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compoundchem.com
What makes your phone screen touch sensitive, and what materials make it possible to create foldable displays?

The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social takes a look at the materials science making it possible 📱 cen.acs.org/materials/in...

#ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled “What are phone screens made from?” A section on screen glass explains how screens are made from aluminosilicate glass chemically strengthened through an ionexchange process, sometimes using ceramic nanocrystals. Illustrative diagrams show the chemical structures before and after ion exchange, featuring aluminum, silicon, oxygen, sodium, and potassium ions. Additionally, it notes that foldable displays use ultrathin glass with a protective polymer film like colorless polyimide (CPI) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A section on screen colors mentions using rare earth elements. like europium for red and blue and terbium for green, to produce screen colors, with newer phones using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and older ones using liquid crystal displays (LCDs). A section on touch screens explains how an electrically conducting indium tin oxide layer over the glass creates an electrostatic field that detects touch when a finger disrupts it. This technology is illustrated with a diagram of layered phone screen components: glass, indium tin oxide, and display.
November 4, 2026 at 1:10 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
This #Halloween edition of #PeriodicGraphics explores the biochemistry of our bones: cen.acs.org/biological-c...

#chemsky 🧪
Infographic on what bones are made of. Bone is a composite of collagen protein and hydroxyapatite mineral. Bone marrow is made up of mostly fats and water. Bone marrow is either red marrow, which makes blood cells, or yellow marrow, which stores fats. When we are born, all our bone marrow is red, but it gradually converts into yellow marrow as we age.

October 30, 2026 at 6:54 PM
compoundchem.com
It's spooky season and that means pumpkin carving 🎃

What are the compounds behind the vegetal smell of pumpkin and why does pumpkin spice have nothing to do with them?

This edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social takes a look!

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the chemistry of pumpkins. The colour of pumpkins is due to carotenoid compounds such as beta-carotene, the same compound that gives carrots their orange colour. The vegetal aroma of pumpkins is mainly due to cis-3-hexen-1-ol, along with other six-carbon alcohols and aldehydes. Canned pumpkin is often not the same type of pumpkin as those used for carving, and consequently the aroma compounds differ, including burnt-smelling 2-methylbutanal, coffee furanone, and furfural. Pumpkin spice flavour has little to do with pumpkin and more to do with the spices added, including cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
October 27, 2026 at 12:58 PM
brandonstieve.bsky.social
“ #PeriodicGraphics: Why do some #sunscreens stain clothes?” — @cenmag.bsky.social

cendigitalmagazine.acs.org/2026/07/15/p...
Periodic Graphics: Why do some sunscreens stain clothes?
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning explains why some sunscreens stain clothing
cendigitalmagazine.acs.org
October 25, 2026 at 2:27 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics takes a look at the materials that give phone screens strength, color, and touch sensitivity: cen.acs.org/materials/in...

#chemsky 🧪
An infographic titled “What are phone screens made from?” A section on screen glass explains how screens are made from aluminosilicate glass chemically strengthened through an ionexchange process, sometimes using ceramic nanocrystals. Illustrative diagrams show the chemical structures before and after ion exchange, featuring aluminum, silicon, oxygen, sodium, and potassium ions. Additionally, it notes that foldable displays use ultrathin glass with a protective polymer film like colorless polyimide (CPI) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A section on screen colors mentions using rare earth elements. like europium for red and blue and terbium for green, to produce screen colors, with newer phones using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and older ones using liquid crystal displays (LCDs). A section on touch screens explains how an electrically conducting indium tin oxide layer over the glass creates an electrostatic field that detects touch when a finger disrupts it. This technology is illustrated with a diagram of layered phone screen components: glass, indium tin oxide, and display.
October 17, 2026 at 12:32 PM
brandonstieve.bsky.social
“ #PeriodicGraphics: #Piezoelectrics” — @cenmag.bsky.social

cendigitalmagazine.acs.org/2026/05/20/p...
Periodic Graphics: Piezoelectrics
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning explains the basics of piezoelectric materials and applications
cendigitalmagazine.acs.org
September 19, 2026 at 2:08 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com explores the chemistry that makes friction-erasable pen ink appear and disappear: cen.acs.org/physical-che...

