Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
Researchers discovered a simple method to synthesize diverse and performant supported catalysts by alloying metals via gas-switch-triggered reduction. The new approach demonstrated 18 times higher catalytic performance than monometallic catalysts, making it suitable for industrial processes.
Researchers explore using municipal solid waste as a low-emission, cost-effective feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90%. The study suggests that adopting municipal solid waste-based jet fuels could save airlines money under carbon pricing systems.
Researchers at MIT have developed a nearly impermeable polymer film that could protect solar panels and infrastructure from corrosion. The film, made using a solution-phase polymerization reaction, completely repels nitrogen and other gases, outperforming existing polymers.
The team's novel findings use metal-organic framework-derived hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers with low-coordinated cobalt single-atom catalysts to enhance redox kinetics and suppress dissolution of lithium polysulfides. This synergistic design enables high-capacity retention and superior rate performance over hundreds of cycles.
TUM researchers discovered that dendrite growth can occur inside polymer-based electrolytes, which are supposed to protect against short circuits. This finding challenges the assumption that dendrite growth occurs only at the interface between electrode and electrolyte.
A $2 million NSF-funded project is creating microscopic robotic swarms that can move and think collectively like schools of fish. The Adaptive and Responsive Magnetic Swarms (ARMS) project aims to design materials that adapt to their surroundings and can be used for medicine, energy and environmental applications.
Researchers at Columbia University have created a novel approach to producing hydrogen from water electrolysis, utilizing ultra-thin, PFAS-free oxide membranes. This breakthrough reduces the industry's reliance on toxic chemicals and enhances energy conversion efficiency, paving the way for a cleaner and cheaper source of hydrogen.
Researchers at Yonsei University have developed a groundbreaking fluoride-based solid electrolyte that enables all-solid-state batteries to operate beyond 5 volts safely. The innovation allows spinel cathodes to operate efficiently and retain over 75% capacity after 500 cycles.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the energy state of iron in materials, enabling the creation of higher-voltage batteries. The breakthrough could also aid the development of superconductors and magnetism applications.
Researchers develop distribution-type membrane reactors for efficient carbon dioxide methanation. The study demonstrates the advantages of this approach in controlling reaction rates and temperature profiles. High thermal conductivity membranes produce more methane with selectivity, and their use can accelerate a carbon-neutral society.
Researchers from Hokkaido University developed a computational method to predict the optimal ligand for generating reactive alkyl ketone radicals. The Virtual Ligand-Assisted Screening (VLAS) method successfully identified L4 as the optimal ligand, enabling the generation of ketyl radicals with high yield.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are exploring the use of extracellular vesicles to target lung cancer. By manipulating these tiny messenger particles, scientists can deliver specific instructions to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
Researchers have developed bioelectronic hydrogels made from conducting polymer microparticles that can be injected into the body or used as injectable therapies. The material has the potential to emulate properties of the body and leverage its functions for more sophisticated ways of doing it.
Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water has evolved through three distinct phases, with a focus on monitoring and treatment challenges. The study reveals growth in research, with cumulative publications expected to reach 7,689 by 2030.
Scientists at the University of Groningen have developed a polymer that changes its shape with temperature and can break down into smaller molecules. The innovative material, inspired by the Shanghai Tower's unique design, has potential applications in biomaterials and may be recyclable into its chemical building blocks.
The researchers developed a novel facet-guided metal plating strategy using Zn as the host metal, which promotes uniform metal growth and suppresses dendrite formation. The strategy improved battery stability, retaining 87.58% of its initial capacity over 900 cycles.
PeroCycle appoints Dr Harriet Kildahl as Technical Director, leveraging her expertise in closed-loop carbon recycling. The technology converts CO2 into a valuable resource, enabling industries like steel and cement to adopt net-zero manufacturing.
A team from the Universitat Jaume I developed a robotic platform powered by artificial intelligence to optimize chemical processes, reducing environmental impact and increasing productivity. The Reac-Discovery system makes it possible to design and test reactors in just weeks, compared to months or years with traditional methods.
Researchers developed a composite bioabsorbable hemostatic sponge inspired by mussels and extracellular matrix. The sponge quickly absorbs blood and firmly adheres to tissues, enhancing hemostatic performance. It promotes wound stabilization, accelerates blood clotting, and reduces inflammation and tissue damage.
