To some it looks cheap and nasty, for others it's a sensible (or even sexy) design decision. Brian Clegg wraps himself in PVC

Can a compound in red wine protect against heart attack and cancer? Phillip Broadwith investigates resveratrol

Lars Öhrström on phosphoric acid: Crucial for crops and DNA's backbone, it's the energy currency of the biological world

It repairs objects, heals wounds and fights crime. It puts the ‘super’ in superglue. Emma Stoye introduces cyanoacrylate

The stuff of action films and horrifying news stories, Simon Cotton introduces the infamous nerve agent, VX

It's a catalyst, an abrasive, a bright white pigment and the basis for beautiful gemstones - Neil Withers introduces Alumina

Simon Cotton introduces us to cathinone, the active ingredient in the stimulant Khat

Emma Stoye on digoxin, a toxic product of foxgloves, and the birth of modern pharmacology

Neil Withers recalls making this groundbreaking superconductor as a student

Lars Öhrström gets his teeth into the first sandwich compound