The crucible
2012
Philip Ball is perplexed by the EPSRC's decision to cut surface science funding
Chemistry could benefit from getting more touchy-feely, says Philip Ball
Philip Ball takes a critical look at the science behind an anti-ageing cream and discovers there's some truth in its sugar-coated claims
To understand the chemical choreography of the cell, we must acknowledge the bustling biomolecular ballroom in which it takes place, says Philip Ball
Philip Ball considers some research that's making a meal of science
2011
Philip Ball admires the artistry of contemporary science buildings and a few old masters too
Political party conferences are not noted for taking much interest in science, says Philip Ball
Were you aware of Salt Awareness week? Me neither, admits Philip Ball
In the art world, chemistry continues to be a rich stimulus to the imagination, says Philip Ball
Philip Ball wonders to what extent molecular structures are metaphorical
How principled was William Morris? Philip Ball examines the evidence
Philip Ball considers the vegetative soul of an inorganic woodland
Science, spirituality and scepticism: Philip Ball discusses an award presented to former Royal Society president Martin Rees for work at the interface of science and religion
Experiments are seldom replicated by different research teams, says Philip Ball. Why is this and does it really matter?
Chemistry cannot all be reduced to physics, argues Philip Ball
Philip Ball looks at research that is beginning to explain why we cry
Dutch Nobel laureate Peter Debye has been branded a Nazi collaborator, but Philip Ball suggests that the historical facts permit several interpretations
2010
Philip Ball looks at the financial motivation needed to advance sustainable technology
Would element 137 really spell the end of the periodic table? Philip Ball examines the evidence
There is no hidden understanding to be teased out by 'improving' the periodic table, argues Philip Ball. But Eric Scerri begs to differ
Philip Ball looks at the chemistry behind colourful cartoon characters served up by a fast food chain
Borodin wasn't such an outstanding scientist after all, says Philip Ball, but science and music are far from mutually exclusive
Man and the machine: Philip Ball welcomes the age of automated chemical crystallography
Philip Ball considers the iconic role of the humble test tube
We are getting better at manipulating cells to grow into the tissues we need. Chemical factors are key, says Philip Ball
Superatoms reinforce the notion that chemistry is more about electrons than elements, says Philip Ball
Philip Ball warms up the subject of snowflake structure
I'm no fan of reality TV. But watching people just going about their business can be fascinating, says Philip Ball
2009
Three chemists have resurrected the art of science debate by publishing their conversations on the nature of bonds. This is science that makes you smile, says Philip Ball
Could red light and green tea really give 'facial rejuvenation'? Philip Ball looks at the intriguing science behind this new claim
Philip Ball rakes through the findings of new research into the h-index and unearths some top tips for citation-hungry researchers
Philip Ball looks at a new device that creates energy from salinity differences between fresh and sea water
Zinc nanoparticles appear to have the ability to make odorants smell stronger and could a give a valuable insight into how olfaction works, says Philip Ball
Today polyhedra speak to chemists of fullerenes and other cage molecules. But they once had a very different meaning, says Philip Ball
Scientific fraud highlights flaws in the way that scientists communicate with each other, suggests Philip Ball
Simple nanoscience is bringing the legendary Golden Fleece to life in the form of merino wool dyed with gold. Philip Ball links myth to modern science
Unwinding protein fibrils could give a glimpse of how peptides survived on early Earth
Thermal motions on the molecular scale are not just useless noise, discovers Philip Ball
The flowery language of fragrance chemistry doesn't distract Philip Ball from the sharp scent of olfactory understanding
Oxidation state is a convenient fiction, but the concept is far from meaningless, writes Philip Ball
2008
Philip Ball uncovers a pleasing symmetry surrounding the mysterious Casimir force
Ubiquitous images of nanobots are 20,000 leagues from reality, warns Phil Ball
Philip Ball asks if you can spare him 429 228 004 229 952 oscillations of your time
You don't need to understand the science bits, says Philip Ball, just what they represent
If DNA polymerisation is reversible, asks Philip Ball, why don't we end up with some static equilibrium?
Philip Ball gets down to earth with chemical archaeologists
Philip Ball delights in tortured carbon atoms
Philip Ball is feeling chilly
Philip Ball examines the seductive power of burning saltwater
Art inspired by science should be more than just a pretty picture, says Philip Ball
Philip Ball argues that phlogiston was actually a pretty good idea
Philip Ball wonders whether chemical space limits chemists' creativity
2007
Philip Ball wonders how to give credit where it's due
It is inevitable that the origins of life on Earth will be forever shrouded in mystery, says Philip Ball
Feel free to make photovoltaics better, says Philip Ball. But don't forget they have to be cheaper, too
Philip Ball would rather forget the memory of water
Philip Ball gets in a twist about DNA
Philip Ball ponders life and how to make it
Philip Ball discusses Europe's efforts to communicate innovations in nanotechnology to a wide audience
Philip Ball reflects on the long-running debate about how colloids stick together
Copper doorknobs could be the latest - and oldest - way to beat the bugs, says Philip Ball
Understanding why nature's materials are so smart could be the first step to educating our own dumb polymers, argues Philip Ball
Philip Ball uncovers how life shepherds protons around the cell with breathtaking ingenuity
How did the leopard get its spots? Recent research supports an idea first suggested by legendary code-breaker Alan Turing, says Philip Ball
2006
Chemistry has always been the most secretive of sciences, argues Philip Ball
In the first of his regular columns throwing diverse aspects of science into the melting pot, Philip Ball looks at an emerging problem with proteins
