Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
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 from Trinity College Dublin have developed tiny, color-changing gas sensors using new materials and 3D printing techniques. These sensors can detect solvent vapors in air and have potential applications in wearable devices for health monitoring and low-cost environmental monitoring systems.
Kazan Federal University researchers designed a unique dielectric cell to study gas hydrate formation and decomposition under pressure. The device's effectiveness was demonstrated, allowing for further investigation of hydrate inhibitors.
Scientists from KIT have investigated the behavior of iridium oxide catalysts under dynamic conditions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The study reveals highly unexpected structural modifications connected to a stabilization of the catalyst at high voltages, contributing to more efficient and sustainable green hydrogen production.
Scientists have developed novel gas sensors with improved detection sensitivity and durability by combining organic and inorganic materials. The hybrid sensors boast high durability and high sensitivity, making them suitable for portable gas sensing applications.
Researchers developed a novel block copolymer electrolyte that controls structure through electrostatic interactions, enhancing ionic conductivity. The new nanostructure enables significant enhancement in conductivity compared to typical two-dimensional structures, paving the way for safer all-solid-state batteries.
Researchers have successfully synthesized AIE-active nanoparticles in a single step, producing fluorescent sensors that can detect nitroaromatic compounds with high sensitivity. The novel solid-state sensors show quenching of fluorescence emission on contact with PA, enabling fast and accurate detection of explosives.
Michigan Tech researchers developed a model to calculate how particular chemicals break down in surface water using singlet oxygen, which degrades contaminants and helps protect our waterways. The study's findings can aid environmental engineers and scientists in estimating half-lives of chemicals and predicting their degradation rates.
Researchers have discovered that microplastics can serve as a transport vehicle for metals in the environment, accumulating and releasing these pollutants. The study found significant differences in metal accumulation between different types of plastics, with some metals attaching almost entirely to microplastics.
Research by Lancaster University has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals, known as 'forever' chemicals, in the Arctic Ocean. These chemicals, used in products like stain-proof uniforms and non-stick pans, can accumulate in sea ice due to long-range transport from the atmosphere.
A systematic review of published papers on microplastics in table salt found significant variability in reported data due to differences in measurement and identification methods. The study highlights the need for standardized protocols to ensure reliable health-relevant results and accurately quantify human exposure to microplastics.
A study by scientists from Incheon National University reveals that microplastics in agricultural soil can affect soil quality, plant physiology, and even the environment. The researchers found that different shapes of MPs dominate various agricultural practices, highlighting the need for efficient management strategies to reduce the t...
A Northwestern University study found that widespread electric vehicle adoption could save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. Replacing 75% of cars with EVs could increase savings to as much as $70 billion annually.
Recent advances in the synthesis of hierarchically mesoporous TiO2 materials are reported, highlighting their potential applications in energy storage and environmental protection. The review covers various synthetic strategies and discusses the challenges and future directions of research in this area.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have isolated transition metal compounds of nitrous oxide, which provide clues into its potential use in sustainable chemical technologies. The discovery offers a valuable reference point in the field and is likely to stimulate future catalyst developments.
Krishnan Rajeshwar, a prominent chemistry professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to electrochemistry. He received the Electrochemical Society's 2019 Electrodeposition Research Award for his outstanding research in electrodeposition.
When ozone and skin oils meet, they produce volatile gases and substances that can cause sensory irritations. People with asthma may be particularly vulnerable to ozone and its reaction products.
Marine scientists investigate the relationship between bumphead parrotfish and their coral reef habitat using molecular analysis, finding that coral rock contains more calories than live coral. The study sheds light on the complex dynamics of coral reef ecology and the role of bumphead parrotfish in shaping their environment.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-led project seeks to identify and replicate prebiotic molecules under early Earth conditions. Researchers will explore various environments and their potential to give rise to life's chemistry.
The HOMEChem field experiment is analyzing chemical interactions in indoor environments, exploring sources of oxidants, organic compounds, and reactive nitrogen species. The month-long project uses advanced instruments to detect chemicals in real-time, providing insights into the complex chemistry of indoor environments.
