I was researching medieval art when I found an old alchemy book. Those ancient "scientists" trying to turn lead into gold seemed ridiculous until I saw a headline about scientists turning plastic bottles into jet fuel. Wait. Hold up. Weren't we doing the same thing alchemists dreamed of? Except instead of making gold, we're making something better: clean energy from trash. Instead of mysterious potions, we're using catalysts. What if the ancient dream of turning worthless materials into gold is happening right now, except we're making something even better? What Catalysts Actually Do Catalysts are the ultimate wingmen of chemistry. They help reactions happen that would otherwise be impossible, but don't get consumed. Like a friend who's amazing at introducing people at parties but never gets involved in drama. Every reaction has "activation energy," the energy needed to get started. Think pushing a boulder over a hill. Catalysts are like buil...
by Mehar Kaur Minhas