The science that dare not speak its name

摘要

THE rot began in 1929 when Paul Dirac had the arrogance to declare that physics could solve all chemistry's problems. Little by little, the interesting bits began to be hived off into disciplines such as astrobiology and polymer science. Today, much of chemistry has been rebranded as glamorous-sounding nanotechnology. So let's not forget chemistry's power. With hindsight, it's clear that the "cold fusion" a pair of electrochemists thought they had stumbled upon 20 years ago will not deliver the energy miracle it promised, but the affair reminds us that chemistry retains the ability to surprise (see page 28). Meanwhile, Bill Gates's favourite chemistry lecturer, Don Sadoway, is busy developing batteries that could hold the key to an all-electric economy (see page 42). Chemists still have plenty to be proud of.