Visual explanations of scientific topics in image format.

The Chemistry of Vaping
🚬➡️💨 Vaping heats (nicotine) liquid into vapor for inhalation; this picture explains the chemistry behind the process

How Does a Breath Analyzer Test for Alcohol Work?
We look at the chemistry behind breathalizers and their development since 1931

History of Synthetic Dyes
How chemistry has created a new industry from a waste product of the coal industry

How Does a Thermos Flask Work?
Why do drinks stay hot in winter and cool in summer?

Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES)
Storing surplus heat in large quantities, long-term, reversible, and without insulation

Why Is Natural Gas so Important for the Chemical Industry?
Hardly any other industry needs as much gas as the chemical industry; this Clever Picture explains why

Exploring Mars
2021 has already added three new Mars expeditions and hopes are high that the first humans will land on Mars in the 2030s

Overview of Coronavirus Variants
Most mutations of SARS-CoV-2 do not have a noticeable impact on us, but some do – we look at which ones and why

Comparing COVID-19 Vaccines
Comparing vector vaccines based on adenoviruses and mRNA vaccines

Recipe for Lebkuchen
German gingerbread is soft and moist and is made with nuts and a special spice mixture, the Lebkuchen spice

Sourdough Chemistry
A stable symbiotic culture of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts used as a leavening agent

Recipe for Vanilla Anise Cookies (Anisplätzchen)
Another kitchen experiment: The cookies must develop "feet"

Nutmeg Chemistry
A look at the chemistry of the slightly volatile aroma of nutmeg

Hartshorn Salt Chemistry
Hartshorn salt is a mixture of two parts ammonium hydrogen carbonate and one part ammonium carbonate and some ammonium carbamate

Potash Chemistry
Potassium carbonate is used as a leavening agent for baked goods

Cardamom Chemistry
Cardamom seeds contain an essential oil that gives them a spicy, sweetish hot aroma

Anise Chemistry
A look at the chemistry of anise seed, which is used as a spice, either ground or whole

Recipe for Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies)
Cinnamon stars are among the most popular traditional German Christmas cookies

Ginger Chemistry
Ginger is one of the earliest spices to be cultivated and exported