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UrduEngineers at the University of Illinois Chicago have created a solar-powered electrochemical reaction that not only uses wastewater to make ammonia — the second most-produced chemical in the world — but also achieves a solar-to-fuel efficiency that is 10 times better than any other comparable technology.
Tag: Chemical Engineering
Bringing Order to Chaotic Bubbles Can Make Mining More Sustainable
A new way to control the motion of bubbles from researchers at Columbia Engineering might one day help separate useful metals from useless dirt using much less energy and water than is currently needed.
Microspheres Quiver When Shocked
A challenging frontier in science and engineering is controlling matter outside of thermodynamic equilibrium to build material systems with capabilities that rival those of living organisms. Research on active colloids aims to create micro- and nanoscale “particles” that swim through viscous fluids like primitive microorganisms. When these self-propelled particles come together, they can organize and move like schools of fish to perform robotic functions, such as navigating complex environments and delivering “cargo” to targeted locations.
UIC research paves way for next-generation of crystalline material screening devices
Researchers have developed a novel continuous-flow microfluidic device that may help scientists and pharmaceutical companies more effectively study drug compounds and their crystalline shapes and structures.
New NUS technology completes vital class of industrial reactions five times faster
Researchers from NUS Engineering have developed a new method to increase the rate of an important chemical reaction known as hydrogenation by more than 5 times. Hydrogenation is used in the production of everyday items like plastics, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals. The NUS team’s novel approach is a more direct and effective method that can lead to higher yields for industries and lower environmental impacts.
Argonne senior chemist Robert Tranter named fellow of the Combustion Institute
Argonne senior chemist Robert Tranter, a shockwave chemist, was named a fellow of the Combustion Institute.
A silver lining for extreme electronics
Tomorrow’s cutting-edge technology will need electronics that can tolerate extreme conditions. That’s why a group of researchers led by Michigan State University’s Jason Nicholas is building stronger circuits today. Nicholas and his team have developed more heat resilient silver circuitry with an assist from nickel. The team described the work, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Program, on April 15 in the journal Scripta Materialia. The types of devices that the MSU team is working to benefit — next-generation fuel cells, high-temperature semiconductors and solid oxide electrolysis cells — could have applications in the auto, energy and aerospace industries.
Plastics recycling expert available: Massimiliano Delferro, Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne chemist Max Delferro’s research focuses on chemical recycling and upcycling of plastic that would mitigate global plastic pollution. He leads a team that developed several new methods for converting discarded plastics into higher quality commodities such as lubricant oils…
Do You Know the Way to Berkelium, Californium?
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have demonstrated how to image samples of heavy elements as small as a single nanogram. The new approach will help scientists advance new technologies for medical imaging and cancer therapies.
‘Smart Bandage’ detects, could prevent infections
URI chemical engineering professor embeds nanosensors in microfibers to create ‘smart bandage’
Research promotes ‘doubly green’ renewable energy captured from biowaste
Cities around the United States could use their own biowaste from food scraps or manure to produce renewable energy for vehicles to the tune of $10 billion a year, according to a researcher at Missouri S&T. The proposed operation creates renewable natural gas (RNG) from biowaste and renewable hydrogen (RH2) from surplus electricity generated by solar or wind energy.
Better together: Scientists discover far-reaching applications of nanoparticles made of multiple elements
As catalysts for fuel cells, batteries and processes for carbon dioxide reduction, alloy nanoparticles that are made up of five or more elements are shown to be more stable and durable than single-element nanoparticles.
Striking gold: Advanced Photon Source enables catalysis research at small scales
By examining tiny particles of gold with powerful X-ray beams, scientists hope they can learn how to cut down on harmful carbon monoxide emissions from motor vehicles.
UCI engineers reveal molecular secrets of cephalopod powers
Irvine, Calif., Dec. 17, 2020 — Reflectins, the unique structural proteins that give squids and octopuses the ability to change colors and blend in with their surroundings, are thought to have great potential for innovations in areas as diverse as electronics, optics and medicine. Scientists and inventors have been stymied in their attempts to fully utilize the powers of these biomolecules due to their atypical chemical composition and high sensitivity to subtle environmental changes.
Leukemia-on-a-chip: Dissecting the chemoresistance mechanisms in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
A team including researchers from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Langone Health demonstrated an in vitro organotypic “leukemia-on-a-chip” model to emulate in vivo leukemia bone marrow pathology and study chemiresistance.
