chemistry research topics 2022

100+ Great Chemistry Research Topics

Table of contents

• 1 5 Tips for Writing Chemistry Research Papers
• 2 Chemical Engineering Research Topics
• 3 Organic Сhemistry Research Topics
• 4 Іnorganic Сhemistry Research Topics
• 5 Biomolecular Сhemistry Research Topics
• 6 Analytical Chemistry Research Topics
• 7 Computational Chemistry Research Topics
• 8 Physical Chemistry Research Topics
• 9 Innovative Chemistry Research Topics
• 10 Environmental Chemistry Research Topics
• 11 Green Chemistry Research Topics
• 12.1 Conclusion

Do you need a topic for your chemistry research paper? Are you unsure of where to start? Don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll go over a series of the best chemistry research paper topics as well as Tips for Writing Chemistry Research Papers on different topics. By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll have plenty of ideas to get started on your next research project!

There are many different subfields of chemistry, so it can be tough to find interesting chemistry topics to write about. If you’re struggling to narrow down your topic, we’ll go over lists of topics in multiple fields of study.

Doing research is important to help scientists learn more about the world around us. By researching different compounds and elements, we can learn more about how they interact with one another and how they can be used to create new products or improve existing ones.

There are many different topics that you can choose to research in chemistry. Here are just a few examples:

• The history of chemistry and how it has evolved over time
• How different chemicals react with one another
• How to create new compounds or improve existing ones
• The role of chemistry in the environment
• The health effects of different chemicals

5 Tips for Writing Chemistry Research Papers

Once you have chosen a topic for your research paper , it is important to follow some tips to ensure that your paper is well-written and accurate. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start by doing some background research on your topic. This will help you understand the basics of the topic and give you a good foundation to build your paper on.
• Make sure to cite all of the sources that you use in your paper. This will help to show where you got your information and will also help to add credibility to your work.
• Be sure to proofread your paper before you submit it. This will ensure that there are no errors and that your paper is clear and concise.
• Get help from a tutor or friend if you are struggling with your paper. They may be able to offer helpful advice or feedback.
• Take your time when writing your research paper. This is not a race, and it is important to make sure that you do a good job on your research.

By following these tips, you can be sure that your chemistry research paper will be a success! So what are you waiting for? Let’s go over some of the best research paper topics out there. Choosing a chemistry research topic is just the first step. The complexity of scientific writing can be daunting. For those who need assistance, a professional research paper writer can help you craft a well-researched and clearly articulated paper.

Chemical Engineering Research Topics

Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and application of chemical processes. If you’re wondering how to choose a paper topic, here are some ideas to inspire you:

• How to create new alloy compounds or improve existing ones
• The health effects of the food industry chemicals
• Chemical engineering and sustainable development
• The future of chemical engineering
• Chemical engineering and the food industry
• Chemical engineering and the pharmaceutical industry
• Chemical engineering and the cosmetics industry
• Chemical engineering and the petrochemical industry
• Biocompatible materials for drug delivery systems
• Membrane technology in water treatment
• Development of synthetic fibers for industrial use

These are just a few examples – there are many more possibilities out there! So get started on your research today. Who knows what you might discover!

Need expert assistance with a research project? Get your paper written by a professional writer Get Help Reviews.io 4.9/5

Organic Сhemistry Research Topics

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing molecules. There are many different organic chemistry research topics that a student could choose to focus on and here are just a few examples of possible research projects in organic chemistry:

• Investigating new methods for synthesizing chiral molecules
• Studying the structure and reactivity of carbon nanotubes
• Investigating metal complexes with organometallic ligands
• Designing benzene derivatives with improved thermal stability
• Exploring new ways to control the stereochemistry of chemical reactions
• Studying the role of enzymes in organic synthesis
• Investigating new strategies for combating drug resistance
• Developing new methods for detecting explosives residues
• Studying the photochemistry of organic molecules
• Studying the behavior of organometallic compounds in biological systems
• Synthetic routes for biodegradable plastics
• Catalysis in organic synthesis
• Development of non-toxic solvents

