Kit Chapman

Falmouth

Course leader, MA Journalism, Falmouth University at Freelance

Lecturer, @FalmouthUni. Globetrotting science historian. Superheavy, Racing Green, weird chemistry oddballs. he/him 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Rep: @watsonlittle

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Articles

Berkelium snared in organometallic trap

1 month ago | chemistryworld.com | Kit Chapman

The synthetic element berkelium has been trapped between two carbon rings to create berkelocene for the first time, one of the heaviest organometallic structures ever created. Source: © Dominic R Russo et al/Science/AAAS Berkelium, element 97, is highly unstable and has largely remained a mystery since its discovery at its namesake Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US, in 1949.
Superheavy by Kit Chapman is an interesting blend of science and history

2 months ago | ipreferreading.com | Kaitlyn Skees |Kit Chapman

Earlier this month I picked up Racing Green by Kit Chapman, which I really enjoyed! So when I was interested in picking up more nonfiction, Chapman's catalog seemed like a great place to start. Chapman's other book, Superheavy, delves into the periodic table. While that might not sound super interesting or very fact-heavy, Chapman crafts a narrative that makes the audience feel the magic and complexity of science and discovery.
What’s the stretchiest cheese?

2 months ago | edu.rsc.org | Kit Chapman

What’s the stretchiest variety and why can cheddar give you nightmares? Source: © Moncherie/Getty Images It’s hard to beat the delicious taste of a stretchy strand of cheese on a pizza. But why does cheese get so gooey? And why are some cheeses better than others when it comes to your favourite dinner? Humans have loved cheese since before recorded time – we believe people have made it for at least 10,000 years.
Why does copper jewellery turn your skin green?

Nov 25, 2024 | edu.rsc.org | Kit Chapman

From warships to computer chips, discover the metal’s many uses throughout historyIf you’ve ever worn copper jewellery, you might have noticed a greenish colour left on your skin. The good news is that you aren’t turning into the Incredible Hulk or Elphaba from Wicked but seeing some chemistry in action. In fact, it’s the same chemistry you can see on one of the most famous monuments in the world.
Will we run out of elements?

Sep 25, 2024 | edu.rsc.org | Kit Chapman

From helium to lithium and aluminium, discover some of the elements at riskHumanity has already found all the elements that exist on Earth. These are the elements on the periodic table up to atomic number 92, uranium. Anything beyond that is too unstable to have been able to exist naturally since the Earth’s formation. Scientists have also made a further 26 elements in the lab and are confident that there are at least 172 possible elements.
How F1 plans to transition to ‘100% sustainable fuel’

Sep 15, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Kit Chapman

Formula One is at a crossroad. The pinnacle of motorsport is synonymous with high octane thrills and excess at a time when environmental consciousness has never been more important. The sport has already sworn to be carbon-neutral by 2030, but a huge leap is coming sooner, with a radical shake-up to how the cars are powered in 2026. But what are the changes, and can a sport known for gas-guzzling engines really go green?
Element 120 may now be in reach and the hunt for it could begin next year

Jul 24, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Kit Chapman

Element hunters at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have successfully used titanium-50 to make a superheavy element, paving the way for a hunt for element 120 as early as next year. Source: © Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab New elements are no longer discovered. They are created by fusion reactions in particle accelerators, accelerating an ion beam of a lighter element into a heavier target, hoping the nuclei fuse together to produce a heavier element.
First single crystal structure of actinium shows unexpected coordination behaviour

Jul 21, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Kit Chapman

Actinium’s coordination behaviour is significantly different from its homologue lanthanum, the first single crystal x-ray structure for the element has shown in work that could help pave the way for new cancer therapies.
What’s the world’s strongest glue?

Jul 18, 2024 | edu.rsc.org | Kit Chapman

Find out about the world’s strongest glue and how adhesives bond things together Source: © Dean Clarke/Shutterstock Glue helps hold our modern world together. But what’s the best glue to bond your projects, broken mug, or fingers, together? It turns out the answer is a little stickier than just grabbing the nearest pot to hand. What causes something to be sticky? There are lots of sticky substances in nature, such as sugary, water-based tree sap.
The wonder of whisky

Jul 7, 2024 | flipboard.com | Kit Chapman

Wine & Spirits14 hours agoMeet Napa Valley’s Next Great Cult WineRobb Report - Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen • 14hAnd it just happens to be made in Sonoma. When we recently tackled the idea of how to spot Napa Valley‘s next cult wine, two concepts stood out: …Wine2 hours agoOntario’s Star Hybrid Wine Grape Varietynuvomagazine.com - Rod Phillips • 2hThe top four red grape varieties used to make varietal Ontario VQA-certified wine include pinot noir, cabernet franc, and merlot—all Vitis vinifera …