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Periodic Table Series: Element 17 — Chlorine

Chlorine, a highly toxic gas, protects people against waterborne diseases every day. Using chlorine to disinfect tap water is effective and relatively inexpensive…

严浩2019-08-25

Periodic Table Series: Element 40 — Zirconium

The English name zirconium comes from zircon, a natural gemstone that can rival diamond…

严浩2019-02-18

Periodic Table Series: Element 93 — Neptunium

Neptunium was the first artificially synthesized transuranium element—an element with an atomic number greater than 92—to be discovered, laying a foundation for the modern periodic table and the actinide series…

曹逊2019-02-11

Periodic Table Series: Element 32 — Germanium

In 1871, Mendeleev had already predicted germanium’s existence. Fourteen years later, the German chemist Winkler discovered this “silicon-like element,” germanium, while analyzing argyrodite, and subsequently prepared it by heating germanium sulfide with hydrogen…

曹逊2019-02-02

Periodic Table Series: Element 82 — Lead

Humans knew about lead as early as 7000 years ago. Lead is mentioned in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. As early as ancient Roman times, Rome had lead drainage pipes…

曹逊2019-01-13

Periodic Table Series: Element 88 — Radium

Radium was the fourth radioactive element discovered in human history. Its English name, Radium, derives from a Latin word associated with rays…

徐江2018-12-18

A CLOSER LOOK

Scientific methods and research tools

Science perspectives

Why Is a Nobel-Caliber “Amplifier” Hard to Use as a Ruler?

If a reaction amplifies tiny molecular differences, why might it not measure them accurately? A study involving a Nobel laureate helps explain the gap between “detecting” and “measuring accurately.”

PhDSciNet2026-10-10

Physics

How Is Laser Light Produced?

The laser was a major invention of the twentieth century, called the “fastest knife,” the “most precise ruler” and the “brightest light”…

严浩2019-04-25

Physics

Laser-Induced Fluorescence: A Powerful Tool for Flow Visualization

How can fluorescence reveal flow and combustion when a laser illuminates a tiny region? 严浩 introduces the principles of laser-induced fluorescence, velocity measurements, and two-dimensional flow visualization.

严浩2019-02-02

Physics

Airfoils: A Perfect Synthesis of Classical and Modern Fluid Mechanics

If someone asked me to name an invention as important as the wheel, I would say “the airfoil” without hesitation. In its narrower sense, an airfoil is the cross-sectional shape of an aircraft wing. This design brings mechanics and aesthetics together to make the most of modern aircraft performance…

孟航2019-01-06

A CLOSER LOOK

Life and molecules

The Silkworm: A Good Companion to Humanity

The domestic silkworm is a silk-producing insect in the order Lepidoptera and family Bombycidae. It mainly eats mulberry leaves and is also called the mulberry silkworm. Its endearing and delicate appearance has earned it the affectionate Chinese nickname “silkworm baby.” Growing mulberries, raising silkworms, reeling silk, and weaving silk fabrics were early inventions of ancient Chinese working people…

赵国栋2019-07-04

In Vitro Point-of-Care Testing

In vitro diagnostics (IVD) mainly obtains clinical diagnostic information by testing urine, sweat, blood, saliva and tissue fluids. It provides scientific evidence for disease prevention and diagnosis and is vital to healthcare systems…

Rita2019-06-09

A Polydopamine Shell: A “Nanocoat”

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that can undergo oxidative self-polymerization under certain conditions to form polydopamine. As early as 2007, the Messersmith group reported that polydopamine could form a shell on almost any solid material surface…

周文虎2018-09-29

A Wrongful Murder Conviction Caused by False Memories: Your Memory Is Not Reliable!

Memory is like a dusty magic box. It may look small, yet it holds our joys, anger, sorrows, and pleasures, recording the lives we have lived. But have you ever considered that seemingly real and reliable memories may be self-deceiving illusions?

陈善平2018-06-17

How Do We “Survive Adversity”? Optogenetics Reveals Learning in Adversity!

How Do We “Survive Adversity”? Optogenetics Reveals Learning in Adversity! 陈善平 / 刘楠, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences / MIT McGovern Joint Institute for Brain Cognition and Brain Disorders. Keywords: emotions, learning ability, optogenetics. Many readers have probably watched Discovery Channel’s reality television program Man vs. Wild. In each episode, British adventurer Bear Grylls demonstrates how to escape extremely harsh environments such as deserts, swamps, forests, and canyons. In the program, Bear…

陈善平、刘楠2018-05-10