Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers have discovered an inexpensive and easily produced metal-free catalyst that performs better than platinum in oxygen-reduction reactions. The catalyst is more stable and tolerant of carbon monoxide poisoning and methanol crossover.
A new catalyst, based on carbon nanotubes, shows high oxygen reduction reaction activity in alkaline media, critical for efficient storage of electrical energy. This breakthrough could enable economical lithium-air batteries to power electric vehicles and provide reliable energy storage for intermittent green energy sources.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a high-efficiency zinc-air battery with improved catalytic activity and durability, paving the way for a low-cost alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Duke University engineers have created a novel method for producing clean hydrogen, reducing carbon monoxide levels to nearly zero. This approach uses a new catalytic process with nanoparticle combinations of gold and iron oxide, making it a more practical option.
A study by Georgia Tech researchers reveals that RNA can catalyze single electron transfer in oxygen-free environments with the assistance of iron. This process suggests that complex biochemical transformations may have been possible when life began on Earth, and could even revive a latent function of RNA.
A team of researchers is studying the protein structure and reaction dynamics of a key photosynthesis catalyst. They aim to understand the intermediate stages necessary for the oxidation of water, which could help develop sustainable solar energy solutions.
University of Illinois researchers created a novel approach to produce highly uniform Pt icosahedral nanocrystals using the hot injection-assisted GRAILS method. The synthesis results in high-purity products with ideal models for studying structure-property relationships.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a low-cost, stable, and effective catalyst that can produce hydrogen in an environmentally friendly manner. The catalyst, made from renewable soybeans and abundant molybdenum metal, has the potential to increase the use of clean energy sources.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective method to convert ethanol into butanol, a more efficient and sustainable fuel source. The new catalysts enable higher selectivity and conversion rates, making butanol an attractive alternative to gasoline.
The artificial leaf, a simple catalyst-coated wafer of silicon, can now run on impure water, making it suitable for providing electricity in developing countries. The device uses hydrogen and oxygen produced by sunlight to generate fuel that can power homes and portable generators.
Controlling the shape of nanometer-sized catalytic particles is crucial for optimizing their activity and selectivity in applications such as catalytic converters, fuel cells, and chemical catalysis. Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining these shapes. The research found that varying temperature and deposition rate can control ...
Research from Nobel laureates presented at the American Chemical Society meeting includes advances in green chemistry and understanding of molecular structures. The work has significant implications for industries such as medicine and energy production.
Researchers use PALM microscopy technique to analyze enzyme cocktails and find specific targets for cellulase synergy. This reveals how different combinations of enzymes can generate synergistic activity, increasing saccharification efficiencies and reducing biofuel production costs.
Researchers developed an inexpensive and green procedure for catalytic acetylation of phenols and alcohols using Amberlyst-15. The catalyst exhibits excellent potential for sustainability, allowing mild and selective transformations under heterogeneous conditions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute illuminate the copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, revealing key findings on its mechanism. The discovery enables better control, efficiency, and versatility in pharmaceutical synthesis, enabling the development of new reactions.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have developed a new, affordable catalyst for converting electricity into chemical energy, enabling the efficient storage and reuse of solar and wind power. The breakthrough technology has the potential to support a large-scale clean energy economy.
Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...
Researchers at Brown University have made a breakthrough in making acrylate by combining carbon dioxide with ethylene, potentially leading to a cheaper and more sustainable way to produce the commodity chemical. The team discovered that Lewis acids can break open a five-membered ring, allowing for the formation of acrylate.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed ultra-thin films of nickel and iron oxides that demonstrate high catalytic activity for forming oxygen from water. The nickel-iron oxide catalyst was found to be most effective when just 0.4 nanometers thick, making it a promising material for solar-hydrogen production.
Scientists create artificial DNA catalysts that can modify amino acids in proteins, altering their function. This breakthrough could lead to new tools for studying protein modifications and developing practical applications.
Researchers directly verified a state of transition where molecules hover above the catalyst before flying away, opening up possibilities for improving catalysts. This study uses the world's strongest X-ray laser to observe ultrafast chemical reactions in real-time.
