Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a novel class of ribosomal peptides called daptides, which exhibit hemolytic activity. This discovery opens up new avenues for therapeutic development and highlights the vast potential of undiscovered RiPP classes.
A novel copper-containing polymeric filter can effectively capture carbon dioxide from the air, converting it into sodium bicarbonate that can be released harmlessly into the ocean. The technology has garnered international attention and could be powered by renewable energy in the future.
Researchers have developed a functional polymeric binder for stable, high-capacity anode material that can increase the current EV range at least 10-fold. The new polymer utilizes hydrogen bonding and Coulombic forces to control volumetric expansion, resulting in a thick high-capacity electrode and maximum energy density.
Researchers developed innovative contrast-enhancing agents to tackle limitations of photoacoustic imaging, including low SNR, image contrast, and targeted delivery. The study suggests promising strategies such as photoswitching agents, near-infrared-II agents, and micromotor agents.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a cellulose-based material that can easily remove 80% of toxic dyes from wastewater using sunlight. The method is cost-effective, simple to set up, and could benefit countries with poor water treatment technologies.
Researchers at UChicago develop a more efficient and less toxic method to create MXene material, enabling new applications in electronics and energy storage. The breakthrough allows for the production of large amounts of materials with minimal waste, paving the way for innovative technologies.
A team of MIT researchers has created an 'unclonable' label system to combat counterfeit seeds in Africa, where fake seeds can cost farmers up to two-thirds of expected crop yields. The system uses biodegradable silk-based tags with unique codes that cannot be replicated.
The research demonstrates that low concentration ether-based electrolyte can successfully endure the long-term high voltage operation of practical LMB. The findings show that regulating solvation structure and adjusting surficial electric double layer can prevent degradation and improve performance.
Researchers developed a chemical scissors-mediated structural editing strategy to regulate the structure and elemental composition of MAX phases/MXenes. This approach enables the creation of novel MAX phase and MXene materials with improved functional applications.
Researchers from POSTECH and University of Ulsan developed an omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensor mimicking the structure and function of a crocodile's sensory organ. The sensor maintains sensitivity to pressure even when subjected to significant deformation, enabling its use in various wearable devices.
Researchers developed a self-driven lab, AlphaFlow, that uses AI to optimize complex chemical reactions and discover new materials. The system significantly reduces the time needed to develop new chemistries from months to hours.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) created a multifunctional vortex beam capable of operating with a wide range of light frequencies using a metasurface. The breakthrough technology has the potential to store more information at the same frequency, paving the way for 6G communication systems.
A new method developed by scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and Cornell University converts used HDPE into a fully recyclable and potentially biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to break polymer chains, making the material easier to decompose.
A new coating material developed by Korean researchers facilitates bone regeneration and attracts osteo-progenitor cells, significantly improving the success rate of dental implants. The coating, loaded with BMP-2, prevents non-osteogenic cell invasion and induces high bone differentiation in a short period.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh reveals that metal organic frameworks (MOFs) can heat up significantly when absorbing gases, leading to a loss of efficiency. The researchers identified MOFs with high densities and small pores as more capable of conducting heat, paving the way for their practical commercial implementation.
The new technique allows for the production of a dozen different soft polymer material morphologies, including ribbons, nanoscale sheets, rods, and branched particles. By precisely controlling three sets of parameters during manufacturing, researchers can fine-tune the morphology of polymeric materials at the micro- and nano-scale.
Scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences have developed new nanocomposites that spontaneously and continuously kill microorganisms. The composites use silver ions or copper ions to destroy cell membranes and oxidative shock, respectively, providing a durable and safe solution for biocidal materials.
Chemists have developed a high-performance catalyst specifically designed for solid-state mechanochemical synthesis, achieving efficient reactivity at near room temperature. The approach uses a metal catalyst attached to a long polymer molecule, which traps the catalyst in a fluid-phase, enabling fast and energy-efficient reactions.
The University of Houston researchers have developed a new test that uses glow-in-the-dark materials to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of at-home COVID-19 tests. The test, which can detect COVID-19 proteins more efficiently, has shown excellent results compared to commercial tests.
