Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
Researchers have successfully stored liquid fuels like ethanol in polymeric gels, drastically reducing evaporation rates and flammable gas mixtures. The development of this method aims to create safer work environments in industries that use liquid fuels.
Researchers found that maintaining hard water reduces zinc accumulation and oxidative stress in goldfish, mitigating toxic effects. This study provides an eco-friendly approach to address aquatic ecosystem pollution caused by heavy metal contamination.
A Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology research team finds that changes in viscoelastic properties affect flow dynamics differently depending on gel elasticity, leading to a reversal of flow effects. This discovery opens new avenues for controlling flow dynamics using chemical reactions.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a p-channel perovskite thin film transistor (TFT) with a threshold voltage of 0 V, achieving high hole mobility and stability without hysteresis. The device was integrated with commercialized n-channel IGZO TFTs to construct high-gain complementary inverters.
Companies are turning to biobased surfactants and renewable biomass feedstocks to make their products greener. These alternatives can have a lower carbon footprint than traditional surfactants, but may also be more expensive.
Researchers at NC State University have created a stem cell-derived model that sheds light on the effect of dopamine on gene activity in neurons, revealing gene desensitization in human cells. The study provides a blueprint for future research into the relationship between dopamine and addiction.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a faster and less expensive technique for producing hindered amines, a class of chemicals used in various products. The new method uses continuous flow reactor technologies to produce hindered amines within 30 minutes, with minimal byproducts.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a tool to create complex compounds using electricity, streamlining chemical processes and reducing costs. The discovery has broad applications in medicine, agrichemicals, and plastics production.
Researchers developed a fluorescent molecular probe, BOS, to detect bad cooking oils, improving the detection method for highly sensitive and accurate measurement. The Bad Oil Sensing System (BOSS) is a portable platform that can be used by consumers and the food industry to monitor oil quality.
A team of researchers developed a simple yet powerful strategy for creating new enzymes with novel reactivity that can produce valuable chemical compounds. They used photobiocatalysis to repurpose naturally occurring enzymes and achieved an enantioselective biocatalytic reaction.
Researchers create high-performance catalyst to pull ammonia and solid fertilizer from low-level nitrates in industrial wastewater, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The process works at room temperature and under ambient pressure, with potential for decentralized ammonia production.
Researchers enhance water solubility and antioxidant properties of quercetin through 'co-amorphization' with amino acids. The study found improved solubility and radical formation, indicating potential for developing more effective supplements and medicines to prevent diseases like diabetes.
Researchers engineered NiCoP4O12/NiCoP nanowire arrays with high specific capacity and improved electrochemical performance through phosphorus doping. The material exhibits a high capacitance of 507.8 μAh·cm−2 and ultra-stable ability after 10000 cycles.
A new study examines how individual electrode particles contribute to battery decay and identifies key factors, including particle properties and interactions. The research aims to develop techniques to control these properties and design more efficient, long-lasting batteries.
A research team developed a technology to increase chirality between light and nanoparticles using metamaterials, significantly strengthening the signal. This allows for the accurate structural analysis of chiral nanoparticles with high precision.
Researchers are developing innovative ways to reuse automotive glass, crushing it into small pieces and purifying the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) for industrial use. This approach aims to reduce waste and conserve resources as the demand for automotive glass continues to grow.
Researchers develop less-corrosive solutions using methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and oleum acids to separate and process nanotubes. The new method enables scalable production of advanced materials with excellent electrical and mechanical properties.
Researchers developed a disposable electrochemical sensor using graphite-based molecularly imprinted polymers to detect theophylline levels. The sensor can identify low concentrations of theophylline (2.5 μg/mL) in whole blood within 3 seconds, enabling real-time monitoring and potential overdose prevention.
Researchers aim to improve stability and efficiency of catalytic materials using quantum mechanics-based calculations and computational simulations. The goal is to create more effective catalysts that reduce pollution and energy consumption.
Researchers at MIT developed an AI method that constrains machine-learning models to suggest molecules with producible chemical structures. The approach guarantees quality and speed, outperforming existing methods in proposing high-quality molecular structures.
