Oil and water don't mix. Researchers have tried for over 50 years to catalytically copolymerise olefin ('oil') and acrylic ('water') monomers, but have made only limited progress. Partnering with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology through the Advanced Technology Programme (NIST ATP), the Project Columbus team at Rohm and Haas embarked on a voyage of discovery in May 2004 aimed at tacking this goal.