Solid crystals squished from plastic foam after many years
I have an orange tipped NERF gun bullet from many years back, like 15 years. The bullet was sitting inside the Nerf revolver's chamber all this while. Today I tried to remove the bullet from the chamber. It was stuck. I tried to stick my finger in to dig it out. This squished the bullet against the side of the chamber. This caused a liquid to seep out from the foam part of the bullet body, along with some crystals. The crystals were transparent, and very small, maybe the size of a grain of sand. On my fingertip were about I'd say 15 of these little crystals, with the liquid coating my finger. I got grossed out so I wiped it away with a tissue then washed my hands with soap. I think I've heard of plastics leaching, but why were there crystals? Or if not crystals, some solid stuff?
https://redd.it/1mbg54t
@r_chemistry
Am I cooked? Future Chemistry Undergraduate worried about PR pathway in Australia
Hello, everyone. I'm looking for a reality check. I'm an international student about to start my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Adelaide (Regional area yah) this coming semester, and my ultimate goal is to build a life here and get Permanent Residency (I know I might get downvoted for this reason). I'm super passionate about chemistry, putting in a lot of work during high school, so I’m already pretty solid on the first and second-year chemistry stuff, so no worry about the academic stuffs.
But here’s my worry: I keep hearing all these horror stories online that it’s really tough for chemistry grads with just a Bachelor’s to find jobs, especially in South Australia. People are saying companies mostly want PhDs, Master or otherwise landing that first full-time gig as a "Chemist" or "Lab Technician" is nearly impossible without experience, which I need for the skills assessment.
My family can only swing the 3-year Bachelor’s, so going for Honours or a Master’s right after isn’t an option.
So, I’m looking for some honest advice:
\- Am I in trouble? Am I being naive, thinking I won't end up back home after my post-study work visa runs out?
\-Should I just, switch for Chemical Engineering? I get that there isn't much chemistry involved in, but the job prospects are so much better. The only (but BIG) downside is I’d have to really watch my budget and start working a part-time job,
\- For anyone working in the science/lab/manufacturing scene in Adelaide or SA, what's the real scoop? Are there actually chances for Bachelor’s grads?
\- What practical stuff should I be doing from Day 1 at uni (besides hitting the books) to boost my chances of snagging that crucial first job?
I’m ready to put in the hard work, but I just want to make sure I’m not fighting a losing battle. Thanks for any insight you can share!.
https://redd.it/1mbdx1a
@r_chemistry
Utah engineers develop novel material that efficiently removes ‘forever chemicals’
https://attheu.utah.edu/science-technology/u-engineers-develop-novel-material-that-efficiently-removes-forever-chemicals/
https://redd.it/1mbar20
@r_chemistry
Mettler toledo weighing scale using usb cable
Im trying to connect the weighing scale to my PC to automate data flow. Im using usb cable type B connected to balance and type A to my PC. Will it work?? I saw a lot of posts using rs232 instead, should i buy another cable?
https://redd.it/1mb7hhy
@r_chemistry
Is Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate *Exactly* the Same as Iron Bisglycinate?
https://redd.it/1mb6bqm
@r_chemistry
Low tox living
I have a question, I want to know from people in the field about just how much of this clean living is exaggerated or scientific. For example, people are making their own detergents (dish and laundry), not applying deodorant, disconnecting WiFi etc. I think it’s extreme but I also want to be healthy. Any advice on what I gadgets, products I should avoid.
