Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
A self-driving chemistry lab called Flex-Cat has been developed to autonomously search for faster and more selective ways to make important industrial chemicals. The platform combines robotics, high-pressure reactors, and artificial intelligence to identify high-performing catalysts and those that can be programmed to produce different...
Researchers developed a new gel-based material that filters PFAS 'forever chemicals' from water using 'molecular Velcro', improving filtration capacity and reducing the need for fluorinated materials. The material can be reused by flushing out contaminants, offering a potential solution to removing PFAS from water.
A new study uses deep learning to predict how fast biochar materials break down antibiotic contaminants, offering a faster path toward cleaner water and smarter environmental remediation. The model reveals key mechanistic insights, including catalyst properties contributing 59.3% of the predictive power.
Researchers have discovered a new iron–scandium catalyst that stabilizes iron catalysts and enables the growth of centimeter-long carbon nanotubes under high-temperature conditions. The study reveals scandium as a key cocatalyst, improving catalyst lifetime and promoting CNT growth.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a flexible polymer shield that provides radiation protection without the health and ergonomic risks associated with lead. The new material weighs almost 90% less than traditional aprons while maintaining excellent X-ray shielding.
Researchers successfully engineered a novel platinum cluster catalyst that maximizes hydrogen production performance while minimizing platinum usage. The catalyst enables precise control over the number of atoms in each cluster, achieving world-leading hydrogen production per unit of platinum.
Researchers developed a system to link polyphenol chemical structures with bitterness, acidity, and astringency. Polyphenols found in tea, cocoa, and other foods influence taste sensations, affecting food preferences and digestive responses.
Researchers at Lehigh University developed a new gold-palladium catalysis mechanism that increases reaction rates and stabilizes catalysts. This breakthrough advances the development of more efficient bio-based chemical manufacturing processes.
Researchers found that linear alkane molecules passed through nanoscale pores faster than shorter ones, with transport rates determined by pore size and gate flexibility. The study revealed a two-step transport mechanism involving an encounter complex at the outer surface of the nanocube.
Researchers developed an ultra-stretchable, anti-freezing hydrogel electrolyte using liquid metal particles, enabling flexible energy storage devices to operate reliably in harsh environments. The material maintains stable electrochemical performance even at -20 °C and retains 98% of its performance after 45,000 charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science engineered CYP107J1 enzyme from Bacillus subtilis into a more practical tool for selective oxidation chemistry. The modified enzyme showed 28-fold higher catalytic activity and successfully converted indole into indigo, a commercially important blue dye.
Researchers developed a nanocomposite coating that improves stainless steel's resistance to highly acidic conditions, offering a potential solution for industries with metal equipment exposed to aggressive chemicals. The coating delivered up to 98.2% corrosion inhibition efficiency and remained stable over seven days of immersion.
Researchers develop a two-step catalytic process to upcycle PET plastics into lactic acid and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid without external hydrogen. The method yields high-value chemical intermediates with improved economic viability of chemical plastic recycling.
A new study demonstrates a tandem catalytic approach that converts waste polyethylene and carbon dioxide into separable liquid aromatics and carbon monoxide under atmospheric pressure. The catalyst system achieves high selectivity toward separable aromatics, with an aromatic yield of up to 75.3 wt%.
Researchers establish kinetics-guided depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to produce high-performance thermoplastics with improved sustainability. The approach yields well-defined oligomers suitable for direct repolymerization, simplifying operations and reducing energy consumption.
Researchers have developed new chemical recycling methods for polyurethane (PU) foams, including hydrogenation, acidolysis, and chem-solvolysis. These approaches can recover polyols and aromatic amines, which can be used to produce new PU materials.
Researchers developed a surface polarity reconstruction method using silane coupling agents to modify conventional supported metal catalysts. This approach enhances the hydrogenolysis of waste polyolefins by optimizing catalyst surface polarity and reducing polymer chain entropy, leading to improved catalytic activity.
Researchers have developed a chemical upcycling method that converts existing plastics into new materials with rapidly degrading properties. This process has the potential to tackle global plastic pollution issues by replacing non-biodegradable plastics.
