The reactivity of zirconium on silicon nitride enhances the conversion of propane into propylene, a key commodity chemical needed to make polypropylene. This finding hints at the reactivity researchers might achieve with other nontraditional catalysts.
Tag: Chemistry
Chemists design novel method for generating sustainable fuel
Chemists have been working to synthesize high-value materials from waste molecules for years.
Batería de iones de litio totalmente elástica para dispositivos electrónicos flexibles
Los investigadores de ACS Energy Letters informan sobre una batería de iones de litio con componentes totalmente extensibles, incluida una capa de electrolito que puede expandirse un 5000 %, y que conserva su capacidad de almacenamiento de carga después de casi 70 ciclos de carga y descarga.
Diseño de opioides más seguros
En un estudio publicado en ACS Central Science, los investigadores han identificado una estrategia para diseñar opioides más seguros. Han demostrado que un opioide experimental, que se une a un sitio no convencional del receptor, suprime el dolor en modelos animales con menos efectos secundarios, especialmente los vinculados a sobredosis fatales.
Completely stretchy lithium-ion battery for flexible electronics
Researchers in ACS Energy Letters report a lithium-ion battery with entirely stretchable components, including an electrolyte layer that can expand by 5000%, and it retains its charge storage capacity after nearly 70 charge/discharge cycles. Potential applications include flexible electronics.
Designing safer opioids
In a study in ACS Central Science, researchers have identified a strategy to design safer opioids. They showed that an experimental opioid, which binds to an unconventional spot in the receptor, suppresses pain in animal models with fewer side effects — most notably those linked to fatal overdoses.
Caught in the Actinium
Researchers grew crystals containing actinium and illuminated them with X-rays to learn how the radioactive metal binds with other elements. That information could help design better cancer treatments.
ARPA-E IGNIITE award launches new initiatives of ORNL researchers Yang and Westover
Guang Yang and Andrew Westover of Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been selected to join the first cohort of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, or ARPA-E, Inspiring Generations of New Innovators to Impact Technologies in Energy 2024, or IGNIITE 2024, program.
UAlbany Chemist Available to Discuss Eli Lilly Alzheimer’s Drug
ALBANY, N.Y. (July 9, 2024) — Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new Alzheimer’s medication developed by Eli Lilly that has shown in clinical trials to moderately delay the progression of memory and cognitive decline in…
UA Little Rock Professors Receive $50,000 Grant from INBRE to Bring New Centrifuge to Campus
UA Little Rock Chemistry Professors Mohammad Goodarzi and Noureen Siraj have received a $50,000 grant from the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) to acquire an ultra-speed centrifuge for biomedical research. Photo by Ahmed Elkhattabi.
Small, adsorbent ‘fins’ collect humidity rather than swim through water
To harvest small amounts of humidity, researchers in ACS Energy Letters have developed a compact device with absorbent-coated fins that first trap moisture and then generate potable water when heated.
Some landfill ‘burps’ contain airborne PFAS, study finds
Many municipal landfills “burp” gas from decomposing organic matter rather than letting it build up. And burps from buried waste containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can release these “forever chemicals” into the air, say researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
Not all calcite crystals are as perfect as they appear
Researchers used complementary imaging techniques to explore the impact of synthesis approaches on the nanoscopic internal structure of apparently perfect calcite particles, which has implications for contaminant sequestration and carbon storage.
Webb Finds Plethora of Carbon Molecules Around Young Star
In a new study, astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to study a red dwarf star weighing just one-tenth as much as our Sun. No known planets have formed around this young star yet, which is just one to two million years old. The team found that the gas in the planet-forming region of the star is rich in carbon-bearing molecules.
Study Reveals Reversible Assembly of Platinum Catalyst
Chemists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University (SBU), and their collaborators have uncovered new details of the reversible assembly and disassembly of a platinum catalyst. The new understanding may offer clues to the catalyst’s stability and recyclability.
UW–Madison scientists develop most sensitive way to observe single molecules
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed the most sensitive method yet for detecting and profiling a single molecule — unlocking a new tool that holds potential for better understanding how the building blocks of matter interact with each other.
