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The article presents studies aimed at creating the chemical complexity needed to create life. A study, conducted by Lee Cronin and Jim McIver of the chemistry department of the University of Glasgow in Great Britain, will attempt to replicate the processes that led to the beginning of life in just 5,000 hours of lab time. In 1952, Stanley Miller and Harold Urey of the University of Chicato recreated the turbulent atmospheric conditions of the early Earth and later found the formation of organic molecules.

The article reports on a selection of chemicals using a digital blueprint and a 3D printer costing 2,000 U.S. dollars. Developed by a team of researchers led by chemist Lee Cronin at the University of Glasgow, the printer produces the desired compounds by printing the laboratory equipment and squirting the ingredients into the right place. The team developed the printer to bring self-fabrication into the home.

The article focuses on research on quantum dots. It cites a study led by Mark Green at King's College London that was published in an issue of "Nature Nanotechnology" on how earthworms process cadmium in contaminated soil they eat. The Green and colleagues exposed the worms to cadmium chloride and sodium telluride and found that the worms displayed cadmium telluride quantum dots. An explanation of the findings of study is offered.

The article discusses a research conducted by Lee Cronin and his team at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, about the creation of life-like cells from inorganic materials (IM). The team made bubbles inorganic chemical cells that have some of the characteristics of the membranes of natural cells. They also observed that a self-powered cell with elements of plant-like metabolism could be created from IM.