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Iodine (I): Origin, Properties, Uses & Facts
Iodine (I) is an essential element in biology, industry, science and health. It's known for its intense violet gas and strong odor....
Sylvia Rose
Nov 9, 20243 min read
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Chlorine (Cl): Properties, Hazards & Uses
Chlorine (Cl) is a vital element in nature, used in industry as a disinfectant. Characterized by its highly reactive habits, chlorine is...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 8, 20245 min read
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Carl Wilhelm Scheele: Poisonous Chemistry
Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742 - 1786) is a self-taught German-Swedish chemist whose work has strong impact on chemical sciences of the day....
Sylvia Rose
Nov 8, 20245 min read
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Copper(II) Sulfate: Blue Vitriol, Chalcanthite
Copper (II) sulfate CuSO4 yields a vivid color and widespread applications. Also known as blue vitriol in alchemy and chalcanthite in...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 7, 20245 min read
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Vorticella: Mysterious Microscopic Pond Life
Vorticella is a genus of single-celled water-loving organisms with specialized cilia. As an adult the microbe attaches to a substrate...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 7, 20244 min read
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Rotifers (Rotifera): Animalcules Under the Microscope
Rotifers live in complex microbial water worlds like ponds. These tiny organisms help maintain the health of aquatic environments....
Sylvia Rose
Nov 6, 20246 min read
12 views


Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass
Lye or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a vital part of human history. Also called caustic soda, lye is a white odorless solid. A strong...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 5, 20244 min read
7 views


Fungal Biofilms: Ecology of Biofilm-Producing Molds & Yeasts
Fungal biofilms are integral to ecosystems. Often unnoticed, these living structures exemplify microorganism cooperation in survival,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 4, 20245 min read
32 views


Colorful World of Bacteria - Color Producers
Bacteria affect food, water, soil, human health and the vibrant colors of art. Here are six remarkable bacteria known for stunning...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 3, 20246 min read
20 views


Oil-Dwelling Microbes: Bacteria, Yeast & Mold
Culinary oils are teeming with microbial life such as bacteria, molds, yeast and other fungi. Popular oils like olive oil, vegetable oil,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 3, 20246 min read
26 views


Silent Destroyers: Microbes of Concrete Corrosion
The microbes of concrete corrosion include bacteria, fungi and algae. Their purpose in life is to break down and decompose matter, and...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 2, 20245 min read
14 views


Silent Destroyers: Microbial Corrosion of Concrete
Microbial corrosion of concrete by bacteria, fungi and algae destabilize structures of home and environs. While the impact of weather,...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 2, 20243 min read
13 views


Cupriavidus metallidurans: Metal Eating Gold Making Bacterium
Cupriavidus metallidurans has an extraordinary ability to prosper in toxic environments. Not only does it survive, it turns toxic metals...
Sylvia Rose
Nov 1, 20245 min read
41 views


Chloroauric Acid: Gold Salts & Extraction
Chloroauric acid H[AuCl4] is a yellow solution created in the 18th century. A gold(III) salt, chloroauric acid is an innovative compound,...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 31, 20243 min read
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Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance
Perfumes are grouped according to their strengths. Every fragrance has a purpose, from a fresh splash of rose or mint to mysterious...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20243 min read
16 views


Science of Alchemy: Alchemical Innovations
Alchemy these days is often seen only as a mystical practice purveying the clic hé of turning base metals into gold. Alchemy is in fact...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20246 min read
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Science of Alchemy: Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a powerful chemical. Used from old alchemical practices to modern times, this colorless, pungent-smelling liquid is...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20245 min read
27 views


Powder of Algaroth: Antimony Oxychloride Purgative
Antimony oxychloride or Powder of Algaroth is a compound first appearing in 15th century Europe. During the Renaissance Powder of...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20244 min read
17 views


Amoebae: Microbial Predators on the Move
Amoebas live in nearly all environments of Earth. Unique adaptations and survival strategies of these canny microorganisms make them...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20247 min read
18 views


Microfungi: Mysterious Web of Life & Death
Microfungi, including molds, mildews, and rusts create a vast hidden universe. These unseen eukaryotic organisms are essential to...
Sylvia Rose
Oct 28, 20246 min read
18 views
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