Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
Bonnie Lawlor, Stuart Chalk, Jeremy Frey, Kazuhiro Hayashi, David Kochalko, Richard Shute and Mirek Sopek
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2025
Vol. 97, no. 4, pp. 279-330
https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2023-1204
The goal of this white paper is to present an objective overview of the current use of blockchain technology along the scientific research workflow and in related areas such as chemical/drug supply chains and education. It represents the culmination of three years of data gathering, including input from multiple interviews with pioneer users of the technology, as well as from more recent adopters around the globe, and recent industry technology analysts’ reports. Within these pages are descriptions of successful applications of the technology at each step of the scientific research workflow—from the timestamping of ideas to funding, to actual experimentation, to the analysis of research results, and ultimately to the sharing of information and the publication of results. However, not all blockchain use cases have such a successful conclusion. In this white paper you will learn where the technology has not worked—and why—thanks to those interviewed who discussed in detail the lessons that they themselves learned during their own blockchain journey. In addition, the paper highlights the potential future uses of the technology; the pitfalls to avoid when considering its use; when and how legislation and regulatory policies come into play; and how the technology is evolving and growing stronger (some say that the fourth generation of the blockchain evolution is on the horizon!). The paper also discusses parallel developments in quantum computing, its potential impact on blockchain technology, and what developments are in progress to ensure a stable and provably secure, quantum safe alternative to the existing blockchain approaches.
https://iupac.org/project/2023-009-1-024/
Let’s celebrate IYQ
The 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics <quantum2025.org>. Joining in the celebrations, IUPAC has prepared a special Issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry, containing about 40 invited articles that recognize the impact of quantum science and technology in many branches of chemistry. The Guest Editors are Manuel Yáñez (manuel.yanez@uam.es), Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain and Russell J. Boyd (russell.boyd@dal.ca), Dalhousie University, Canada.
©2025 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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- Features
- IUPAC’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Preventing spread of chemical weapons in an era of rapid technological change
- Why think philosophically about chemistry?
- Spotlight on IUPAC Young Observers
- Spotlight on IUPAC U.S. Young Observers
- IUPAC Wire
- IUPAC Launches Global Call to Action for Responsible Chemistry
- IUPAC Announces the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Actions Taken by IUPAC Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2025
- Recognising Excellence: CCE 2026 Awards—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists—Call for Applicants
- Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education—Call for Papers
- Special issue IYQ in PAC
- In Memoriam
- Project Place
- Terminology for Dynamic Polymer Networks and Hydrogels
- Systems Thinking, Sustainability and Chemical Industry
- Small-Scale Chemistry Initiative in India
- Making an imPACt
- Definitions and preferred symbols for mass diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures including electrolytes (IUPAC Technical Report)
- IUPAC/CITAC guide: interlaboratory comparison of categorical characteristics of a substance, material, or object (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
- IUPAC Provisional Recommendations
- Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions
- Conference Call
- IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Opened with Focus on Sustainability and Excellence
- Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
- Can the “Right to Science” Restore Public Trust?
- Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World
- The Future of Science in the Digital Age: Chemistry at a Crossroads
- Science at a Crossroads: Restoring Integrity and Public Trust
- Science: A Truth Worth Defending
- Building Trust in Science: A Two-Way Commitment
- Science Under Siege: Confronting the Hydra’s Many Heads
- Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry
- Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
- Advancing Scientific Terminology & Standards for the Digital Era—DUST Conference 2025
- Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
- Mark Your Calendar
- Index
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Masthead - Full issue pdf
- Past President’s Column
- Chemistry at the Crossroads: Enabling Solutions for a Changing World
- Features
- IUPAC’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Preventing spread of chemical weapons in an era of rapid technological change
- Why think philosophically about chemistry?
- Spotlight on IUPAC Young Observers
- Spotlight on IUPAC U.S. Young Observers
- IUPAC Wire
- IUPAC Launches Global Call to Action for Responsible Chemistry
- IUPAC Announces the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Actions Taken by IUPAC Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2025
- Recognising Excellence: CCE 2026 Awards—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists—Call for Applicants
- Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education—Call for Papers
- Special issue IYQ in PAC
- In Memoriam
- Project Place
- Terminology for Dynamic Polymer Networks and Hydrogels
- Systems Thinking, Sustainability and Chemical Industry
- Small-Scale Chemistry Initiative in India
- Making an imPACt
- Definitions and preferred symbols for mass diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures including electrolytes (IUPAC Technical Report)
- IUPAC/CITAC guide: interlaboratory comparison of categorical characteristics of a substance, material, or object (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
- IUPAC Provisional Recommendations
- Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions
- Conference Call
- IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Opened with Focus on Sustainability and Excellence
- Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
- Can the “Right to Science” Restore Public Trust?
- Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World
- The Future of Science in the Digital Age: Chemistry at a Crossroads
- Science at a Crossroads: Restoring Integrity and Public Trust
- Science: A Truth Worth Defending
- Building Trust in Science: A Two-Way Commitment
- Science Under Siege: Confronting the Hydra’s Many Heads
- Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry
- Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
- Advancing Scientific Terminology & Standards for the Digital Era—DUST Conference 2025
- Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
- Mark Your Calendar
- Index
