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High hopes for new-age rubber

Researchers have discovered a new kind of rubber and catalyst that can be used to make flexible, repairable, sustainable objects. The new rubber material can be completely repaired and returned to its original strength in minutes, even at room temperature, with an amine catalyst.

SourceFlinders University·JournalChemical Science·DateMay 18, 2020

Electrolysis: Chemists have discovered how to produce better electrodes

Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a method to significantly improve the properties of inexpensive nickel hydroxide electrodes during electrolysis. The treatment process increases the material's stability and activity, allowing it to outperform more expensive catalysts.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalACS Catalysis·DateMay 14, 2020

Asymmetric iodoesterification of simple alkenes by concerto catalyst

Japanese researchers have successfully developed an asymmetric iodoesterification catalyst, combining four chemical bonds to coordinate the formation of one catalyst. This breakthrough enables the industrial-scale production of optically active esters with high efficiency and precision.

SourceChiba University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 13, 2020

Artificial intelligence helps researchers up-cycle waste carbon

Researchers used AI to speed up the search for a key material in a new catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into ethylene with record efficiency. The resulting electrocatalyst has an 80% faradaic efficiency, a new record for this reaction, and shows promise for clean energy storage and carbon capture.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalNature·DateMay 13, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A new concept of designing photocatalytic systems with reversed configurations

Researchers have introduced a new concept for designing photocatalytic systems with reversed configurations, which significantly improve light absorption, charge separation, and surface catalysis. This design concept can be extended to other systems and reactions to promote solar-to-chemical conversion.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateMay 12, 2020

Defective graphene has high electrocatalytic activity

A theoretical study found that defects in graphene can increase charge transfer rates by an order of magnitude, selectively catalyzing electron transfer to certain reagents. This property has great potential for developing efficient electrochemical sensors and electrocatalysts.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateMay 11, 2020

Rich interface defects accelerate the electro-oxidation of 5-HMF

A study by Dr. Yuqin Zou and colleagues reveals that hierarchically nanostructured NiO-Co3O4 electrodes with plentiful interface defects exhibit excellent HMF oxidation activity and stability. The researchers demonstrate the positive role of cation vacancies in catalyzing the electro-oxidation process.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateMay 9, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Water is key in catalytic conversion of methane to methanol

Scientists have discovered three essential roles for water in the catalytic conversion of methane to methanol, which facilitates high selectivity while blocking unwanted side reactions. The findings could speed the development of catalysts that make use of methane escaping from gas and oil wells.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 30, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Fueling the world sustainably: Synthesizing ammonia using less energy

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a catalyst that enables the production of ammonia at just 50°C, using half the energy required by existing techniques. This breakthrough has significant implications for sustainable agricultural food production and reduces carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020

Catalyst enables reactions with the help of green light

Chemists have developed a titanium catalyst that makes light usable for selective chemical reactions, producing highly selective products that can be used for antiviral drugs or luminescent dyes. The new catalyst uses green light to trigger reactions without destroying organic compounds.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 20, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Scientists develop high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Researchers have developed Fe <sub>1-x</sub> S-decorated mesoporous carbon spheres as a nanoreactor for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes, showing excellent polysulfide catalytic activity and cyclic stability. The design strategy provides a new protocol for building high-capacity and long-cycle rechargeable batteries.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateApr 16, 2020

High-efficiency catalyst enhancing the electric reduction performance of CO2

A team of researchers developed a microwave heating strategy for synthesizing a transition metal chalcogenide nanostructure that efficiently catalyzes CO2 electroreduction to carbon monoxide. The catalyst achieved a record conversion current of 212 mA cm-2 and selectivity of ~95.5%.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 16, 2020

Two is better than one

A team of scientists has developed a new 2D catalyst that can improve the efficiency of water purification using hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst, composed of two co-catalysts on one nanosheet, was designed to increase the efficiency of the process without additional chemical treatment.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2020

Researchers design microsystem for faster, more sustainable industrial chemistry

The research team developed an intelligent microsystem employing machine learning and automation to reduce chemical waste by two orders of magnitude and catalytic discovery from weeks to hours. By screening catalysts and polymers faster, the method could lead to more efficient design and environmentally benign plastics.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateApr 14, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A friendlier way to deal with nitrate pollution

Scientists have developed a catalyst that converts nitrate into nitrite without high temperatures or acidity, addressing water pollution concerns. The catalyst's mechanism mimics natural enzymes, offering a promising solution for detoxifying nitrate in mild environments.

SourceRIKEN·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 2, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Upgrading biomass with selective surface-modified catalysts

Researchers created a platinum-titania catalyst that selectively breaks carbon-oxygen bonds in plant derivatives, producing biofuels. The strategy could be applied to design stable and active catalysts for industrial chemical production from biomass-derived molecules.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Catalysis·DateMar 26, 2020

Teaching old transition metals new tricks: Chemists activate palladium catalysis by light

Researchers from the University of Münster have developed a novel approach to allyl functionalization using radical chemistry, generating π-allylpalladium complexes through visible light activation. The method has been shown to be highly selective and sustainable, with over 60 examples demonstrating its utility in various applications.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Catalysis·DateMar 24, 2020

New material developed could help clean energy revolution

Researchers at Aalto University developed a new graphene-carbon nanotube catalyst to improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The catalyst's electrocatalytic activity can be altered depending on the material it is deposited on, offering a promising strategy for producing green technology.

SourceAalto University·JournalACS Catalysis·DateMar 23, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Access to forbidden rings

Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new technique for creating chains of molecular rings that do not use standard chemical interactions but instead contact with large molecular surfaces. This discovery helps answer an old contradiction in classical chemistry and provides new prospects for molecular cyclization.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 18, 2020

Closing the carbon cycle to stop climate change

Researchers at TIFR create metal-free catalyst that converts CO2 to methane with excellent productivity and selectivity. The catalyst is recyclable and shows significant increase in production rate after regeneration cycles.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2020

3D hierarchically porous nanostructured catalyst helps efficiently reduce CO2?

Researchers at KAIST developed a 3D hierarchically porous nanostructured catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 to CO, overcoming mass transport limitations. The new catalyst shows high selectivity and mass activity, promising large-scale applications for green energy.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 13, 2020

New catalyst provides boost to next-generation EV batteries

A new composite catalyst has been developed to enhance the performance of metal-air batteries (MABs), which are considered a strong candidate for next-generation electric vehicles. The catalyst, combining two types of materials, improves charge and discharge efficiency by synergistically enhancing the reaction rates.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNano Energy·DateMar 13, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A novel technique to produce cheaper and more efficient chlorine

Researchers at UNIST have developed a novel catalyst for electrochemical chlorine generation, overcoming the drawbacks of existing metal oxide-based catalysts. The new catalyst, Pt1/CNT, exhibits high efficiency and selectivity for chlorine ions, enabling more efficient and affordable production.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2020

Chemists create new artificial enzyme

Chemists at the University of Miami have created an artificial enzyme with improved catalytic abilities. The new molecule is designed to tackle chemical reactions in industrial settings and could lead to the development of more efficient biofuel production, drug creation, and other applications.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 10, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

'Deceptively simple' process could boost plastics recycling

Researchers have developed a new process to produce polyolefins with varying levels of branching, allowing for easier recycling and potentially reducing plastic waste. The method also enables the creation of plastics from natural oils and other substances, addressing environmental sustainability issues.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 9, 2020

Research uncovers a new way of making chiral catalysts

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize one-handed chiral rotaxanes, which can selectively bind to gold atoms and catalyze chemical reactions. This breakthrough enables the creation of single-handed chiral molecules, addressing potential issues with pharmaceutical drug efficacy.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalChem·DateMar 9, 2020

Water splitting advance holds promise for affordable renewable energy

A collaborative research team has developed a system that uses less expensive materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, comparable to the current most popular system but without precious metals. This advance holds promise for affordable renewable energy storage and could increase hydrogen production rates nearly tenfold.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature Energy·DateMar 9, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Research brief: Energy researchers invent error-free catalysts

Researchers developed oscillating catalyst technology that accelerates chemical reactions without side reactions, improving performance and cost-efficiency. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce waste by thousands of tons annually and transform the way chemicals are manufactured.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalChemical Science·DateMar 4, 2020

Hydrogen energy at the root of life

A new study by Dr. Martina Preiner and colleagues simulates the emergence of life in a lab environment using hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide as starting materials. The team found that these simple chemical reactions can produce the same building blocks used by early cells, providing insight into the origins of life.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 2, 2020

Rice scientists simplify access to drug building block

The Rice University team has introduced an inexpensive organic synthesis technique that catalyzes the transfer of nitrogen atoms to olefins, making valuable pharmaceutical precursors. The process combines nitrogen and hydrogen atoms in triangular aziridine products, which are readily available to react with other agents.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Catalysis·DateFeb 24, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

An 'exceptionally stable' single-atom catalyst

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology design and test a catalyst composed of single platinum atoms trapped in C12A7 crystals, demonstrating high stability and activity for selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes. The approach could be adapted to various transition metals and withstand harsher conditions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 24, 2020

The integrated catalysts can simplify pharmaceutical manufacturing

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology developed catalytic nanoreactors that can simplify the manufacturing process of fine chemicals like drugs and medicines. The new catalysts allow for multistep cascade reactions with high yields and optical activity.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 21, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Scientists use light to convert fatty acids into alkanes

Researchers have developed an efficient method to convert biomass-derived fatty acids into alkanes under mild conditions. The process utilizes photocatalytic decarboxylation with light, generating alkyl radical intermediates and achieving high yields of Cn-1 alkanes.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Catalysis·DateFeb 20, 2020

New catalyst recycles greenhouse gases into fuel and hydrogen gas

Researchers at KAIST have developed a long-lasting and economical catalyst that converts greenhouse gases into hydrogen gas and fuel. The catalyst, made from nickel, magnesium, and molybdenum, can work efficiently for over a month without degrading.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience·DateFeb 17, 2020

Catalyst deposition on fragile chips

Researchers have developed a new method of depositing catalyst particles to tiny electrodes, providing a clean and easy-to-use approach for testing various catalyst materials. This innovative technique allows for the stable and reproducible application of different catalysts on liquid cell TEM chips.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 14, 2020

Cobalt-based catalysts promise to enhance heavy oil extraction

Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed cobalt-based catalysts that improve heavy oil refinement by breaking down asphaltene-resinous compounds. The study found a decrease in asphaltenes' molecular masses and sulfur content, leading to improved oil viscosity.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalJournal of Petroleum Science and Engineering·DateFeb 14, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

The catalyst that removes CO2 and produces hydrocarbons

Researchers develop a catalyst that accelerates CO2 conversion into simple chemicals, transforming greenhouse gas into useful products for industry. The technology uses water electrolysers with a polymer coating to facilitate CO2 transport, increasing productivity and efficiency.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalScience·DateFeb 14, 2020

Scientists reveal catalytic mechanism of lovastatin hydrolase

The study reveals the structure-function relationship of the specific and efficient lovastatin hydrolase PcEST, which determines its efficient and specific lovastatin hydrolysis. A variant of PcEST improved solubility and thermostability, suggesting a promising application in industrial processes for green production of monacolin J.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 14, 2020

New synthesis methods enhance 3D chemical space for drug discovery

Researchers at Emory University have developed a new approach to organic synthesis that can efficiently transform simple molecules into complex ones with 3D structures. This method opens up whole new chemical space for potential drug targets, enabling the creation of more direct and efficient pathways for pharmaceutical research.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Catalysis·DateFeb 11, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

First artificial enzyme created with two non-biological groups

Researchers at University of Groningen develop novel artificial enzyme using unnatural amino acid and copper complex, demonstrating potential for improved industrial chemical catalysis. The study showcases the power of combining abiological components to achieve active site creation, paving way for new enzymatic options.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Catalysis·DateFeb 10, 2020

Black carbon and haze formation

Researchers discovered that black carbon catalyzes sulfate production during regional haze events in the North China Plain, leading to significant air quality issues. The study suggests reducing SO2, NOx, NH3, and black carbon emissions is crucial to improve air quality.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.