🎉 Chemistry has come a long way—and ACS has been there every step of the way. In 2026, we mark 150 years of advancing science and shaping the future. Here is what Ismaila had to say. Celebrate with us: acs.org/150 #ACS150

Whether you like your food plain, mild or eye-wateringly spicy, its appearance doesn’t usually give away its heat level. Researchers solved the problem the same way many treat a fiery mouth: with milk. Read more about this artificial tongue published in ACS Sensors: buff.ly/UKDPVr1 🌶️🔥

Brains, spiders, (were)wolves, and slimy eyeballs — a collection of creepy research topics that Dr. Frankenstein would appreciate! But unlike the mad scientist’s work, these studies aim to improve human life. Check out four spooky science stories recently published in ACS journals:

ACS congratulates Jani Ingram on receiving the 2025 @sacnas.bsky.social Distinguished Scientist Award! This award recognizes her contributions to research, mentoring, and the scientific community. [1/2]

What's creepy and chemistry? Look back at this gallium-based liquid metal that squirms due to an electron-transfer reaction that changes the surface tension of the alloy.⚡ Researchers are investigating the serpentine locomotion of liquid metals for potential applications in soft electronics. [1/2]

"How ‘Frankenstein’ made me want to be a scientist: The book is more than a tale of horror; it’s a psychological drama about the drive to develop knowledge and be seen." cen.acs.org/people/Chemi... #chemsky 🧪

Menstrual cups may be more sustainable than disposable pads and tampons, but currently these reusable items have some downsides. Two simple additions to an existing menstrual cup could make it easier to use: a silicone oil coating and a plant-based absorbent tablet. Read more:

Nominations for the ACS #HeroesOfChemistry Award are now open through February 1, 2026! The award, one of ACS’s highest honors for industry, celebrates companies that have successfully developed commercialized innovative products. Nominate today: buff.ly/zBeMWvq

Did you know that many reptiles and birds “pee” crystals? 🐍 Instead of flushing nitrogen-rich compounds out with water like in human urine, these animals pack them up into “urates” that they excrete. [1/2]

The fungus among us might be the future of sustainable packaging and a replacement for single-use plastic films. Researchers have grown an edible fungus (turkey tail 🍄) with wood fibers to create a food-safe coating that repels water, grease and oil. Read more:

Time is running out! The ACS awards and fellowships for chemistry educators close in less than a week! Don’t miss your chance to be recognized and supported for your work in advancing green chemistry education. Submit your application before it’s too late! Apply now: buff.ly/qbb5NRK

Happy Mole Day from Meg A. Mole! There are 6.02 x 10²³ atoms, molecules, or ions in a mole. This number, called Avogadro's number, is a fundamental unit of measure in chemistry. #NationalChemistryWeek

Maple-syrup-scented urine? Hallucinations? To mark US #NationalChemistryWeek's "Hidden Life of Spices" theme, the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in @cenmag.bsky.social looks at some of the effects spices can have beyond flavouring our food: cen.acs.org/biological-c... #ChemSky 🧪

Why do some chili 🌶️peppers lack heat, despite containing high levels of spicy compounds? [1/5]

Are you a member of one of the hundreds of student chapters and local sections who are joining us tonight for chemistry trivia, expert presentations on the science of spices, Q&As, and prizes? You provide the global community, we provide the livestream party! [1/2]

Spices come from plants or trees. They can be dried, whole or powdered. You can blend, smell or cook with them to enhance the flavor and aroma of your food. Looking for fun spice activities for elementary through high school students? [1/2]

Why do some chili 🌶️peppers lack heat, despite containing high levels of spicy compounds? [1/5]

Need ideas for #NationalChemistryWeek? Read all about the science of spices and find activities you can do at home! buff.ly/hqgScMg

Happy #NationalChemistryWeek! Join us in exploring the hidden life of spices. What is your favorite spice?🌶️

Iron pills can have unwanted digestive side effects and upset the gut microbiome. For a less lose-lose option, researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have created a new supplement that combines prebiotics and probiotics.

A new prototype battery inspired by how our bodies turn sugar into energy? Yes! 🍬➡️⚡ ️Researchers developed an electrochemical flow cell that uses vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to shuttle electrons and taps into glucose’s stored energy. Read more: buff.ly/n1IfShb

Announcing newly elected ACS board members for 2026! Christina Bodurow is ACS President Elect for 2026. Who are the other elected officers and directors? Find out here: www.acs.org/pressroom/ne...

Wetlands trap sediments, absorb excess nutrients, and turn pollutants into less harmful substances. A pilot study in Environmental Science & Technology found that one water-loving wetland plant, the yellow flag iris, gets a boost from a symbiotic fungus to clean up PFAS from water.

