The NextSeq 2000 Optical System

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Physics Chemistry Technology Engineering
  1. The NextSeq 2000 utilizes structured illumination to improve imaging quality. This technology allows for clearer images of very small features that were hard to see before.
  2. This updated information aims to reach a broader audience, moving from a previous platform to this one.
  3. The content is exclusive for paid subscribers, highlighting the value in subscribing for more detailed insights.

AI Dropped the Mic at the Nobel Party

TheSequence • 105 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🔬 Science AI Machine Learning Computer Science Chemistry
  1. AI scientists won two Nobel Prizes, one in physics and one in chemistry, marking a big moment for the field.
  2. Some scientists are upset about machine learning winning in physics, saying it's not really physics but computer science.
  3. Many see this as a sign of how science and tech are blending together, showing that knowledge connects different fields in exciting ways.

O-Day - Wormhole

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🔬 Science Physics Archaeology Chemistry Astronomy Materials
  1. The presentation shared experimental evidence about the operation of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
  2. Macro photography gave a first look at the sample and detailed study of the disruption zone.
  3. Speculation was made about the use of iron as a possible fuel, along with other metals, in a related process.

O-Day - Explaining Frank Polifka's Windhexe

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Technology Physics Engineering Chemistry Biology
  1. A technology called Windhexe can turn various materials into powder, even turning gravel to dust and reducing waste into powder.
  2. The Windhexe device functions by creating a tornado-like vortex in a chamber, causing materials to be smashed and pulverized into tiny particles.
  3. Windhexe technology has been used by different companies for processing food wastes, manufacturing debris, and even for drying materials quickly.

1.3 Wait... That's All There Is To It?

Fields & Energy • 179 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Electromagnetism Quantum Mechanics Astrophysics Chemistry
  1. To understand how fields guide energy, you need to think deeply about concepts like light and electromagnetic waves. This involves understanding how energy balances between electric and magnetic forms.
  2. There's a new way to look at electromagnetism that contradicts a lot of what we've assumed for over a century. This new view can help explain some confusing aspects of quantum mechanics.
  3. Even though electromagnetism seems fully understood, there’s still room for fresh ideas that could change our understanding. Just like a miner finding new gems in a familiar mine, new insights might be waiting to be discovered.

Transannular C–H functionalization of cycloalkane carboxylic acids

Axial • 14 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Research Innovation
  1. New methods to make cyclic compounds called carbocycles are being developed. These methods are more efficient than traditional ones.
  2. Two new types of ligands help improve the ability to manipulate these compounds, making the process more controlled. This is especially important for challenging structures.
  3. The research shows that creating complex molecules can be done in fewer steps than before, which saves time and resources in drug development.

Process notes: ethyl maltol

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 195 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Chemistry
  1. Ethyl maltol is a magical substance in perfumery with a childhood-like smell.
  2. It is single-minded, precise, and offers specific shades isolated from complex settings.
  3. Being closely related to maltol but stronger, it requires only a tiny dose and leaves space for other ingredients in perfumery formulas.

Issue 17: No great stagnation in cruise ships

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Engineering Urbanism Biotechnology Data science Chemistry
  1. Cruise ships show that new ideas and growth are still possible in design and urban living, even as some land technologies seem to stall.
  2. Madrid has successfully built its metro system much faster and cheaper than cities like London and New York by using smart planning and incentives for local leaders.
  3. Many animals, like horses and crabs, are essential for creating life-saving chemicals, reminding us that we still rely on nature, even as technology advances.

Literally Imagine Dragons

Eat Shit and Prosper • 259 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Environmental Science Earth Science Microbiology
  1. Chlorophyll and heme are both essential chemicals in life, with similar structures that play key roles in energy production and oxygen transport. Chlorophyll helps plants make energy from sunlight, while heme carries oxygen in our blood.
  2. There's a mysterious porphyrin with vanadium at its center found in crude oil. It could belong to an ancient life form, and studying it may reveal new insights into the history of life on Earth.
  3. The idea of a lost type of microbial chemistry, possibly allowing for 'silanogenesis', imagines how ancient creatures might have used silicon compounds like silane for energy, similar to how some modern microbes produce methane.

A Protein Printer

Asimov Press • 322 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🔬 Science Biology Technology Chemistry DNA Proteins
  1. A protein printer is a new technology that can convert digital bits into physical molecules, potentially revolutionizing biology.
  2. The protein printer could make proteins without using DNA or cells, thus reducing costs significantly.
  3. Engineering a protein printer involves reimagining the ribosome to quickly convert digital bits into physical molecules with high precision.

Alexander Shulgin's Greatest Psychedelic Hits

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Chemistry Drug Development Mental health Therapy
  1. Alexander Shulgin, known as 'the godfather of psychedelics,' created hundreds of psychedelic compounds, with 6 standing out as his favorites, named the 'magical half-dozen.'
  2. Shulgin's work revolutionized the field of designer drugs and led to the exploration of thousands of psychoactive substances.
  3. Shulgin's approach to testing new compounds was meticulous, starting with low doses and gradually increasing, emphasizing safety and understanding the threshold dose for each substance.

Tuesday Links

Niko McCarty • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🔬 Science Biology Medicine Technology Chemistry Research
  1. New AI models are being developed to design DNA sequences and create new antibodies. These advancements could help in understanding genetic activities better.
  2. Researchers have found a clever way to help microbes absorb molecules that usually cannot enter cells by attaching them to compounds that can. This could lead to new methods in biotechnology.
  3. Joining cancer trials might not help patients live longer, according to a study. It's important for patients to consider this when thinking about trial participation.

Designer Drug Exposé: Lysergamides

Tripsitter • 79 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Designer Drugs Safety Chemistry
  1. Lysergamides like LSD are potent psychedelics with similar effects, challenging one's sense of self and reality.
  2. Designer lysergamides, such as 1P-LSD and ALD-52, mimic the effects of LSD and are often converted into active LSD in the body.
  3. Legal complexities surround lysergamides with only LSD explicitly listed as a controlled substance, leading to the creation of various analogs and prodrugs.

Chemistry sets and the old-fashioned childhood

Demodexio • 132 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🚌 Education Chemistry Biology
  1. Chemistry sets used to be more dangerous, now they are heavily regulated for children's safety.
  2. We should invest more in structured education for kids in subjects like chemistry and biology to provide similar experiences.
  3. Children today have more limited freedom to explore outdoors, so it's important to offer structured outdoor education in schools.