Chung-Ang University researchers develop a novel flexible supercapacitor platform with vertically integrated gold electrodes in a single sheet of paper. The design shows low electrical resistance, high foldability, and good mechanical strength, making it suitable for wearable devices.
Scientists create optical imaging method to detect specific neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine using fMIP-NPs. The technique demonstrates feasibility in selective detection of neurotransmitters released in the brain.
Researchers at TU Wien have detected clear indications of chaos in chemical reactions on nanometer-scale rhodium crystals, a phenomenon previously unseen in atomic scale systems. The coupling behavior can be controlled by changing the hydrogen concentration, leading to a transition from ordered to chaotic behavior.
Scientists at Caltech have developed a method to move and arrange cells using ultrasound waves, which could enable tissue engineering and cell-based therapy. By harnessing the properties of gas vesicles derived from bacteria, researchers can apply force to cells in a selective manner.
A North Carolina State University study shows that yam seeds wrapped in a biodegradable paper made from banana fibers and cardboard grow larger and more abundantly than those without the paper. The 'wrap-and-plant' method also reduces post-harvest loss by minimizing nematode pest effects.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new technique that captures real-time movies of copper nanoparticles as they convert carbon dioxide into renewable fuels and chemicals. The study reveals that metallic copper nanograins serve as active sites for CO2 reduction, paving the way for advanced solar fuel technology.
A new crosslinking strategy for organic-inorganic hybrid dielectric layers improves TFT performance by reducing leakage current and increasing stability. This approach enables low-power driving and easy manufacturing through solution processing, contributing to next-generation flexible electronic devices.
The addition of antioxidants to cell cultures can improve the production of monoclonal antibodies by reducing oxidative stress and increasing cell viability. This has potential benefits for therapies targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Engineers at MIT and Caltech have developed an ingestible sensor that can track its location as it moves through the digestive tract, revealing where slowdowns in digestion may occur. The sensor uses a magnetic field produced by an electromagnetic coil outside the body to calculate its position.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have found a promising cathode material for magnesium rechargeable batteries, achieving better cyclability and high battery capacity. The Mg1.33V1.67O4 system with substituted vanadium and manganese shows superior charge-discharge properties.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
Bacteria can survive antibiotics without acquiring new genes or mutating existing ones by maintaining high electrochemical energies. These high-energy cells exhibit a wide range of energy levels despite being in a state of arrested growth, enabling them to adapt and spread rapidly.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to produce specific hexose and heptose sugars using microwave irradiation, improving the sustainability of industrial chemical production. The new process increases reaction efficiency and purity, paving the way for more environmentally friendly chemicals manufacturing.
A University of Houston engineer has made a groundbreaking discovery that could improve pharmaceuticals by controlling the growth of ammonium urate crystals. By manipulating tautomers, researchers found that a small fraction can control crystal growth, potentially preventing crystallization and related health issues.
A £5.4 million project, backed by Innovate UK, aims to develop a new value chain to convert industrial waste gases into sustainable materials for consumer products. The consortium, including Unilever and BASF, will seek to demonstrate how the UK can cut 15-20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Assistant Professor Mohammad Asadi has published a paper in Science describing the chemistry behind his novel lithium-air battery design, which could store one kilowatt-hour per kilogram or higher. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize heavy-duty vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and submarines.
A University of Houston research team has developed a new method for early diagnosis and monitoring of lupus nephritis using a smartphone-based test. The test assesses the levels of ALCAM protein in urine, showing high diagnostic accuracy for renal pathology activity in active lupus nephritis.
Researchers at Aarhus University are studying electro-trophic microorganisms that convert green electricity and CO2 into high-value products. The project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of these microbes, which could lead to breakthroughs in microbiological Power-to-X and novel tools for microbial corrosion prevention.
Researchers from Tsinghua University develop a new strategy to decouple temperature and pressure in hydrothermal carbonization, breaking the temperature limit. This process produces high-quality carbon microspheres with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups and good thermal stability, suitable for various applications including ...
A team from UMass Amherst developed an all-fabric pressure sensor that works even under pressure, allowing for long-term data gathering on health indicators like bone density and depression. The sensor can be worn in comfortable clothing, providing fine-grained details for remote detection of disease or physiological issues.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a method to remove rust from nanomaterial MXene, extending its lifetime and making it suitable for recyclable batteries. The innovation uses high-frequency sound waves to restore the material's electrical conductivity, paving the way for up to three times longer battery life.