Promethium bound: Rare earth element’s secrets exposed
Scientists have uncovered the properties of a rare earth element that was first discovered 80 years ago at the very same laboratory, opening a new pathway for the exploration of elements critical in modern technology, from medicine to space travel.
Flexible film senses nearby movements — featured in blink-tracking glasses
Researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have designed a soft, flexible film that senses the presence of nearby objects without physically touching them. The study features the new sensor technology to detect eyelash proximity in blink-tracking glasses.
New Senior Fellow Prof. Marc Fontecave joins HKIAS
We are pleased to announce that Prof. Marc Fontecave, a world-renowned chemist, has been appointed as the Senior Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study (HKIAS), City University of Hong Kong.
Strong-field photoelectron holography in the subcycle limit
Utilizing a near-single-cycle strong laser field, inter-cycle interference between photoelectron trajectories is mitigated in photoelectron holography, clearly unveiling two unique electron-holography patterns: fishbone-like and spider-leg-like.
Kimberly Knight selected as ACS Secretary
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Knight as the organization’s next Secretary. As Secretary, Knight will serve as one of the Society’s seven officers.
Bridging the gap: From frequent molecular changes to observable phenomena
New research employs shutter speed analogies to validate 55-year-old theory about chemical reaction rates.
Swarms of miniature robots clean up microplastics and microbes, simultaneously (video)
In a study in ACS Nano, researchers describe swarms of microscale robots (microrobots) that captured bits of plastic and bacteria from water. Afterward, the bots were decontaminated and reused.
UC Irvine-led research team discovers new property of light
Irvine, Calif., May 6, 2024 – A research team headed by chemists at the University of California, Irvine has discovered a previously unknown way in which light interacts with matter, a finding that could lead to improved solar power systems, light-emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers and other technological advancements.
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Researchers offer US roadmap to close the carbon cycle
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and six other Department of Energy national laboratories have developed a United States-based perspective for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. The roadmap was recently published in the journal Nature Reviews Chemistry.
Marriage of synthetic biology and 3D printing produces programmable living materials
Researchers report in ACS Central Science that they have 3D printed a bioink containing plant cells that were then genetically modified, producing programmable materials. Applications could someday include biomanufacturing and sustainable construction.
Critical Minerals Recovery from Electronic Waste
A nontoxic separation process recovers critical minerals from electronic scrap waste.
DOE’s Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program Selects 86 Outstanding U.S. Graduate Students
The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science has selected 86 graduate students representing 31 states and Puerto Rico for the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program’s 2023 Solicitation 2 cycle.
Study finds iron-rich enamel protects, but doesn’t color, rodents’ orange-brown incisors
Microscopic studies of rodent incisors revealed nano-sized pockets of iron-rich material that form a protective shield, a finding that could improve human dentistry, say researchers in ACS Nano.
Cell Biology: Molecular Code Stimulates Pioneer Cells to Build Blood Vessels in the Body
Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and myocardial infarction, are the world’s leading causes of mortality, accounting for over 18 million deaths a year. A team of KIT researchers has now identified a new cell type in blood vessels responsible for vascular growth.
Waterproof ‘e-glove’ could help scuba divers communicate
Researchers reporting in ACS Nano have constructed a waterproof “e-glove” that wirelessly transmits hand gestures made underwater to a computer that translates them into messages. The new technology could someday help divers communicate better with each other and with boat crews on the surface.
Computational Chemistry Needs To Be Sustainable, Too
As new paradigms in advanced computing take shape, computational chemistry researchers are finding new ways to solve challenging chemistry problems.
Testing environmental water to monitor COVID-19 spread in unsheltered encampments
To better understand COVID-19’s spread during the pandemic, public health officials expanded wastewater surveillance. These efforts track SARS-CoV-2 levels and health risks among most people, but they miss people who live without shelter, a population particularly vulnerable to severe infection.
