Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
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 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 ...
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.
A joint research team developed a new bioprocess by introducing a genetic circuit that induces cooperation among microorganisms, leading to improved productivity. The consortium, composed of Vibrio sp. dhg and E. coli strain, successfully acclimated to the genetic circuit, increasing 3-HP production 4.3-fold over simple co-culturing.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created a new strategy to build materials with unique properties by organizing nanoparticles into pinwheel shapes. The pinwheel lattice exhibits chirality, a property that can be seen in nature's examples such as DNA and human hands.
University of Virginia engineers develop a Minecraft-like, voxelated approach to create complicated structures comparable to human tissues and organs. They use droplets as the basic building blocks, assembling them into 3D constructs with precise location, composition, and properties.
A new microscopy system using optical tapered fibers has successfully acquired images of photoacoustic signals without contrast agents. The resolution is sufficient for cellular imaging, including red blood cells, with a resolution of 1.0 ± 0.3 micrometers.
Researchers at Lehigh University have secured $13.2 million in funding to improve hydrogen generation and carbon capture/sequestration technologies through a partnership with Georgia Tech's UNCAGE-ME Center. The goal is to develop catalysts that can mitigate the degradation of these technologies in real-world conditions.
A new project at Aarhus University aims to develop Denmark's first reactor for carbon-negative hydrogen production from biogas using catalytic pyrolysis. The technology converts captured CO2 into solid form while producing hydrogen, reducing energy consumption by one-fifth compared to green hydrogen production.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a technology that captures CO2 from the atmosphere and transforms it into useful chemicals. The switchable Dual Function Materials (DFMs) can produce multiple chemicals depending on operating conditions, making it responsive to demand fluctuations.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Researchers developed a novel method to create deep nanochannels in hard and brittle materials like silica, diamond, and sapphire. By employing femtosecond laser direct writing technology, they achieved sub-100-nm feature sizes and ultrahigh aspect ratios.
Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) demonstrate a feasible waste plastic pyrolysis model, increasing profitability and reducing CO2 emissions compared to centralized processes. The study also found significant decreases in transportation costs and related emissions.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a stable aqueous zinc-ion battery that uses water as an electrolyte, reducing the risk of fires and explosions. The new battery features a protective polymer layer to prevent electrode corrosion and increase stability.
Researchers create a material with disordered molecular structure that conducts electricity well, defying conventional theories. The material's stability and versatility make it promising for new electronic devices.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a one-pot-and-one-step synthesis procedure to create long and geometrically interlinked polymer molecules. This process can produce a wide range of advanced materials with applications in drug delivery, data storage, microelectronics, and nanolithography.
A research team at POSTECH developed a skin-attachable microphone sensor that clearly detects voices even in harsh noisy environments. This technology can be used for disaster-response communication between medical professionals wearing protective equipment and firefighters wearing gas masks.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that colloidal crystals with DNA can change shape in response to external stimuli, exhibiting a 'shape memory' effect. The crystals can break down but then revert to their original state when water is added, making them useful for sensing and optics applications.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed technology to produce itaconic acid, a source material for bioplastic, using E. coli bacteria. This breakthrough enables mass production of bioplastic from steel mill gases, potentially transforming the plastics industry.
Researchers at MIT designed simple microparticles that can collectively generate complex behavior, generating a beating clock that can power tiny robotic devices. The particles use a simple chemical reaction to interact with each other and create an oscillatory electrical signal.
Researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict heat capacity of MOFs, enabling more efficient applications in energy and climate change. The model's accuracy was improved by removing solvent from pores during synthesis.
Assistant Professor SUZUKI Hiroo and colleagues have developed a method to grow highly crystalline TMDCs, such as MoS2 and WS2, using chemical vapor deposition in a stacked substrate configuration. The technique produces samples with large domains and optimal photoluminescence characteristics.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh create microcapsules that exhibit life-like autonomy through self-generated motion and chemical signals. The system mimics protocell behavior, showcasing the potential for simple mechanisms to produce complex biological functions.
