Our time is a period of active development of chemical technologies. They are used in a wide variety of fields: medicine, light, heavy and military industries, electronics, ecology and science. One of the most high-profile examples of the use of chemical technologies is the invention of the Spanish scientist Manel Torres – a “liquid” dress. It was demonstrated in the fall at the Paris Fashion Week, when a special spray with synthetic and cotton fibers was applied to the model, which turned into a fabric when it interacted with air. No less interesting is the invention of scientists from Stockholm – transparent wood. It is made from cork wood, from which lignin, the substance responsible for color and hardness, was removed using a special chemical technology, and then acrylic was added. The newest material is waterproof, non-degradable, and accumulates heat (including solar energy) well. The achievements of chemical technology do not end with such examples. This field is actively developing and scientists surprise us with new inventions every year.

Potential benefits of using modern chemical technologies

In most cases, chemical inventions are aimed at improving the standard of living and improving existing technologies in the following areas

• medicine. For example, “liquid” tissues in the form of a spray can be used for applying dressings in a non-contact way, refractory ceramic materials for prosthetics, and high-strength porcelain masses in dentistry;
• construction. Chemical technologies have helped invent new materials such as smart glass, which improves the ergonomics of space allocation, and transparent wood with heat storage capabilities, which can improve the energy efficiency of buildings;
• food industry. The invention of alternative meat with the taste and texture of a real product can partially solve the problem of meat shortages due to the reduction of industrial livestock production, as well as meet the needs of vegetarians for protein food;
• ecology. A recent invention, paper made from fallen tree leaves, helps to solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by burning plant residues, recycling this renewable raw material, and reducing the use of wood for pulp production.

With the development of chemical technologies, the prospects for their use in a particular area are also expanding. All of this clearly demonstrates the need to study this science, even at the primary level – in schools and universities.