DESIGNING THE MOLECULAR WORLD: Chemistry at the Frontier -

Designing the Molecular World: Chemistry at the Frontier by Philip Ball

Many of the most exciting developments in modern science come not from particle accelerators, astronomical observatories or biotechnology companies but from the benches of chemists. Dubbed “The Cinderella Science”, chemistry has come a long way from smells and smoke.

Today’s chemists are creating the substances that shape the world and change our lives.

They are engineers in atom-craft, in rearranging the elements into fantastic architectural forms with their own lilliputian beauty. Amongst these creations of the molecular world are the hollow carbon molecules called fullerenes, which may lead to super-strong fibres or electronic devices a hundred times smaller than those on today’s silicon chips.

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“This is the surprise discovery of the year. Philip Ballâs alchemy combines knowledge, clarity and wit to transform the lead of periodic tables and molecular structures into a golden tale of chemistryâs centrality in modern science.” Lucy Horwitz, Boston Book Reviewt

“This book offers an exhilarating, insightful tour of the vast wonderlands of modern molecular science. Philip Ball is a lively and lucid guide.” Dudley Herschbach, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

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Princeton University Press Hard Back 384 pages (1994) ISBN 0-691-00058-1 ALSO in PAPERBACK