Articles tagged with Catalysis
Researchers at Northwestern University have produced an atomic picture showing how RNase P recognizes and cleaves transfer RNA, revealing the versatility and complexity of RNA as a catalyst. The study supports the idea that RNA played a crucial role in the emergence of life.
Scientists have developed a new fuel-cell catalyst with a palladium core that protects precious platinum and enhances its reactivity. The new catalyst maintains high levels of activity even after 100,000 cycles of testing, compared to conventional catalysts that lose nearly 70% of their reactivity.
A University of Oklahoma research team has established a new Center for Interfacial Reaction Engineering, focusing on biofuel and fossil fuel upgrading using revolutionary nanocatalysts. The $2.9M grant will accelerate reactions at the interface of water and oil, creating emulsions for refining processes.
Duke University researchers discovered that smaller catalyst particle size is crucial for improving efficiency in chemical reactions. The team found that the surface-to-volume ratio of the catalyst particle is more important than previously thought, leading to faster reactions.
Cost-cutting advances in metallocene catalysts have led to production of stronger, more durable polyethylene plastics. These upgraded plastics are used in a range of consumer products, including garbage bags and camping cookware.
New research evidence reveals gold nanoclusters can break the O-O bond by forming a novel one-dimensional gold-oxide phase. This mechanism is predicted to dominate at ambient conditions, enabling catalysts to use ambient oxygen in reaction processes.
Researchers used transmission electron microscopy to study the effects of increasing hydrogen concentrations on iron metal catalysts. They found that too much hydrogen causes fibers with thick walls, instead of nanotubes, or no growth at all.
Scientists create a synthetic structure that mimics the behavior of PCR enzymes, allowing for highly sensitive detection of small molecules. The new catalysts could lead to advancements in medical diagnostics, forensics, and environmental monitoring.
A new, less expensive catalyst for hydrogen purification has been discovered using platinum on standard support metal oxides. The research team developed a platinum-based catalyst that is highly active and stable at low temperatures, reducing the need for rare-earth elements like cerium.
A new catalyst formula, developed by Rice Professor Michael Wong and his team, can improve the efficiency of gasoline production and make it better for the environment. The catalyst turns straight-line molecules into branched n-pentane, resulting in a higher-octane gasoline.
Ayusman Sen, a renowned Penn State chemist, has been awarded the prestigious Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) Medal. His research focuses on developing novel catalysts and antimicrobial polymers with diverse applications.
Researchers suggest molecular structures involving transition metals could catalyze the synthesis of basic biochemicals, leading to the origin of life. The model proposes that simple transition metal-ligand complexes in hydrothermal ocean vents catalyzed reactions that gave rise to more complex molecules.
Researchers have identified mechanisms allowing a common soil bacterium to recover precious metals from industrial waste. The discovery of 'BioPd' has great potential for generating clean energy and cleaning pollutants.
Scientists have discovered a powerful new catalyst that can boost oxygen production in fuel cells by 200-fold, advancing the development of personalized energy systems. This breakthrough could enable homes and businesses to produce their own clean energy for heating, cooling, and powering cars.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a new catalyst that could make fuel cells more stable and conk-out free, using platinum nanoparticles on titanium oxide with added tungsten. The material is more stable and less expensive than pure platinum, allowing it to work with hydrogen fuels containing up to 2% carbon monoxide.
NIST nanowires grown through precisely defined holes in a stencil-like mask covering the silicon wafer exhibit excellent mechanical quality factors and controlled diameter placement. The technique enables precise control of wire location, resulting in uniform shape and size of nearly perfect hexagonal shapes.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found an innovative process to produce hydrogen from used cooking oil, generating some of the energy needed and producing a nearly carbon-neutral byproduct. This breakthrough technology has the potential to power cars, large-scale power plants, and even reduce energy loss during transmission.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab found that high-pressure conditions can create nanoclusters of platinum, which may be more stable than single crystals. This discovery has implications for the future use of platinum in fuel cells and could potentially reduce costs.
Researchers have achieved unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution in single-shot images of nanoparticulate catalysts, enabling time-resolved imaging of particles as small as 30 nanometers. This breakthrough could greatly improve catalyst efficiency in various processes crucial to energy security.
Researchers have developed a unique core and shell nanoparticle that uses far less platinum yet performs more efficiently and lasts longer than commercially available pure-platinum catalysts. The new catalyst generates 12 times more current than existing models, offering a promising advance in fuel-cell technology.
Warren Piers, a University of Calgary chemist, has developed a faster catalyst for olefin metathesis reactions. This breakthrough enables more efficient production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels while reducing energy costs and waste. The discovery opens up new applications and markets.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered an inexpensive metal catalyst that can effectively generate hydrogen gas from water, offering a promising solution for renewable energy technologies. The catalyst, based on molybdenum-oxo metal complex, has high catalytic activity and stability in aqueous media.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a synthetic enzyme that can selectively bind with proteins and attach tags for identification. The method has shown promise in identifying signaling proteins involved in health and disease, including those related to cancer.
Researchers have uncovered a new pathway of microRNA generation, revealing why Argonaute2 proteins are necessary in mammals. This alternative route bypasses the Dicer enzyme, allowing Ago2 to directly mature and regulate genes.
Researchers at Rice University and their international colleagues created ultra-fine air filters using carbon nanotube membranes. These filters can remove up to 99% of particles smaller than a micron, outperforming traditional HEPA filters.
Chunshan Song has been awarded the Henry H. Storch Award in Fuel Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for his outstanding contributions to clean fuels and catalysis research. His work focuses on developing innovative methods for producing advanced thermally stable jet fuels and removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have identified a new class of silver-based catalysts for producing propylene oxide with few by-products at low temperatures. The study uses nanoscale clusters of silver to achieve high selectivity and efficiency in the production process.
A team of MIT researchers has made significant progress on lithium-air batteries by identifying metal catalysts that can improve efficiency and increase energy density. The study finds that electrodes with gold or platinum catalysts show higher activity and efficiency than simple carbon electrodes.
The software uses advanced algorithms to form automatic social networks among researchers based on shared interests and collaborations. Harvard Catalyst will continue to develop the software with support from Recombinant Data Corp., an authorized service provider.
Emory chemists develop most potent homogeneous catalyst for water oxidation, a crucial component for clean hydrogen fuel. The cobalt-based catalyst surpasses previous WOCs in selectivity, stability, and speed.
Researchers develop method to efficiently turn carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using visible light, a process similar to what organisms naturally do. The technique has potential applications in producing electricity or hydrogen and could be scaled up with mass production of the catalyst.
A team of UW-Madison engineers has developed a highly efficient process that converts gamma-valerolactone into the chemical equivalent of jet fuel, preserving about 95% of the energy from biomass. The process requires little hydrogen input and captures carbon dioxide for future use.
A team of scientists from the University of Colorado has created a tiny RNA molecule that can catalyze protein synthesis, a crucial reaction for the building blocks of life. This breakthrough supports the 'RNA World' hypothesis, proposing that life on Earth evolved from early forms of RNA.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Oxford University have developed a new method to understand surface layers of atoms, critical for material properties. The bond-valence-sum method has shown how to arrange atoms on surfaces, enabling predictions of material behavior.
A Rice University researcher has found a way to transfer forests of aligned carbon nanotubes from one surface to another in minutes. The technique uses water vapor to weaken chemical bonds between the tubes and the catalyst particles, allowing for precise control over the diameter of the nanotubes
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new visible light photocatalyst that can kill bacteria and viruses, even after the light is turned off. The catalyst's unique catalytic memory effect allows it to continue killing pathogens for up to 24 hours.
Researchers have grown virtual Persian carpets of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) on substrates made from simple catalysts, achieving perfect quality. The new technique enables precise control over nanotube growth, opening up possibilities for high-powered electronics and water-repellent surfaces.
A Brandeis study directly visualizes protein structures crucial for enzyme catalysis at high-energy states, suggesting new molecular sites for potential drug targets. The research reveals the importance of protein dynamics in enzyme function, offering insights into protein function and potential avenues for targeted drug design.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh developed metallic nanoparticles that can withstand temperatures of over 850 degrees Celsius. By sacrificing weaker components as temperatures rise, these particles maintain their structure and continue to catalyze reactions efficiently.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute create a novel catalyst that efficiently converts methane to methanol, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The breakthrough could help address global natural gas shortages and support the chemical industry.
Researchers from Lehigh and Rice universities have developed a novel electron microscopy imaging study to shed light on the nanostructure and nanoscale behavior of a tungstated zirconia solid acid catalyst. The team successfully identified active species, including tungsten oxide clusters, that can improve catalytic performance.
Scientists at the University of Utah demonstrated a conclusive link between the size of catalyst particles on a solid surface and their ability to speed chemical reactions. The study focused on metal nanoparticles, finding that smaller sizes lead to increased electronic properties and catalytic activity.
Researchers have uncovered a complex heteromeric structure of the essential enzyme PPCDC in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, composed of non-identical proteins. The discovery sheds new light on CoA biosynthesis and presents potential targets for antifungal therapy.
Researchers at Harvard University found that similar molecular changes turned a harmless digestive enzyme into a toxin in two unrelated species, a shrew and a lizard. The study suggests that protein adaptation may be a highly predictable process, potentially leading to the discovery of other toxins across various species.
A new method using laser light can convert methane into methanol, producing a low-cost, clean fuel that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process also yields hydrogen for fuel cells and other industrial applications.
Scientists at the University of Washington and North Carolina have made a breakthrough in converting methane to methanol, a liquid that can be transported easily. This discovery could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly production of chemicals and fuels.
Researchers at UC Riverside successfully created metal-free 'abnormal N-heterocyclic carbenes', which are highly reactive molecules used to make catalysts. These carbenes are stable and can be used in numerous catalytic chemical reactions, greatly benefiting industry.
Dr. Óscar Custance has been awarded the 2009 Feynman Prize for Experimental Work in Nanotechnology for his pioneering research in atomic-scale precision. His work could lead to more effective catalysts for hydrogen fuel production. The prize recognizes advancements toward molecular manufacturing.
Researchers have developed a method to control the formation of carbon nanotubes, which can be used as semiconductors or metals. The breakthrough could lead to more powerful, compact and energy-efficient computers and ultra-thin electronic circuits.
Ethylene, a gas crucial for fruit ripening and industrial chemistry, can reversibly bind to tin atoms, according to a new UC Davis study. The discovery has implications for understanding catalytic processes, which are essential in both living cells and industrial settings.
The study shows that aluminum atoms in the supporting material anchor platinum atoms, allowing them to group into rafts that provide ample space for catalytic reactions. Increasing the number of penta sites by raising the temperature during catalyst synthesis can lead to better dispersion of the platinum atoms.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a method to control the structure and function of single-walled carbon nanotubes. By varying the composition of a metal catalyst, they can produce semiconducting nanotubes with desired properties, opening up new possibilities for applications such as medicine delivery and en...
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have developed a computational model that optimizes fuel cell catalysts by increasing particle size, reducing degradation and extending the lifespan of fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective fuel cells for widespread use.
Rice University chemists have developed a polymer-coated platinum-gold nanorod catalyst that can be used in organic solvents favored by the chemical and drug industries. The coated particles exhibit nearly 100% catalytic selectivity, making them attractive to industry.
Brown University researchers have discovered that yttrium and nickel, two metal catalysts used to form carbon nanotubes, interfere with critical signaling transactions in neurons. Removing these metals can lead to the development of safe treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and paralysis.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered new deoxyribozymes capable of cleaving single-stranded DNA with sequence and site selectivity. These DNA catalysts require two metal ions and hold promise for developing more efficient methods for manipulating DNA.
A team of MIT chemists has created a new synthesis technique that allows for the easy addition of fluorine atoms to aromatic compounds, commonly used in drugs. This breakthrough could lead to more flexible and cost-effective drug design and development.
Researchers at NYU have created molecules with a twist, allowing them to selectively interact with target molecules and catalyze chemical transformations. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new drugs and complex chemical structures.
Researchers at MIT have successfully grown carbon nanotubes without a metal catalyst, using zirconium oxide instead, which could improve electronic performance and material strength
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have identified key characteristics of a rhodium-based catalyst that efficiently releases hydrogen from ammonia borane. The study provides new insights into the catalytic reaction, shedding light on the hardest part of the process and suggesting ways to improve the catalyst.