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Juan Jimenez named Blavatnik Regional Awards finalist

Juan Jimenez, a Goldhaber postdoctoral fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory, has been recognized as a Blavatnik Awards Finalist for his work on developing new catalysts to convert greenhouse gases into industrially useful materials. His research focuses on minimizing hazardous byproducts and using solvent-free processes.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateSep 17, 2024

Scientists reveal new design for cells turning carbon dioxide into a green fuel

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a new electrochemical cell that converts bicarbonate solution into formate ions with high selectivity and efficiency. The cell boasts unrivalled performances rivaling energy-hungry gas-fed methods, promising to have a significant impact on climate change technology.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalEES Catalysis·DateSep 14, 2024

Enzyme-inspired catalyst puts chemicals in right position to make ethers

Researchers developed a self-assembling catalyst to facilitate the reaction between alkenes and alcohols, producing ethers with improved efficiency, generality, and selectivity. The catalyst's design was inspired by enzymes, which can position reaction partners for optimal reactivity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Development strategies for using carbon-based catalysts in CO2 conversion

Researchers at Tsinghua University Press have developed effective synthesis strategies using carbon-based catalysts for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels. The team has designed various catalytic materials, including carburized iridium oxide nanorods, to enhance the activity of catalysts and selectivity of formate.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalCarbon Future·DateSep 12, 2024

The mechanisms behind cobalt x-ide electrocatalysts

Researchers discovered Co3O4 as the most effective cobalt oxide electrocatalyst for quinoline hydrogenation, achieving high conversion rates under ambient conditions. This study advances understanding of catalytic mechanisms in the process, which has significant implications for pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 11, 2024

Progress in tracking electrochemical CO2 reduction intermediates over single-atom catalysts by operando ATR-SEIRAS

A review article discusses the application of operando ATR-SEIRAS in studying electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction mechanisms and surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy. The technique helps understand reaction intermediates, catalyst performance, and local pH at the electrode.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateSep 11, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Coordination dynamics of iron enables the selective C-N coupling but bypasses unwanted C-H hydroxylation in Fe(II)/-ketoglutarate-dependent non-heme enzymes

The study reveals that conformational change of Fe(IV)=O species and substrate coordination are key to the selective C-N coupling. The aziridination reaction involves rotation of the side-chain, causing steric hindrance that inhibits it. In contrast, hydroxylation has minor steric effects.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateAug 30, 2024

Catalyst for 'one-step' conversion of methane to methanol

Researchers have engineered a catalyst that converts methane into methanol in a single step, reducing the need for multiple reactions and increasing efficiency. The new process has potential applications for local deployment of stranded natural gas reserves.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 22, 2024

EMBARGOED NEJM Catalyst TOC, August 21, 2024

The African American Transplant Access Program aims to mitigate disparities in solid organ transplantation, while a physician-created platform speeds clinical decision-making. NEJM Catalyst also explores quality and safety improvement through longitudinal care management for diabetes and hypertension.

SourceNEJM Group·JournalNEJM Catalyst·DateAug 21, 2024
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

A new reaction to enhance aromatic ketone use in chemical synthesis

Researchers developed a one-pot process to transform aromatic ketones into esters, simplifying the reaction process, reducing reaction times, and minimizing purification steps. The method enables seven different chemical transformations and has shown notable stability and reusability, making it scalable for industrial applications.

SourceWaseda University·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 20, 2024

Agri waste-based surfactant for industrial synthesis

A team of scientists from Indian Institute of Science developed a surfactant from cashew nut shell liquid to catalyse industrially relevant reactions in water, leading to 80% higher product yields and replacing expensive catalysts. The study uses micellar catalysis to mimic biological systems.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateAug 13, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Engineers develop general, high-speed technology to model, understand catalytic reactions

A research team at Iowa State University has developed artificial intelligence technology that can model and understand complex chemical reactions, including those involved in ammonia production. The technology uses reinforcement learning to identify the optimal reaction pathway, promising to reduce production costs and emissions.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2024

Organic nanozymes have broad applications from food and agriculture to biomedicine