#chemsky 🧪
Infographic titled “How do friction-erasable pens work?”. The pen ink contains microcapsules with a leuco dye, a weak organic acid color developer, and a long-chain alcohol or ester solvent. At room temperature, the developer donates a proton to the leuco dye, making it colored. Heat above 60 °C generated by friction melts the solvent, detaching the developer and turning the dye colorless. Cooling the writing surface below –10 °C in a freezer restores the ink color.
September 16, 2026 at 4:28 PM
compoundchem.com
Wondered why certain caterpillars munch on particular greens in a vegetable patch? 🥬 It's the consequence of a chemical battle between plants and caterpillars, detailed in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/biological-c... #ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled "Caterpillars vs. plants: A chemical battle"; It details plant defenses—direct toxins like alkaloids, defensive hormones like methyl jasmonate, and protein-digesting enzyme inhibitors—and how caterpillars overcome them. Cabbage whites convert glucosinolates (e.g., sinigrin) into harmless nitriles via digestive enzymes. Monarch caterpillars have mutations that allow them to resist milkweed's cardiac glycosides (e.g., asclepin), storing toxins through pupation to deter predators, similar to cinnabar moths with ragwort alkaloids. Tomato fruitworm moth caterpillars use saliva enzymes to suppress plant toxin production.
September 2, 2026 at 5:11 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
How do plants defend themselves from caterpillars? cen.acs.org/biological-c...

#PeriodicGraphics #chemsky 🧪
An infographic details plant defenses—direct toxins like alkaloids, defensive hormones like methyl jasmonate, and protein-digesting enzyme inhibitors—and how caterpillars overcome them. Cabbage whites convert glucosinolates (e.g., sinigrin) into harmless nitriles via digestive enzymes. Monarch caterpillars have mutations that allow them to resist milkweed's cardiac glycosides (e.g., asclepin), storing toxins through pupation to deter predators, similar to cinnabar moths with ragwort alkaloids. Tomato fruitworm moth caterpillars use saliva enzymes to suppress plant toxin production.
August 18, 2026 at 3:17 PM
andy.compoundchem.com
When the cat joins the #PeriodicGraphics planning meeting

#CatsOfBluesky
Photo of a dark grey British shorthair cat lying on a yellow table, with a keyboard next to her. Her head is on the table on one end of the keyboard and one of her paws is outstretched towards it Screenshot of Zoom messages. The first is lots of the letter y, with a brief “uh6” interlude. The second begins with 3, before b and many vs, before reprising 3 at the end.
December 19, 2024 at 6:26 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com takes a look at how plants defend themselves from caterpillars —and how some caterpillars fight back: cen.acs.org/biological-c...

#chemsky 🧪
An infographic titled Caterpillars vs. plants: A chemical battle. It details plant defenses—direct toxins like alkaloids, defensive hormones like methyl jasmonate, and protein-digesting enzyme inhibitors—and how caterpillars overcome them. Cabbage whites convert glucosinolates (e.g., sinigrin) into harmless nitriles via digestive enzymes. Monarch caterpillars have mutations that allow them to resist milkweed's cardiac glycosides (e.g., asclepin), storing toxins through pupation to deter predators, similar to cinnabar moths with ragwort alkaloids. Tomato fruitworm moth caterpillars use saliva enzymes to suppress plant toxin production.
August 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM
cenmag.bsky.social
This edition of #PeriodicGraphics describes how piezoelectric materials generate electricity, and how this process is used in common applications, including gas ignitors and medical imaging equipment. cen.acs.org/materials/el...

#chemsky 🧪
A graphic that describes how piezoelectric materials generate electricity, and how this process is used in common applications, including gas ignitors and medical imaging equipment.
July 26, 2026 at 9:48 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com explains the chemistry that can cause sunscreen to stain clothing and how some chemistry know-how can quickly remove the stains: cen.acs.org/materials/co...

#chemsky 🧪
A graphic explaining the chemistry that can cause sunscreen to stain clothing. The left column shows the structures of the organic compounds that cause stains. The right column shows the structures and chemical reactions involved in removing stains.
July 17, 2026 at 1:01 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics explains the history of the #WorldCup trophy and its chemical composition: cen.acs.org/materials/in...

#FIFAWorldCup #chemsky 🧪
An infographic titled What's the World Cup made of? compares the two soccer World Cup trophies. The Jules Rimet Trophy (1930–1970, stolen 1983) is 35 cm tall, weighs 3.8 kg, and is made of gold-plated silver (Au/Ag) with a lapis lazuli base. The FIFA World Cup Trophy (1974–today) is 36.8 cm tall, weighs 6.175 kg, and is made of hollow 18-karat gold (Au) with green malachite bands at the base. Further text details historical context, including thefts of the original trophy and replica details.
June 28, 2026 at 8:20 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics explains the history of the #WorldCup trophy and its chemical composition: cen.acs.org/materials/inorganic-chemistry/world-cup-trophy-inorganic-metals-minerals/104/web/2026/06?sc=260618_sc_eng_bs_cen

#FIFAWorldCup #chemsky 🧪
June 18, 2026 at 11:51 AM
cenmag.bsky.social
In this edition of #PeriodicGraphics, we take a look at how piezoelectric materials generate electricity, and how this process is used in common applications, including gas ignitors and medical imaging equipment. cen.acs.org/materials/el...