Researchers create novel compounds that kill bacteria in a new way, reducing the risk of side effects and environmental harm. The compounds have been shown to be effective in preventing bovine mastitis without affecting milk quality.
A team of researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute has developed a new approach to producing hydrogen using plasma technology and metal alloys. The method reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to traditional methods, making it more environmentally friendly and potentially affordable.
A machine learning approach enhances the treatment of livestock manure, predicting phosphorus distribution and recovery. The process converts biowaste into hydrochar and a nutrient-rich liquid, reducing environmental pollution and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia create a new material capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the air using oil palm ash, achieving impressive adsorption capacity and stability. Machine learning predictions also enabled the design of a highly optimized mesoporous structure.
ElderCraft, a standardized polyphenol extract from Austrian elderberries, is now available for free to qualified researchers worldwide. This initiative aims to reduce study-to-study variability and enable stronger meta-analyses in polyphenol science.
University of Arkansas researchers have found a new way to clean wastewater of toxic and carcinogenic dyes commonly used in the garment industry. They developed an environmentally friendly solution using lignin, a low-cost biopolymer derived from plant cell walls.
Researchers at Dalian University of Technology have discovered that biochar can directly degrade organic pollutants, removing up to 40% of contaminants. This breakthrough reveals biochar's hidden superpower, opening new avenues for sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental engineering.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are working to overcome manufacturing hurdles for micro-LED displays, which use inorganic materials to create more robust and longer-lasting screens. The technology has potential for applications in virtual reality, augmented reality, and flexible displays.
Researchers from MANA develop a cost-effective, high-performance catalyst using green rust to support the use of sodium borohydride as a hydrogen storage material. The new catalyst achieves comparable performance to precious metal-based materials and shows excellent durability.
Researchers at DESY have created a new filter material using a ball mill process that can effectively capture PFAS contaminants. The material, made of covalent organic frameworks, was manufactured using a unique mechanochemical technique without the need for heavy metals.
Scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo have created a solid electrolyte-based hydrogen battery that stores and releases hydrogen at temperatures below 100 °C, overcoming high-temperature and low-capacity limitations. The battery offers practical solutions for hydrogen-powered vehicles and clean energy systems.
Researchers developed chloride-resistant Ru nanocatalysts to overcome limitations in seawater electrolysis. The g-C3N4-mediated pyrolysis strategy creates a crystalline-amorphous junction with ultrafine Ru dispersion, enabling efficient and durable hydrogen production.
Researchers at DTU Energy and DTU Construct developed a new fuel cell design using 3D printing and gyroid geometry for improved surface area and weight. The Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell delivers over one watt per gram, making it suitable for aerospace applications.
Researchers developed a scandium doping technique that improves the stability and cycle life of sodium-ion battery cathodes. The study found that Sc doping modulates the structure, preserving cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion and superstructure, and prevents side reactions with liquid electrolytes.
Researchers developed a novel 3D printing technique that combines materials and design to create strong, biocompatible implants. The study found that varying printing angles and ink composition can significantly impact implant strength and bone cell growth.
The team of scientists has discovered a new process called chemical liquid deposition (CLD) that can create circuits invisible to the naked eye using B-EUV radiation. They have also found a way to deposit imidazole-based metal-organic resists from solution at silicon-wafer scale, controlling their thickness with nanometer precision.
Researchers create a biohybrid supercapacitor by embedding energy-producing bacteria in cement, storing electrical energy and regenerating its capacity. The material shows promising potential for future development and can recover up to 80% of its original energy capacity.
Researchers successfully etched hafnium oxide films at atomic-level precision and smoothness without halogen gases. The new method uses nitrogen and oxygen plasmas to form volatile byproducts, resulting in reduced surface roughness and improved device performance.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to convert plastic waste into a climate solution for efficient and sustainable CO2 capture. The new material, BAETA, can absorb CO2 out of the atmosphere efficiently compared to existing carbon capture technologies.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that sucrose monolaurate preserves enzyme activity in sweat by forming a protective barrier. This study paves the way for more durable and reliable lactic acid sweat sensors, enabling real-time health monitoring.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a gentler, more sustainable way to break down keratins and turn leftover wool and feathers into useful products. The process uses concentrated lithium bromide to create an environment favorable for spontaneous protein unfolding.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) have developed new generation polymers made from renewable raw materials, with unique properties such as self-healing, shape memory, and antimicrobial effects. These sustainable solutions can be applied in various fields including medicine, electronics, and optics.