https://redd.it/1mb3msl
@r_chemistry
Looking for a Stopper
https://redd.it/1maxiyl
@r_chemistry
Tom Lehrer, song satirist and mathematician, dies at 97
https://apnews.com/article/tom-lehrer-son-satirist-mathematician-dies-9caa7ee01faf4fbfb793d7ba984c179d
https://redd.it/1mawnpi
@r_chemistry
The limit does not exist: Superheated gold survives the entropy catastrophe, « Researchers taking the first-ever direct measurement of atom temperature in extremely hot materials inadvertently disproved a decades-old theory and upended our understanding of superheating. »
https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2025-07-23-limit-does-not-exist-superheated-gold-survives-entropy-catastrophe
https://redd.it/1mau659
@r_chemistry
Galena crystal in the washer
I bought a galena crystal, intending to make a crystal radio from it. I inadvertently left it in my pocket and washed my pants, and only realized after everything had been through the dryer. I know that galena is an ore of lead. How worried should I be about our washer and dryer? If little pieces are in the filters, will our clothes keep getting contaminated with lead? We have a 10 month old baby so I’m particularly concerned about his lead exposure. How would one deep clean the washer and dryer to ensure that there’s no more lead contamination? Thank you in advance!
https://redd.it/1maqg0a
@r_chemistry
rate of reaction experiment
Doing a Experiment for school based on how temperature effects rate of reaction and I was wondering which 2 chemicals (that a high-school would have) would be best to use?
https://redd.it/1maluz8
@r_chemistry
MSc Chemistry graduate confused: Job search or CSIR-NET coaching?
Hi everyone,
I recently completed my MSc in Chemistry with 89.7% from Kannur University. I’m currently at a crossroads — I’m confused whether to start applying for jobs or take coaching to prepare for CSIR-NET.
To be honest, I’m not planning to do a PhD. But I’m considering NET coaching mainly because I want to qualify for secure government jobs that require MSc or BSc Chemistry- such as roles in ISRO, DRDO, BARC, PSUs, or other research-based government positions.
Even though I have a good academic score, I’m not very confident about cracking NET without coaching, and I’m also unsure if it’s really worth it for someone not aiming for PhD.
I’d really appreciate your advice on:
Is CSIR-NET useful if I'm not planning to pursue PhD?
Should I focus more on applying to private/industrial jobs instead?
Are there any government jobs where NET helps even without PhD?
What would you recommend for someone like me who wants a secure job, not necessarily in academics?
Thank you so much in advance
https://redd.it/1maix83
@r_chemistry
Curcumin interference with Jaffe-reaction. Help needed
Hey all,
I’ve got a bit of a weird case and wanted to ask for help.
Due to a condition, I have to get my creatinine levels checked regularly. But I’ve noticed that every time I take curcumin supplements (like turmeric extract pills or shots), especially in higher doses, my creatinine values come back noticeably higher than usual.
At first I thought it was just coincidence or lab variance, but it’s now happened multiple times. All of them used the Jaffé method and I know the complex absorbs green blue light at around 490 nm.
Since curcumin absorbs strongly in alkaline solution around 470–480 nm (that’s what I have read) could it be interfering with the measurement? I mean, visually it’s super pigmented in that range, so it kinda makes sense. But I haven’t found any papers that directly confirm it. Also curcumin is soo colourful and looks like almost like dye and I don’t get off my hands for days after I touched it.
Anyone seen this before? Or tested creatinine after turmeric/curcumin intake?
Would love to hear if this is a known thing
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1mab4bh
@r_chemistry
Silver oxide on aluminum foil
https://redd.it/1ma8chr
@r_chemistry
Potential Equipment-related Issue
Not sure where to ask this, but.
I work at an environmental chemistry lab that tests drinking water for various analytes, and one of the methods that we do is EPA Method 537, for PFAS compounds in finished drinking water. Recently, we got a Promochrom SPE-03 to help with labor by automating the extraction process. The problem that we're having now is that when we run 537 samples on it, we have a couple of analytes in our surrogate that are coming out low or else not meeting criteria at all when our samples are run on the LC/MS. Then the sample has to be marked for re-prep or re-sample, managers get mad, etc.
We're all trying to figure out what's happening/why this is the case. We don't think it's our cartridges, chemicals, or surrogate, because I use the exact same stuff when I do manual extractions with a vacuum manifold and the surrogate compounds come out just fine. We think it might be some kind of matrix issue, because all of our in-house QC samples (MB, LCS, MRL, etc) come out fine when we run them on the Promochrom - but actual samples just don't. I'm thinking at this point that maybe it's flow rate, because when I do extractions manually, I tend to go slower than the Promochrom (since I have to keep an eye on everything).