Іnorganic Сhemistry Research Topics

Inorganic Chemistry is the study of the chemistry of materials that do not contain carbon. Unlike other chemistry research topics, these include elements such as metals, minerals, and inorganic compounds. If you are looking for inorganic chemistry research topics on inorganic chemistry, here are some ideas to get you started:

• How different metals react with one another
• How to create new alloys or improve existing ones
• The role of inorganic chemistry in the environment
• Rare earth elements and their applications in electronics
• Inorganic polymers in construction materials
• Photoluminescent materials for energy conversion
• Inorganic chemistry and sustainable development
• The future of inorganic chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry and the food industry
• Inorganic chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry
• Atomic structure progressive scale grading
• Inorganiс Сhemistry and the cosmetics industry

Biomolecular Сhemistry Research Topics

Biomolecular chemistry is the study of molecules that are important for life. These molecules can be found in all living things, from tiny bacteria to the largest animals. Researchers who work in this field use a variety of techniques to learn more about how these molecules function and how they interact with each other.

If you are looking for essential biomolecular chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• The structure and function of DNA
• Lipidomics and its applications in disease diagnostics
• The structure and function of proteins
• The role of carbohydrates in the body
• The role of lipids in the body
• How enzymes work
• Protein engineering for therapeutic applications
• The role of biochemistry in heart disease
• Cyanides and their effect on the body
• The role of biochemistry in cancer treatment
• The role of biochemistry in Parkison’s disease treatment
• The role of biochemistry in the immune system
• Carbohydrate-based vaccines

The possibilities are endless for someone willing to dedicate some time to research.

Analytical Chemistry Research Topics

Analytical Chemistry is a type of chemistry that helps scientists figure out what something is made of. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as spectroscopy or chromatography. If you are looking for research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• How food chemicals react with one another
• Mass spectrometry
• Microplastics detection in marine environments
• Development of sensors for heavy metal detection in water
• Analytical aspects of gas and liquid chromatography
• Analytical chemistry and sustainable development
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy methods and best practices
• Analytical chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry in Ibuprofen consumption
• Analytical chemistry and the cosmetics industry in UV protectors
• High-throughput screening methods in pharmaceutical analysis
• Dispersive X-ray analysis of damaged tissues

Analytical chemistry is considered by many a complex science and there is a lot yet to be discovered in the field.

Computational Chemistry Research Topics

Computational chemistry is a way to use computers to help chemists understand chemical reactions. This can be done by simulating reactions or by designing new molecules. If you are looking for essential chemistry research topics in computational chemistry, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Molecular mechanics simulation
• Machine learning applications in predicting molecular properties
• Reaction rates of complex chemical reactions
• Designing new molecules: how can simulation help
• The role of computers in the study of quantum mechanics
• How to use computers to predict chemical reactions
• Using computers to understand organic chemistry
• The future of computational Chemistry in organic reactions
• The impacts of simulation on the development of new medications
• Combustion reaction simulation impact on engine development
• Quantum-chemistry simulation review
• Simulation of protein folding and misfolding in diseases
• Development of algorithms for chemical synthesis planning
• Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks in water sequestration and catalysis

Computers are cutting-edge technology in chemical research and this relatively new field of study has a ton yet to be explored.

Physical Chemistry Research Topics

Physical chemistry is the study of how matter behaves. It looks at the physical and chemical properties of atoms and molecules and how they interact with each other. If you are looking for physical chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Standardization of pH scales
• Structure of atom on a quantum scale
• Bonding across atoms and molecules
• The effect of temperature on chemical reactions
• The role of light in in-body chemical reactions
• Chemical kinetics
• Molecular dynamics in confined spaces
• Quantum computing for solving chemical problems
• Studies on non-Newtonian fluids in industrial processes
• Surface tension and its effects on mixtures
• The role of pressure in chemical reactions
• Rates of diffusion in gases and liquids
• The role of entropy in chemical reactions

Here are just a few samples, but there are plenty more options! Start your research right now!

Innovative Chemistry Research Topics

Innovative chemistry is all about coming up with new ideas and ways to do things. This can be anything from creating new materials to finding new ways to make existing products. If you are looking for ground-breaking chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Amino acids side chain effects in protein folding
• Chemistry in the production of nanomaterials
• The role of enzymes in chemical reactions
• Photocatalysis in 3D printing
• Avoiding pesticides in agriculture
• Combining chemical and biological processes
• Gene modification in medicinal chemistry
• The role of quantum mechanics in chemical reactions
• Astrochemical research on extraterrestrial molecules
• Spectroscopy signatures of pressurized organic components
• Development of smart materials with responsive properties
• Chemistry in space: studying chemical reactions in microgravity
• Utilization of CO2 in chemical synthesis
• Use of black soldier fly carcasses for bioplastic production using extracted chitin
• Bioorthogonal chemistry for molecule synthesis inside living systems

If you need a hand, there are several sites that also offer research papers for sale and can be a great asset as you work to create your own research papers.

Whatever route you decide to take, good luck! And remember – the sky’s the limit when it comes to research! So get started today and see where your studies may take you. Who knows, you might just make a breakthrough discovery!

Environmental Chemistry Research Topics

Environmental Chemistry is the study of how chemicals interact with the environment. This can include anything from the air we breathe to the water we drink. If you are looking for environmental chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Plastic effects on ocean life
• Urban ecology
• The role of carbon in climate change
• Air pollution and its effects
• Water pollution and its effects
• Chemicals in food and their effect on the body
• The effect of chemicals on plant life
• Earth temperature prediction models
• Effects of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments
• Atmospheric chemistry and urban air quality
• Bioremediation techniques for oil spill cleanup
• Regulatory and environmental impact of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFA) substances
• Comparison of chemical regulation impacts like PFA with historical cases such as lead in fuel

A lot of research on the environment is being conducted at the moment because the environment is in danger. There are a lot of environmental problems that need to be solved, and research is the key to solving them.

Green Chemistry Research Topics

Green chemistry is the study of how to make products and processes that are environmentally friendly. This can include anything from finding new ways to recycle materials to developing new products that are biodegradable. If you are looking for green chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Recycling and reuse of materials
• Developing biodegradable materials
• Improving existing recycling processes
• Green chemistry and sustainable development
• The future of green chemistry
• Green chemistry and the food industry
• Lifecycle assessment of chemical processes
• Green chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry
• Development of catalysts for green chemistry
• Green chemistry and the cosmetics industry
• Alternative energy sources for chemical synthesis

A more environmentally friendly world is something we all aspire for and a lot of research has been conducted on how we can achieve this, making this one of the most promising areas of study. The results have been varied, but there are a few key things we can do to make a difference.

Controversial Chemistry Research Topics

Controversial chemistry is all about hot-button topics that people are passionate about. This can include anything from the use of chemicals in warfare to the health effects of different chemicals. If you are looking for controversial topics to write about , here are some ideas to get you started:

• The use of chemicals in warfare
• Gene modification in human babies
• Bioengineering
• How fast food chemicals affect the human brain
• The role of the government in regulating chemicals
• Evolution of cigarette chemicals over time
• Chemical effects of CBD oils
• Ethical issues in genetic modification of organisms
• Nuclear energy: risks and benefits
• Use of chemicals in electronic waste recycling
• Antidepressant chemical reactions
• Synthetic molecule replication methods
• Gene analysis

Controversial research papers often appear in the media before it has been peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal. The reason for this is that the media is interested in stories that are new, exciting, and generate a lot of debate.

Chemistry is an incredibly diverse and interesting field, with many controversial topics to write about. If you are looking for a research topic, consider the examples listed in this article. With a little bit of effort, you are sure to find a topic that is both interesting and within your skillset.