The study reveals that PFESA exposure significantly increases antibiotic resistance gene proliferation by restructuring extracellular polymeric substances and triggering cellular stress responses. This enhances the persistence of resistant taxa in microbial communities, posing a risk to human health.
Researchers developed high-performance catalysts that convert ortho hydrogen to para hydrogen before liquefaction, reducing energy release and partial vaporization of liquid hydrogen. This innovation is expected to contribute to the development of a hydrogen economy in Japan.
Researchers found that print angles between 150° to 180° and 50-μm layer thickness performed best for crown accuracy and fit. Printing deviations were not evenly distributed across the inner surface of crowns.
Researchers found that atoms on certain gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that suppress reactions with oxygen. This discovery helps explain why gold jewelry and objects can remain untarnished for centuries.
A new study describes an integrated solar reactor that uses engineered E. coli to grow biomass in a single beaker, combining sunlight, water, and CO2. This technology holds promise for producing environmentally clean chemicals and materials, as well as microbial protein.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has expanded its ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification to include multiple research areas. The internationally recognized standard supports proactive systems to reduce emissions and protect the environment, giving clients peace of mind about SwRI's commitment to stewardship.
Osaka Metropolitan University researchers developed a light-driven method to rapidly collect microscopic targets, outperforming traditional techniques. The technique concentrates bacteria between 1000-10,000 times faster than existing approaches, paving the way for early disease detection and analysis of nanoparticles.
Southeast University and Korea University researchers developed advanced copper catalysts to convert CO₂ into valuable fuels. Their strategy integrates tandem effects, synergistic interactions, and geometric control to enhance reaction pathways, reducing energy barriers for C₂+ product formation.
The study demonstrates a rational precursor design principle for heavy-pnictogen-based III–V nanocrystals, enabling safer and more scalable semiconductor quantum dot synthesis. Metal-amide species play a central role in controlling the reduction of heavy-pnictogen precursors.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a water-based pesticide formulation that outperforms conventional methods in delivering agricultural pesticides. The new solution uses nanostructured cellulose nanocrystals to stabilize pesticide droplets without chemicals or solvents.
A feasibility study assesses the integration of PeroCycle's patented carbon recycling technology into Jindal Steel's operations, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions and lower reliance on fossil-based agents. The partnership could set a new global benchmark for low-emission steel production in the Middle East.
The 23rd Carbon Research International Forum highlights engineered biochar's potential in supporting carbon capture, resource recovery, and sustainable industrial development. Recent progress in converting agricultural and industrial residues into high-performance carbon materials was discussed.
A new portable sensor developed by Griffith University can rapidly detect 'forever chemicals' in water at a lower cost than traditional laboratory-based methods. The test has the potential to make high-quality PFAS monitoring more accessible, particularly for regional areas and developing nations.
Researchers at MIT discovered that gene circuits can reshape DNA folding and affect gene expression in human cells. The study found that rearranging genes along a DNA strand, or 'gene syntax,' can amplify or suppress the expression of neighboring genes.
Harvard engineers develop new method to preserve long molecular chains in natural rubber, resulting in composite materials that are both stiff and tough. The innovation has the potential to cut waste, reduce tire dust pollution, and open new avenues for high-performance elastomers.
A team of researchers designed a bismuth-coordinated melanin material to shield against radiation and alleviate acute radiation syndrome (ARS), with promising results in mouse experiments. The material showed stronger shielding and antioxidant effects, improving survival rates from 20% to 60%.
Researchers tune Pt d electrons to boost LOHC dehydrogenation, achieving volcano-shaped correlation between Pt d electron density and turnover frequency. The optimized catalyst, Pt/MgO, maintains stable performance with lower coke deposition.
A new study introduces a neural-network-based switching output regulation controller for high-speed nano-positioning stages, reducing hysteresis nonlinearity and improving tracking performance. The research presents a mechatronic platform and control framework that supports reliable micro- and nano-scale manipulation.