Is anyone else familiar with this, and/or think they know what might be going on? Any help is appreciated.
https://redd.it/1ma0h80
@r_chemistry
Any ideas on how I can save this very expensive piece of glassware?
https://redd.it/1mbfckn
@r_chemistry
Weekly Careers/Education Questions Thread
This is a dedicated weekly thread for you to seek and provide advice concerning education and careers in chemistry.
If you need to make an important decision regarding your future or want to know what your options, then this is the place to leave a comment.
If you see similar topics in r/chemistry, please politely inform them of this weekly feature.
https://redd.it/1mbd4c3
@r_chemistry
All in one chemestry Calculator
https://www.megacalculator.net/all-in-one-chemistry-calculator/
https://redd.it/1mb9laq
@r_chemistry
why doesn't school teach us about positrons?
high school chemistry focuses on electrons and protons a lot,, but why dont they teach us about positrons at all?
https://redd.it/1mb7qfa
@r_chemistry
Radiation Levels in Agricultural Fields
https://youtu.be/3RKTcKF_F9o?si=IXEXhm19R6WaxqxF
https://redd.it/1mb37nx
@r_chemistry
Chemistry Grad Looking To Break Into Sales. Any Advice?
Hi everyone!
I just graduated with a degree in chemistry, but I’ve realized that I’m much more interested in sales than working in a lab.
Has anyone here made a similar transition from science to sales, especially in chemical companies, pharma, medical devices, or tech? I’d love to hear how you made the switch, what helped you get started, and any tips you might have for someone just beginning the journey.
Thanks in advance!
https://redd.it/1mawf6s
@r_chemistry
Ah yes, i'll take the usual at my favorite cafè, a Cup of xilene
https://redd.it/1mayifx
@r_chemistry
The science of acrylic paint- burnt sienna
https://open.substack.com/pub/devonpaintings/p/the-science-of-acrylic-paint-sienna?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=5o9idk&utm_medium=ios
https://redd.it/1mav6xl
@r_chemistry
Advice on playsets
Hi everyone! I am an academic chemist and want to buy a good chemistry set for an interested niece. Any advice? I know there are very good sets from Kosmos, but I wanted to hear your opinion on what's available without buying a set and be disappointed with flimsy production value. Some look good from the outside and documentation, but I am still a bit insecure.
Ps: She is 10. If that helps.
https://redd.it/1maor3v
@r_chemistry
Handling silver nitrate
https://redd.it/1mapmfx
@r_chemistry
Unknown funding in my research about chemistry/astrophysics
I want to ask if someone knows how funding in chemistry/astrophysics work.
I'm a software engineer and I wrote a paper involving chemistry and astrophysics. The main calculation is using a hydrogen atom and a vacuum structure which could be related to quantum chemistry (but its main field is astrophysics).
The application where is uploaded (www.zenodo.org) forces me to introduce those fundings and I don't know neither why, nor its implications (near 50 millions euros). I don't know anything about this kind of fundings., for exmaple if I should I be noticed about them...
I've had many legal problems with banks manipulating all my work and this is the straw that breaks the camel's back. What do you think? Here is the link to my paper and fundings:
**https://zenodo.org/records/15538303**
https://preview.redd.it/mwms6xmkmdff1.jpg?width=764&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35ffed51fbe282d27ebe1d13ef9f7a67d5cf0079
https://redd.it/1mahckk
@r_chemistry
Ab Initio Simulations in Materials Science: Hands-On Introduction to Electronic Structure Modeling with VASP
DFT and VASP textbook
I’m a university professor with 20 years of experience in computational chemistry, particularly with VASP, and over 130 scientific publications. Over the years, many of my students and experimental collaborators have asked for a clear and practical introduction to DFT calculations — something they could actually use to get started with real systems, not just theory.
