The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Neil Withers relives a choppy (and messy) sea voyage to bring us the science of anti-seasickness drug cinnarizine, known in the UK as stugeron

Discover the compound at the heart of a multi-million dollar legal case and an Oscar–winning role for Julia Roberts

Kat Arney explains how an attractive blue dye, with a name inspired by the British Empire's military exploits, became the basis of a fundamental lab technique

Brian Clegg on a hugely useful group of compounds that have a distinct dual personality – from household products to chemical weapons

A pyrophoric reagent that remains one of chemistry's staples and the liquid salts that can tame its wild reactivity

Mike Freemantle introduces a pigment used by William Morris that also gave the Redcoats their distinctive hue

Tabitha Watson introduces a poisonous, corrosive and extremely reactive compound that will start 'roaring reactions' with almost anything

A lightweight, bulletproof material made from ice and wood pulp

Kat Arney explains the unlikely link between fake snow and babies' nappies