Alkali metals, such as sodium and lithium, are powerful tools in synthetic chemistry because they are highly reactive. However, unless they are handled very carefully, their reactivity also makes them both flammable and explosive. SiGNa Chemistry developed a way to stabilize these metals by encapsulating them within porous, sand-like powders, while maintaining their usefulness in synthetic reactions. The stabilized metals are much safer to store, transport, and handle. They may also be useful for removing sulfur from fuels, producing hydrogen, and remediating a variety of hazardous wastes.