ABCChem 2026 is accepting symposium proposals for its meeting in Brazil on December 15–18! The meeting’s theme is “Chemistry for Global Impact: Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation.”   Submit by December 1: abcchem.org

Researchers have developed a heat-based method to convert single-use plastic water bottles into materials for energy storage devices like supercapacitors. 🔋The upcycled supercapacitor outperformed a conventional device made with glass fiber, the team reports in ACS’ Energy & Fuels.

If you haven’t heard yet, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are having their moment in the science spotlight, thanks to being the subject of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Here’s one example of a superhydrophobic MOF that scientists were able to synthesize from clothing waste.

Food waste is more than just the starting material for compost. Scientists are finding treasure in our trash. Four recent papers published in ACS journals detail how food waste contains sustainable solutions for farming and new sources of bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals.

Time is running out, but it’s not too late to submit a symposium proposal for the 30th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference! Now’s your chance to shape the conversation. Submit your proposal by October 14th! Learn more: buff.ly/ycJvIYQ

Want to learn more about the miracle materials that won this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry? Watch this Headline Science video about the development and applications of MOFs! Click the link to watch:

Congratulations to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi, the winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Yaghi is also an Executive Editor of JACS. Learn about the winning research and explore noteworthy articles published by the laureates in ACS journals: buff.ly/dkEwNkf

It’s a material world after all. And this year’s #NobelPrize in Chemistry has been awarded to researchers who created a family of materials that could help solve some of humanity’s most critical problems. Read more: cen.acs.org/people/nobel... #ChemNobel #Chem #Chemistry #chemsky 🧪

Congratulations to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi, the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureates! Read ACS President Dorothy J. Phillips’ comments on this year’s award: buff.ly/QXnpYlh

Congratulations to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi, recipients of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry! www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemi...

What does the flu taste like? 🤧🤢 According to researchers publishing in ACS Central Science, it could someday taste like the herb thyme. The researchers are developing a taste-based flu sensor that could be integrated into chewing gum or lozenges for easy, at-home screening.

A pilot study published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that urban air contained pathogenic strains of Candida yeast that were absent from coastal air samples. The research reveals a previously unknown method of transmission for these pathogens. Read more:

As fun as it may be to kick up a puff of sea foam, this substance could contain more than algae detritus. According to a regional study along North Carolina’s coast, sea foam from multiple locations contained higher levels of forever chemicals compared to the water below. [1/2]

Have a breakthrough idea in the field of green chemistry? Or want to influence the direction of conversations that might impact the future of the field? Well, we’re listening! [1/3]

Meet fellow chemists in your region and share your work at upcoming ACS Regional Meetings! Register now: buff.ly/FmJ8BaH

Do you know a chemistry educator making a difference? Tag them below and encourage them to apply for our sustainability awards and fellowships for chemistry educators! [1/3]

Last chance! Applications close Oct. 1 at 11:59 PM ET. The ACS Graduate Student Success Grant offers 100 grants of $25,000 each to support graduate students completing their degrees. Click the link to apply now: buff.ly/ZJrzSN0

Glass is great for a lot of things — but a substitute for bone is definitely not one of them. But researchers reporting in ACS Nano beg to differ. [1/2]

Scientists regularly uncork fresh insights into beer and wine. Four recent papers go beyond buzz and bouquet, diving into the haziness and gluten content of beer as well as the astringent taste and potential health impacts of wine:

Join thousands of scientists in Honolulu, Hawaii for Pacifichem 2025 on December 15–20! Explore cutting-edge research and connect with the global chemistry community. Register by October 12 to save: pacifichem.org

One week left to apply! Applications close Oct. 1 at 11:59 PM ET. The ACS Graduate Student Success Grant offers 100 grants of $25,000 each to support graduate students completing their degrees. Click the link to apply now: buff.ly/ZJrzSN0

This week in the C&EN Magazine: Chemists with disabilities rethink how we do science + Higher ed chemistry departments prep for more upheaval. Read more: cen.acs.org/magazine/103... #chemsky 🧪

Applications are open! The ACS Graduate Student Success Grant program provides 100 grants of $25,000 per research institution to support graduate students completing their degrees. [1/2]

🕑 One week until applications for the ACS Graduate Student Success Grant open! Time to start getting your materials ready! 🕑 These grants are for M.S. and Ph.D. students within 1 year of degree completion and in need of funds to ensure degree completion.

Researchers have developed a living sensor using bioluminescent microbes that attach to plastic and produce green fluorescence. In a pilot test reported in ACS Sensors, the biosensor detected 100 parts-per-million microplastics in real seawater samples. Read more:

Say goodbye to sweat and food stains that ruin your favorite clothes! Researchers are working on a simple method that uses high-intensity blue LED light to brighten fabrics like cotton and silk. Read more:

Pimple patches might help cover an offending zit that just popped up — but do they actually heal the pimple? A new and improved patch design described in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces does — clearing away acne lesions completely within seven days. [1/3]