Polymorphie: Fast ein kristallographisches Wintermärchen

A closer look at stories of polymorphic crystals that “appear, ” then “disappear, ” and then ”reappear” again shows that there are no magical mysteries involved. Instead it is the complex interaction between thermodynamics and kinetics that makes the process of crystallization so complex that the experimental results can be almost unbelievable. Clearly the chemists' work is not finished with the pure synthesis, as polymorphic crystals of a new compound have properties which are so different that they might be quite promising one time or undesirable the next. As is true for all fields of chemistry, growing the 'right' crystal form is both a science and an art. Sometimes, though, the mystery that remains is like magic itself.     

Die Brüder Otto und Robert Margulies

It is difficult to understand that nearly no information can be found in encyclopedias and books about the history of the chemical industry about the Margulies family (father Benedikt and sons Otto and Robert), pioneers in industrial chemistry. The Margulies brothers realized the importance of catalysis and electrochemistry as a basis for industrial chemical processes. They initiated the fixation of N₂ from the air which resulted in the synthesis of Ammonia by Haber and Bosch and they also developed the first industrial process for the production of Hydrogen Peroxide and built the first industrial production unit in Austria. There is no monument to honor the pioneers, no price is named after them and they had very little benefit from what they initiated or made available on an industrial scale. This article is dedicated to their memories.     

Die Mär vom Wasser mit Gedächtnis

Although repeatedly there are worrying cases, fraud in science is rather rare; however, probably there are a considerable number of unreported cases. Sooner or later blatant examples of unethical behavior are revealed by the controls in the system. The prevention of such situations requires compliance with strict ethical principles in the academia. An ethics education for all students and a commitment from scientists to observe ethical principles appears as an essential condition.