Are you still out in the dating scene, hoping to snag the one and only love of your life one day, but have failed to do so despite trying virtually every avenue possible known to man? Well, perhaps it really IS a question about chemistry, and Swiss company GenePartner has released its dating service that brings together both genders based on the correlation of genes that express the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) molecules. The main reason behind this move is because there is concrete evidence that shows ordinary folk tend to choose a partner based on their HLA-dependent odor type. More of the nitty gritty below.

Scientists have stumbled upon (not the website, mind you) a new material that is capable of capturing damaging carbon dioxide from power plants using a special technique used by the pharmaceutical industry to find new drugs. This material shares some similarities with sponge, and is known as ZIF-69. So far the brains in the labs claim that it is capable of holding up to 60 times its volume in carbon dioxide - one of the main reasons that scientists blame for the climate change that is happening in the world today. This compound, along with two dozen others just like it, were discovered using a technique known as high-throughput screening, is a parallel technique for testing chemicals. The new molecule can be utilized to capture carbon dioxide generated by power plants whenever coal, gas or biomass is burned. Sounds like this is the perfect solution for developing countries as they try to cut down on their greenhouse emissions.

Nanoparticles are a miracle of modern science and technology. Australian researchers have managed to harness the power of nanotechnology, having successfully developed ’self-cleaning’ wool and fabrics. This is made possible with having the researchers ‘prepared wool fabrics with and without a nanoparticle coating composed of anatase titanium dioxide, a substance that is known to destroy stains, dirt, and harmful microorganisms upon exposure to sunlight.’ One of their rather dirty experiments involved pouring red wine (a waste of booze if you ask me) on pristine and nanotechnology-coated wool. Despite that unsightly stain, the coated fabric ’showed almost no signs of the red stain, whereas the untreated fabric remained deeply stained’ after twenty hours.

What happens when a biological psychology professor slash jewelry-designer checks out the work of an optical microscopy research scientist? You end up with an unique line of accessories that shows off the fact that you’re just the kind of person who loves to confuse and befuddle people with trying to figure out just what it is you have in your possession.

ThinkGeek offers the Molecular Keychain and Molecular Earrings. Both feature the photomicrograph of a specific molecule taken by Michael W. Davidson of the Optical Microscopy Division of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University then is attached to a sterling silver finding using jeweler’s grade sealant. It won’t corrode, it won’t discolor and it won’t matter if you get it wet or not.

It’s just about time to be heading off to “big school”, otherwise known as University. Perhaps this’ll be your first time away from the servants (by which of course I mean mum and dad), and you may have to fend for yourself in the kitchen for the first time. With Jamie Oliver’s Survival Kit by Tefal, consisting of 3 non-stick cooking pans (26cm frying pan, 26cm wok/casserole dish and 20cm saucepan) with two lids (26cm and 20cm) plus a detachable handle, you can have fun cooking your first experimental meals on your own.

There are some chores in life that must be done despite being a drag to go through. Among them include mowing the lawn and painting the fence, but then again that’s what children (when they’re old enough, of course) are for, right? One of the bigger challenges would be painting your home, and woe to you if you have a relatively huge house. Giving your abode a fresh coat of paint on the outside every five years will definitely keep the neighborhood looking spiffy, but how many of us actually look forward to that “event”, preferring instead to lounge in our armchairs while flipping channels on the TV? What happens if I tell you that there is a new type of paint that covers your home with a lovely coat of energy generating solar cells? That news ought to make you jump right off your seat at roll up those sleeves almost immediately.

Both of you has had the most romantic dinner throughout the time you’ve known each other, and being hot-blooded young adults, chemistry has turned up the libido in both. Without any further ado, you and the love of your life head into the bedroom and start giggling around like little kids as your eyes light up in anticipation, knowing what’s to come ahead. Unfortunately, after all the initial brou-ha-ha, your fingers fumble when you try to open up that packet of rubber only to see it drop on the bed in pitch black darkness, killing off the mood instantly. You mutter a curse under your breath, and wonder why you didn’t read Coolest Gadgets earlier to pick up a box of Pronto condoms.

If you’ve always wanted to revise for your next chemistry exam whilst taking a shower then help is at hand, courtesy of the Periodic Table Shower Curtain.

The Periodic Table Shower Curtain is exactly that, a shower curtain with a, I think you get the idea. Thinking about it I reckon there’s all sorts of useful info you could put on shower curtains:

• The times tables for younger members of the family
• Puzzles, like Sudoku, word searches, cross words etc. (obviously with a water proof pen)
• Once we can get a digital and waterproof shower curtain how about an RSS reader

You’ll have to avoid getting soap in your eyes to get full benefit but the options are endless :).

The Periodic Table Shower Curtain is available from Think Geek for $29.99.