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Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
@aberdeenchem.bsky.social
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Explore the wonders of chemistry at the University of Aberdeen! From groundbreaking research to inspiring education, we shape the future of science.

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/chemistry

#StudyChemistry
#StudyAtAberdeen
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Reposted by Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
compoundchem.com
Day 4 of #ChemAdvent has a polymer theme!

Long polymer chains are key to sodium polyacrylate's ability to act as fake snow, and also form the water-trapping network in aspic jellies.

#ChemSky 🧪
Two infographics, one showing how sodium polyacrylate chains form fake snow, the other showing how gelatin polymers trap water to make jelly. Two infographics, one showing how sodium polyacrylate chains form fake snow, the other showing how gelatin polymers trap water to make jelly.
December 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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compoundchem.com
The chemical connection for day 3 of #ChemAdvent is furfural: adding nutty flavours to both roasted chestnuts and turrón, the Spanish Christmas sweet 🌰

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographics on chestnuts and turrón, showing some of the chemical compounds, including furfural, that contribute to their nutty flavours. Infographics on chestnuts and turrón, showing some of the chemical compounds, including furfural, that contribute to their nutty flavours.
December 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM
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compoundchem.com
For day 2 of #ChemAdvent we look at the chemical connection between the colours of poinsettia and pomegranate – both caused by anthocyanin compounds.

These compounds also change when added to solutions of different acidity or alkalinity, giving a rainbow of colours 🌈

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographics on the colours of poinsettia, pomegranate and watermelon. The colours of poinsettia bracts and pomegranate are both caused by anthocyanins, while the red-pink coloration of watermelon is due to the carotenoid lycopene. Infographics on the colours of poinsettia, pomegranate and watermelon. The colours of poinsettia bracts and pomegranate are both caused by anthocyanins, while the red-pink coloration of watermelon is due to the carotenoid lycopene.
December 2, 2025 at 1:05 PM
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compoundchem.com
A bit late kicking off #ChemAdvent day 1, but here we are!

This year I'm finding chemical connections between some previous ChemAdvent editions 🧪

First up, earthy pyrazines are the connection between the smells of chocolate and green bean casserole 🍫
Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines. Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines.
December 1, 2025 at 10:10 PM
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compoundchem.com
Why does skunk spray smell so bad, and what are some science-backed methods for removing the stench? The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social takes a look: cen.acs.org/biological-c...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “What makes skunk spray stink?” It explains that thiol compounds cause the odor. Earlier research misidentified 1-butanethiol, but two major thiols were later confirmed: (E)-2-butene-1-thiol (38–40% of volatiles) and 3-methyl-1-butanethiol (18–26%). It also notes the presence of thioacetates and quinolines. A central image shows a skunk. A section describes why the smell worsens with water: thioacetates convert to thiols when wet. Another section explains odor removal: tomato juice is ineffective; a mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent oxidizes thiols to odorless sulfonic acids. It also mentions pericosine A, a compound that forms odorless thioethers with thiols.
November 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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chemistryworld.com
Chemical analysis of brass inkwell found at Roman site in Portugal reveals ink popular in the middle ages was invented hundreds of years earlier than thought.
Roman-era ink reveals surprising chemical complexity
2000-year-old residue indicates the Romans wrote with iron-gall inks hundreds of years earlier than expected
www.chemistryworld.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
📢 Dr Ieuan Seymour has a 2.5-year Research Fellow/Advanced Research Fellow position working on sustainable solid-state battery technology. If you are passionate about the development of new solid-state battery technology, this opportunity could be for you!

#ChemSky 🧪 #sustainability #batteries
Research Fellow /Advanced Research Fellow (NCS254R) | University of Aberdeen
We are seeking to recruit a research fellow/advanced research fellow with a strong background in materials chemistry to join a vibrant research team under the leadership of Dr Ieuan Seymour in the Dep...
www.abdnjobs.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
Congratulations to Prof Marcel Jaspars who was awarded the RSE Adam Smith Medal for his world-leading expertise in marine biodiscovery. He has also influenced science policy at the UN level on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdictions.

rse.org.uk/outstanding-...
Outstanding endeavours recognised by 2025 RSE Medals
Academics have been celebrated for their outstanding achievements at an RSE Medals Ceremony this week.
rse.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
📢 Prof Jaspars and Dr Houssen have a fully funded PhD available using chemoenzymatic synthesis (using the best parts of chemical synthesis and enzyme transformations) to make compounds that can contract based on an external stimulus (molecular muscles).

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
EastBio: A synbio approach to generate artificial molecular muscles at University of Aberdeen on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - EastBio: A synbio approach to generate artificial molecular muscles at University of Aberdeen , listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
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physicsworld.bsky.social
Matin Durrani looks back at a full week of quantum-themed events organised last week by Physics World and the Institute of Physics, including a panel debate with four future leaders of quantum science and technology at the Royal Institution in central London. ⚛️🧪

physicsworld.com/a/the-future...
The future of quantum physics and technology debated at the Royal Institution – Physics World
Matin Durrani looks back at a week-long series of events in the UK to mark Quantum Year
physicsworld.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
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compoundchem.com
Poppies are a symbol of remembrance on Armistice Day. Did you know that some poppies are also the source of powerful opioid painkillers?