Rice University scientists identified a new Diels-Alderase enzyme, CtdP, which catalyzes the Diels-Alder reaction with precise stereochemistry control. This discovery could lead to improved pharmaceutical synthesis and development of more effective drugs.
Researchers successfully applied AlphaFold AI to an end-to-end platform, discovering a novel target and developing a potent hit molecule for liver cancer. The study demonstrates the potential of AI-powered drug discovery to accelerate treatment development.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder designed a new rubber-like film that can jump high into the air like a grasshopper. The material responds by storing and releasing energy, similar to how grasshoppers store energy in their legs.
Scientists at Rice University, Stanford University, and UT Austin have developed a mechanism to generate solvated electrons through plasmon resonance, making it easier to turn light into these clean, zero-byproduct chemicals. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of driving chemical reactions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new fluorescent dye that can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for noninvasive brain imaging and differentiation between healthy tissue and tumor cells. The dye's long-lasting fluorescence enables stable imaging over extended periods.
Researchers discovered that methanotroph Methylococcus capsulatus Bath can grow in the presence of small amounts of H2S using an enzyme switch. The study found that at 0.75% H2S concentration, bacteria switch from mxaF to xoxF, increasing methane consumption and mitigating greenhouse effects.
Scientists develop macroporous structure to increase accessibility of active sites in single-atom catalysts, achieving high activity in oxidative esterification of furfural. The composite catalyst shows high stability and potential for industrial application in biomass valorization and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
University of Minnesota researchers develop groundbreaking new catalyst technology to convert renewable materials like trees and corn into acrylic acid and acrylates used in paints, coatings, and superabsorbent polymers. The new catalyst substantially reduces costs and increases yield, paving the way for lower-cost renewable chemicals.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a multiplex base-editing platform that significantly improves the pace of new drug discovery by inducing fungi to produce more bioactive compounds. The technique has been deployed as a tool for mining fungal genomes for medically useful compounds, reducing research timeline by over 80%.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that nanoplastics from polystyrene can produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, which can harm wildlife and the aquatic ecosystem. The study suggests that smaller particle sizes of nanoplastics may be more reactive and decompose faster under light.
Developed by Incheon National University researchers, the new membranes exhibit high mechanical strength, phase separation, and ionic conductivity. The 40% crosslinked membrane showed the highest relative humidity, normalized conductivity, and peak power density, surpassing commercial membranes.
Researchers at POSTECH have created a humidity-responsive display that changes brightness and color depending on humidity levels, allowing for infinite imaging capabilities. The technology uses polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and single-step nanoimprinting to achieve high-tunability of holographic images.
Researchers at POSTECH developed high-performance n-type semiconductor Bi2S3 and p-type Te semiconductor through thermal evaporation, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. This method can be integrated into standard OLED manufacturing, lowering production costs and contributing to the growth of sustainable electronics.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that uses microbiome data from wastewater to estimate the number of individuals represented in a sample. The method was trained on over 1,100 people's samples and can be used to link wastewater properties to individual-level data.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a novel method to break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals', in contaminated water. The hydrogen-infusion and UV light-based process achieves high molecular destruction rates without generating unwanted byproducts.
Computational models of bacterial cell walls can predict interactions with antimicrobials, enabling rapid screening for effective molecules. The models reveal differences in cell wall permeability between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
A new, low-cost battery made with sodium-sulphur holds four times the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries and is cheaper to produce. This breakthrough has the potential to dramatically reduce costs and provide a high-performing solution for large renewable energy storage systems.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new algorithm, metadynamics, that can navigate high-dimensional energy landscapes to find low-energy configurations. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize fields such as protein folding and machine learning.
A team of scientists, led by Marco Fraaije from the University of Groningen, has developed an enzyme that can convert lignin monomers into useful chemical building blocks. The enzyme has been engineered to be stable, selective, and faster in conversion, offering a promising solution for the valorization of biomass.
Researchers develop a new method to track disease-carrying mosquitoes by ingesting harmless DNA particles, providing unique fingerprints of information. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize mosquito-borne disease surveillance and tracking, offering insights into mosquito movement and hotspots.