Chemistry

A train carrying toxic and combustible materials derailed recently in Ohio. Here’s what we know about the situation—and what we can’t know yet

The “amorphous” solid is denser and could be water “frozen in time”

Mineral deposits called “lime clasts” found in ancient Roman concrete give the material self-healing capabilities that could help engineers develop more resilient modern concrete and reduce its associated emissions

Minuscule motor molecules could emit light as they journey into cells

A river’s “gut” revived, snake-saving social media, an intragalactic donut, and more success stories of the year

“Intentionally added microplastics” in pesticides and cosmetics could be made from silk instead

Scientists capture complex structure in a molecule-deep pool of ice

Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and K. Barry Sharpless share the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering an easy way to “click” molecular building blocks together

A mathematical model reveals the best way to achieve consistently tasty espresso

Science in meter and verse

A new resin can hold fiberglass wind turbines together for years and then be recycled into valuable products, making green energy even greener

Jacob Sagiv is a chemist who studies properties of self-assembled monolayers. This year, he shared The Kavli Prize in Nanoscience for his research.