Researchers at Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology have developed a machine-learning model to design efficient urea catalysts using waste gases. The model accurately predicted key co-adsorption energy values, narrowing down over 1,400 candidates to promising ones.
Tiny bubbles in water electrolysis can account for significant efficiency losses, ranging from 5-25% of total energy input. Researchers are exploring ways to design electrode surfaces and optimize operating conditions to manage bubble buildup and improve performance.
A new framework, Synthegy, combines established search algorithms with artificial intelligence capable of interpreting chemical strategies expressed in natural language. This allows chemists to express their goals in plain language and receive strategically relevant solutions.
Researchers developed an AI-powered methodology to identify and count target viruses more efficiently than previous techniques. The new approach uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and machine learning to separate signals from noise, enabling quick and accurate readings across a wide range of titers.
A research group developed an optimized signal transmission system for implantable medical devices, improving accuracy and strength of wireless signals. The approach uses ultra-wideband communication to coordinate multiple implants and reduce signal distortion, enabling more effective healthcare applications.
Researchers have created a novel sorbent made from chitosan/cellulose acetate and bentonite composites that show promise for cleaning up oil spills. The beads are floatable, biodegradable, and environmentally compatible, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution.
Researchers developed a heat-tolerant cutinase enzyme that combines structural rigidity with flexibility, enabling efficient degradation of PET at high temperatures. This discovery provides new insights into designing enzymes for sustainable plastic recycling and addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste.
The Universitat Jaume I and AICE have established a joint GEA research laboratory to promote joint research and innovation in environmental engineering. The lab aims to foster knowledge transfer, train PhD graduates, and collaborate with companies in the region.
Researchers at NUS CDE have developed biowaste coatings that improve the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals, achieving high selectivity rates and reducing reliance on PFAS. The coatings, made from crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons, and plant matter, offer a cost-effective pathway to climate technology.
The research team successfully synthesized a novel single-crystalline 3D borate covalent organic framework, demonstrating exceptional performance as a solid-state electrolyte. The advancement promises safer and higher energy density solutions for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison develop a systematic study for sustainable production of malonic acid via oxidation of 3-hydroxypropionic acid with a Pd/Carbon catalyst. The kinetic model validated the network, displaying excellent agreement and providing insight into conditions that maximize MA production.
The researchers developed an AI-based method that allows users to input natural language prompts about the materials they want to create and suggests optimal procedures for experiments to produce them. The method has been successfully applied to identify catalysts for turning carbon dioxide and hydrogen into carbon monoxide and water u...
A new study introduces the diameter-transformed fluidized bed (DTFB) reactor, which addresses national demands for upgraded automotive gasoline quality and advanced heterogeneous catalytic reactions. The DTFB platform achieves precise selectivity control for complex catalytic reactions in a single fluidized bed.
Researchers have developed RoboChem Flex, a versatile and modular autonomous synthesis robot that reduces costs to $5000. The system offers human-in-the-loop analytics, Bayesian optimization, and integration with various analytical instruments, making it accessible to laboratories of all sizes.
Researchers have developed a water-soluble cellulose ethyl phosphite (CEP) adhesive that integrates high bonding strength, environmental tolerance, and recyclability. The CEP adhesive demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and resistance to moisture-related degradation, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that dragonfly visual protein detects red light similarly to mammals. This finding has potential applications in medical fields relying on red light-sensing, such as optogenetics.
A research team from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a new type of photodetector that achieves impressive responsivity and detectivity. The device uses highly ordered superlattices to overcome the limitations of traditional quantum dot-based photodetectors.
A novel mechanical activation assisted strategy achieves selective extraction of Li+ from spent cathode materials with highly utilization efficiency of H+ (>97%), reducing secondary pollutant generation. The developed process obviates the need for auxiliary reagents and substantially reduces chemical consumption.
Researchers developed an AI tool to predict how effectively biochar materials break down antibiotics, offering a faster and smarter way to design environmental cleanup technologies. The framework accurately estimates reaction rates and provides scientific insights into material characteristics that influence performance.