The popular idea that chemistry is now conceptually understood and that all we have to do is use it is false. Sure, most of the products we use in our daily lives were made possible by modern chemistry. But producing useful compounds is far from all chemists do. In fact, many of the most pressing problems of modernity—from making cars cleaner to altering the fate of living cells—are, at heart, problems in chemistry and will require chemists to solve them. So, too, will some of the most fundamental mysteries in science.

The International Year, a United Nations designation, has the theme of “chemistry—our life, our future” and is being honored with a range of activities globally. Our own celebration follows. Learn about 10 open questions that all have chemistry at their core and about the surprising role of chemical signaling in human interactions. These stories underscore how far and deep the science of chemistry reaches into our modern life.

This article was originally published with the title Atom Power.

3 Comments

1. 1. David Russell 08:43 PM 10/10/11

   Wirh the cost of everything going up and the fact I subscribe to the magazine Sciantific Ameerica for since 1967 if not off the shelf as a subscriber for at least the last 10 years I am finding this offensive to get more information I have to pay for it.
   
   I have on several occassions stuck up for SCIAM specifically because of the web site and the blogs and have found many of the conversations stimulating. I understand the need to make money and understood the dumbing down of the magazine between the 70's and 80's and the USAing of the magazine since the Internet especially in the last couple of years.
   
   However at some point it will make as much sense to buy Discovery or just google the sites doing the work. I want to keep my subscription but by the continual dumbing down and now the need to purchase the supporting information flies in the face of Science and keeping the citizen informed by real science not the crap the Legistlature would like us to eat.
   
   Please think of the cost as you drive yourself off the cliff like a lemming following instead of leading. I will not give up on you but please do not give up on us.

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2. 2. promytius 02:28 PM 6/19/12

   I'm sorry, that part of my brain that reads information and then tries to utilize it by sharing it with others has unfortunately been downsized; if you want me to read any further, you will have to pay me a small fee for the use of my eyes.

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3. 3. David Russell in reply to promytius 08:38 PM 7/8/12

   That has got to be worth at least a quarter. You should post it. It is ridiculous and I kick myself because in 2003 I ridded myself of copies of Scientific America from 1967 because I was able to get what ever information off the web. I back source a lot to be sure my facts are right but now you can't do it and even if you did, how do you know you have the article you are looking for.
   
   Sciam keeps trying to make USA today look intellectual and it is starting to work.

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