In order to be a good researcher, it is important to be able to think critically and solve problems. However, innovation in chemistry research can be challenging. When thinking about how to innovate, it is important to consider both the practical and theoretical aspects of your research. Additionally, try to build on the work of others in order to create something new and unique. With a little bit of effort, you are sure to be able to find a topic that is both interesting and within your skillset.

Happy writing!

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10 Hot Topics in Chemistry so far in 2022

• Jul 8, 2022

In any field, there are always some current topics that get pulses racing. Chemistry is no different, so today we bring you our top ten hot topics of the summer. Grab an iced drink, and see if you agree with our run down…

AI and Big Data

At number ten, it’s artificial intelligence and big data in water environments. These powerful new tools are increasingly being used in environmental science to assess risks, examine contaminants, identify and characterize pollution sources, and to model water treatment processes. But there remain opportunities and challenges in applying machine learning and data analytics to solving environmental problems, and it is hoped that new techniques will significantly advance water-related research in the coming years. 1

10 Hot Topics in Chemistry So Far in 2023

Thermochemical processing of waste and biomass.

Next up: recent advances in biomass and wastes thermochemical processing. Earlier in the year the ACS journal Energy & Fuels highlighted developments presented by participants at a virtual symposium organized by the Washington State University Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Bioproducts Institute. The world is gradually transitioning from an era fueled by fossil power to one characterized by sustainability and renewable resources. Recent progresses the understanding of biomass thermochemical reactions are allowing research communities to visualize these in practical solutions to mitigate environmental issues. Contents within the issue fall into four areas: (1) fundamentals of biomass thermochemical reactions, (2) liquefaction technologies, (3) catalytic upgrading/refining, and (4) techno-economic analysis/material. 2

Next Gen Active Materials

At eight, bioconjugate biomaterials, and the next generation of active materials. Biomaterials are redefining modern medicine – from new chemical strategies to modify hydrogels, or biocompatible methods to stabilize proteins and peptides, biomaterials are changing the detection and treatment of disease. In addition, engineered systems reveal new insights into biological processes, including stem cell signaling, cellular motions, and tissue repair, with many applications in human health. 3

Advances in TB drug discovery and diagnosis

Or how about drug discovery and diagnosis in tuberculosis? Before the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death from an infectious disease, with drug resistance limiting the effectiveness of current treatments. But recent advances in drug discovery and diagnostics promise new efforts to combat this global health threat, which may come back to the forefront as COVID recedes. 4

Smoking and chemical toxicology

At six, research into the chemical toxicology of smoking – with consideration of the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis, particularly given the rise of lung injury cases associated with vaping. It is likely that both conventional and innovative chemical tools will play a major role in understanding the mechanisms of toxicity of tobacco and its related products, as well as the transformation of e-cigarette constituents during vaping. 5

Process safety in chemistry

Into the top five now, and our pick is process safety. Many industrial chemical incidents happen around the world every year, resulting in deaths, property damage, and disrupted supply chains. Systematically studying process performance and learning from the past is an effective way to prevent such incidents, with new research contributing to strategies for improving chemical safety across natural, social, management, and engineering sciences. 6

Catalysis and energy snapshot in China

At four, energy and catalysis, with a focus on China. Energy plays a central role in society, and the hunt for clean and sustainable resources is becoming one of the most important global issues of our time. Over the past decade, researchers in China have made extensive efforts and achieved significant advances in the fields of energy and catalysis – both in the understanding of fundamental mechanisms, and the development of efficient materials and devices. 7

Applied chemistry in healthcare

The top three hot topics in this selection all take us back into chemical applications in healthcare. At three is antifungal drug discovery. Fungal diseases cause millions of deaths each year, and can increase the morbidity of other bacterial and viral infections. Current treatments such as polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins are old, and often do not offer cure – as well as being associated with severe side effects. New research and development is needed to improve outcomes, and to keep pace with emerging pathogens. 8

Neglected tropical diseases

Coming in at number two, neglected tropical diseases, which affect more than a billion people worldwide in tropical areas and impoverished communities. This category of diseases includes schistosomiasis, which can damage the bladder, kidneys and liver, and other tropical parasites. ACS journals collaborated in a special virtual issue to showcase recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these illnesses. 9

