Chemicals from oil
A collection of Catalyst articles about chemicals from oil.
Enzymes Outside the Body *suitable for home teaching*
A Catalyst article explaining how enzymes allow chemical reactions in all living organisms to proceed quickly, under conditions where they would normally be very slow.
This article is part of Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2003, Volume 13, Issue 3.
Oil Refining
This Catalyst article looks at oil production in Trinidad and Tobago.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2003, Volume 13, Issue 4.
Plastics Forever?
A Catalyst article discussing how polymers affect every day of people’s lives.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 15, Issue 4.
Keeping Engines Running Smoothly
A Catalyst article about modern car engines and how they can run smoothly and propel drivers for thousands of miles without needing much attention, apart from refuelling with diesel or petrol.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 2.
Fats, Oils and Soaps
A Catalyst article investigating a few of the uses of naturally occurring oils.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 17, Issue 2.
Fantastic Plastic
This Catalyst article looks at the use of polymers in the manufacture of household items.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19, Issue 1.
Fracking: an Energy Revolution?
This Catalyst article looks at hydraulic fracking, the process of breaking up rocks deep underground using high-pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 23, Issue 3.
Printing in Three Dimensions
This Catalyst article looks at 3D printing, a new technology which is rapidly finding applications.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 2.
Aerogels
This Catalyst article investigates the nature of aerogels, which are among the least dense solid materials, not much denser than air.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 24, Issue 3.
Stephanie Kwolek - Polymer Chemist *suitable for home teaching*
Stephanie Kwolek invented the tough polymer Kevlar, used in protective clothing and developed a method for demonstrating the production of nylon in the classroom which is still used today.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 25, Issue 1.
Chemistry and Paint
Paint has been developed and used for thousands of years, allowing artists an increasing range of colours and textures.
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.
Using Chemistry to Reduce Animal Testing
This article discusses how chemical tests can reduce the numbers of animals used in the testing of new products.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.
Dr Laura Waters: Research Chemist
This article introduces Laura Waters, who is a chemist at Huddersfield University with an interest in both doing scientific research and communicating her work to a wide audience.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.