Gabor A. Somorjai's research has revolutionized surface science and its applications, enabling the development of smaller, more complex devices. His work demonstrates that surfaces are flexible and adjust to the chemistry as it occurs, leading to breakthroughs in various fields.
Researchers create a new test method that detects nanometer-scale holes, free radicals, and cross-linking in paints, allowing for early detection of damage and more efficient development of durable paints. This breakthrough could lead to cost-effective solutions for bridge coatings and other applications.
Selected studies focus on administering oral vaccines through edible transgenic plants, modifying foods to boost healthful content of fatty acids and antioxidant values, and introducing synthetic storage protein genes into sweet potatoes. Researchers also discuss a process to raise the quality and purity of plant-based herbal medicines.
George B. Kauffman, a renowned chemist from Fresno, has been honored with the American Chemical Society Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution. He is recognized for his dedication to encouraging students to be imaginative and independent in their research projects.
Miller's work enables magnets to be made at relatively low temperatures, reducing energy requirements and costs. His development of molecule-based magnets has the potential to integrate manufacture with device production, introducing new properties and applications.
Charlottesville chemist Donald F. Hunt has developed a technique to identify fragments of proteins that stimulate the immune system to attack and kill melanoma, or skin cancer. His method uses mass spectrometry to analyze amino acid chains and could lead to the development of cancer vaccines.
A new study suggests that Americans gain about a pound during the winter holiday season, which accumulates over time and contributes to obesity later in life. The researchers found that increasing physical activity may be an effective method for preventing weight gain during this high-risk time.
Peter Jutzi, a German chemist, has received the Frederic Stanley Kipping Award in Silicon Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. He developed new materials for the electronics and optics industries by designing methods to make compounds of silicon and carbon.
Chemist F. Ann Walker received the Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal for her research on heme proteins, including nitrophorin, a molecule found in kissing bugs that releases nitric oxide to facilitate feeding. Her work provides insight into the function of heme proteins and their role in the immune system.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill argue that US environmental policies should focus on pollution prevention practices rather than stringent regulation. The study suggests that widespread adoption of eco-efficiency practices can lead to significant gains in environmental quality.
Chemist Peter G. Wolynes explains how glass, a disorganized crystal in a frozen state, keeps its shape and applies this insight to study protein structures. His work has numerous applications in environmental cleanup and drug design.
Alex S. Kandel, a post-doctoral chemistry student at Pennsylvania State University, has been recognized for his outstanding research on fundamental molecular behavior and reactions. He discovered that making chlorine react with methane requires energy, while the reaction of chlorine and ethane releases energy.
Martin E. Newcomb studies free radicals in biological processes, revealing radical intermediates form during fleeting steps of reactions that occur extremely quickly. He proposes new mechanisms to solve unknowns in P450 enzyme family's reaction steps using laser light 'timing'.
Shell chemists developed a new carpet and textile fiber, Corterra, with excellent elastic recovery and natural stain resistance. They achieved commercial production in just three years through innovative research and process development.
Researchers at Max-Planck Institute for Quantum Optics successfully produce novel molecule by trapping single atom between two mirrors with highly reflecting surfaces. The molecule is created when an individual atom absorbs a light quantum and forms a bound state, exhibiting periodic energy exchange with the light field.
Philip Portoghese, a medicinal chemist at the University of Minnesota, has received the Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry from the American Chemical Society for his work on opioid receptors. His research reveals how drugs such as morphine interact with these receptors, enabling the creation of new, more effective drugs.
Valerie J. Kuck, a materials chemist at Bell Laboratories, will receive the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Women in Careers in the Chemical Sciences. She has mentored dozens of female interns and encouraged them to pursue careers in chemistry.
Richard J. Saykally, a physical chemist at the University of California, Berkeley, is honored by the American Chemical Society for his work on water's unique properties. He aims to model liquid water on a computer to predict its behavior and influences.
Chaitan Khosla, a Palo Alto-based researcher, has developed ways to genetically engineer microorganisms to produce complex natural compounds. His approach allows researchers to create new pathways in biologically friendly organisms, making it possible to harvest useful substances from slow-growing bacteria.
A study from the University of Washington reveals that people unaware of having genital herpes are just as likely to spread the disease, and education can help identify infected individuals. The study found 83% of asymptomatic people shed HSV-2 virus in their genital secretions.
George Samara, a chemist from Albuquerque, NM, has been honored by the American Chemical Society for his exceptional research management skills. He was awarded the Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management for his contributions to advancing solar cell technology and developing unique semiconducting materials.
Graduate student Alex Kandel's outstanding research on chlorine atoms interacting with methane and ethane was recognized by the American Chemical Society, with funding support from Mallinckrodt Baker Inc. for his discovery of a new laser technique called photoloc
Chemical engineer Tamotsu Imai developed more efficient catalysts to produce biodegradable detergents and increase the yield of styrene production, leading to more sustainable processes. His work has improved process safety and reduced energy consumption in the petroleum industry.
A team of UC Davis researchers has developed a novel method to quantify the rate at which minerals and water exchange oxygen molecules, which could provide a useful test for computer models. The study's findings could have practical applications in dealing with soil contaminants and predicting their movement or decomposition.