What makes good fibroblasts go bad?
Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for extracellular matrices, become diseased in fibrosis. Researchers create 3D hydrogels that mimic living tissue to study fibrosis progression and epigenetic responses.
Chemical Engineering
Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
NSF renews funding for Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium
The National Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Materials Innovation Platform at Penn State's Materials Research Institute, enabling the development of new ultra-thin materials with unique quantum properties. The facility will advance 2D materials research across the US, supporting over 100 scientists nationwide.
Ohio's Sumit Sharma receives National Science Foundation CAREER award to study metallic nanoparticle
Sumit Sharma, assistant professor at Ohio University, has received a $511,902 NSF CAREER grant to investigate surfactant molecule adsorption on metallic nanoparticles. His research aims to develop a fundamental theory explaining the optimal surfactants for specific results.
Therapeutics that can shut down harmful genes need a reliable delivery system
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can effectively deliver and protect siRNA, a promising class of therapeutics targeting harmful genes. This breakthrough aims to improve the treatment of diseases by fine-tuning mRNA production, offering a new approach to managing irregular protein expression.
Sensors developed at URI can identify threats at the molecular level
Researchers have developed sensors that can detect explosive materials, particles from deadly viruses, and illegal drugs at the part-per-quadrillion level. The technology has a wide range of applications, including monitoring wounds in soldiers and detecting roadside IEDs.
Asian scientists grapple with belonging
Racist attacks against Asian Americans have increased notably since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many to reevaluate their careers in the US. The Biden administration hopes to revise immigration policies and retain international scientists, but awareness and tolerance remain uncertain for the Asian community.
New material to treat wounds can protect against resistant bacteria
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new hydrogel material that prevents infections in wounds, effective against all types of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. The material uses antimicrobial peptides and is promising for combating global health threats.
SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateMay 11, 2021
Hydrocracking our way to recycling plastic waste
University of Delaware researchers report a breakthrough process that can convert hard-to-recycle plastics into usable molecules. The hydrocracking process requires less energy than other technologies and can treat various plastics, even when mixed together.
Bioengineer wins NIH grant to attack cystic fibrosis
Xue Sherry Gao, a bioengineer at Rice University, has won an NIH grant to develop tools that can correct multiple single mutations causing cystic fibrosis. Her approach uses CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing to fix the faulty CFTR gene, which is difficult to treat with traditional gene therapy.
TPU scientists develop sensor with nanopores for definition doping in blood
The researchers created a new sensor using two layers of nanopores that can detect specific enantiomers of chiral molecules, allowing for faster and cheaper detection than traditional methods. The sensor operates by exploiting surface plasmon resonance and takes less than 5 minutes to analyze.
Size matters when it comes to atomic properties
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have derived equations that explain how changes in an atom's size affect its total energy and electronegativity. The study, published in Chemical Science, paves the way for advances in material development and could help identify new opportunities for high-pressure synthesis.
Researchers use "swarmalation" to design active materials for self-regulating soft robots
Chemical engineers at the University of Pittsburgh create self-oscillating flexible materials that display swarmalator behavior, coordinating spatial movement and temporal oscillations. These materials can pave the way for fabricating collaborative soft robotic systems.
UNIST takes top prize at 2021 Samsung Humantech Paper Award
UNIST students won multiple awards at the 2021 Samsung Humantech Paper Award, including the grand prize for Jong Won Oh's work on multimodal holograms. The institute has a strong track record of producing excellent research, with 2 Silver and 5 Bronze awards also given to students.
Two UNIST faculty members elected as 2020 KAST fellows
Distinguished Professor Sang Il Seok was recognized for his record-breaking efficiency of next-generation perovskite solar cells. Professor Jong-Beom Baek was elected a 2021 Fellow of KAST in engineering field for successfully achieving mass production of graphene.
ACS Nano special edition highlights innovations at KAIST
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has been featured in a special virtual issue of ACS Nano, highlighting its collective intelligence and technological innovation. The issue showcases KAIST's vision of becoming a global value-creative leading university and its progress over the last 50 years.
SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 8, 2021
Professor developing indoor COVID-19 detector
Professor Gerardine Botte has received a $999,047 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop an indoor COVID-19 sensor that can detect traces of SARS-CoV-2 in air. The sensor has already demonstrated fast detection capabilities in saliva and water, and the goal is to extend this technology for air collection.
Celebrating Black chemists and chemical engineers
The American Chemical Society highlights the achievements of Black scientists in chemistry and chemical engineering, including drug discovery, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy. The special issue showcases their work and calls for greater recognition and inclusion in the science enterprise.
Among the leaders in medical and biological engineering
Prof. Thomas H. Epps, III has been elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows for outstanding contributions to self-assembly of polymeric materials for drug delivery and gene therapy applications. He will join a group of top medical and biological engineers in the US.
Stretching possibilities
Liheng Cai's lab creates a new synthetic rubber that is 1,000 times softer than conventional rubber but still holds its shape. The material has superior mechanical properties and can be used for various applications, including medical implants and soft robots.
What the Biden-Harris administration means for chemistry
The Biden-Harris administration aims to create research and development opportunities in clean energy and switch the US to cleaner sources. Climate change policies and updates to regulations will also be prioritized to protect public health from toxic substances. Immigration reform may lead to more scientific collaboration and access f...
Coiling them up: Synthesizing organic molecules with a long helical structure
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology produced and characterized novel organic molecules with a long helical structure, revealing special interactions between coils that can exhibit interesting optical and chemical properties. The longer compounds also displayed face-to-face stabilizing interactions between different helical lay...
Conductive nature in crystal structures revealed at magnification of 10 million times
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota has made a groundbreaking discovery in materials science by observing metallic lines in a perovskite crystal. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals new possibilities for creating transparent conductive materials that could be used in touchscreens and smart windows.
The biggest chemistry stories of 2020
The novel coronavirus was a major focus of chemistry research in 2020, with thousands of papers published on mask efficacy, disinfectants and virus transmission. Other notable topics included new insights into planetary atmospheres and the impact of climate change on wildfires.
Controlling the nanoscale structure of membranes is key for clean water, researchers find
Desalination membranes' density distribution at the nanoscale is crucial for performance. Thinner membranes with consistent density improve water filtration, contrary to previous thought that thickness matters more. This breakthrough could lead to 30-40% efficiency increase and cost savings.
Shifting gears toward chemical machines
Pittsburgh engineers build a two-dimensional sheet that spontaneously transforms into a three-dimensional gear, performing sustained work without external power. The innovation enables the development of self-powered machines for resource-poor environments.
ModMol the new app to observe molecules in 3D
ModMol is an augmented reality app that allows users to visualize and edit molecules in 3D. The app currently supports 115 molecules, including organic and inorganic systems, biomolecules, polymers, and proteins. It enables users to customize molecules using the period table and standard fragments, and save edited structures for export.
Eric Beckman named 8th National Academy of Inventors Fellow from Pitt
Dr. Eric Beckman, a renowned engineer at the University of Pittsburgh, has been recognized as an NAI Fellow for his groundbreaking research in molecular design, biomedical polymers, and sustainability. His work aims to create new knowledge that benefits human health and the environment.
Breaking the rules of chemistry unlocks new reaction
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a new method to produce chemical molecules more efficiently through a one-step reaction in an enzyme. This breakthrough has significant implications for the production of pharmaceuticals, with potential applications in the development of new drugs.
Ten chemistry start-ups to watch
The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual list of 10 promising chemistry start-ups, focusing on innovative solutions for drug discovery, waste recycling, sustainable materials, and quantum computing. Companies like Aryballe and Evrnu are developing groundbreaking technologies to address pressing global challenges.
MTU, UMass researchers preserve viral vaccines without refrigeration
Michigan Technological University and University of Massachusetts researchers develop a way to mimic the body's environment in vaccines, keeping viruses stable through crowding. This method has potential to improve access to vaccinations against various viruses, bypassing the cold chain.
Radical diagnostic could save millions of people at risk of dying from blood loss
Engineers at Monash University developed a portable and cheap diagnostic that measures fibrinogen concentration in blood. This simple test can diagnose hypofibrinogenemia in critically bleeding patients anywhere in the world, reducing treatment time by up to five times.
Projects led by Pitt chemical engineers receive more than $1 million in NSF funding
Two Pitt projects have received more than $1 million in NSF funding, one investigating the water wettability of floating graphene and the other developing high-performance materials for liquid-phase energy storage systems.
Cultivating Black chemists
HBCUs graduate more successful Black chemists than other schools due to their supportive faculty, rigorous curriculum, and diverse environment. However, HBCUs face limitations in funding and faculty burden, which can impact publication and collaboration.
University of Illinois to lead two of seven new national artificial intelligence institutes
The University of Illinois will lead two of seven new national artificial intelligence institutes, one focusing on agricultural resilience and the other on molecular discovery. The institutes aim to advance AI research in computer vision, machine learning, and automation to address major agricultural challenges.
Breakthrough technology purifies water using the power of sunlight
A global research team has developed a new adsorbent-based desalination process that uses sunlight to regenerate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), producing clean drinking water in under 30 minutes. The technology filters harmful particles and achieves a TDS of <500 ppm, making it suitable for millions of people globally.
A new way to fabricate MXene films that block electromagnetic interference
A research team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel approach to fabricating MXene films that can effectively block electromagnetic interference. The drop-casting method on pre-patterned hydrophobic substrates resulted in a 38% enhancement of EMI shielding efficiency over conventional methods, making it scalable an...
Breaking molecular traffic jams with finned nanoporous materials
Researchers developed finned nanoporous materials that facilitate faster molecular transport, reducing transportation limitations in zeolite catalysts. The new design triples the efficiency of conventional catalytic materials and enables longer catalyst lifetimes.
C&EN names top 50 chemical companies
The American Chemical Society names BASF the number one chemical company for 2019, followed by Sinopec and Dow/DuPont, in its annual Global Top 50 list. The report shows a decline in earnings due to trade tensions and poor automotive performance.
Uncovering the nitty-gritty details of surface tension and flow behavior
Sachin Velankar receives $292K from NSF to study micromechanics of surface tension, exploring its impact on material flow behavior. The research aims to understand particle cluster dynamics and inform industrial processes like oil drilling, 3D printing, and food industry mixing.
Digitizing chemistry with a smart stir bar
Researchers created an inexpensive smart stir bar that can automatically measure and transmit data on a solution's properties to a smartphone or computer. This device uses open-source software and low-cost components to detect parameters such as color, electrical conductivity, and viscosity.
In one hour, surface coating inactivates virus that causes COVID-19
A surface coating developed by Virginia Tech professor William Ducker has been shown to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, by 99.9% in one hour when applied to glass or stainless steel surfaces.
Making a material impact
The University of Delaware's new Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials (UD CHARM) aims to transform the way materials are made. Researchers will focus on developing new materials with potential applications in biomedicine, security, sensing, and more.
Biobased chemicals take center stage
Biobased chemicals are being developed to replace petroleum-based products in various industries, including diapers, electronics, and automotive coatings. These new materials offer improved performance and sustainability, with potential applications in areas such as electronic touchscreen displays and emission-reducing coatings.
Like oil and water
A new 3D-printed membrane designed by Pitt ChemE professor Lei Li has the potential to efficiently separate oil and water. The membrane's unique surface topography and pore size will enable effective separation of oil-water emulsions, converting oily wastewater into purified water.
Microbubbles controlled by acoustical tweezers for highly localized drug release
Researchers at CNRS and Delft University of Technology have developed acoustical tweezers to control microbubbles, enabling highly localized drug delivery. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for controlled medicine delivery and tissue engineering using stem cells.
