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Q&A: The safety and sterilization of pharmaceuticals manufacturing

Pharmaceutical products can become contaminated with microorganisms, posing serious health risks. Sterilization processes vary in time and cost, with heat sterilization and gamma irradiation being traditional methods. Aseptic processing and sterile filtration are also used to produce sterile drug products.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2026

Tuning nitrogen and boron turns waste sawdust biochar into an efficient catalyst for antibiotic removal

Researchers have developed a biochar catalyst that can actively break down antibiotics, achieving high removal efficiency in wastewater treatment. By controlling the nitrogen-to-boron ratio, the material's surface structure and active sites can be optimized for efficient degradation.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2026

KAIST develops a strategy to balance radical generation and catalyst regeneration, enabling challenging chemical reactions

A KAIST research team developed a strategy to balance radical generation and catalyst regeneration, broadening the possibility of synthesizing complex molecules. The team used a ligand to regulate the copper catalyst's redox behavior, enabling efficient radical generation and catalyst regeneration.

New study from NITech researchers reports ionic liquid membrane-based recovery of nitrogen compounds from liquid fuels

Nagoya Institute of Technology researchers develop ionic liquid membrane-based separation of nitrogen compounds from hydrocarbons in liquid fuels. The study demonstrates affinity-driven membrane-based separation, which selectively enriches pyridine and reduces hydrogen consumption.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalSeparation and Purification Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2026

Single material enables efficient charge injection into two types of ultrathin semiconductors, paving the way for smaller, more energy-efficient AI chips

Researchers developed a single-material 'universal charge injector' that injects charge into two types of ultrathin semiconductors using tin diselenide (SnSe2). This technology addresses a major obstacle in atomically thin semiconductors, enabling efficient charge injection and paving the way for smaller, more energy-efficient AI chips.

New low-waste method breaks down tough-to-recycle plastics

A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Sandia National Laboratories has developed a simple method for breaking down durable plastics that currently have no practical recycling method. The approach uses less energy and produces less waste than incineration, while allowing for the full recovery of valuable fibers.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2026

Panning for gold: new Koopman framework cuts wastewater AI data needs by 43.59% without sacrificing accuracy

A new framework cuts wastewater AI data needs by 43.59% by identifying representative core data, reducing storage burdens and energy consumption while preserving modeling accuracy. The Koopman analysis and density-based spatial clustering approaches enable data-efficient machine learning in environmental engineering.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWater & Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 8, 2026

Researchers uncover molecular strategy for efficient triplet generation

Triplet excited states in organic molecules play crucial roles in various applications. Researchers have identified a molecular strategy for balancing competing requirements in organic donor-acceptor systems, controlling conformational dynamics to determine triplet generation efficiency. The study reveals that an intermediate donor-acc...

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 7, 2026

“Soft crosslinking” strategy makes brittle glassy plastics tougher

Scientists from Tokyo University of Science developed a new strategy to create glassy plastics that are both stiff and tough. They achieved this by using a combination of a comb-shaped architecture and bulky counterions, resulting in materials that are approximately four times tougher and twice as stiff as conventional glassy polymers.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalMacromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

Before mixing starts: Initial catalyst structure governs fuel-cell ink dispersion

The study shows that the initial state of platinum-on-carbon catalyst particles significantly influences the development of polymer electrolyte fuel cell catalyst inks. Controlling this initial state allows for the optimization of microstructural and electrochemical properties of catalyst inks, leading to improved fuel-cell performance.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 4, 2026

Combinatorial peptide synthesis on different solid phases and their thermographic investigation on CO2-binding affinity

Researchers in Germany have developed a thermographic screening approach to identify short peptide sequences that respond to carbon dioxide. The study combines combinatorial solid-phase peptide synthesis with infrared thermography, identifying two tripeptides that show reproducible thermographic responses when exposed to CO2.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Surfaces and Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2026

Seoul National University of Science and Technology researchers develop AI framework for optimizing solid oxide electrolysis cells

A new AI framework reduces computational effort needed to optimize solid oxide electrolysis cells, improving hydrogen production efficiency and thermal stability. The framework achieved 14% improvement in electrochemical performance index and 80% reduction in temperature differences compared to baseline conditions.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalApplied Thermal Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 26, 2026