It’s written for early-career theoreticians and experimentalists who want to perform DFT simulations but find most resources too abstract or too physics-heavy. While much of computational chemistry education still emphasizes Hartree–Fock, in practice we rely heavily on DFT — yet accessible materials focused on it are surprisingly scarce. On the other hand, many physics-based texts are excellent, but often too removed from the chemical mindset.
The book includes:
Foundational Theory: Explore essential quantum mechanical models, including the particle in a box, quantum oscillator, hydrogen atom, and chemical bonding. Concepts are introduced in an intuitive and beginner-friendly style, with clear explanations and analogies.
Many-Electron Systems and DFT: Understand the limitations of traditional methods and the emergence of density functional theory (DFT). Includes detailed discussions of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorems, Kohn-Sham equations, and exchange-correlation functionals.
VASP Practical Guide: Step-by-step instructions on how to compile, configure, and run VASP on various platforms, including Linux and Apple Silicon. Learn how to prepare input files (POSCAR, INCAR, KPOINTS, POTCAR) and interpret results.
Hands-On Simulations: Includes practical examples for geometry optimization, electronic structure analysis, band structure and density of states (DOS) calculations, vibrational analysis, transition state search (NEB), molecular dynamics, and more.
Python Integration: Features original Python scripts for processing VASP outputs and automating workflows—ideal for researchers seeking to build efficient simulation pipelines.
Educational Focus: Developed by a professor with extensive experience mentoring students and publishing in theoretical chemistry, the book emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and pedagogical structure.
https://redd.it/1mah623
@r_chemistry
Curcumin and light absorption
Hey,
I have noticed higher creatinine readings with the Jaffé method after taking curcumin supplements (turmeric extract).
I’ve noticed consistent bumps after higher doses. Curcumin absorbs around 470–480 nm in alkaline solution, and the Jaffé method measures at ~490 nm, so it might interfere.
It’s such a strong pigment, almost like a dye, super intense in color and I’ve read that it gets more red the higher the pH level.
I know bilirubin, glucose, and cephalosporins are known interferents, could curcumin be doing the same?
I’m not a chemist but really interested if that could explain it or not.
Thank you for your input!
https://redd.it/1mabat6
@r_chemistry
Does anyone know how to get rid of peppermint oil VOC's?
Long story, but my mom sprayed large amounts of peppermint oil (probably undiluted) in our pantry two weeks ago. The fumes were initially very strong as you could imagine and reached just about every room of the house. In order to help speed up the airing out in my bedroom, I sealed the door from the rest of the house and I opened all the windows with box fans blowing air out.
I thought this would be a good idea, but it turned out to completely backfire on me. The temperatures outside were over 100 degrees F, and this in return made my room a literal oven. If I had to guess, it was probably around 90 degrees and add lots of humidity as well. I let my bedroom "air out" like this for two straight days and now the smell is way worse in my bedroom, but the rest of the house smells fine now. I've now left the bedroom door open to let the rest of the air from the house hopefully resolve this but it's not helping. I'm afraid that the heat and humidity might have rooted the VOC's deep into my carpets or something.
Any advice on what I can do about this? I know an ozone generator might work but I'd like to save that as a last resort because I know those can cause problems on their own
https://redd.it/1ma62va
@r_chemistry
CCl4 Private Lab Testing Hard to Find
So, this is likely like 50% the right and wrong sub to ask in, but I thought I’d start here since someone might know.
Turns out there was an oil + gas spill where I’m living now, and at one point the CCl4 readings were above what they should be until they put a sub slab system in place to vent it out. Now, it’s only in the monitoring range in the basement based on the building’s report (done with the city’s help), but I’d still love to get a test done for my floor in the building for my own sanity’s sake.
But I can’t find any places that test for CCl4 online. Is it not common for private labs to test for it, or it’s just not widely advertised that labs do test for it since it’s not super common anymore? Thought someone here might know about why it’s so hard to find and what I should be looking for if they work in a lab!
https://redd.it/1ma02di
@r_chemistry
