Articles tagged with Catalysis
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists have developed a novel method for extracting oil from algae using supercritical carbon dioxide, reducing energy consumption and costs. The new process could make biodiesel production from algae more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly.
The study found that iron is the best and quickest catalyst to heal topological defects in nanotubes, which are critical for advanced materials. The researchers determined that healing occurs in a small zone near the catalyst and can happen in a fraction of a millisecond.
Researchers have found a condition that creates hydrogen faster without losing efficiency. The results provide insights into making better materials for energy production. The team discovered that an acidic ionic liquid can improve the catalyst's performance by uncoupling speed and efficiency.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a super-strength polypropylene that could replace steel in everyday products, reducing pollution and increasing energy efficiency. The new material is cheaper to produce and more durable than traditional plastics, making it a promising alternative for industries such as car manufacturing.
A research team at Case Western Reserve University discovered that gold catalysts in the form of a triangle or higher order structures can produce longer, faster-growing nanowires. These wires could be used to build next-generation invisible computer chips and highly-sensitive sensors.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology found a special iron-oxide surface that locks single gold atoms in place, allowing them to study the chemical reactivity of individual atoms. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient catalysts, requiring less precious material.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new type of carbon nanotube that can enhance catalytic activity without compromising electrical conductivity. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient fuel cells and metal-air batteries, reducing reliance on expensive platinum catalysts.
A new high-throughput method identifies promising electrocatalysts for water oxidation, enabling the efficient storage of solar energy. The technique uses ultraviolet light and a fluorescent paint to test metal-oxide electrocatalysts, accelerating the discovery process.
Researchers have found that even tiny amounts of water can accelerate hydrogen diffusion on metal oxides by 16 orders of magnitude at room temperature. This process, known as proton transfer, enables rapid hydrogen atom movement and has significant implications for industries such as petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new electrocatalyst that efficiently generates hydrogen gas from water without using platinum. The novel nickel-molybdenum-nitride nanosheet catalyst outperforms traditional non-noble metal compounds and has the potential to unlock sustainable energy alternatives.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have identified potential new targets for PARP-1 inhibitors, which could lead to more effective cancer treatments. The study revealed specialized 'zinc finger' domains on the protein that can be inhibited without affecting other cellular functions.
Chemical engineers at UMass Amherst have discovered a new method to produce p-xylene with an efficient yield of 75%, using most of the biomass feedstock. The process creates the same chemical used in petroleum-based plastics, but from renewable biomass sources.
Engineers at Stanford University have developed a novel method to decorate nanowires with nanoparticles, increasing surface area and altering surface chemistry. This technique may lead to improved lithium-ion batteries, more efficient thin-film solar cells and enhanced catalysts.
Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered the importance of a hydrogen bonding water network in photosystem II, a critical step in photosynthesis. The study suggests that mimicking this process could provide new supplies of oxygen and hydrogen as a by-product of electricity production.
Researchers have developed environmentally-friendly iron-based nanoparticle catalysts that work as well as expensive metal-based catalysts. This breakthrough reduces the need for toxic and expensive organic ligands, making industrial syntheses more cost-effective.
Researchers at Stanford University have directly observed plasmon resonances in individual metal particles measuring down to one nanometer in diameter. This discovery could lead to advancements in catalytic processes, cancer research and treatment, and quantum computing.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have found a safe and reversible way to store hydrogen fuel by connecting it to carbon dioxide in a mildly basic solution. The reaction can be reversed by adding acid, making it suitable for use in hydrogen fuel vehicles and other high-powered systems.
A research team from UCF created a new structure that layers cheaper elements with gold and palladium to enhance energy conversion rates in hydrogen fuel cells. This approach could make the technology more cost-effective and practical for large-scale use.
Researchers at Brown University created a triple-headed metallic nanoparticle that generates higher current per unit of mass than any other nanoparticle catalyst tested, with good durability as well as good activity. The FePtAu nanoparticle removes carbon monoxide from the reaction, improving performance and stability.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that single atoms of palladium can catalyze industrially important chemical reactions, including the hydrogenation of acetylene. The findings offer significant economic and environmental benefits by reducing costs and waste associated with traditional catalysts.
Chemists at UC Berkeley have developed a new, edge-based catalyst that can efficiently produce hydrogen from water. The breakthrough could lead to more affordable and efficient fuel cell technology, reducing emissions and increasing the use of clean-burning fuels.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that iron pyrite, commonly known as 'Fool's Gold', has catalytic properties. The study focused on the reactions between iron pyrite and nitrogen oxides, an extremely poisonous class of compounds produced by car engines and industrial power plants.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a technique to create molecular analogs of the active part of molybdenite, a widely used industrial catalyst. This method holds promise for creating catalytic materials that can generate hydrogen gas from acidic water at lower costs and with greater efficiency.
Researchers at TUM have developed a new way to create highly efficient catalysts using metal clusters with unusual symmetry. These clusters, similar to Matryoshka dolls, can serve as catalysts in chemical reactions, such as hydrogen transfer and hydration reactions.
A new catalytic process at Cardiff University converts hydrocarbons from diesel production into oxygenated aromatics, including phthalic anhydride and coumarin. This breakthrough could lead to less waste and the creation of more useful chemicals for various industries.
Chemical engineers at UMass Amherst develop a new catalyst that boosts the yield of five key petrochemicals from biomass by 40%, creating a sustainable and competitive production process. This breakthrough could reduce industry's reliance on fossil fuels, worth an estimated $400 billion annually.
Researchers at TUM introduce a new catalytic process that effectively converts biopetroleum from microalgae into diesel fuels. The process uses a novel catalyst and achieves the conversion of raw, untreated algae oil under mild conditions, producing diesel-range saturated hydrocarbons suitable for high-grade vehicle fuels.
The new electrocatalysts have high activity, stability, and durability while containing only about one tenth the platinum of conventional catalysts used in fuel cells. This reduction leads to lower costs and environmental benefits by producing no harmful emissions.
Aalto University researchers have developed a new method to manufacture fuel cells that requires 60% less costly catalyst, significantly reducing production costs. This innovation enables the creation of more economical alcohol fuel cells using palladium as a catalyst.
Researchers have discovered a novel route for synthesizing EMT zeolites with large pores at near ambient temperature and low pressure. This approach avoids the use of expensive templates, enabling potential industrial applications in catalysis and adsorption.