Water-based paints: Less stinky, but some still contain potentially hazardous chemicals
Choosing paint for your home brings a lot of options: What kind of paint, what type of finish and what color? Water-based paints have emerged as “greener” and less smelly than solvent-based options. And they are often advertised as containing little-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
A simple way to harvest more ‘blue energy’ from waves
Researchers report in ACS Energy Letters that repositioning the electrode in a “blue energy” harvesting device — from the center of a see-sawing liquid-filled tube to the end where the water crashes with the most force — dramatically increased the amount of wave energy that could be harvested.
Recyclable Reagent and Sunlight Convert Carbon Monoxide into Methanol
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) have demonstrated the selective conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol using a cascade reaction strategy. The two-part process is powered by sunlight, occurs at room temperature and at ambient pressure, and employs a recyclable organic reagent that’s similar to a catalyst found in natural photosynthesis.
Hitting this stretchy, electronic material makes it tougher
Dropping wearable electronics, or hitting them really hard, usually breaks the devices. Now, researchers report on a flexible and electrically conductive material with “adaptive durability,” getting stronger when it is hit. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
New model clarifies why water freezes at a range of temperatures
Though it’s known that tiny sites like soot and bacteria help water freeze, the fundamentals of how ice forms are vague. Scientists have now developed a theoretical model showing how structural details on surfaces influence water’s freezing point. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Cleaning up environmental contaminants with quantum dot technology
Quantum dot research just won a Nobel Prize, and now, the applications for nontoxic quantum dots are being expanded. One team of researchers has designed carbon- and sulfur-based dots to help clean up the environment. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Crawfish could transfer ionic lithium from their environment into food chain
The increasing use of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries likely means more environmental contamination. Researchers have explored how lithium accumulates in crawfish, with implications for the environment and public health. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Molecular crystal motors move like microbes when exposed to light
Rabih Al-Kaysi’s molecular motors look like tiny worms, but they’re actually crystallized molecules that move in response to light. These machines could someday solve real-world problems, like being used as drug-delivery robots. The researchers will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Is food waste the key to sustainable, plastic-free diapers and sanitary pads?
Many disposable diapers and sanitary pads contain plastic and need centuries to decompose. Now, researchers are replacing the plastic with parts made from food waste. That could lead to biodegradable diapers and pads that could be used as fertilizer. They’ll present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Toxic metal particles can be present in cannabis vapes even before the first use
Vapes are thought to be a “safer” way to consume cannabis, but they present their own risks. Researchers have discovered toxic metal particles in vaping liquids even before first use of the device, and this toxicity was worse in illicit products. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Artificial mucus identifies link to tumor formation
Mucus is critical to human health. To explore how, researchers synthesized its major component, sugar-coated proteins called mucins, and discovered that changing the mucins of healthy cells to be more cancer-like made cells act more cancer-like. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
New composite decking could reduce global warming effects of building materials
Building materials are major contributors to global carbon dioxide emissions. So scientists have designed a composite decking material that stores more carbon dioxide than is required to manufacture it, providing the first “carbon-negative” option. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Mimicking exercise with a pill
Could a pill replicate the benefits of exercise? Researchers have identified new compounds that seem to mimic some benefits of exercise in rodent cells. This discovery could help treat those with muscle wasting and other conditions. The scientists will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Better kombucha brewing through chemistry
These chemists are investigating ways to reliably minimize alcohol and tailor taste profiles during the kombucha fermentation process to help home and commercial producers optimize their funky brews. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
The many flavors of edible ants
Ants are commonly eaten in some parts of the world, roasted and eaten whole or ground and used to add flavor and texture to dishes. Each species has its own unique flavor, and researchers now report the aroma profiles of four species of edible ants. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Animal hair structure changes from summer to winter to fend off freezing weather
Some animals can withstand frigid weather, thanks to the insulating properties of the hollow hairs that make up their coats. Little was known about the hairs, but researchers have now discovered that their inner structure changes with the seasons. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
You don’t need glue to hold these materials together — just electricity
A study in ACS Central Science shows that applying voltage to certain objects forms chemical bonds linking the objects together. Reversing the direction of electron flow separates the materials. This could help create biohybrid robots, improve biomedical implants and enable new battery technologies.