Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have created model protein-RNA droplets with properties similar to those of viscoelastic Maxwell fluid and Silly Putty. These droplets exhibit dual behavior, acting like both elastic solids and viscous liquids, depending on the timescale.
A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers links econometric models with production profitability to predict the impact of demand shocks on carbon intensity. Small shocks are predicted to displace heavy crudes with higher carbon intensity, but the relation may be counterintuitive.
A new liquid biopsy method developed by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity in detecting tumor DNA in the blood. The technique can detect even one to three specific tumor DNAs, offering a promising approach for early cancer diagnosis.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a miniature optical fiber treatment device that delivers cancer immunotherapeutic antibodies while monitoring tumor impedance to track treatment efficacy. The device elicits sustained anti-tumor immunity with complete tumor shrinkage in multiple tumor models.
A team at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a common industrial catalyst that can efficiently convert methane to methanol with or without water. The findings suggest strategies for improving the water-free conversion, achieving 30% selectivity in the absence of water, and 80% selectivity with water.
Lignocellulose, a plant-based material, can be used to create light-reactive surfaces for windows or materials that react to certain chemicals. By customizing lignocellulose, researchers can improve light absorption and achieve better operating efficiency in solar cells.
A new skin-attachable patch mimics cactus spines to collect sweat efficiently, facilitating continuous monitoring of bioanalytes. The wedge-patterned channel shows high sweat-collecting efficiency and can transport nearly all sweat droplets to the sensing area.
Researchers are developing a transformative technology called Multiscale Intelligent Convergence (MusIC) to map the complexity of T cells and identify attributes essential for patient benefit. The goal is to create more reliable biomanufacturing of T cell infusion products and engineering potent immune cells.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used microscopy to examine surfactant onion layers, discovering they contain defects. Their findings are crucial for designing effective therapeutic carrier systems.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed an environmentally friendly process to chemically recycle bio-based plastics into fertilizers. The process, which uses ammonia to break down the plastics, produces nitrogen-rich molecules that can be used as fertilizer, showing promising results in plant growth experiments.
Researchers identified three MOFs providing the most energy efficient capture of SF6 under vacuum swing adsorption, while two others showed best performance under pressure swing adsorption. The study suggests that materials optimal for one process may not be optimal for the other.
Researchers linked microscopic and macroscopic approaches to describe a technologically important chemical reaction under realistic conditions. This allows understanding why catalyst particle size plays a crucial role in chemical processes.
The study found that a stack pressure of 350 kilo Pascal increases lithium particle deposition in neat columns, improving stability and reducing the risk of short circuits. Additionally, partial discharge during cycling can also boost performance without affecting the solid electrolyte interphase structure.
A research team at Iowa State University aims to create more robust microbes that can produce heat- and acid-resistant enzymes, improving the bioproduction of fuels and chemicals. The goal is to make industrial fermentation more efficient and cost-effective.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new type of super-stable glass by mixing up to eight different molecules. This breakthrough material exhibits ultralow fragility and superior glass-forming ability, making it suitable for applications in display technologies, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals.
A chemist at UTA is working on creating new synthetic materials that can improve on inorganic metal oxides for use in various energy-saving applications, particularly in solar energy technology. The goal is to develop materials with improved stability and energy storage capability.
Functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show improved hydrogen interaction, increasing storage capabilities by 15-80%. The study uses machine learning to predict binding energy and reduce computationally heavy calculations.
Shear thickening occurs when particles in a low-viscosity solution behave like a solid under stress. Researchers at North Carolina State University captured microscopic images of particles as they underwent shear thickening, revealing complex networks formed between particles and their shapes dependent on particle roughness.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated plastic pollution, with global waste generation increasing by twice the amount in 2020 compared to 2019. To address this issue, researchers advocate for a transition to novel sustainable practices and technologies, including biodegradable plastics and efficient recycling processes.
University of Delaware chemical engineer Catherine Fromen aims to improve the delivery of therapeutic medicines to the body by studying how they interact with mucosal interfaces. Her research focuses on designing medicines that can overcome natural defenses in the lungs and gut, with potential applications for diseases such as lung can...
