Just like the stone age and bronze age are remembered for the tools of their periods, our modern era may one day be known for one of the most widespread and instrumental chemicals of our time: methanol. Also known as carbinol, methyl alcohol, and methyl hydrate, methanol is the simplest alcohol with properties similar to …
Indispensable Materials Part 12: Welcome to the Methanol Age Read More »
Anyone who has studied the Industrial Revolution will remember learning about the rapid rise of coal and its pivotal role in powering newly developed steam engines, machines, and factories back in the late 18th century. Burning coal has since been an incredibly easy and convenient way for people to generate warmth and electricity, benefiting countless …
Indispensable Materials Series Part 7: Coal, Still a Formidable Player Read More »
Humankind has come a long way. It has zipped through the Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages, and now appears to be living in the “Plastic Age.” Look around your home, the streets outside, your workplace, and you’ll find it hard to identify a single space free of plastic. Affordability and versatility have made plastic an …
Indispensable Materials Series Part 6: Synthetic Resins Omnipresent Read More »
