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. Beyond Glass: Making Wood Transparent

    A cracked phone screen can ruin your day. Could a wooden screen solve the problem? Making wood transparent means removing the colored compounds in wood called lignins and then filling in the air pockets with polymers.

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Bringing Back the Sense of Smell

    Imagine not being able to smell your favorite flower or your dinner cooking. The sense of smell is often unappreciated until it's gone. Scientists are working to find ways to bring it back using chemistry and electronics.

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Can Plants Fuel Champions?

    Plant-based diets are becoming more and more popular among athletes. What are the advantages, or drawbacks, to eating a plant-based diet and what impact might a plant-based diet have on athletic performance? It’s all about macro- and micronutrients.

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Chem in Person: Why Your Sense of Smells Is Basically Infinite

    Steven Munger discusses his round-about journey into chemistry and the mysteries of smell and taste that have kept him fascinated throughout his career.

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Chemistry Is the Foundation of Life, But What Does It Mean to Be Alive?

    It may seem easy to distinguish whether something is alive or not. But how can chemistry help us answer this question?

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Milk: It’s What’s Growing in the Garden

    Almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, even hemp milk are all popular substitutes for cow’s milk. But the chemistry behind converting these non-dairy options into good dairy substitutes isn’t trivial.

    Issue Date | February 2025

  • 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

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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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