Find out more in this graphic: www.compoundchem.com/2020/11/11/p...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the chemistry of poppies. The red colour of the common poppy is due to anthocyanin pigments. Other red poppies also contain anthocyanins but the yellow Iceland poppy and alpine poppy contain nudicaulin pigments. The opium poppy has been used in medicine for thousands of years, with the milky opium fluid which contains alkaloids such as morphine used as a painkiller. The common poppy contains different alkaloids, which only have very milld pain-killing properties.
November 11, 2025 at 9:51 AM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
An exciting new study just published by a network led by the Department of Chemistry's Marine Biodiscovery Centre:

marblesproject.eu/news/deep-se...
Deep-sea sponge microbes yield promising molecule to combat salmonid disease
marblesproject.eu
November 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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compoundchem.com
I put this to the test with Copilot and yeah, I think it's fair to say that it struggled with the structure of caffeine
A Co-pilot created drawing of a molecule that is definitely not caffeine
October 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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compoundchem.com
It's #NationalPumpkinDay! 🎃

Why are pumpkins orange, and what do pumpkins have to do with pumpkin spice? Here are the chemical answers in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/articles/93/...

#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 26, 2025 at 8:50 PM
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chemscrapes.bsky.social
Chemistry Horror Reads #Halloweeen #chemsky #spookychem
A Parody of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" book cover. A vampire with a cape the shape of a Salen ligand is hovering over the silhoutte of a house on a hill top. The house is shown as a Nickel Atom. The name of the book is "Salen's Lot"
November 1, 2025 at 12:53 AM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
Starting a chemistry PhD as a mature student
www.chemistryworld.com/careers/star...

@chemistryworld.com
#ChemSky 🧪
Starting a chemistry PhD as a mature student
The benefits and challenges of returning to academia after a period away
www.chemistryworld.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:22 AM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
📢 We're hiring!

Dr Rebecca Walker is looking for a talented and enthusiastic organic chemistry PDRF (3 year position) to work in her liquid crystals group on the EPSRC-funded project 'Chirality & the Ferroelectric Nematic Phase'

#OrganicSynthesis
#Chiral
#ChemSky 🧪

www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs/vacanci...
Research Fellow, Natural & Computing Sciences (NCS251R) | The University of Aberdeen
Browse and apply for current job openings at the University of Aberdeen across various schools, departments and roles, including admin and academic.
www.abdn.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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rsc.org
💫 Celebrate the festival of lights safely, and let the chemistry of joy shine bright!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Diwali filled with love, light, and laughter. #RSCIndia #ChemSky #Diwali2025
Promotional image by the Royal Society of Chemistry featuring colorful fireworks labeled with chemical elements like Strontium, Copper, Sodium, Barium, Calcium, Aluminum, and Magnesium. Text states "Chemistry is full of wonder. Watch science light up the sky this Diwali. Enjoy the celebrations!"
October 17, 2025 at 5:30 AM
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chemistryworld.com
Proposals scrapped in favour of an alternative plan requiring a smaller reduction in undergraduate numbers and fewer redundancies.
Cardiff University scales back proposed cuts to chemistry department following consultation
Department still set to merge with two others but there will be no compulsory redundancies
www.chemistryworld.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
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chemistryworld.com
Inclusivity isn’t just about entry to the lab — it’s about designing protective gear that acknowledges every body.
Maternity lab coat aims to close a gap in PPE market and end unsafe practices
Genius Lab Gear wants to stop trend of pregnant women creating Frankenstein lab coats with a tailored and adjustable lab coat
www.chemistryworld.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM
aberdeenchem.bsky.social
The chemistry community should ban drawing chemical structures with generative AI, chemists warn
www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-che...
The chemistry community should ban drawing chemical structures with generative AI, chemists warn
AIs like Microsoft's Copilot, Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT still make serious errors rendering structural formulae
www.chemistryworld.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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compoundchem.com
It's mushroom season in the Northern Hemisphere 🍄

Here's a look at the chemistry of arguably the most iconic mushroom, fly agaric, and what makes them so brightly coloured and hallucinogenic: www.compoundchem.com/2024/11/11/f...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on fly agaric mushrooms, with an image of the mushrooms in the middle (red with white spots). The chemical structures of the mushroom's pigments are shown, including muscarufin, the primary pigment responsible for their red colour. The compounds behind the mushrooms' psychoactive properties, ibotenic acid and muscimol, are also shown. These compounds imitate neurotransmitters in the brain to exert their effects.
October 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
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compoundchem.com
We're firmly into autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, so it's once again time to share one of my favourite chemistry infographics on the kaleidoscope of chemical colours found in autumn leaves! 🍂
www.compoundchem.com/2014/09/11/a...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the chemistry of the colours of autumn leaves. Green is caused by chlorophyll, carotenoids and flavonoids give yellows, and oranges come from carotenoids, which also contribute to reds along with anthocyanins.
October 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
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nature.com
BREAKING: The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi “for the development of metal-organic frameworks”

Stay tuned for more.
#NobelPrize
A Nobel medal
October 8, 2025 at 9:49 AM
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compoundchem.com
The 2025 #NobelPrize in Chemistry was awarded today for the development of metal-organic frameworks, molecular sponges with applications in gas storage, water purification and more: www.compoundchem.com/2025/10/08/2...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks. The infographic explains that metal-organic frameworks are molecular sponges built up from metal ions and organic compounds that act as linkers. Small molecules such as gases can move into and out of cavities in these frameworks. The graphic highlights some of the MOFs the laureates have developed and concludes by looking at possible future uses of MOFs, including gas storage and extracting water from air.
October 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM