Science News for Kids » Chemistry http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org Publication of the Society for Science & the Public Wed, 22 May 2013 00:29:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Building a better battery http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/building-a-better-battery/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/building-a-better-battery/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:00:43 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16354 Researchers designed a way to make better batteries using supersmall sulfur particles coated with titanium dioxide. Credit: Seh et al., Nature Communications (2013)

Researchers develop a way to make batteries that hold more charge and don’t weaken with age]]> Researchers designed a way to make better batteries using supersmall sulfur particles coated with titanium dioxide. Credit: Seh et al., Nature Communications (2013)

Researchers develop a way to make batteries that hold more charge and don’t weaken with age]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/building-a-better-battery/feed/ 0 A plant enemy’s enemy http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/a-plant-enemys-enemy/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/a-plant-enemys-enemy/#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:52:04 +0000 Jill Richardson http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16267 When eaten by caterpillars, some plants can emit chemicals that signal the help of special wasps. Once called, a wasp lays its egg inside a caterpillar. Credit: Ted Turlings

Plants use chemicals to recruit help in fighting off pests]]> When eaten by caterpillars, some plants can emit chemicals that signal the help of special wasps. Once called, a wasp lays its egg inside a caterpillar. Credit: Ted Turlings

Plants use chemicals to recruit help in fighting off pests]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/a-plant-enemys-enemy/feed/ 0 Secret signals http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/secret-signals/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/secret-signals/#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2013 01:40:20 +0000 Roberta Kwok http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15339 Chemicals called pheromones act as messengers between individuals. Many plants and animals — including squid — respond to such secret chemical signals. Credit: Roger T. Hanlon

Animals respond to chemical messages they may not even realize they’re swapping]]> Chemicals called pheromones act as messengers between individuals. Many plants and animals — including squid — respond to such secret chemical signals. Credit: Roger T. Hanlon

Animals respond to chemical messages they may not even realize they’re swapping]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/01/secret-signals/feed/ 0 Cool Jobs: Crime scene investigators http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/12/cool-jobs-crime-scene-investigators/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/12/cool-jobs-crime-scene-investigators/#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:29:25 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=15019 The dead do tell tales — if experts care to listen. Forensic anthropologist William Bass arranges a display of how a person’s bones change year by year as we age. This information can help identify a crime victim when little else is known. Credit: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

These researchers don’t miss a clue]]> The dead do tell tales — if experts care to listen. Forensic anthropologist William Bass arranges a display of how a person’s bones change year by year as we age. This information can help identify a crime victim when little else is known. Credit: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

These researchers don’t miss a clue]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/12/cool-jobs-crime-scene-investigators/feed/ 0 Harder than diamonds? http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/harder-than-diamonds/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/harder-than-diamonds/#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:50:22 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14462 This image depicts the mixture of fullerenes (pink, soccer ball–shaped molecules) and xylene (blue molecules) before it is compressed to form a material that’s hard enough to dent a diamond. Credit: Carnegie Institution of Washington

Researchers create new material that may be world’s hardest]]> This image depicts the mixture of fullerenes (pink, soccer ball–shaped molecules) and xylene (blue molecules) before it is compressed to form a material that’s hard enough to dent a diamond. Credit: Carnegie Institution of Washington

Researchers create new material that may be world’s hardest]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/harder-than-diamonds/feed/ 0 Tiny bubbles, be gone http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/tiny-bubbles-be-gone/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/tiny-bubbles-be-gone/#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:43:07 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14301 Both of these steel balls are superheated to 400 degrees Celsius (750 degrees Fahrenheit). But the one on the left has been treated with chemicals that repel water, and as a result it doesn’t produce the explosion of tiny bubbles that precede a boil, as seen on the right. Credit: Ivan Vakarelski

The right surface can determine how water boils]]> Both of these steel balls are superheated to 400 degrees Celsius (750 degrees Fahrenheit). But the one on the left has been treated with chemicals that repel water, and as a result it doesn’t produce the explosion of tiny bubbles that precede a boil, as seen on the right. Credit: Ivan Vakarelski

The right surface can determine how water boils]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/tiny-bubbles-be-gone/feed/ 0 Making rocks into magnets http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/making-rocks-into-magnets/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/making-rocks-into-magnets/#comments Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:44:12 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14296 Lodestone is the most magnetic and common type of natural magnet.Credit: Wikimedia/Ryan Somma

Lab experiments show one way that certain types of stones can morph into magnets ]]> Lodestone is the most magnetic and common type of natural magnet.Credit: Wikimedia/Ryan Somma

Lab experiments show one way that certain types of stones can morph into magnets ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/making-rocks-into-magnets/feed/ 0 Sniffing for bad air http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/handheld-carbon-dioxide-sensor-can-help-identify-classrooms-with-unhealthy-ventilation-rates/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/handheld-carbon-dioxide-sensor-can-help-identify-classrooms-with-unhealthy-ventilation-rates/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:00:23 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14167 The air quality in many classrooms is unhealthy, due to poor ventilation. But simple solutions such as opening a window can help get rid of bad air. Credit: i_love_zou_york/iStockphoto

Handheld carbon dioxide sensor can help identify classrooms with unhealthy ventilation rates]]> The air quality in many classrooms is unhealthy, due to poor ventilation. But simple solutions such as opening a window can help get rid of bad air. Credit: i_love_zou_york/iStockphoto

Handheld carbon dioxide sensor can help identify classrooms with unhealthy ventilation rates]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/handheld-carbon-dioxide-sensor-can-help-identify-classrooms-with-unhealthy-ventilation-rates/feed/ 0 An oil filter for water http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/an-oil-filter-for-water/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/an-oil-filter-for-water/#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:08:17 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14160 A new type of filter separates water (blue) from oil (red). Credit: Gibum Kwon, Arun K. Kota and Anish Tuteja.

A new screen can separate oil and water after they’ve mingled]]> A new type of filter separates water (blue) from oil (red). Credit: Gibum Kwon, Arun K. Kota and Anish Tuteja.

A new screen can separate oil and water after they’ve mingled]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/an-oil-filter-for-water/feed/ 0 Heat-resistant makeup http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/heat-resistant-makeup-camouflage-face-paint-protect-soldiers-against-burns-from-bomb-blasts/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/heat-resistant-makeup-camouflage-face-paint-protect-soldiers-against-burns-from-bomb-blasts/#comments Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:23:46 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14027 During field operations and military exercises, many soldiers use camouflage makeup to blend into the environment. A new type of makeup may also help protect troops against burns from bomb blasts. CREDIT: Spc. Gerald James, U.S. Army.

New recipe for camouflage face paint could protect soldiers against burns from bomb blasts ]]> During field operations and military exercises, many soldiers use camouflage makeup to blend into the environment. A new type of makeup may also help protect troops against burns from bomb blasts. CREDIT: Spc. Gerald James, U.S. Army.

New recipe for camouflage face paint could protect soldiers against burns from bomb blasts ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/09/heat-resistant-makeup-camouflage-face-paint-protect-soldiers-against-burns-from-bomb-blasts/feed/ 0