Articles tagged with Catalysis
Virginia Tech researchers have made significant progress in understanding how to convert water into hydrogen gas using photochemical processes. They have developed molecular assemblies that absorb light more efficiently and activate conversion, which has implications for the production of clean energy.
Researchers have designed new cyclic alkyl amino carbenes (CAACs) that enhance stability and efficiency of metal catalysts. These carbene-based catalysts facilitate faster chemical transformations at lower temperatures, reducing costs in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Researchers at UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering have successfully fabricated a transistor-like structure using customized Y-shaped carbon nanotubes, exhibiting rapid switching speeds and three-way gating capability. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new nanotechnology devices with improved functionality.
Researchers have developed porous support materials that can withstand the rigors of high-temperature reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. The new materials satisfy all three key requirements for a catalyst support: high surface area, stability at high temperatures, and low pressure drop.
Illinois chemists have discovered a way to produce a highly porous network of molybdenum disulfide that preferentially exposes catalytic edges, improving sulfur removal efficiency. The new method uses ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and can be scaled up for industrial applications.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a method to couple synthetic molecules onto gold nanoparticles, mimicking the natural biological catalyst of the marine sponge. This discovery represents a low-temperature, biotechnological route to producing valuable nanomaterials.
The study found that improving catalyst particle surface characteristics increases reaction rate efficiency and reduces expensive catalyst needed. Catalyst particles adhere better to gas bubbles with these modifications, resulting in increased efficiency.
Scientists at UCSD successfully shape carbon nanotubes into sharp bends, enabling new applications in atomic force microscopy and fuel cells. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient and compact electronic devices.
Researchers at Rutgers University develop nanostructured iridium surfaces to extract hydrogen from ammonia, enabling efficient fuel cell operation. The process could contribute to the solution of hydrogen economy's storage and transport obstacles.
Researchers have discovered that the loss of sulphur atoms from hydroprocessing catalysts is a key cause of their deactivation. This process can lead to a decrease in the catalyst's ability to convert sulphur compounds into clean fuels.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new, more efficient catalyst to produce hydrogen from coal. The catalyst outperforms a commercially available alternative by up to 25 percent and shows promise for large-scale coal gasification.
Researchers found that ceria nanoparticles with zirconium and gold improve oxygen storage and release, leading to more efficient catalytic converters. This technology holds promise for a cleaner future.
The Purdue team used a unique method to study the oxidation of methane on a palladium catalyst, revealing that the rate is always the same regardless of the surface exposed. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient catalytic combustion technology, reducing pollution and improving energy efficiency.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Institute of Technology developed bimetallic nanoparticles that can break down TCE, a toxic organic pollutant found in US groundwater. The particles increase the efficiency of TCE remediation by several orders of magnitude compared to bulk catalysts.
High-intensity ultrasound is used to generate nanoparticles of molybdenum disulfide or oxide, which bind to tiny silica spheres. Hollow shells are then created by etching away the silica, resulting in nanospheres with increased edge-surface area for enhanced catalytic activity.
Computer simulations have revealed that gold is an effective catalyst when it's in clusters of eight to two dozen atoms, and electrical charging plays a crucial role. This breakthrough has opened up new avenues for exploring environmental effects on catalysis.
Researchers have developed an efficient new strategy to synthesize a natural marine product with promising anti-tuberculosis activity, overcoming challenges of conventional chemistry. The breakthrough enables the production of gram quantities in just days, paving the way for developing potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.
Saba Valadkhan, an Iranian-born scientist, has solved the 20-year mystery of splicing catalysis by proving that purified U2 and U6 snRNAs have catalytic activity. Her discovery has implications for understanding cell growth control, differentiation, and disease.
Researchers isolated a highly reactive iron-sulfur complex from a bacterium, which outperforms current industrial catalysts in reactivity. The discovery could lead to the development of new, more efficient chemical processes and materials.
Researchers aim to develop new catalysts that can convert water into hydrogen with improved efficiency, reducing energy consumption by up to 40%. The project seeks to replicate nature's process of splitting water into oxygen and protons using manganese-based catalyst materials.
Researchers have found that gold nanoclusters can become electrically charged when anchored to defects in a magnesium oxide catalytic bed. This charging mechanism enables the transfer of an electron to reacting molecules, weakening chemical bonds and allowing reactions to occur at low temperatures.
A European network aims to enhance coordination of innovation-driven research in catalysis and sustainable chemistry. The initiative seeks to increase efficiency and strengthen the field's position on the European research agenda.
Researchers at Purdue University are developing a computer environment that enables experts to talk naturally in their specific scientific language, allowing them to take full advantage of advanced visualization capabilities. This system, called discovery informatics, promises to speed up the process of discovery in many areas of resea...
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a system that converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy, producing hydrogen gas. The team's molecular machines use light signals to collect and deliver electrons, enabling the production of hydrogen through artificial photosynthesis.
Researchers have developed a new hydrogen generator that uses sunflower oil, air, and water vapor to produce hydrogen intermittently. The process reduces dependence on foreign oil and generates fewer pollutants than traditional methods.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new set of molecules that can catalyze the cleanup of common groundwater pollutants called organohalides. The compounds 'break bonds' holding dangerous pollutants together, rendering them safer.
Scientists have discovered that adding titanium to sodium aluminum hydride enables reversible hydrogen release and absorption. The titanium acts like a molecular 'key,' facilitating the reaction. Understanding this mechanism may lead to improved hydrogen storage materials and better catalysts for fuel cells.
Researchers have developed a way to study single molecules of RNA enzymes, also known as ribozymes. They found that modifications anywhere on the molecule affect catalysis rates, even far from the active site. This discovery may lead to practical applications in designing biological sensors for various purposes.
Researchers at Imperial College London have shown that an amino acid can amplify the concentration of one particular chiral form, a process known as autocatalysis. This discovery may offer insights into the evolution of biological homochirality and could provide a model for how life began.
Researchers at Lehigh University are exploring the properties of nanogold, creating nanoparticles with defined shapes and sizes to exhibit distinct properties. They can tailor these properties by varying particle size and elemental composition.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory create single-enzyme nanoparticles (SENs) that remain active for up to 143 days, thanks to their protective caging. The nanostructure preserves the enzyme's shape and allows it to interact with substrates, enabling applications in toxic waste cleanup, biosensing, and medicine.
The device captures aerosol particles with an electrical field, charging and trapping them to destroy bioagents. Smart nanoparticles catalyze oxidation to completely deactivate organisms.
A team of Cornell University researchers has successfully converted nitrogen to ammonia in a laboratory setting, molecule by molecule, using a zirconium metal complex. The process achieves complete fixation at lower temperatures than existing industrial methods, which require high pressures.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce 'pure' hydrogen at low temperatures, reducing carbon monoxide (CO) contamination. The process uses a ruthenium catalyst to convert nearly 100% of CO into carbon dioxide and additional hydrogen.
Developed at Argonne National Laboratory, the new catalyst is one of a family of related catalysts that also shows promise for reducing NOx emissions. It converts NOx into nitrogen, making it a safer and more energy-efficient alternative to current standards.
Researchers at MIT developed a device that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90% and halves the fuel needed for removal. The plasmatron reformer could lead to increased gasoline engine efficiency and significant oil consumption savings.
The Center for Environmental and Biological Chemistry (CEBC) will focus on developing greener chemical processes, including catalysts for cleaner solvents. Researchers will work with industry partners to create more efficient reactors and reduce waste, aiming to improve the quality of life through cleaner chemicals.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered a new Fe-TAML activator that works with oxygen to oxidize organic and inorganic chemicals. This discovery has the potential to extend the use of Fe-TAML activators for environmental remediation and modify industrial processes to make them more efficient.
Fe-TAML activators, developed at Carnegie Mellon, show promise in removing color and chlorinated byproducts from paper and wood pulp manufacturing using hydrogen peroxide. The process reduces color production by nearly 30% and has the potential to replace chlorine-based bleaching processes.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory isolated an important intermediate in a catalyst using reverse reactions, enabling the study of reaction mechanisms and potentially improving catalytic efficiency. The goal is to design new catalysts with enhanced reactivity and selectivity.
Researchers created a nanoscale model catalyst that enhances hydrogen desulfurization efficiency by 100 times, enabling detailed analysis of the reaction at atomic levels.