A new study from Scripps Research Institute reveals a previously unrecognized way that nature solves the problem of persulfide instability, through the generation of helpful enzymes. The discovery provides researchers with a new method for generating potentially important sulfur-based molecules in the lab.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a non-toxic alternative to traditional cyanide-based gold extraction processes. The new chloride-based method, called EDRR, achieves an impressive 84% gold recovery rate, surpassing the 64% recovered with traditional cyanide methods.
The Army has pledged $5.2 million to Rice University's research on flash Joule heating, a process that turns waste into graphene and other valuable materials. The technology can recover precious metals from electronic waste and toxic metals from contaminated soil.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a simple, cost-effective method to deposit liquid metal copper alloy nanoparticles onto fabrics, creating an effective antiviral and antimicrobial coating. The coating eradicated over 99% of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, within five minutes.
A chemical engineer is developing a novel biomaterial that can mimic the response of pediatric brain cancers to different approaches, allowing for customized treatment plans. The material will be designed to simulate the growth environment of cancer cells inside a tumor and can be used with patient-derived cells.
A multidisciplinary team of Lehigh University researchers will conduct experiments on thermophoresis in complex fluids for bioseparations at the International Space Station. The team hopes to understand how temperature gradients affect particles and improve virus separation techniques with potential societal impact.
Researchers at EMPA created a flame retardant cotton textile that retains the natural properties of cotton fibers while providing fireproof and antimicrobial functionalities. The fabric does not contain carcinogenic formaldehyde and can absorb water, maintaining a favorable microclimate on the skin.
Researchers at Mainz University have conducted a literature review on cathodic corrosion in electrosynthesis, highlighting the need for new materials and methods to prevent electrode dissolution. The team aims to develop a method to generate plastic precursors from agricultural waste using electrosynthesis.
Scientists have discovered two new cerium superhydrides, CeH9 and CeH10, which exhibit superconductivity at lower pressures than previously known compounds. This breakthrough brings researchers closer to creating room-temperature superconductors with more manageable pressure conditions.
Lehigh University will lead a five-year, $25 million research collaboration to develop new semiconductor materials and scalable manufacturing processes for advanced optoelectronic devices. The initiative aims to transform fields like information technology with quantum technologies.
Researchers develop a novel method to convert nitrate in wastewater into ammonia with nearly 100% efficiency and zero greenhouse gas emissions. The system utilizes cobalt catalysts and solar power to achieve unprecedented solar-to-fuel efficiency, outperforming existing technologies.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and Bonn have synthesized molecular nano spheres made of silicon atoms, known as silafulleranes, which can encapsulate chloride ions. The discovery of these new compounds may lead to improved applications in electronics, solar cells, and batteries.
The Welch Institute has appointed Matthew Tirrell, a renowned material scientist, to chair its Scientific Advisory Board. His expertise in nanotechnology and biomolecular engineering will help the institute accelerate discovery and innovation in advanced materials.
North Carolina State University researchers develop a soft and stretchable device that harnesses kinetic energy from movement to generate electricity. The device works in both dry and wet environments, including underwater, with a power density comparable to popular energy harvesting technologies.
Researchers from Pusan University developed a super-stretchable, deformable, and durable material for 'super-flexible' alternating current electroluminescent devices. The material was successfully applied in devices that functioned with up to 1200% elongation, displaying stable luminescence over 1000 cycles.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new insulation material that can significantly improve the performance of high-voltage direct current cables. By adding a tiny amount of poly(3-hexylthiophene) to polyethylene, they were able to lower electrical conductivity by up to three times.
A portable optical sensor system could diagnose traumatic brain injury severity in the field from a single drop of blood, potentially reducing costs and improving treatment outcomes
Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new technique to structure chaotic bubbles, enabling more efficient separation of useful metals from useless particles. This method uses vibrations to control the motion of bubbles, leading to reduced energy and water usage in mining.