Research from the University of Illinois highlights the potential of organic nanozymes for broader applications beyond traditional uses of inorganic nanozymes. The development of sustainable, environmentally friendly materials offers a promising solution for various industries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalTrends in Chemistry·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 30, 2024

New additive process can make better — and greener — high-value chemicals

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed an eco-friendly method to precisely mix fluorine into olefins using natural enzymes and light, offering a more efficient strategy for creating high-value chemicals with potential applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable fuels and more.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

USTC overcomes heteroatom constraints via cobalt catalysis

Researchers from USTC have created a cobalt-catalyzed enantioselective hydroalkylation process that enables the efficient construction of chiral tertiary carbon centers. This breakthrough solves the problem of uncontrollable stereochemistry in heteroatom-free alkene hydroalkylation reactions.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Synthesis·DateJul 24, 2024

Researchers discover faster, more energy-efficient way to manufacture an industrially important chemical

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a faster and more energy-efficient way to manufacture propylene, a key chemical in producing polypropylene. The new process uses zirconium combined with silicon nitride, yielding higher catalytic activity and lower operating temperatures.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 24, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

USTC develops highly efficient Janus dual-atom catalyst

Researchers at USTC create a novel 'Janus' dual-atom catalyst with Fe and Co atoms coordinated synergistically through an N-O bridge, showing exceptional performance in ORR and OER. The strong electronic interaction between Fe-N3 and Co-O3 units optimizes adsorption and desorption processes, accelerating reaction kinetics.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Synthesis·DateJul 24, 2024

Recent progress on VOC pollution control via the catalytic method

Research progress on VOC elimination via thermal catalysis or photothermal catalysis has been reported, including eliminating single-component and multi-component VOCs. The development of novel catalysts with improved stability is crucial for broad-spectrum control of VOC pollution.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJul 22, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Montana State researcher studies nano-scale materials that mimic enzymes to convert CO2 into chemical building blocks

A Montana State University researcher has developed nano-scale materials that can convert carbon dioxide into chemical building blocks, marking a potential step forward in reducing atmospheric CO2. The materials mimic enzymes and have the ability to selectively capture CO2 from the air.

SourceMontana State University·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2024

New study shows how organic molecules impact gold nanoparticles

A new study by Prof. Daniel Mandler and his team found that organic molecules can significantly influence the electrical properties of gold nanoparticles, up to 71 mV. The research highlights the importance of capping agents in controlling nanoparticle behavior and provides insights for customizing their interactions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Researchers move closer to green hydrogen via water electrolysis

A Northwestern University study reveals the experimental evidence for how the surface of iridium oxide changes during water electrolysis, enabling the design of a novel catalyst with higher activity and longer stability. The new catalyst is three to four times more efficient than existing iridium-based catalysts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJul 10, 2024
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Efficient hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over Ni-C3N4 catalysts

Scientists have developed an efficient method for hydrogenolysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) using a Ni-C3N4 catalyst with ultra-low Ni loading. The catalyst achieves high DMF yield and productivity, outperforming other metal-based catalysts.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJul 3, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Novel spectroscopy technique sheds light on NOx reduction

Lehigh University researchers developed a novel spectroscopy technique called modulation excitation spectroscopy (MES) to study selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides. The results, published in Nature Communications, reveal the correct reaction pathway and have significant implications for optimizing catalytic converters.

SourceLehigh University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2024

Synthetic fuels and chemicals from CO₂: Ten experiments in parallel

Empa researchers have developed a system to investigate up to ten different reaction conditions for producing synthetic fuels from CO2. The system accelerates the discovery process by generating a large number of high-quality datasets, enabling scientists to make accelerated discoveries.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2024

How can surface morphology change selectivity in electrocatalysis?

Research elucidates catalyst selectivity in electrocatalysis through a multi-scale kinetic model. The study demonstrates the importance of surface roughness on reaction mechanisms, providing insights for optimizing catalyst performance and long-term operation.

SourceFritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society·JournalNature·DateJun 18, 2024
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Self-healing mechanisms toward stable photoelectrochemical water splitting

Researchers have introduced new self-healing mechanisms to address the stability challenges in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. These mechanisms, such as intrinsic and extrinsic self-healing, aim to improve the long-term stability of semiconductor light absorbers, protection layers, and co-catalysts.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJun 16, 2024

A ‘liquid battery’ advance

Researchers at Stanford University have made significant advancements in the development of a 'liquid battery' technology that uses LOHCs to store and release energy. The team discovered a novel, selective catalytic system that allows for the efficient storage of electrical energy in liquid fuels without generating gaseous hydrogen.

SourceStanford University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 12, 2024

Scientists make and test efficient water-splitting catalyst predicted by theory

Researchers have created a new efficient catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction, a crucial step in producing hydrogen from water. The catalyst is about four times better than the current state-of-the-art iridium catalyst, requiring less iridium to produce hydrogen at the same rate.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 11, 2024
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Study reveals reversible assembly of platinum catalyst

Researchers have discovered that a platinum nanoparticle catalyst can assemble and disassemble itself during reaction and post-reaction conditions. This reversible process may offer clues to the catalyst's stability and recyclability, with potential benefits for controlling long-term stability.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNanoscale·DateJun 3, 2024

One-pot photothermal upcycling of polylactic acid to hydrogen and pyruvic acid

Researchers create Pt/CdS catalyst for upcycling polylactic acid to hydrogen and pyruvic acid through photothermal catalysis, improving the activity of the process. The study reveals that the oxidation of poly-lactic acid molecules is initiated by the cleavage of the α-C(sp³)-H bond.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateJun 2, 2024

A cleaner way to produce ammonia

Scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new way to produce ammonia, an essential fertilizer and component of cleaning products, using rare-earth metals as catalysts. The process operates at ambient conditions, reducing energy consumption and promoting food security.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalChem Catalysis·DateMay 28, 2024
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Turning carbon dioxide into useful chemicals

A German junior research group at the University of Oldenburg is developing precious-metal-free catalysts to convert carbon dioxide into methanol, formaldehyde, and ethylene. The team aims to create inexpensive and durable materials for large-scale industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·DateMay 28, 2024

Chlorine radical-mediated photocatalytic C(sp3)−H bond oxidation of aryl ethers to esters

Researchers developed a novel photocatalytic strategy for functionalizing ether C(sp3−H bonds in aryl ethers, resulting in high yields of ester products. The method uses chlorine radicals generated from various chloride sources to activate aryl ether C(sp3−H bonds through hydrogen atom transfer.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateMay 22, 2024

Building-kit catalyst

A metal-free organic framework catalyst has been developed for the electrocatalytic production of ethylene from carbon dioxide. The catalyst, based on a nitrogen-containing covalent organic framework (COF), demonstrated high selectivity and performance for the production of ethylene.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Recycling carbon dioxide into household chemicals

A low-cost, tin-based catalyst selectively converts CO2 to ethanol, acetic acid, and formic acid, producing valuable liquid hydrocarbons. The discovery could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by converting CO2 into desired chemicals near the site of production.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 21, 2024

A novel multifunctional catalyst turns methane into valuable hydrocarbons

A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Researchers unlock vital insights into metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts' reaction mechanism

A team of researchers has gained new understanding of metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts, crucial for the development of low-cost and efficient hydrogen generation. By analyzing twelve distinct M-N-C configurations, they discovered that potential zero charge and solvation effects play a pivotal role in pH-dependent activities.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMay 15, 2024

Hemoprotein catalysis is way more complicated than we thought

A team of chemists discovered that cyclopropanation reactions can take the scenic route, producing intricate molecular structures and unexpected side-reactions. Advanced techniques revealed a complex network of forking chemical pathways, showcasing the need for open-minded research and consideration of all possible side-reactions.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 9, 2024
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Sugar-based catalyst upcycles carbon dioxide

A new sugar-based catalyst has successfully converted carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a building block for producing fuels that can replace gasoline. The catalyst, made from an inexpensive and abundant metal, offers a potential solution for disposing of captured carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2024