Researchers discover new method to produce acetic acid directly from methane, reducing production costs and environmental impact. The breakthrough uses a palladium-based catalyst, but further development is needed to achieve commercial viability.
Granzyme A, a double-headed protease, is assembled into a dimer with identical catalytic domains connected by a covalent disulfide bond. This unique configuration enables the enzyme to recognize specific sequences and activate cell death machinery in tumor cells and virally infected cells.
The discovery could significantly reduce costs associated with producing clean energy from fuel cells. Researchers found that a tiny amount of gold or platinum is sufficient to create an active catalyst, paving the way for cost-effective hydrogen production.
Researchers have discovered a nickel-tin catalyst that can replace precious metal platinum in producing hydrogen fuel from plants. The new catalyst, combined with a hydrogen purification innovation, offers opportunities for transitioning to a world economy based on renewable resources.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that can produce hydrogen at lower temperatures and with reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional methods. The catalyst, based on nickel, tin, and aluminum, has the potential to be used in industrial applications such as fertilizers production and petroleum products processing.
Dr. Pfefferle, known as the 'father of catalytic combustion,' has developed a process to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from gas turbines. His inventions include the Microlith(r) catalytic reactor and RCL™ catalytic combustor, enhancing combustion efficiency and air quality.
Scientists at Fritz-Haber Institute find mechanical oscillations in catalytic foil during chemical reactions, leading to precise measurement of heat created. Mathematical models and computer simulations reveal delicate interplay between thermo-chemistry and thermo-mechanics.
Researchers at University of Illinois have developed a highly sensitive and selective biosensor that uses DNA-gold nanoparticle chemistry to detect lead and other metal ions. The colorimetric sensor can be tuned for different contaminant concentrations, making it suitable for on-site detection.
Researchers have found a biological transformation that occurs at an astonishingly slow rate of 1 trillion years in the absence of an enzyme catalyst. Enzymes can speed up this reaction by millions of times. This discovery provides insight into how natural selection has evolved enzymes to accelerate biochemical processes.
The researchers successfully grew extremely long and straight single-walled carbon nanotubes by heating samples quickly, achieving lengths of over 2 millimeters. This breakthrough could enable the creation of billionths-of-a-meter scale electronic circuitry and opens up new possibilities for nanoelectrical components.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed new phosphide-based catalysts that improve the removal of sulfur and nitrogen from hydrocarbon fuels. These catalysts are more active, physically strong, and inexpensive to produce and regenerate than existing sulfide-based catalysts.
Cornell researchers have developed a highly efficient chemical route to produce the biodegradable polymer poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate), which has potential applications in various industries. The discovery is a significant breakthrough in creating sustainable materials, with the potential to replace traditional plastics.
Dutch chemists Ries Janssen and colleagues have visualized the porous structure of a zeolite catalyst and found that about a quarter of canals are closed cavities. They developed two methods to create better canals, using carbon powder and carbon fibers as templates, resulting in improved accessibility and structure.
Grubbs designs catalysts that target carbons in molecules, breaking open double bonds to form new materials with tailored properties for plastics or pharmaceuticals. The ACS Award for Creative Research in Homogeneous or Heterogeneous Catalysts recognizes his work in improving reaction rates and efficiency.
Duke researchers have made significant progress in synthesizing uniform 'buckytubes' using a new technique, which could lead to the development of smaller electronic circuitry and more precise control over their electronic properties. The achievement marks an important step towards realizing the full potential of carbon nanotubes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a new class of materials that can bind water faster and more strongly than best drying agents, with a higher capacity for storing water. The material also exhibits shape selectivity, allowing only specific molecules to enter its structure.
Researchers have found that adding gold to titanium dioxide creates a highly reactive catalyst for sulfur dioxide, which can help clean air pollutants. Additionally, ionic liquids may be used as solvents for cleaning up radioactive waste due to their stability and ability to block neutrons.
Grubbs's specialty is designing catalysts that can selectively target specific parts of molecules, critical for making pharmaceuticals. The award recognizes his work on improving the precision and control of these catalysts.
Shun C. Fung, a senior engineering associate at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, has received the American Chemical Society's Industrial Innovation Award for his work on improving catalyst reuse. His research enabled petroleum companies to capture and reuse expensive catalysts, passing millions of dollars in savings to cons...