High-energy-density Li–S batteries have been evaluated for their cycling lifespan, showing that considerable lithium polysulfides exist in the electrolyte despite high specific capacities. The actual capacity loss is mainly attributed to dissolved sulfur species rather than Li anode depletion.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a 'core@shell' nanocrystal technology that harnesses interfacial synergy for efficient catalysis. The innovative approach produces high-energy conversion rates and enables remote operation of catalysts, opening doors to various applications in sustainable energy and biotechnology.
Researchers at the University of South Florida discovered that glassy polymers, or plastics, have a soft, rubbery layer on their surface that can be controlled. This breakthrough could lead to improved properties such as adhesion and scratch resistance in materials like automobile paint and cellphone screens.
A POSTECH research team has developed an encrypted hologram printing platform that works in both natural light and laser light using the metasurface technology. The device can produce a holographic color image retaining specific polarization, setting it apart from previously reported holograms.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a cheaper, safer, and simpler technology to produce stubborn metals into thin films. This innovation enables better materials with atomic precision at lower temperatures, making it easier to scale up production.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is studying a promising alternative catalytic process based on solid acid catalysts for ethylene dimerization. Using in situ and operando molecular spectroscopy, they aim to understand the surface structures of the catalyst and design more active catalysts with reduced environmental impact.
Researchers discovered that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is substantially more chemically stable than single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), which has implications for its use in pesticides and understanding of viral behavior. The findings suggest storing dsRNA in high pH environments can provide extra protection against degradation.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new type of reflective screen that offers optimal color display while using ambient light to keep energy consumption low. The new design allows for more accurate color reproduction and reduces eye strain compared to traditional digital screens.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have successfully synthesized a unique molecule of verdazyl-nitronyl nitroxide triradical, boasting stable structure and high-temperature magnetism. The breakthrough could pave the way for innovative organic magnetic materials with potential applications in MRAM technology.
Researchers at Columbia and Northwestern universities have developed a method to induce oscillations in micro-particles using DC electric fields. This motion could be used to develop microrobots with capabilities rivaling those of living organisms.
The Rice University engineers have unveiled the process of MoS2's synthesis in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) furnace. Their simulations showed that it takes three steps to deposit an atomically thin lattice onto a surface, involving sublimation, reaction with sulfur atoms, and crystallization.
Intranasal COVID-19 vaccines aim to provide both mucosal and systemic immunity, potentially offsetting global vaccination disparities. Despite challenges in studying the mucosal immune system, scientists are working to develop nasal doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for extracellular matrices, become diseased in fibrosis. Researchers create 3D hydrogels that mimic living tissue to study fibrosis progression and epigenetic responses.
The National Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Materials Innovation Platform at Penn State's Materials Research Institute, enabling the development of new ultra-thin materials with unique quantum properties. The facility will advance 2D materials research across the US, supporting over 100 scientists nationwide.
Sumit Sharma, assistant professor at Ohio University, has received a $511,902 NSF CAREER grant to investigate surfactant molecule adsorption on metallic nanoparticles. His research aims to develop a fundamental theory explaining the optimal surfactants for specific results.
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can effectively deliver and protect siRNA, a promising class of therapeutics targeting harmful genes. This breakthrough aims to improve the treatment of diseases by fine-tuning mRNA production, offering a new approach to managing irregular protein expression.
Researchers have developed sensors that can detect explosive materials, particles from deadly viruses, and illegal drugs at the part-per-quadrillion level. The technology has a wide range of applications, including monitoring wounds in soldiers and detecting roadside IEDs.
Racist attacks against Asian Americans have increased notably since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many to reevaluate their careers in the US. The Biden administration hopes to revise immigration policies and retain international scientists, but awareness and tolerance remain uncertain for the Asian community.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new hydrogel material that prevents infections in wounds, effective against all types of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. The material uses antimicrobial peptides and is promising for combating global health threats.
University of Delaware researchers report a breakthrough process that can convert hard-to-recycle plastics into usable molecules. The hydrocracking process requires less energy than other technologies and can treat various plastics, even when mixed together.