And our number one hot topic for the summer of 2022 – it’s vaccines. As we have all seen in recent years, vaccines are a key mitigation strategy against viruses. But their application is wider than just inoculating against infectious pathogens; indeed, they show utility in cancer and other diseases, and are driving new options for personalized medicine. Now, new materials and conjugation methods may simplify production and enhance outcomes. Furthermore, new biomolecules and display modalities can expand the reach of vaccines to target emerging and endemic viruses. Improved strategies to deliver vaccines and induce immunogenicity are critical to protect against future outbreaks. 10

All these topics have been covered in recent special and virtual issues of ACS journals. Visit the website to explore more, and connect with us on social media to tell us about your own favourite hot topics in the world of chemistry.

• AI and Big Data in Water Environments. ACS EST Water Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/aewcaa/vi/ai-big-data-water-environments .
• Recent Advances in Biomass and Wastes Thermochemical Processing. Energy Fuels Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/enfuem/vi/thermochemical-processing
• Bioconjugate Biomaterials: Leveraging Biology for the Next Generation of Active Materials. Bioconjugate Chem Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/bcches/vi/bioconjugatebiomaterials
• Tuberculosis Drug Discovery and Diagnosis. ACS Infect Dis Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/vi/tuberculosis
• Chemical Toxicology of Cigarette, e-Cigarette and Cannabis Smoking. Chem Res Toxicol Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/crtoec/vi/chemical-toxicology-cigarette
• Process Safety from Bench to Pilot to Plant. A special collaboration issue. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/vi/process-safety-bench-pilot-plant
• Energy and Catalysis in China. J Phys Chem C Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/jpccck/vsi/energy-catalysis-china
• Antifungal Drug Discovery. A special collaboration issue. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/vi/antifungals
• Neglected tropical Diseases. A special collaboration issue. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/vi/ntdday
• Vaccine Strategies. Bioconjugate Chem Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/page/bcches/vi/vaccinestrategies

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Chemistry articles from across Nature Portfolio

Chemistry is a branch of science that involves the study of the composition, structure and properties of matter. Often known as the central science, it is a creative discipline chiefly concerned with atomic and molecular structure and its change, for instance through chemical reactions.

Mixing metals with MXenes

Metal/MXene composites are a combination of metals with highly conductive MXenes that results in an enhanced functionality in energy storage, catalysis, and biomedical applications. However, controlling metal deposition into uniform patterns has been challenging, which impacts their performance. A novel in situ reduction strategy now overcomes these challenges, offering unparalleled ability to control metal size and deposition.

• Quazi T. H. Shubhra
• Xiaojun Cai

Iron levels unexpectedly limit bacterial growth in the ocean’s twilight zone

Microbial growth at depths of 200–500 metres has been found to be limited by iron, a key micronutrient. To meet their iron requirement, bacteria inhabiting the twilight zone manufacture siderophores — molecules that scavenge trace amounts of iron from seawater.

Exploring the boundaries of covalency

One electron σ-bonds were first proposed in 1931 but most discussion since then has been at a theoretical level. The first experimentally observed single-electron C–C bond both advances our fundamental understanding of bonding and provides the basis of an approach to creating a new class of molecules.

• Zuping Xiong
• Haoke Zhang

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Latest Research and Reviews

Identification of novel PAD2 inhibitors using pharmacophore-based virtual screening, molecular docking, and MD simulation studies

• Prakash Jha
• Prerna Rajoria
• Madhu Chopra

Synthesis and characterization of ester-free poly(trimethylene carbonate) bearing long-alkyl moieties and its degradation

Various lengths of alkyl chains, like -C 8 H 17 to -C 20 H 41 , were introduced into trimethylene carbonate (TMC) to enhance the physical properties of ester-free poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC). The resulting polymers were studied for their thermal properties, hydrophobicity, and degradation behavior. Solidified PTMC was achieved with alkyl chains longer than -C 16 H 33 and had melting points above room temperature. PTMC derivative with a -C 18 H 37 group side chain showed 91% and 11% degradation after 9 weeks under organic and aqueous condition, respectively, suggesting that the long alkyl chains influenced its hydrophobic nature and degradation behavior.