Scientists have found that urban road dust reacts with sunlight to produce singlet oxygen, a reactive form of oxygen that can influence other chemical reactions. The study aims to understand the impact of these reactions on human health and the environment.
Researchers created the largest publicly available chemical database of hair dye substances to develop new, safer hair colors. The database reveals promising approaches for reducing allergic reactions and cancer risk associated with permanent hair dyes.
The American Chemical Society reviews the most intriguing chemistry stories of 2017, including breakthroughs in computing and molecular machines. Chemists also demonstrated their support for science through marches and rallies, while environmental groups protested the Trump administration's TSCA implementation delays.
A two-year project, called HOMEChem, aims to comprehensively understand the chemistry of indoor environments by studying various aspects of air, surfaces and microbes in a recreated home setting. Researchers will analyze data collected using new mass spectrometry-based instrumentation.
The Baltimore Ecosystem Study is integrating local data into the city's high school chemistry curriculum, aligning with Next Generation Science Standards and incorporating Earth science concepts. The initiative aims to make chemistry more relevant and engaging for students by exploring local environmental concerns.
A group of international researchers from nine countries calls for a grand challenges strategy to set global priorities for developing renewable energy. The proposed approach is modeled on the successful efforts to combat neglected diseases, with an emphasis on big thinking, multidisciplinary approaches and supportive policies.
Researchers found highly variable contamination events in the Eagle Ford shale region due to mechanical inefficiencies. The study suggests that air contamination from fracking can be monitored and controlled with improved efficiency.
New research suggests that lithium-ion battery compounds can be toxic to certain soil-dwelling bacteria, which play a crucial role in environmental cycling. The study's findings highlight the need for more sustainable battery materials.
Tufts University chemist Mary Jane Shultz has discovered a way to select specific surfaces of single-crystal ice for study. This breakthrough promises insights into climate and the environment, enabling researchers to better understand interactions between vapor and ice crystals in clouds.
Scientists have created a stable and recyclable material that captures carbon dioxide from the air, even in the presence of water. The material, SGU-29, has micropores with different adsorption sites for CO2 and water, allowing it to efficiently capture both.
A recent study found that incense smoke contains mutagenic properties, causing genetic mutations and potential cancers. Incense was compared to cigarette smoke in a comparison of indoor use, revealing surprising results.
Joshua Tully, a Louisiana Tech University chemistry student, has been awarded a Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowship by the EPA for his research on natural clay nanotubes. The fellowship provides a year of academic support and internship experience, valued at up to $50,000.
Researchers discovered soy lecithin can break down oil into small droplets that bacteria can degrade, reducing toxicity. The natural surfactant outperformed commercial dispersants in lab tests.
Notre Dame researchers have created a paper test card that can detect low-quality antimalarial drugs with high sensitivity and accuracy. The test card uses 12 colorful chemical tests to identify the presence or absence of key ingredients, helping people in developing countries identify suspicious medications before they harm patients.
A novel, fully untethered soft robot capable of repeated jumping has been developed, covering half a meter in a single hop-and-roll motion. The innovative design utilizes a combustion-powered system based on a roly-poly toy, enabling the robot to function over rough terrain.
Elsevier has launched a new journal, TrEAC, which will publish concise and critical overviews of the rapid changes and development in environmental analytical chemistry. The journal aims to enhance understanding of the environment through analysis and detection of new contaminants.
The five Neimark Award winners explore biostatistics, molecular plant sciences, and particle astrophysics among other areas. Their research in second language acquisition also sheds light on human cognition.
Tobin Marks received the Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences for his work on catalysts enabling recyclable plastics and sustainably produced materials. His research has led to multi-billion dollar industrial processes and enormous energy savings.
A study by IMDEA and the University of Almeria found 88 pollutants in river waters in Madrid, with most being eliminated at wastewater treatment plants. The researchers used advanced analysis techniques to detect low concentrations of priority and emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
LSU has been awarded a grant to establish a Superfund Research Center, exploring the health effects of toxic combustion products and their potential impact on public health. The center will investigate the role of combustion-related nanoparticles in determining their special properties and harmful effects.
