Catalyst Volume 18 Issue 2

This issue of Catalyst contains articles on:

Would You Be a CLEVER Driver?

The CLEVER car has been designed to be a compact, energy-efficient car. Many of its design features are likely to appear in more conventional cars in the near future.

Studying Lung Surfactant

The inner surface of human lungs is coated with surfactant, allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream. Some babies suffer breathing problems because they lack this vital substance.

Radioactive Waste Decisions

How are decisions taken about controversial issues such as the sitting of a radioactive waste store?

A Close Look at Pollen Grains

The scanning electron microscope shows up the structures of pollen grains and can help research into why some people suffer from hay fever.

Arctic Coral Reefs

The Arctic Ocean expeditions have revealed previously-unknown deep-sea coral reefs. How do these havens of biodiversity survive, and how are human activities damaging them?

Year of the Sun

The article describes the International Heliophysical Year (2007-08) - a year of scientific collaboration, studying the Sun and the impact of its radiation on the Earth.

Energy-efficient Lighting

This article assesses whether energy-efficient lighting is good for the environment.

Measuring Surface Tension

This article shows how to conduct a home experiment on surface tension.

Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print copies of the magazine can be purchased from Mindsets.