Metals and alloys
A collection of Catalyst articles about metals and alloys.
Aluminium
A Catalyst article about aluminium, a shiny silvery metal, which is extracted from its ore by electrolysis.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 1.
Iron
A Catalyst article about iron, a relatively abundant element that humans have made widespread use of since the Iron Age (about 750 BC).
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 16, Issue 3.
Using shape memory alloys
A Catalyst article describing the use of smart materials to help people with disabilities.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19, Issue 2.
Aeroplanes, Shampoo and Super-Microscopes
A Catalyst article about using the ISIS accelerator to study the structures of materials.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19, Issue 2.
It's a Material World
A Catalyst article about working in materials science and engineering, the process of deciding which material is best for each application.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 3.
Designs on Space: the Lifecycle of a Satellite
A Catalyst article about designing, building and testing a spacecraft.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2009, Volume 19, Issue 3.
Iron and Alzheimer’s - Studying Metals in the Brain
This Catalyst article looks into Alzheimer’s disease which affects around 465 000 people in the UK, with the number of sufferers is growing as the population ages.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 1.
Jewellery Metals
This Catalyst article looks at how jewellery is traditionally made from metals such as gold, silver and platinum because these metals may be found in their native state and are corrosion-resistant.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 2.
Olympic Alloys
This Catalyst article looks at metals and alloys which play an important role in construction at the Olympic site, both in sports equipment and in medals.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2012, Volume 22, Issue 4.
Focus on Palladium
This Catalyst article explains the properties of this metal, and how it can be used for a vast array of objects.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 2.
Chemistry and Paint
This Catalyst article describes the different techniques of developing paint.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 1.
Making the World Safer
This Catalyst article investigates mercury which is a poison and how it can be removed from natural gas using ionic liquids.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 3.
Death of a King
This Catalyst article investigates the remains of King Richard III of England, which have been excavated, and how they were analysed to establish the details of how he died.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue 1.
Materials for Space Travel
This Catalyst article investigates materials that are used in space travel.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue 2.
Alloys and Aircraft
This Catalyst article investigates materials used in jet engines.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue 2.
Going for Gold
This Catalyst article investigates how gold is an important metal which, when extracted from its ore, has useful properties of durability and electrical conductivity.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue 2.