University of Virginia professor Rachel Letteri's lab designs polymers for healthcare applications, using peptide fragments to create hydrogels with tunable stiffness and lifespan. The team aims to develop materials that can support cell growth and guide tissue regeneration, with potential applications in regenerative medicine.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed improved DNA nanostructures that can assemble biomolecules with multiple functions, increasing the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The new structures are more stable, non-toxic, and immune system-friendly than previous versions.
Researchers have developed a novel method called 'dative epitaxy' for growing thin layers of crystals made from different materials on top of each other. This technique allows for the formation of special chemical bonds to fix crystal orientation, overcoming limitations of conventional and van der Waals epitaxial techniques.
Researchers at ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering have identified a less toxic dye called pigment red 254 (PR254) as a greener alternative to current anthraquinone dyes used in signal smokes. PR254 forms a red-colored smoke cloud more effectively and is thermally stable, making it suitable for use in heat-generating systems.
A new ultrafast humidity sensing optical sensor has been developed by a POSTECH research team, with an application potential for security tags and humidity-sensitive electronic devices. The sensor boasts an ultrafast speed 10,000 times faster than conventional Fabry-Perot interferometer based optical sensors.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have discovered a way to enhance the surface adhesion of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) by converting oxidized Dopa into a stronger form called △Dopa. This breakthrough enables MAPs to maintain strong underwater adhesion, paving the way for potential biomedical applications.
Researchers developed an alkali-resistant pervaporation membrane with excellent performance in separating sodium chloride solutions. The composite membrane showed stable desalination and alkaline resistance, making it suitable for various industrial applications such as papermaking and water resource recovery.
Researchers use DNA to program metal nanoparticles to assemble into new configurations, resulting in the discovery of three new crystalline phases. The approach enables symmetry breaking and creation of complex colloidal crystal structures with unique optical and catalytic properties.
Elsa Reichmanis has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 John M. Prausnitz AIChE Institute Lecturer Award for her achievements in chemical engineering, electronics, and photonics. Her research focuses on polymeric and nanostructured materials for advanced technologies.
A team of scientists has developed a method for assembling wafer-scale films at the atomic level, enabling large-scale production of artificial crystalline materials. The new technique, which uses van der Waals interactions, produces nearly 100% pristine interfaces and shows promise for developing new materials with unique properties.
A team of researchers from PNNL and UW successfully designed a bio-inspired molecule that directs gold atoms to form perfect nanoscale stars. The work is an important step toward understanding and controlling metal nanoparticle shape and creating advanced materials with tunable properties.
Researchers used machine learning to predict the most important factors underlying heavy metal pollution remediation in biochar-treated soils. Biochar nitrogen content and application rate were found to be the most crucial features in determining HM immobilization, with soil properties also playing a significant role.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg create a new shape-stabilized phase change material that can absorb significantly more heat and is made of harmless substances. The material, which can be used as large panels integrated into walls, can store up to 24 times more heat than conventional concrete or wallboard.
The team's research uses graphene quantum dots with zwitterionic properties to stabilize Pickering emulsions, allowing for controlled release and improved durability in firefighting operations. This technology holds promise for enhanced oil recovery and drug delivery.
A research team from POSTECH has developed a method to print high-performance p-type semiconductor transistors using inorganic metal halide perovskite, exhibiting high hole mobility and current ratio. This technology enables solution-processed perovskite transistors to be simply printed as semiconductor-like circuits, paving the way fo...
Researchers have developed a new type of membrane material that can significantly improve the efficiency of gas separation processes. The membranes, based on hydrocarbon ladder polymers, offer both high permeability and selectivity, making them outperform other polymer materials in many gas separations.
Researchers found that high-speed shearing enhances chemical reactions by accelerating collisions among reactant molecules. The study suggests using a narrow gap between the stator and rotor to eliminate backflow phenomena, improving mixing conditions.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a key reason for the performance decline of sodium-ion batteries, which are promising candidates for replacing lithium-ion materials. By adjusting synthesis conditions, they can fabricate far superior cathodes that will maintain performance with long-term cycling.
Researchers have developed miniaturized reflectors that enlarge the uses of remote infrared spectroscopy, allowing for field-ready devices with minimal size, weight, and power requirements. The devices utilize Ge-BaF2 thin films for surface micromachined mid-wave and long-wave infrared reflectors.