Scientists used ultrafast X-ray pulses to study a chemical reaction in real-time, revealing surprising details of a short-lived early state at the catalyst's surface. The study offers important clues about how catalysts work, which is essential for producing new energy sources and reducing pollution.
Researchers at SISSA have simulated a catalyst that mimics nature's process of producing 'green' fuel from sunlight. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses Ru4-POM to oxidize water and produce hydrogen, paving the way for cost-effective and efficient energy storage.
New experiments show that complex molecules can form in icy grains in space, potentially bringing the building blocks of life to Earth. The discovery opens the door to comets or meteorites as a source for life's origins.
Researchers develop fast and efficient iron-based molecule that splits hydrogen gas into electricity, rivaling commercial catalysts. The breakthrough could make fuel cells more economical, addressing the high cost of platinum used in current systems.
Researchers used an X-ray laser to study the structure and chemical behavior of a natural catalyst involved in photosynthesis. The breakthrough, made possible by ultrafast and ultrabright X-ray pulses, provides insights into atomic-scale transformations in photosynthesis and other biological processes.
Berkeley Lab and SLAC researchers demonstrate simultaneous diffraction/spectroscopy of metalloenzymes using ultrafast, intensely bright X-ray pulses. The study provides critical snapshots of the photosystem II machinery's design principles for artificial light-driven catalysts.
Researchers have made significant progress in producing hydrogen fuel from water using enzymes inspired by bacteria. Their artificial catalyst is stable and efficient, making it a cost-effective way to produce hydrogen.
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä Nanoscience Center used computational modeling to understand how redox chemistry affects the binding of gold particles on modified calcium oxide surfaces. They found that the energy released during a redox reaction correlates with the ability of the dopant metal atom to donate an electron.
Researchers have created new biocatalysts using the power of protein engineering and evolution, allowing nature's premier oxidation catalyst to drive synthetically useful reactions. This breakthrough enables the production of pharmaceutical drugs and natural products in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.
Researchers at Northwestern University and UVA develop novel process to produce ethylene from methane using sulfur as a 'soft' oxidant. The conversion process uses sulfide catalysts to limit over-reaction of methane, producing hydrocarbon fragments that react to form ethylene.
Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla have solved two acute problems in chemical catalysis using a novel intramolecularly assisted catalyst for beta amino acid synthesis. They also identified a new mechanism for the amine-catalysed Michael addition reaction between aldehydes and nitroalkenes.
The collaboration aims to improve vapor phase upgrading during the biomass pyrolysis process, enabling the production of lignocellulose-based fuels at a competitive cost. The partnership seeks to develop catalytic materials that can convert biomass vapors into liquid fuels suitable for transportation.
Researchers developed nanofiber mats of metal oxide that scrub sulfur from fuels, improving performance for catalysis, energy applications, and toxic gas removal. The material stays stable and active after several cycles, with a fibrous structure granting immunity to sintering.
Researchers found that consensus and cooperation are the norm within Congress, with most major programs renewed every 4-6 years. Manufactured crises like the 'fiscal cliff' often serve as catalysts for significant policy changes.
UC Davis chemists used a Japanese synchrotron to study hydrogenases, natural catalysts that power the 'hydrogen economy'. They discovered new details about the iron-nickel complex, revealing how atoms can move in the enzymes.
Scientists discovered a reaction site on the perimeter of gold-titanium complex that enables catalysis. The oxide surface plays an important role in modifying the metals above it, leading to the creation of valuable hydrocarbon fuels.
Researchers have developed 'nanobowls' to shield metal catalysts from harsh conditions during biofuel refining. The nanoscale structures can be tailored to enhance functionality and specificity, showing promise for improving the efficiency of biofuel conversion.
A new graphene-cobalt material has been developed that can catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction nearly as well as platinum, with improved durability. The material is substantially cheaper than platinum and has shown promise for use in hydrogen fuel cells.
Scientists created primitive cell-like structures that infused with RNA, demonstrating how molecules react under conditions similar to early Earth. The model showed increased chemical reactions by up to 70-fold when RNA was densely packed, highlighting the importance of compartmentalization in early life forms.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a synthetic enzyme that stabilizes drug molecules, making them resistant to breakdown by the human liver. This approach could lead to improved existing drugs and easier production of radioactive tracer versions for medical imaging.