• Ayun Erwina Arifianti
• Takamasa Matsumoto
• Hiroharu Ajiro

Stimuli-responsive self-regulating assembly of chiral colloids for robust size and shape control

The self-regulation of self-assembled systems is well understood for non-responsive systems, but responsive systems are less studied. Here, the authors report the development of a stimuli-responsive, self-regulating assembly of chiral and magnetically responsive nanorods, with control over the chirality of the system.

• Yasuhiro Ishida

Anionic polymerization driven by flow microchemistry

Our recent studies on the anionic polymerization achieved using flow microreactors are reviewed. Using flow microreactors, with features such as precise temperature control, rapid mixing, and precise time control, otherwise impossible polymer synthesis reactions can occur. Some typical examples synthesizing polymers with reactive functional groups and heterotelechelic polymers are described. This review also highlights the in-line analyses of the polymer living end, helping a deeper insights of the reaction and its conditions. The continuous operation of the flow microreactors demonstrated their potential for industrial applications.

• Aiichiro Nagaki
• Yosuke Ashikari

Synthesis and redox catalysis of Carbodiphosphorane ligated stannylene

Heavier group 14 carbene analogue display remarkable capability for small molecule activation but their application in redox catalysis remains elusive. Here, the authors report the synthesis and isolation of a stannylene with carbodiphosphorane ligand and characterize its catalytic activity in the hydrodefluorination reaction of fluoroarenes.

• Zhuchunguang Liu
• Zhijun Wang
• Zhaowen Dong

Sustainable synthesis of fine chemicals and polymers using industrial chlorine chemistry

To achieve sustainable resource circulation, preparation of reactive species from stable compounds is needed, and chlorine chemistry is an eco-friendly approach to address this need. Here, the authors provide an overview of the synthesis of fine chemicals and polymers using chlorine chemistry, with emphasis with regards to sustainability.

• Yasuhiro Kohsaka
• Daisuke Matsuura
• Yoshikazu Kimura

News and Comment

Geothermal power is vying to be a major player in the world’s clean-energy future

With technical advances and enthusiasm from policymakers, advocates say the time for next-generation geothermal has come.

• Davide Castelvecchi

Presenting the tactile periodic table

Through the collaboration of two members of the ACS Committee on Chemists with Disabilities, a prototype Braille periodic table has been created. This project is part of a wider goal of making chemistry accessible to all.

• Michael Fricke
• Mona Minkara

How I’m turning seaweed into biofuel for cars on Barbados

Mechanical engineer Legena Henry converts sargassum and rum-distillery waste water to produce sustainable natural gas for vehicles.

• Kendall Powell

On the interfacial phenomena at the Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO)/Li interface

Research on the Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO)/Li interface is essential for improving the performance of LLZO-based solid-state batteries. In this comment, the authors present an analysis of the key interfacial phenomena at the LLZO/Li interface, highlighting recent developments and unresolved issues.

• Kostiantyn V. Kravchyk
• Huanyu Zhang
• Maksym V. Kovalenko

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The year in chemistry: 2022’s biggest chemistry stories

For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, COVID’s domination of the science news cycle waned in 2022. The focus increasingly shifted to the longer-term crisis we face: that of climate change and taking steps to make components of our modern lives more sustainable. This graphic summarises some of the key chemistry news over the past year, with more detail and links to related articles below.

Concerns over increasing atmospheric methane While increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere continue to cause alarm, this year researchers also highlighted concerns about another potent greenhouse gas: methane. Methane’s global warming potential is 25 times that of carbon dioxide, and though its atmospheric lifetime is around 10 times lower, news that 2021 saw a record rise of 17 parts per billion of methane in the atmosphere caused concern. 30% of methane emissions are caused by the production and use of fossil fuels and further research this year showed that the venting of methane from oil and gas production sites is higher than was thought.

