1980-1989

Highlights from the '80s

1980

• RSC formed from merger of Royal Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Society
  • The bodies become the Royal Society of Chemistry, with a new Royal Charter and the dual role of learned society and professional body      

1981

• STM invented.
  • Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) allows scientists to 'see' and manipulate individual atoms      

1982

• MRI diagnostic machines are introduced in Britain
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is based on a technique used and developed by chemical scientists that identifies atoms by their behaviour in a magnetic field      

1983

• Polymerase Chain Reaction developed
  • The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) allows the replication of minute amounts of DNA into large usable amounts for analysis      

1984

• DNA Fingerprinting
  • With the exception of identical twins we all have a unique genetic code. DNA fingerprinting looks at specific stretches of DNA and uses them to come up with a "fingerprint" for every person      

1985

• Bucky Balls
  • Buckminster Fullerene (C₆₀), is the third form of pure carbon (the others being diamond and graphite). The Carbon atoms are arranged in a football like arrangement of hexagons and pentagons to form a sphere      

1986

• 2 in 1 shampoo launched
  • It's surprisingly difficult to combine shampoo and conditioner into one bottle. The launch of 2 in 1 shampoo solved this      

1988

• Nobel prize awarded for the determination of the three-dimensional structure of a photosynthetic reaction centre
  • Photosynthesis is the probably the most important reaction on earth. By determining the structure of the reaction centre further insight into the way photosynthesis proceeds can be achieved      

1989

• Viagra^® discovered
  • Originally developed as a treatment for angina its side effects are now known world wide!