THE rot began in 1929 when Paul Dirac had the arrogance to declare that physics could solve all chemistry鈥檚 problems. Little by little, the interesting bits began to be hived off into disciplines such as astrobiology and polymer science. Today, much of chemistry has been rebranded as glamorous-sounding nanotechnology. So let鈥檚 not forget chemistry鈥檚 power. With hindsight, it鈥檚 clear that the 鈥渃old fusion鈥� a pair of electrochemists thought they had stumbled upon 20 years ago will not deliver the energy miracle it promised, but the affair reminds us that chemistry retains the ability to surprise (see 鈥淚nterview: Fusion is a cold climate鈥�). Meanwhile, , Don Sadoway, is busy developing batteries that could hold the key to an all-electric economy (see 鈥淎ll juiced-up and ready to go鈥�). Chemists still have plenty to be proud of.
The science that dare not speak its name
Relatively unloved and neglected, chemistry still has huge potential to change our world for the better