Researchers have discovered that the critical temperature for catalytic ignition depends on the material used and crystallographic orientation of metal granules. The findings suggest that a more efficient catalytic converter can be built by optimizing these factors, potentially reducing emissions and costs.
A study analyzing ten brands of cigarettes found significant variations in the concentrations of harmful and carcinogenic substances, which are not regulated by law. The researchers developed catalysts to reduce the toxicity levels of tobacco, including a material that reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 23%.
Rice University researchers have developed a nanoreactor theory to predict graphene formation, which can advance the material's quality and electronic properties. The team found that the shape of the graphene edge pattern is dictated by the most efficient use of energy, with skewed edges growing fastest.
Researchers at Caltech have determined the dominant mechanism of cobalt catalysts, which involves a key reactive intermediate gaining an extra electron. This finding illuminates the road to developing better catalysts and suggests a route to creating extremely active iron catalysts.
A new study by bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego, challenges the long-held paradigm that enzymes are highly efficient and specific in catalyzing chemical reactions. The researchers found that at least 37 percent of E. coli's enzymes catalyze multiple metabolic reactions in actively growing cells.
A new imaging technique has been developed to measure catalytical reactions of single nanoparticles and multiple particles printed in arrays. This allows researchers to determine the relationship between efficiency and nanoparticle size, shape, and composition, enabling fast screening of different nanoparticles.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a cheap catalyst that produces hydrogen efficiently in water, paving the way for green hydrogen production. The breakthrough could enable the development of sustainable energy solutions.
Researchers at IBN have developed a more powerful and longer lasting fuel cell material using a mixture of gold and copper nanoparticles. The new hybrid material can produce 5 times higher activity and much greater stability than commercial platinum catalysts.
University of Oregon chemists have identified a catalyst that dramatically reduces waste made in methyl methacrylate production, a process used for lightweight glass alternatives. The new catalyst overcomes fundamental chemical reasons why previous catalysts failed, enabling efficient conversion to methyl methacrylate.
Scientists have developed new solar-energy conversion devices using abundant, less-expensive materials like copper and zinc. These devices break records for electrical current and voltage achieved by existing solar cells, bringing the cost of electricity closer to that of coal-fired power plants.
A new process converts municipal waste to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel using Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion technology. This process produces a finished, ready-to-use liquid hydrocarbon fuel with the flexibility to use various feedstocks and production costs significantly lower than fossil fuels.
Nobel laureates including Robert H. Grubbs and Richard R. Schrock present cutting-edge research on metathesis method and biodegradable polymers, advancing green chemistry and sustainable materials science. The presentations also explore innovative applications for plastics, medicines, and energy.
Researchers at UT Dallas have identified a material called mullite that can reduce pollution produced by diesel engines by up to 45% compared to platinum catalysts. The discovery opens new possibilities for creating renewable, clean energy technology without relying on precious metals.
Researchers have developed a material that catalyzes the burning of methane 30 times better than currently available catalysts. The discovery could lead to a cleaner and cheaper way of generating energy from natural gas, potentially reducing emissions of powerful greenhouse gas.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a DNA 'genetic code' that can shape gold nanoparticles into various forms, such as hexagons, stars, and discs. The code is based on the sequence of four DNA bases - A, T, G, and C - which bind to different facets of gold nanoseeds and direct their growth pathways.
A Case Western Reserve University researcher suggests that using platinum in fuel cells is inefficient due to energy loss, prompting the search for alternative catalysts. The ideal bonding strength between platinum and intermediate molecules can improve efficiency.
Kendall Houk and colleagues have made unprecedented progress in understanding the Diels-Alder reaction, a pivotal mechanism in synthesizing polymers and steroids. Their research reveals that two bonds form simultaneously within five femtoseconds on average.
Researchers create ultra-thin zeolite nanosheets catalyst for faster chemical reactions in industries; increased efficiencies could lower costs for consumers. The discovery improves production per manufacturing dollar, leading to potential cost drops for gasoline and other products.
Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed a catalyst that provides similar efficiency to platinum in microbial fuel cells but at 5% of the cost. The material, nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods, has potential for replacing platinum catalysts in hydrogen-producing microbial electrolysis cells.