The growing coalescence between biology and chemistry is one of the impressive new twists presently occurring in our industry; an amalgamation of two worlds that is benefiting from a blend of the best aspects in both sciences to create unprecedented materials and substances with novel properties. Following a previous company post on the hybridization of biochemistry with organic chemistry, it is only logical to follow it with a closer view on one of the most attractive applications of synthetic biology in the chemical landscape – the creation of advanced materials. The strength in a spider’s ..read more

In science, it is our main goal to significantly improve the understanding of the systems we work with, including those which seem to be too advanced for our current methods. By harnessing the power of technology, we can enhance our capabilities in accomplishing this goal. This precise fact is what drives the fields I have dedicated my life to: both chemistry and computing. One excellent example of this is the case with quantum mechanics. Although we have been achieving important milestones in the chemical and materials space for decades, science is starting to ask more of us – now, we are re ..read more

In the chemical manufacturing industry, we have been searching for the keys to unlock the future for many decades. In a reality where we are increasingly aware of the effects of our activities on the environment, as well as significantly more careful about potential health issues, the goal is to create safer and more efficient chemical products and materials that can ensure the best results for both our customers and the world surrounding them. Manufacturers have invested billions in studying advanced versions of traditional chemistries, such as surfactants – biosurfactants – solvents, polyme ..read more

Article originally published in July 21, 2020. “It took twelve years for us to build, and we lost almost everything in six weeks”. These were the words of Brian Chesky, CEO of hospitality giant, Airbnb, when he was recently interviewed by CNBC and asked about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company he leads. Although there is not a single industry that has been left unscathed by the effects of the coronavirus crisis spreading across the globe, no businesses have been as affected as those in the hospitality industry, which depend entirely on the movement of people to survive. The w ..read more

Flixborough, 1974. Seveso, 1976. Bhopal, 1984. Pasadena, 1989. Tianjin, 2019. These, as well as countless more, have been the sites of terrible accidents across the history of chemical manufacturing. In the industrial setting, especially in chemical and petrochemical plants, there is a permanent element of danger surrounding each process taking place, mainly near fluid systems and units. Explosions, fires, and leaks are just a few of the numerous hazards which can rapidly place workers and surroundings in danger, as well as the risk of incompetence and a lack of training, which can further mu ..read more