Microfluidics helps MTU engineers watch viral infection in real time
Watching a viral infection happen in real time is like a cross between a zombie horror film, paint drying, and a Bollywood epic on repeat. Over a 10-hour span, chemical engineers from Michigan Tech watched viral infections happen with precision inside a microfluidics device and can measure when the infection cycle gets interrupted by an antiviral compound.
Blowin’ in the wind
University of Utah chemical engineers have conducted an air flow study of the venue that the Utah Symphony performs in to determine the best ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through the emissions of wind instrument players.
From Plastic to Protein Powder
Michigan Tech researchers have been selected for a $7.2 million DARPA cooperative agreement award to turn military plastic waste into protein powder and lubricants.
High-precision electrochemistry: The new gold standard in fuel cell catalyst development
As part of an international collaboration, scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have made a pivotal discovery that could extend the lifetime of fuel cells that power electric vehicles by eliminating the dissolution of platinum catalysts.
Bouncing, Sticking, Exploding Viruses: Understanding the Surface Chemistry of SARS-CoV-2
Better understanding of the surface chemistry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is needed to reduce transmission and accelerate vaccine design.
The ECS Community Adapts and Advances
Elizabeth Biddinger Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, City College, The City University of New York (CUNY), shares how she and her CUNY community are adapting to—and planning to move beyond—the current situation.
Roll over, Aristotle, nature doesn’t always hate a vacuum
The study, published in Nature Chemistry, provides new insights on how to modify the stickiness of these molecular building blocks, allowing engineers to build materials, like gels, from the bottom-up.
‘Artificial Chemist’ Combines AI, Robotics to Conduct Autonomous R&D
Researchers have developed a technology called “Artificial Chemist,” which incorporates artificial intelligence and an automated system for performing chemical reactions to accelerate R&D and manufacturing of commercially desirable materials.
Delia Milliron: Then and Now
Delia J. Milliron is the T. Brockett Hudson Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, formerly a staff scientist in the Molecular Foundry, Division of Materials Science at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Investigating the dynamics of stability
Scientists have gained important insight into the mechanisms that drive stability and activity in materials during oxygen evolution reactions. This insight will guide the practical design of materials for electrochemical fuel production.
Computer simulations explore potential COVID-19 therapeutics
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago recently published a study in the journal ACS Nano that details findings from computer simulations seeking to identify inhibitors, which eventually could assist chemists to develop new medicines to combat the coronavirus.
UIC chemical engineers get ‘muddy’ to develop renewable fuel cell
University of Illinois at Chicago engineers digging for efficient ways to harness sustainable power found a surprising fuel source — mud and a common bacterium often found in it.
John Kitchin: Then and Now
John Kitchin is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.
Arthi Jayaraman: Then and Now
Arthi Jayaraman is a full professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Material Sciences and Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware.
Crab-shell and seaweed compounds spin into yarns for sustainable and functional materials
Researchers from Aalto University, the University of São Paulo and the University of British Columbia have found a way to make a new kind of fibre from a combination of chitin nanoparticles, extracted from residual blue crab shells and alginate, a compound found in seaweed.
$1.7 M grant to Wayne State College of Engineering aims to improve oral delivery of insulin
With the help of a $1.7 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, a team of researchers in Wayne State’s College of Engineering will explore ways to address urgent need for a safe and efficient oral delivery technology for insulin to improve the lives of diabetes patients.
Novel polymer to increase energy density, stability of lithium ion batteries
Penn State researchers have developed a novel method that could enable the widespread use of silicon-based anodes, which allow electricity to enter a device, in rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
Artificial cells act more like the real thing
Researchers develop protocells that better mimic living cells to help understand cell movement
NEW TWIST ON CRISPR TECHNOLOGY
Researchers at the University of Delaware, using the revolutionary new genetic technology known as CRISPR/Cas9 have found a way to improve the efficiency and precision of the way enzymes work together to produce certain biochemical reactions in cells. Their new application essentially creates a dynamic assembly line that can lead to advances in pharmaceuticals, agriculture and biofuels.
Researchers explore using computer simulations to improve experiments
Penn State chemical engineering researchers recently received a four-year, $1.75 million grant from the National Science Foundation to explore the integration of computer simulations with experiments to quicken the development of new flexible electronics.