#chemsky 🧪
A graphic that describes how piezoelectric materials generate electricity, and how this process is used in common applications, including gas ignitors and medical imaging equipment.
May 23, 2026 at 1:54 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
In the latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics, we take a look at the reactions that give smoked foods their classic flavors: cen.acs.org/food/food-sc...

#chemsky 🧪
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning explains the reactions that give smoked foods their classic flavors
April 16, 2026 at 2:33 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
Researchers investigating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Here are four promising applications of MOFs so far: carbon capture, water harvesting, gas storage, and detoxification. cen.acs.org/materials/me...

#PeriodicGraphics #chemsky 🧪
A graphic that describes the structure, composition, and application of crystalline materials called metal-organic frameworks or MOFs.
March 30, 2026 at 8:29 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
Researchers investigating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com takes a look at four promising applications of MOFs: cen.acs.org/materials/me...

#chemsky 🧪
A graphic that describes the structure, composition, and application of crystalline materials called metal-organic frameworks or MOFs.
March 18, 2026 at 12:47 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
How effective are antiviral nasal sprays? The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com examines the evidence and looks at how these sprays fight viruses. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...

#chemsky 🧪
This infographic explains the basics of antiviral nasal sprays. It includes a simple drawing of the nasal passage lining and the action of virus particles. It also includes a photo of a nasal spray bottle and statistics about flu- and cold-type symptoms.
February 15, 2026 at 12:31 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com illuminates the science behind these dazzling light shows in the sky. cen.acs.org/environment/...

#chemsky 🧪
This infographic explains the physics and chemistry of aurora phenomena. The first column shows how collisions between charged particles from the sun and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere cause the emission of light. The second column explains where people can see auroras, depending on solar activity. The third column explains the cause of the different colors seen in the auroras and how they depend on the altitude of the particle collisions.
January 20, 2026 at 1:33 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
In the latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics, we take a look at C&EN’s top stories of the year: cen.acs.org/policy/publi...

#chemsky 🧪
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning counts down C&EN’s top stories of the year
December 7, 2025 at 10:26 AM
cenmag.bsky.social
The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com explores the smelly chemicals in skunk spray and how to get rid of the stink. cen.acs.org/biological-c...

#chemsky 🧪
This graphic describes the smelly chemicals in skunk spray and how to get rid of the stink. In the first column, the graphic describes the thiol compounds responsible for skunk spray’s smell. The second column explains why the smell persists because of a chemical reaction between some skunk spray compounds and water. The third column outlines chemistry-based methods for eliminating the stinky skunk compounds.
November 14, 2025 at 8:15 PM
cenmag.bsky.social
The chemistry of candy corn: This edition of #PeriodicGraphics explores the colorful chemistry behind this classic #Halloween candy. cen.acs.org/food/food-in... #chemsky 🧪
Candy corn is a type of candy called a mallow cream. Manufacturers make candy corn by combining fondant with frappé (a marshmallow-like ingredient), coloring agents, and flavors. Machines deposit the mixture in layers into a mold formed from impressions in cornstarch. The cornstarch removes moisture from the candies as they dry. Manufacturers then put the dried candy corn into a metal tumbling pan and coat it in shellac wax for a shiny appearance.

Candy corn's colors come from food dyes. These include the azo dyes tartrazine (yellow 5) and sunset yellow (yellow 6). Erythrosine (red no. 3) is another dye that candy corn manufacturers often use. Manufacturers have also created alternative candy corn, which is colored with turmeric and β-carotene instead of synthetic dyes.
October 31, 2025 at 10:19 AM
cenmag.bsky.social
#NationalChemistryWeek (NCW), celebrated October 19–25, features the theme “The Hidden Life of Spices,” highlighting the chemistry behind how spices create flavor, aroma, and color: www.acs.org/education/na...

#PeriodicGraphics: cen.acs.org/biological-c...

#ACS_NCW #SpiceChemistry
This graphic explains four examples of chemicals in spices having effects outside cooking. The four examples include a clove compound’s ability to treat toothaches, a nutmeg compound’s ability to cause hallucinations, a licorice extract compound’s ability to raise blood pressure, and a fenugreek compound’s ability to make urine and sweat smell like maple syrup.
October 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM