Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that metal oxide catalysts can predict reactivity with easy-to-determine properties, enabling more efficient processes across various industries. The findings open up new pathways for rational catalyst design and pollution abatement.
ReactWell has licensed a novel waste-to-fuel technology from Oak Ridge National Laboratory to improve energy conversion methods. The technology converts carbon dioxide directly into ethanol, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional refining techniques.
Researchers produce a colorless liquid reservoir of metal-like discrete platinum atoms with high catalytic activity and stability, offering potential for reducing Pt consumption in the silicone industry. The scalable preparation method shields individual Pt atoms with hydrochlorides and docks them in the liquid through oxygen atoms.
Scientists have discovered a new iron-nickel catalyst that surpasses the performance of existing nickel-iron oxide catalysts in oxygen evolution reactions. The unconventional catalyst produces an efficient electrolyzer with reduced voltage requirements.
The Kanazawa University team has streamlined the synthesis of beta-gamma unsaturated ketones by reacting an aldehyde directly with an alcohol in the presence of two catalysts. This efficient route eliminates the need for expensive pre-activation and produces only water as a by-product.
According to a study of expert assessments, the current cost of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is unlikely to meet US Department of Energy targets by 2020. Experts identify catalytic metals as a significant barrier to cost reduction, highlighting the need for research and development in catalysts and electrodes.
The study reveals that only one amino acid residue plays a critical role in cleavage function for prokaryotic Ago, whereas its counterpart in eukaryotes has multiple roles. The discovery sheds light on how the cleavage functions evolve from prokaryotes to eukaryotes.
Researchers at VCU have developed a technique to observe subtle changes in clusters of matter, shedding light on their catalytic properties and potential applications in drug discovery. This breakthrough enables the study of molecules on nanoclusters in real-time, revealing fast-paced configuration and position changes.
A new method of increasing reactivity in ultrathin nanosheets can make fuel cells for hydrogen cars cheaper, promising faster and more efficient production. By tuning the materials' thinness, researchers can create more strain, changing material properties and accelerating reactions.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters identified the atomic structure of the catalytically active copper-ceria interface, proposing a copper bilayer model. The copper-ceria interface was found to be responsible for efficient hydrogen production through low-temperature water-gas shift reactions and CO/CO2 hydrogenation.
Masayuki Wasa, a Boston College Assistant Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship. He will use the $70,000 award to further his research on developing novel catalysts for biologically active molecules and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at EPFL developed a photoelectrocatalytic arene C-H amination method, producing pharmaceutical molecules like metaxalone and benzethonium chloride. Hematite semiconductor is used as a catalyst under visible light, offering a low-cost and energy-efficient alternative to traditional methods.
Scientists have found that local fluctuations on a solid-state catalyst's surface create opportunities for reactant molecules to diffuse and undergo desired reactions. The findings, published in Science, reveal that even with densely packed adsorbed particles, molecular mobility is possible due to periodic changes in particle density.
The inaugural challenge highlighted scientific innovation across the African continent, with five winners selected from over 100 entries. The winners received a $5,000 cash prize and international publicity for their remarkable stories.
A team of researchers at UConn and ExxonMobil have discovered a new, more energy-efficient method for producing acrylics. The technique uses a porous catalyst made of manganese and oxygen to facilitate chemical reactions, resulting in reduced energy consumption and fewer unwanted byproducts.
A team of researchers has developed a strategy to produce renewable lubricant base oils from non-food biomass and fatty acids, offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lubricants. The new method uses catalysis to synthesize the base-oils with tunable properties, making them suitable for a wide r...
Researchers from Yangzhou University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences create a metal-free photocatalyst that can purify pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes with over 99.9999% disinfection efficiency under visible light irradiation. The catalyst's high activity and low ecotoxicity make it a promising approach for global clean water sca...
A novel ruthenium-based catalyst has shown markedly better performance than commercial platinum catalysts in alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production. The electrochemical splitting of water to produce hydrogen is a crucial step in the development of hydrogen as a clean, environmentally friendly fuel.
Scientists at the Institute of Process Engineering and Yangzhou University developed a green water-purification system that purifies pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes, killing over 99.9999% of bacteria like E. coli. The system uses graphitic carbon nitride sheets and does not leave behind secondary pollution or heavy-metal-ion residues.
A team of researchers led by Professor Kang Taek Lee developed a new electrode material that uses nickel to improve the oxidation reaction efficiency of hydrogen. The material exhibits high-performance and high-durability due to the controlled exsolution of nano metal catalysts, which helps stabilize the fuel cell's performance.
Researchers developed a designer enzyme with an unnatural aniline side chain, increasing its activity by a factor of 90. Directed evolution led to variants with higher conversion rates, showing the potential for this method in producing highly effective enzymes.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a new technique to map elemental distributions in metal nanoparticles, potentially leading to more efficient catalysts for energy converting systems. The breakthrough uses spectroscopic single particle reconstruction to reveal atomic-scale chemistry in metal nanoparticles.
Researchers have identified 10 genes encoding transaminases, which can synthesize compounds with special chirality. This breakthrough could aid bioprospecting and genetic engineering programs to produce new medicines.
Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an enzyme-based polymerization method to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET). By using a commercially available enzyme, they successfully produced furan-based copolyesters with improved properties.
Researchers from NTU and SUTD report an asymmetric reaction using a cationic catalyst, converting racemic substrates to asymmetric products via an S_N2X mechanism. The study also reveals an uncommon chemical interaction, halogen bonding, present between the participating molecules.
Researchers at UH have reported a new class of polyethylene catalyst with exceptional turnover frequency and potential for high-strength plastics in medical and other applications. The nickel-based catalyst has the potential to produce ultra-high-weight polyethylene, but further work is needed to improve its commercial viability.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that can efficiently split water molecules using nickel-based hydroxide and polyoxovanadate nanoclusters. The resulting material reduces the required overpotential for electrolysis, making it more efficient and potentially game-changing for renewable energy.
Chemists at the University of Münster have developed a new synthesis method for producing fluorinated piperidines, a breakthrough that could lead to more efficient pharmaceutical production. The new method involves two consecutive steps in one vessel and uses easily accessible starting molecules.
Researchers at Arizona State University are using synthetic biology to study the mechanisms of cellular activities and develop artificial membraneless organelles that can perform complex functions. They aim to exploit liquid-liquid phase separation to create designed structures with potential applications in catalysis and synthetic bio...
Researchers have developed a high-performance catalyst for converting methane to formaldehyde using nanomaterials and a core-shell structure. The catalyst has a stable structure and high reactivity at high temperatures, increasing efficiency by more than twice as much as before.
Researchers have discovered black phosphorus as an excellent catalyst for the electroreduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia. The material exhibits high selectivity and efficiency in this process, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods. However, further improvements are needed to prevent degradation over time.
Researchers have successfully functionalized carboranes using copper catalysis, affording unprecedented C,B-substituted derivatives. The discovery expands the realm of base metal catalyzed transformations and paves the way for novel applications in boron chemistry.
The study imitates the structure and interaction of natural photosystems I and II to create efficient solar cells. The new modules, composed of light-absorbing crystals and water-oxidising catalysts, have an efficiency of over 40% and minimal losses.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified the structure of iridium single-atom catalysts, leading to a 25-fold increase in efficiency compared to traditional catalysts. The study's findings pave the way for designing more cost-efficient and effective catalysts.
Researchers from Mumbai Institute of Chemical Technology developed a simple and efficient method to synthesize unsymmetrical N,N'-disubstituted urea and N-substituted urea derivatives using L-proline as a catalyst. The methodology enables the synthesis of various phenylurea derivatives with excellent yield at mild conditions.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed 15 new types of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides that can act as catalysts in lithium-air batteries. These materials enable batteries to store up to 10 times more energy and charge faster, potentially increasing electric vehicle range to 400-500 miles on a single charge.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have adapted a chemical reaction pathway from plant biology to convert water into hydrogen fuel using solar energy. The new process combines two membrane-bound protein complexes, Photosystem I and II, to perform a complete conversion of water molecules to hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have developed a new synthesis strategy for chiral drugs by harnessing the potential of aldehyde-derived chiral hydroxycarbanions. This breakthrough enables the selective production of one enantiomer of chiral molecules, paving the way for the creation of complex drugs with desired chirality.
A University of Illinois team has created a synthetic manganese catalyst that can oxidize aliphatic scaffolds in the presence of aromatics, enabling chemists to produce new drugs from old ones. The discovery could expedite the drug discovery process and identify metabolites without requiring new syntheses.
John Tilton will receive funding to develop a nanoPOD platform to deliver therapies to specific tissues in mice affected by genetic disease. The project aims to address the challenge of delivering nanoscale therapeutics to the right location inside the body.
Scientists at University of Gættingen have developed an environmentally friendly strategy for drug and pesticide production, leveraging the properties of naturally occurring non-toxic metal manganese. The new approach reduces waste and uses water instead of toxic solvents.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel catalyst using manganese dioxide (MnO2) that accelerates the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, generating new raw materials for bio-based plastics. The team found that the crystal structure of MnO2 is crucial for catalytic activity.
Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China have developed an advanced characterization technique to study the realistic structure of catalysts in water electrolysis. The team used operando synchrotron radiation XAFS technology to identify the atomic-level structure and dynamic evolution of active sites in cobalt...
Researchers at Pitt develop a two-dimensional, shape-changing sheet that wraps, flaps and creeps in a reactant-filled fluid. The team introduces a coating of catalysts on the flexible sheet, initiating motion and reconfiguration through catalytic chemical reactions.
Researchers developed a new catalyst composed of platinum and nickel, which is more efficient than pure platinum. The study used ultrabright x-rays to reveal the growth pathway and chemical characterization of the nanoparticles in real time.
Researchers have found that copper's electron structure can be altered, enabling it to act as a noble metal in catalyzing the preliminary hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate into methyl glycolate with high selectivity. The 'frozen' state of copper at zero valence is crucial for this process.
A team from Osaka University has made a groundbreaking discovery using non-cryogenic crystals to analyze protein conformational changes and thermodynamic properties. This breakthrough technique allows for precise temperature control, providing valuable insights into the structure and function of enzymes.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed an electrocatalytic mechanism that mimics the mammalian lung's gas exchange process, enabling more efficient conversion of water into hydrogen fuel. The design uses a thin membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, reducing energy costs and increasing current density rates.
A dirhodium catalyst makes an inert C-H bond reactive, turning chemical 'trash' to 'treasure.' The catalyst achieves exquisite control over the reaction, producing value-added molecules with high selectivity and minimal byproducts.
A team from the Technical University of Munich has achieved photochemical deracemization of chiral compounds, converting a mixture into a single enantiomer with high concentrations up to 97 percent. This method saves time and energy by utilizing all molecules in the process.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a copper catalyst that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels without wasteful byproducts. This breakthrough could enable the production of renewable fuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a novel di-cationic ionic liquid catalyst for the solvent-free synthesis of xanthenediones. The method produces excellent yields and short reaction times with minimal catalyst loss.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new method for glycosylation, using a precisely designed hydrogen-bond-donor catalyst to attach sugars to molecules. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of crucial biomedical benefits such as new vaccines and drugs to treat human disorders and diseases.
Researchers developed a cheap and effective new catalyst that can split water just as efficiently as costly platinum. The catalyst is made from nanometer-thin sheets of metal carbide and is manufactured using a self-assembly process that relies on gelatin, similar to Jell-O.
Researchers have developed a novel platinum-cobalt core-shell alloy catalyst that improves the utilization of platinum in fuel cells, enabling the use of smaller amounts of the costly precious metal. The new catalyst also enhances durability compared to previous technologies.
Researchers developed a method to obtain polyester from plant oil by functionalizing polymerization, preventing loss of Undecenol and disrupting molecular chain-building process. The concept has potential transfer applications for other renewable resources.
Researchers developed a method to screen different catalysts for converting light alkanes into olefins, potentially providing a more economical solution for olefins production. The breakthrough could be a game-changer in the petrochemical and polymer industries.
A new low-cost catalyst made of copper, nickel and chromium enhances hydrogen production from water under neutral pH conditions. This breakthrough enables the use of renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, which can be stored for clean power on demand.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy to probe the hydrogen bonds that modulate the chemical reactivity of enzymes, catalysts, and biomimetic complexes. The study provides valuable information on how systematic changes to hydrogen bonds within the secondary coordination sphere influen...
Researchers developed a novel method to adjust catalyst nanoparticle size during continuous flow, optimizing chemical reactions and reducing testing time. The technique improved the performance of metal-carrier catalysts, producing desired compounds with specific properties.