Wildfires set back ozone layer recovery Research this year showed that the severe Australian wildfires in 2019 and 2020 significantly impacted atmospheric concentrations of ozone. The ozone layer has been recovered from the now banned use of ozone-depleting chemicals for decades, but the effects of the wildfires are estimated to have set back this recovery by 10 years .

Click chemistry wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry The 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded jointly to Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and K. Barry Sharpless for their development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. Click chemistry snaps together small molecular building blocks using easily achievable reaction conditions and avoiding unwanted byproducts. Bioorthogonal chemistry takes this one step further and carries out these reactions in living cells without affecting their normal chemistry. There’s more detail in the explainer graphic I made when the prize was announced.

New prefix for the mass of an electron If you’ve gotten tired of remembering the correct power of ten for the mass of an electron in grams, despair no longer, because thanks to the introduction of a series of new prefixes for very large and very small numbers , you can now just say that the mass of an electron is around 1 rontogram. Quectograms (ten to the power of minus 30) are available for even smaller stuff. The new prefixes for larger numbers are quetta- (the planet Jupiter weighs two quettagrams) and ronna- (Earth weighs 6 ronnagrams).

Universal flu vaccine successful in animals A universal flu vaccine that aims to protect against all strains of Influenza A and B has been successfully tested in animals . The next step for the vaccine candidate, which uses the same mRNA technology which proved successful in COVID vaccines, is human trials. If it proves successful in these, it could be available in the next few years, which is an encouraging thought for anyone currently battling a bad bout of flu.

Lab-grown meat declared safe to eat The US Food and Drug Administration has deemed lab-grown chicken produced by a Californian company to be safe for human consumption. The lab-grown meat is made by taking living cells from chickens and then growing them to produce the meat for consumption. The news doesn’t mean the products will be hitting supermarket shelves right away, as individual product approval will still be required, but it’s a promising step towards meat from animals without the need to slaughter them.

JWST probes exoplanet atmospheres NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has faced controversy over its choice of name but made better news this year by registering a number of astrochemistry firsts. The telescope was able to provide a detailed atmospheric composition of an exoplanet, including the presence of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. It also provided concrete evidence of photochemical reactions taking place in the atmosphere.

Evidence for two forms of liquid water That’s right, plain old water may have not just one liquid state, but two. Don’t start scrutinising the water from your tap, though — the different states can only be observed when water is supercooled, requiring low temperatures and high pressures. This year direct evidence for the possible existence of two separate liquid states was offered up by Japanese scientists.

Graphene sensors can monitor blood pressure Graphene feels like it’s been an innovation in search of a killer application for a while now. Every year there seem to be various studies repurposing it for one use or another, but this graphene sensor for measuring blood pressure was one of the most interesting this year. Forget the old-school sphygmomanometers doctors currently use (though perhaps remember that fantastic name), this could enable continuous blood pressure readings. It’s only a prototype at the moment, though, so you’ll still have to endure the inflating sphygmomanometer cuffs for a while longer.

Structure predictions for most known proteins This probably sounds like less of a big deal than it is for non-scientists, but predicting protein structures is hard. They’re made up of hundreds or even thousands of amino acids in a long chain, which can fold in 3D space to form any number of potential shapes. Knowing the exact shape it does take up can help with understanding protein function and targeting them with medicines. This story follows from last year’s news summary , where Google’s AlphaFold AI system had predicted structures for all the proteins in the human body. They’ve now gone one better and predicted structures for almost all proteins currently known .

Company to stop ‘forever chemicals’ production ‘Forever chemicals’, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFOA) to give them their more chemically specific name, are the chemistry bad news story that’s just kept on giving over the past few years. Concern over their persistence in the environment and potential impact on human health has regularly hit the headlines. This year alone brought news that PFAS used in liquid containers can leach into the liquids , a proposal to designate some of them as hazardous chemicals , and a causal link between them and liver disease . It’s no big surprise, then, that chemicals manufacturers are starting to reevaluate their use of these chemicals, and the first manufacturer to commit to phasing them out is 3M. The company plan to cease production of PFAS by 2025 . It wasn’t all bad news on the fluorochemical front: Researchers also found a simple way to make PFAS molecules fall apart , which may help with environmental clean-up.

