Researchers in Spain have created a 'Terminator' polymer that spontaneously regenerates itself, displaying impressive 97% healing efficiency. The material could enhance the security and lifetime of plastic components in various industries.
A study reveals that China's dominance in solar panel manufacturing is driven by larger-scale production and supply-chain benefits, not just cheaper labor. Future innovations in crystalline solar cell technology may help equalize prices by enhancing access to materials and expanding manufacturing scale across regions.
Researchers developed a powerful micro-supercapacitor, just nanometres thick, that can store more energy and provide more power per unit volume than state-of-the-art supercapacitors. The device has potential applications in miniaturized technologies, including implantable medical devices and RFID tags.
Chemists have developed a catalyst to produce hydrogen and electricity simultaneously in existing gas power plants with minimal investment. The technology could ease the transition to a hydrogen economy by repurposing existing infrastructure.
A recent study published in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences found that UV light-enhanced tooth bleaching causes significant damage to skin and eyes, with fair-skinned individuals at greater risk. Additionally, the treatment was also found to exacerbate existing dental issues, such as exposed grooves on teeth.
The RSC/ChemSpider InChI Resolver will enable scientists to share and search compound data using the InChI standard, promoting standardization in chemistry. The service will also provide tools for creating standard InChI data and depositing it for future use.
A drug based on a garlic chemical, vanadium-allixin, reduces blood glucose levels in diabetic mice, offering promise as an oral treatment for diabetes. The study aims to test the drug in humans in future work.
A low-cost egg-beater-based centrifuge can separate plasma from blood in minutes, used to detect deadly infectious diseases common in developing countries. The device requires no training or electricity and can be sterilized with boiling water.
Researchers from Matis-Icelandic Food Research developed a PCR-based technique to detect bacteria causing stinky fish smell in just five hours, four times faster than traditional methods. This innovation enables the fish industry to monitor contamination by spoilage bacteria more efficiently.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii created a photochemical reactor built into a surfboard to perform green reactions with sunlight and sea water. The system efficiently dissipates excess thermal energy using ocean currents, enabling scalable production of vitamin A variants.
A handheld device, 'electronic tongue', can identify grape variety and vintage of wine at the press of a button. It uses six sensors to detect substances characteristic of specific wines, preserving quality and preventing fraud.
The new interdisciplinary journal focuses on sustainable energy solutions, with a rigorous peer-review process and rapid publication. The inaugural issue features articles on solar cells, hydrogen storage, and thermochemical biofuel production, among others.
A Royal Society of Chemistry survey reveals British people take excessively long showers, with women being particularly guilty. Adults in Western Europe typically shower for two to five minutes, but the French and Spanish demonstrate greater restraint in water conservation and concern about washing contaminants into the system.
Researchers develop unique method to sew long DNA threads into shape using micron-sized hooks controlled by lasers, allowing for high-spatial resolution gene location detection. The technology has potential applications in DNA sequencing and molecular electronics.
The new journal will link all aspects of the chemical sciences by publishing research on energy conversion and storage, alternative fuel technologies, and environmental science. Free access to previous content will be available following a simple registration process.
Soft Matter will separate from its host journal in January 2007, becoming an independent publication with a focus on interdisciplinary research. The move is expected to have far-reaching effects for the soft matter community.
The Royal Society of Chemistry hosted a plenary lecture on green and sustainable chemistry, featuring speakers from industry and academia. Key highlights include collaborations between sectors, innovative technologies for reducing waste and consumption, and the importance of information infrastructure.
A study by Dr. David Bennett found that many people with mild cognitive impairment exhibit Alzheimer's disease pathology, indicating a larger public health problem than previously thought. The research suggests increased funding for clinical care and research is needed to combat the disease effectively.