Predicting unpredictable reactions
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh and Politecnico di Milano advances computational catalysis by simulating realistic catalysts under reaction conditions. The researchers developed a method to model catalyst morphology and catalytic activity under reaction conditions, enabling the prediction of unpredictable reactions.
Nitrogen-efficient fertilizer research could have lasting impact
Jonas Baltrusaitis is investigating dry mechanochemical synthesis of urea ionic cocrystals for more stable fertilizer materials. This technology aims to slow down urea hydrolysis, reduce ammonia emissions and extend nitrogen availability to plants.
Universal virus detection platform to expedite viral diagnosis?
Researchers at KAIST developed a universal virus detection platform using reactive polymer-grafted double-stranded RNAs, which can detect viruses without prior knowledge of their genomic sequences. This platform provides enhanced sensitivity and can be used to quickly differentiate infected populations from non-infected ones.
SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJun 1, 2020
Device simulates filtering and ion transport functions of human kidney
A novel technology that simulates human kidney functions could transform treatment options for those in the final stage of renal disease. The device, developed by University of Arkansas researchers, can filter blood and control chemistry using an electric field.
Technology makes tissues elastic and lasting for easier imaging
A team of MIT researchers has developed ELAST technology, which provides a fast way to fluorescently label cells, proteins, and molecules in brain and other large tissues. The technology enables fully reversible tissue shape transformation while preserving structural and molecular information.
Chemistry job seekers face tough outlook during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the chemistry industry, with academic jobs facing hiring freezes and reduced pay. Despite this, certain sectors like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are experiencing increased demand and hiring opportunities.
Engineering a new model for respiratory infection treatment
A new model for respiratory infection treatment is being developed using mathematical modeling to predict and treat patients at risk of extreme lung inflammation. The University of Pittsburgh's Jason Shoemaker received a $547K NSF CAREER Award to create computational models of the immune response to seasonal influenza viruses.
COVID-19 has led to more deep cleaning: Which disinfectants and masks work best together?
The University of Texas at Austin researchers aim to find the best mask-disinfectant combinations to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals. The project uses thermal manikins and mass spectrometers to measure the effects of different disinfectants on masks.
Engineering honor For Lashanda Korley
LaShanda Korley, a renowned materials scientist at the University of Delaware, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Her work focuses on developing bio-inspired materials with applications in healthcare, sensing, and soft robotics.
Development of attachable sticker-type rechargeable batteries
A joint research team from KIER, KAIST, PNU, NTU developed a high-performance re-attachable sticker-type energy storage device. The new technology features a flexible structure that can be attached anywhere on objects or surfaces using ultrashort-pulse-lasers.
SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateApr 14, 2020
Tight spaces tip presence of petrochemicals
Researchers at Rice University have found that the size of the space trapping petrochemicals is the primary factor behind puzzling NMR signals, leading to better interpretation of logs in unconventional shale formations. The discovery is crucial for extracting oil and gas safely and economically.
Let's do the twist
Researchers designed a polymer that can twist and bend in response to light, mimicking human muscle movement. The polymer's chiral structure changes direction when exposed to different light sources, enabling simultaneous bending and twisting motions.
Revamping optical fibers to transmit even more data
Researchers explore alternative materials to improve optical fiber's data transmission capabilities, as telecom demands grow. They discovered fluoride glass can transmit light over a wider range of wavelengths, but it is more expensive and brittle.
Trailblazers issue celebrates women entrepreneurs in chemistry
The American Chemical Society is celebrating women entrepreneurs in chemistry with a special issue, featuring 20 female pioneers who have founded companies in biotechnology, solar energy, pharmaceuticals, and more. The Trailblazers issue aims to address the gender gap in funding and promote diversity in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Researchers identify breaking point of conducting material
Researchers at Penn State developed a new method to predict the temperature when plastics change from supple to brittle, which could accelerate the development of flexible electronics. The study found that a simple relationship between chemical structure and glass transition temperature can be used to predict embrittlement point.