Further steps towards sustainable jet fuels Last year’s news summary highlighted a solar-powered redox reactor which could make kerosene from carbon dioxide and water vapour. This year, the reactor was successfully scaled up – though it’s still only able to produce a litre of kerosene a day, so some way off providing for the needs of the entire aviation industry. It’s not the only instance of progress being made towards sustainable aviation fuels, however — there’s a good summary of the wider progress being made here .

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Here at  Chemical Science , we are pleased to present our readers with a series of subject-specific collections of our most popular content published last year. These specially curated collections are designed to highlight some of the exceptional research published in Chemical Science – and like all Chemical Science articles, they are free to access and read from anywhere in the world with no restrictions. We hope you will have a great time reading these collections.

Many of the articles selected in the collections below are also included in our 2022 ChemSci Pick of the Week Collections , as well as our 2022 Chemical Science HOT Article Collections .

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Sustainability

Editorial: iupac reveals its list of top 10 emerging technologies in chemistry for 2022, by bibiana campos seijo, october 29, 2022 | a version of this story appeared in volume 100, issue 38.

• How can companies recycle wind turbine blades?
• Dioxycle makes ethylene from carbon emissions
• AgroSpheres engineers microbes to produce stable, biobased pesticides
• 10 years on, Flint still faces consequences from the water crisis
• Captura employs the oceans to fight climate change

In mid-October, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) released its list of top 10 emerging technologies in chemistry for 2022 . This year marks the fourth edition of the initiative, which “highlights the value of chemical sciences in the transition to a green economy and a more sustainable world,” according to an article in Chemistry International , which is published by IUPAC.

Appropriately, IUPAC’s top emerging technologies align with the ambitions of the much-talked-about United Nations sustainable development goals , which are part of an agenda that provides “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future,” according to the UN.

The 10 technologies that made IUPAC’s list, after consideration by a panel of judges, spotlight scientific fields as diverse as materials science, energy storage, drug discovery, and education. All the technologies, which were proposed by researchers from around the globe, could provide solutions to real-life problems and transform the way we live.

IUPAC president Javier García Martínez, who was a member of the selection panel and is on C&EN’s advisory board, believes these innovations provide opportunities to transform our world. For example, many of the technologies could increase the connection between science and society by improving the public’s understanding of how basic science is working to solve real-life problems. In the press release announcing the winners, García Martínez says, “With this initiative, IUPAC informs policy and industry leaders, granting agencies, and the general public about technologies that are already creating new opportunities and opening new avenues for research and industry.”

IUPAC’s top emerging technologies for 2022 are aerogels, fiber batteries, film-based fluorescent sensors, the synthesis of liquid solar fuels, nanoparticle megalibraries, nanozymes, rational vaccines with spherical nucleic acids, sodium-ion batteries, textile displays, and virtual reality–enabled interactive modeling.

There are some interesting choices on the list. One I was not expecting to see is aerogels, which are ultralight materials derived from gels. They are used as thermal insulation in the aerospace industry, but it is not this fascinating application that wins them their spot. Rather, it’s their versatility as catalysts, as supercapacitors, in drug delivery systems, and in water and air purification systems, in which aerogels have shown promise removing volatile organic compounds from air and toxic substances from water.

Fiber batteries also caught my attention. Their main application so far is as a form of energy storage, such as in wearable electronics. Fiber batteries are thin, long, and highly flexible, making them ideal for incorporation into wearable devices as well as printed electronics.

While on the topic of innovative technologies, it is worth noting that C&EN will be announcing its 10 Start-Ups to Watch in the Nov. 7th issue. Don’t miss it!

Views expressed on this page are those of the author and not necessarily those of ACS.

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