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.
The Global Innovation Imperatives (Gii) project aims to combat global health, environmental and societal issues through chemistry-based solutions. Key focus areas include advancing science breakthroughs and addressing pressing water concerns, such as cleanliness, availability and sustainability.
Recent progress enables interpretation and prediction of actinide compounds' properties using first principle theory. Researchers are identifying molecules that can extract uranium from its natural environment, improving nuclear energy systems and environmental remediation technologies.
The four science education kits developed by Brookhaven Lab and WARD'S Natural Science focus on environmental chemistry, bioremediation, protein expression, and protein purification. Students can safely conduct experiments to learn about these concepts, replicating research from the lab.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program provides mid-career academic scientists with critical skills to communicate effectively with decision makers and the media. The fellowship program, founded in 1998, aims to improve policymaking through sound information conveyed clearly and accurately.
A nationwide assessment of triclocarban contamination reveals the compound is present in 60% of US water resources, making it the fifth most frequent contaminant. Triclocarban concentrations are found to be much higher than previously thought, with some samples containing up to 6.75 micrograms per liter.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to clean up toxic plumes by using solid forms of organic material containing potassium permanganate. These time-released chunks slowly dissolve over weeks and months, controlling the distribution of pollutants in wet soil. The method has shown promising results in laborat...
The study found that roads, damage to tundra, and animal population decline are significant concerns. The report concludes that a balance must be reached between economic development and environmental protection in the North Slope region.
The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (Pacifichem 2000) will bring together scientists from 20 Pacific Rim nations to share research in ten key areas of chemistry. The congress accepted a record number of papers, with over 180 symposia planned.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech has developed a new coating that is cross-linked by oxygen in the air and provides scratch and chemical resistance. The goal of this innovative coating is to harden quickly in under two hours without producing any byproducts or odors.
Researchers studied microbes living in Yellowstone National Park's hot springs to better interpret samples from Mars for signs of life. They developed a systematic model for travertine deposition, which could aid in identifying ancient microbial life.
Researchers from around the world present real-world and theoretical findings on valuing environmental services, exploring challenges of assigning economic values to ecosystems and regulating the environment. The study highlights the complexities of managing ecosystem resources and incorporating costs of pollution into prices.
Dr. Mario Molina, Nobel laureate and environmental science professor, will address his experiences as a minority in the sciences at the American Chemical Society meeting. He will also discuss his work on ozone depletion and atmospheric chemistry.
A new study by Resources For the Future finds that emissions trading has shifted sulfur dioxide emissions away from populated areas to the Midwest, improving public health and environmental conditions in the Northeast and East. Health-related benefits are estimated at $125 million annually.
Pacifichem 2000 will bring together leading researchers in the Pacific Rim countries to discuss topics such as food antioxidants, extremophiles and organic superconductors. The conference features over 179 symposia on various subjects including medical applications, nanomaterials and marine natural products.
Daniel W. Armstrong, a renowned radio personality and chemistry professor, has been awarded the Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach by the American Chemical Society. His weekly radio show, We're Science, promotes better understanding of science and technology in daily life, reaching over 70 million people worldwide.
The American Chemical Society's national meeting will feature discussions on topics such as environmental health risks, antibiotic resistance, and the origin of elements in the solar system. More than 5,600 papers are scheduled for presentation to an expected 12,000 scientists.
A special symposium discusses children's exposure to environmental hazards, including air and food pollution, insecticides, and pesticides. The event highlights the need for better regulation and science-based decision-making to protect children's health.
Dr. Jack Stocker discusses his new book, Chemistry and Science Fiction, at the American Chemical Society's national meeting. The presentation highlights the relationship between science and its depiction in science fiction, a common theme in works like Star Wars and Star Trek.
The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies will explore cutting-edge research in therapeutics, materials, and astrobiology. Over 179 symposia are planned to foster industrial development, improve environments, and enhance the well-being of people from Pacific Rim countries.