Scientists at Stanford University have created a stretchy display that can change shape in response to user interaction. The display uses elastic light-emitting polymers and has a maximum brightness two times that of a typical cellphone, allowing it to be stretched up to twice its original length without tearing.
Researchers developed long-lived biological computers using RNA, which can persist inside cells. Unlike DNA-based devices, these RNA circuits are dependable and versatile, enabling continuous production in living cells.
A POSTECH research team has proposed a novel filterless and electrokinetic-driven ion separation mechanism for lithium and magnesium without the use of extractants. This method enables precise control over ion migration, reducing losses of lithium during extraction from salt lake brines.
Dr. Perla Balbuena's study uses quantum chemical methods to track specific reactions on Li-metal battery surfaces, revealing insights into polymer formation and surface chemistry. The research aims to optimize Li-metal batteries' performance and lifespan by controlling reactivity.
Researchers have discovered the opto-ionic effect, where light increases the mobility of ions in ceramic materials, improving the performance of devices such as solid-state electrolytes in fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries. This effect could lead to higher charging speeds and more efficient energy conversion technologies.
Researchers have discovered an enhanced reaction rate when gold and palladium nanoparticles are placed on a conductive support, leading to faster production of bio-derived chemicals and fuels. This new approach combines electrocatalysis and thermal catalysis to design novel catalyst systems.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an optical encryption platform that works in both the visible and ultraviolet regimes. The platform uses metasurface technology to display unique product numbers and improve encryption security.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a 'self-driving lab' that uses artificial intelligence and fluidic systems to advance our understanding of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals. The technology can autonomously dope MHP nanocrystals, adding manganese atoms on demand, allowing for faster control over properties.
A study by Sibani Lisa Biswal and Kedar Joshi shows that magnetically driven colloidal suspensions exhibit behavior consistent with the principles of classical thermodynamics, including vapor pressure, viscosity, and surface tension. The researchers' findings have implications for designing materials with reconfigurable properties.
Researchers from NUS's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering have demonstrated the stability of CO2 hydrates in oceanic sediments, a potential technology for storing large volumes of carbon emissions. The team found that CO2 hydrates can remain stable for up to 30 days under pressurized conditions.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new process for producing liquid crystals that is more efficient and environmentally friendly. The approach uses multi-component reactions to simplify the production process, eliminating the need for harsh solvents and reducing energy consumption.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new, inexpensive catalyst material that can produce oxygen from water, potentially replacing rare metals and reducing the cost of producing carbon-neutral fuels. The material, made of abundant components, allows for precise tuning and matches or exceeds the performance of conventional catalysts.
Pharmaceutical firms are working towards using machine learning to analyze vast stores of data, developing models that evolve and improve as the data are processed. However, experts agree that a fully functional end-to-end approach is still a ways off due to biology's complexity.
A chemical used in electric vehicle batteries can also power rockets and satellites, reducing CO2 emissions and requiring less storage. The new fuel, ammonia borane, releases more energy than traditional hydrocarbon fuels and has no environmental impact.
Researchers develop alternative diagnostic technology to evaluate Li-ion battery degradation mechanism quickly and efficiently. The approach allows for rapid detection of LLI degradation, facilitating real-time monitoring of individual cells' state of health.
Researchers are exploring how bacteria form biofilms, which can be detrimental to health but also have potential uses in medicine and environmental cleanup. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind microbial growth in biofilms and develop new materials and treatments.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory discovered how microparticles can change direction when an electric stimulus is interrupted and reapplied with the same orientation. This emergent behavior has potential applications in microfluidic pumps for biomedical, chemical, and electronics applications.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material with remarkable toughness and stretchiness, comparable to cartilage. The ionogels created by the team exhibit self-healing and shape memory properties, making them suitable for various applications.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology outlines an optimized recycling process for electric vehicle batteries, reducing thermal treatment times to just 30 minutes and operating at room temperature. This process can increase the efficiency of metal recovery, lower environmental impacts, and reduce costs.
A research team has developed a highly active catalyst for CO2 reduction using electrocatalysts with dual-atom iron sites. The catalyst shows a 2.8 times higher conversion efficiency compared to single-atom catalysts.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin created a new nanocrystal gel that can be easily tuned to work as an optical filter, controlling heating or cooling dynamically. This versatile material has applications for thermal camouflage in defense and telecommunications.