Tagbo Niepa's research aims to capture and store a person's healthy gut microbiome, then restore balance when ill. The technology has the potential to revolutionize illness treatment, especially for diseases like C. diff infection.
Researchers successfully synthesized 3-hydroxybutyrate from acetone and CO2 using sunlight, mimicking natural photosynthesis. The 80% conversion yield tackles the plastic waste crisis while moving toward carbon neutrality.
A team at Nagoya University has created a new type of mechanochromic material, fluorenylidene-acridane (FA), which changes color in response to mechanical pressure. The material's unique properties allow it to be quantitatively analyzed, enabling the measurement of its color change and structural changes with high spatial resolution.
Researchers have created exceptionally thin nanomembranes that can separate hydrocarbons from crude oil with 90% less energy than traditional distillation columns. The membranes' high permeance and selectivity enable rapid processing of crude oil, reducing plant footprint and energy consumption.
Researchers at Stanford University have designed a new 3D printing method called injection CLIP (iCLIP) that is 5-10 times faster than the quickest high-resolution printer currently available. This technology allows for the use of multiple types of resin in a single object, enabling the creation of complex objects with varying properti...
Researchers at NJIT have developed a new lab technique that could speed up drug discovery and development of therapeutic proteins and vaccines. The electrochemistry-based approach allows for safety and quality testing to be done at a fraction of the time required by conventional methods.
A research team at POSTECH and Sungkyunkwan University has developed an ultrahigh refractive index metamaterial that maximizes light-matter interaction. The material recorded the highest-ever refractive index of 7.8 in visible and near-infrared regions, enabling strong reflection of specific wavelengths.
A team of University of Missouri researchers is working to understand why solid-state lithium-ion batteries struggle with performance issues. They will use a specialized electron microscope and thin film polymer coatings to study the interface between the battery cathode and electrolyte, with the goal of developing an engineered interf...
Researchers develop a novel approach to increase proton transfer kinetics, enabling efficient industrial-scale water splitting. The new strategy, which integrates molecular-level proton acceptors into the catalyst, improves oxygen evolution reaction rates and achieves high current densities at low overpotential.
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology design a novel approach to create durable organic semiconductor photocathodes, enabling high-efficiency conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The developed photocathodes demonstrate remarkable stability and can produce hydrogen under actual sunlight.
Researchers at Rice University have created stable and efficient halide perovskite solar cells by finding the right solvent design to apply a 2D top layer on top of a 3D bottom layer. The new method achieves high power conversion efficiencies, comparable to commercially available solar cells, while maintaining stability.
Researchers have developed a novel pressure sensor using paper as the medium, achieving high sensitivity and detecting a broad range of pressures. The sensor's structure and multilayering enable conductive properties, making it suitable for flexible and wearable electronic devices in healthcare and other industries.
A new study from the University of Oklahoma is investigating the use of carbon dioxide to produce acrylic acid, a key component in various household products. By replacing propene with CO2, researchers aim to reduce production costs and create a more valuable resource.
A Korean research team created a dual-catalyst system that precisely controls catalytic reactions like cells. The nanoreactor combines magnetic materials and metal catalysts to selectively activate the catalyst under magnetic fields and near-infrared rays.
Researchers at UVA will study organelles in cancer cells to identify new pathways for understanding and fighting cancer. By focusing on the interactions between genes, proteins, and organelles within cells, they hope to develop fresh clues about therapies.
Scientists have developed a soft, bioresorbable device that cools peripheral nerves to reduce pain. The device was tested in rat models and found to be effective, reversible, and non-addictive, with potential applications for treating neuropathic pain after surgery.
Researchers have developed a novel smart material that enables high-performance and reliable light control of droplets. The material, which consists of micro-size liquid metal particles, polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene copolymer, and micro-pyramidal structures, exhibits superior photothermal and ferroelectric properties.