The University of Michigan has expanded its open-access Battery Lab with a new facility, increasing capacity for lithium-ion battery production and prototyping. The lab now offers advanced equipment, including an automated laser welder and three-megawatt-hour battery production line.
Researchers developed a new origami-inspired folding strategy for reversible actuation of hydrogel pores, integrating facet-driven folding into polygonal pores to enable programmable and predictable actuation. This strategy retained 90% of its original shape after repeated swelling-shrinking cycles, demonstrating excellent reliability.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing an ultra-rapid insulin designed to mimic the human pancreas, aiming to improve glycemic control and reduce disease management burden. The project has the potential to create fully automated systems, enabling patients to manage their condition with fewer interruptions.
Researchers at North Carolina State University unveiled Rainbow, a self-driving laboratory that autonomously discovers high-performance quantum dots. The system combines advanced robotics and AI to conduct up to 1,000 experiments per day, accelerating materials discovery.
Angel Martí, David Sarlah, and Haotian Wang have been honored with national American Chemical Society awards for their outstanding work in chemistry. The ACS awards recognize individuals who not only advance the field but also inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in chemical sciences.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel oxide material that can produce high-efficiency clean hydrogen using only heat. The discovery was made possible by a new computational screening method and has the potential to transform industries such as methane reforming and battery recycling.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a mechanochemical method to increase hydrogen saturation in perovskite powder, doubling its capacity. This discovery has significant implications for environmental sustainability and the potential for a hydrogen-based economy, as it enables more efficient production of ammonia fertilizer.
Chung-Ang University researchers develop innovative soft robots using paper electrodes and liquid crystal elastomers, achieving directional crawling through asymmetric bending. The robots utilize temperature-responsive materials and simple electroless plating patterning, enabling efficient and cost-effective fabrication.
A team of researchers from Waseda University has developed a novel technology to control the crystallinity of pore walls in single-crystalline nanoporous metal oxides. The method, known as chemical-vapor-based confined crystal growth (C3), allows for simultaneous control of the material's composition, porous structure, and crystal size.
Researchers at Chungnam National University developed a new ultra-thin protective layer using polyacrylic acid to prevent dendrite growth and enhance battery performance. The zinc-bonded polyacrylic acid coating proved remarkably durable, resisting dissolution in aqueous solutions and promoting uniform distribution of zinc-ions.
MIT researchers developed microparticles containing iron or iodine to fortify foods and beverages, addressing global iron deficiency. The particles can be easily added to staple foods and drinks, reducing the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
The book provides a roadmap for sustainable and ethical leadership in engineering management, focusing on ESG reporting, CSR integration, and industry-specific insights. It offers practical tools and strategies for professionals to make informed decisions that reduce ecological impact and improve resource efficiency.
Researchers have discovered a way to selectively create links between sugar molecules, enabling precise control over the stereochemistry of oligosaccharides. This breakthrough could open up new avenues of biomedical research into these versatile molecules, providing access to previously difficult-to-construct oligosaccharides.
Scientists at King's College London have developed an 'interactional fingerprinting' method to characterise graphene oxide (GO) cheaper and quicker than ever before. This new approach allows for a qualitative snapshot of individual samples by mimicking humans' sense of taste and smell, enabling researchers to quickly quality control th...
Researchers developed molecular capsules that can impart strong chiral properties to inherently non-chiral metal-containing dyes. The capsules create flexible, adaptable chiral cavities that induce chirality without requiring chemical modifications.
Researchers used machine learning to identify iron-containing compounds that can be added to polymers, making them more resistant to tearing. The study could lead to more durable plastics and reduce plastic waste.
PeroCycle has appointed Grant Budge as its new CEO and opened a £4M seed round to fund pilot deployment and accelerate commercial growth. The technology converts CO2 into carbon monoxide using a perovskite-based catalyst, offering a closed-carbon-loop approach to deep decarbonisation within the steelmaking process.
Researchers propose a Coulomb attraction-driven spontaneous molecule-hotspot pairing mechanism to achieve synergistic enhancement of electromagnetic and chemical mechanisms in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. This synergy enables efficient detection of single molecules with improved universality, uniformity, robustness, and stability.
A research team at Politecnico di Milano has created a single-atom catalyst capable of selectively adapting its chemical activity. The catalyst, composed of palladium encapsulated in an organic structure, can 'switch' between two key reactions in organic chemistry by varying reaction conditions.