The purple fabric that could beat the scorching heat

Researchers developed a purple fabric that reflects 87.6% of solar radiation and emits 96.4% of mid-infrared radiation, making it a highly effective cooling material. The fabric was tested in outdoor conditions and showed a significant cooling effect, making it suitable for people who spend long periods outdoors.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2026

KAIST uses surface ‘defects’ to enhance droplet formation and removal, achieving up to 5.5 times the heat transfer performance of conventional surfaces

Researchers created a technology that controls the thickness and structure of a polymer coating, allowing more water droplets to form and detach quickly. This enhances heat transfer performance during condensation, improving energy efficiency in power plants and industrial applications.

Food waste transformed into biochar hybrid membranes for smarter thermal energy storage

A new membrane combines food waste-derived biochar, graphene, and a phase change material to store thermal energy, improve heat transfer, and manage moisture. The membrane exhibits high thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability, making it suitable for energy recovery ventilation and smart building systems.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2026

KAIST turns once-troublesome protons into an energy storage resource for batteries

A KAIST research team has developed a new electrode material that sequentially stores zinc ions and protons, enabling high storage capacity and fast charging/discharging performance. The material achieved 368.7 mAh g⁻¹ storage capacity and retained 46.9% of its capacity even at 16-fold increased charging/discharging rates.

KAIST develops high-efficiency, eco-friendly hydrogen separation membrane that filters hydrogen through a molecular “network”

The KAIST research team has successfully developed a new, eco-friendly hydrogen separation membrane that filters hydrogen through a molecular network. The membrane achieved a high bridge connectivity degree of 73% and showed significant improvements in hydrogen permeability and selectivity.

How scandium can improve the durability of sodium-ion battery electrodes

Researchers discovered that scandium doping and coating improve the durability and performance of sodium-ion batteries by stabilizing the crystal structure and suppressing side reactions. The study found that doping improves bulk stability while coating enhances surface stability, leading to improved capacity retention and long-term cy...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2026

HKU MILES-Shenzhen pioneers novel super-inert fluorescent dye for clearer ureter imaging during surgical navigation

A cross-disciplinary team developed a near-infrared fluorescent dye, SID-788, with excellent biocompatibility and superior ureter imaging performance. The dye enables clear ureter visualisation for at least four to five hours in porcine models using clinical NIR laparoscopes and robotic surgical systems.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Photonics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

Bridging borders for cleaner waters: China, Australia, and New Zealand chart a collaborative course for next-generation water quality modeling

An international team of researchers from China, Australia, and New Zealand propose a collaborative approach to next-generation water quality modeling. The researchers identified four collaboration themes: emerging technologies, uncertainty quantification, tackling climate change and urbanization, and shared modeling guidelines.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWater & Ecology·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 31, 2026

SNU team develops “nanomace” catalyst with up to 14× higher greenhouse gas decomposition performance

The SNU team developed a new nanostructured catalyst, termed 'nanomace,' by chemically bonding ceria nanocubes and nanorods. The interface where the two crystal structures meet serves as a key active site, enhancing lattice oxygen activation and catalytic reactions.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

Hanyang University ERICA researchers uncover a hidden battery flaw that may shorten EV lifespans

A new study by Hanyang University ERICA researchers reveals how air exposure can trigger chemical changes in manganese-coated batteries, accelerating degradation. The team proposes a simple solution to suppress defective surface phases and restore stable manganese-oxygen bonding, leading to improved long-term durability.

SourceHanyang University Research Strategy Planning Team·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

Eco-friendly ionic liquid halves energy use in industrial chemical separation

A Chinese research team has proposed a novel approach to separate dimethyl carbonate from methanol using a tailor-made ionic liquid and heat pump-assisted distillation. The method significantly reduces energy consumption and costs compared to traditional methods, making it an attractive solution for the chemical industry.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Chemical Engineering·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 24, 2026

Multidisciplinary framework bridges earth science and environmental engineering to combat waterborne pathogens

A multidisciplinary research framework integrating earth science and environmental engineering is proposed to mitigate the risks of waterborne pathogens. The framework emphasizes real-time detection, numerical simulation, and multi-omics approaches to track pathogens and harmful genes across various media.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWater & Ecology·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 23, 2026