Chemistry can be exciting, not

I never liked chemistry in High School. The periodic table is just some fancy French furniture, isn't it? However, as an investor I like the sound of Symyx technologies. This small company, with $113 million in revenues, is a fascinating case of science pushing the envelope <cliche alert!>. Read all about it at this Forbes Magazine article.

Symyx is shaking up the slow-moving world of chemicals by applying tools borrowed from the drug industry: miniaturization and high-speed automation. Traditionally research chemists carry out four experiments a day, mixing chemicals in bucketlike containers. Symyx has developed a machine as big as a walk-in closet that can mix thimble-size quantities of chemicals and metals in parallel, in up to 1,000 combinations per day, to test and create new materials. Just as high-speed technology transformed the way scientists discover drugs, Symyx is poised to do the same for materials. "It will truly help revolutionize how we do research," says Kurt Swogger, head of plastics research and development at Dow. "If you have speed advantage, you win."

Even if you are not an investor, but have an interest in science, this article is a good read.

[postscript 17-Oct] I am not a financial advisor. My thoughts on investments are for entertainment only.