Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
The 23rd Carbon Research International Forum highlights engineered biochar's potential in supporting carbon capture, resource recovery, and sustainable industrial development. Recent progress in converting agricultural and industrial residues into high-performance carbon materials was discussed.
A new portable sensor developed by Griffith University can rapidly detect 'forever chemicals' in water at a lower cost than traditional laboratory-based methods. The test has the potential to make high-quality PFAS monitoring more accessible, particularly for regional areas and developing nations.
Researchers at MIT discovered that gene circuits can reshape DNA folding and affect gene expression in human cells. The study found that rearranging genes along a DNA strand, or 'gene syntax,' can amplify or suppress the expression of neighboring genes.
Harvard engineers develop new method to preserve long molecular chains in natural rubber, resulting in composite materials that are both stiff and tough. The innovation has the potential to cut waste, reduce tire dust pollution, and open new avenues for high-performance elastomers.
A team of researchers designed a bismuth-coordinated melanin material to shield against radiation and alleviate acute radiation syndrome (ARS), with promising results in mouse experiments. The material showed stronger shielding and antioxidant effects, improving survival rates from 20% to 60%.
Researchers tune Pt d electrons to boost LOHC dehydrogenation, achieving volcano-shaped correlation between Pt d electron density and turnover frequency. The optimized catalyst, Pt/MgO, maintains stable performance with lower coke deposition.
A new study introduces a neural-network-based switching output regulation controller for high-speed nano-positioning stages, reducing hysteresis nonlinearity and improving tracking performance. The research presents a mechatronic platform and control framework that supports reliable micro- and nano-scale manipulation.
A new framework, Synthegy, combines established search algorithms with artificial intelligence capable of interpreting chemical strategies expressed in natural language. This allows chemists to express their goals in plain language and receive strategically relevant solutions.
Researchers at Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology have developed a machine-learning model to design efficient urea catalysts using waste gases. The model accurately predicted key co-adsorption energy values, narrowing down over 1,400 candidates to promising ones.
Tiny bubbles in water electrolysis can account for significant efficiency losses, ranging from 5-25% of total energy input. Researchers are exploring ways to design electrode surfaces and optimize operating conditions to manage bubble buildup and improve performance.
Researchers developed an AI-powered methodology to identify and count target viruses more efficiently than previous techniques. The new approach uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and machine learning to separate signals from noise, enabling quick and accurate readings across a wide range of titers.
Researchers have created a novel sorbent made from chitosan/cellulose acetate and bentonite composites that show promise for cleaning up oil spills. The beads are floatable, biodegradable, and environmentally compatible, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution.
A research group developed an optimized signal transmission system for implantable medical devices, improving accuracy and strength of wireless signals. The approach uses ultra-wideband communication to coordinate multiple implants and reduce signal distortion, enabling more effective healthcare applications.
The Universitat Jaume I and AICE have established a joint GEA research laboratory to promote joint research and innovation in environmental engineering. The lab aims to foster knowledge transfer, train PhD graduates, and collaborate with companies in the region.
Researchers at NUS CDE have developed biowaste coatings that improve the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals, achieving high selectivity rates and reducing reliance on PFAS. The coatings, made from crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons, and plant matter, offer a cost-effective pathway to climate technology.
Researchers developed a heat-tolerant cutinase enzyme that combines structural rigidity with flexibility, enabling efficient degradation of PET at high temperatures. This discovery provides new insights into designing enzymes for sustainable plastic recycling and addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison develop a systematic study for sustainable production of malonic acid via oxidation of 3-hydroxypropionic acid with a Pd/Carbon catalyst. The kinetic model validated the network, displaying excellent agreement and providing insight into conditions that maximize MA production.
The research team successfully synthesized a novel single-crystalline 3D borate covalent organic framework, demonstrating exceptional performance as a solid-state electrolyte. The advancement promises safer and higher energy density solutions for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.
A new study introduces the diameter-transformed fluidized bed (DTFB) reactor, which addresses national demands for upgraded automotive gasoline quality and advanced heterogeneous catalytic reactions. The DTFB platform achieves precise selectivity control for complex catalytic reactions in a single fluidized bed.
The researchers developed an AI-based method that allows users to input natural language prompts about the materials they want to create and suggests optimal procedures for experiments to produce them. The method has been successfully applied to identify catalysts for turning carbon dioxide and hydrogen into carbon monoxide and water u...
Researchers have developed RoboChem Flex, a versatile and modular autonomous synthesis robot that reduces costs to $5000. The system offers human-in-the-loop analytics, Bayesian optimization, and integration with various analytical instruments, making it accessible to laboratories of all sizes.
Researchers have developed a water-soluble cellulose ethyl phosphite (CEP) adhesive that integrates high bonding strength, environmental tolerance, and recyclability. The CEP adhesive demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and resistance to moisture-related degradation, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that dragonfly visual protein detects red light similarly to mammals. This finding has potential applications in medical fields relying on red light-sensing, such as optogenetics.
A research team from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a new type of photodetector that achieves impressive responsivity and detectivity. The device uses highly ordered superlattices to overcome the limitations of traditional quantum dot-based photodetectors.
A novel mechanical activation assisted strategy achieves selective extraction of Li+ from spent cathode materials with highly utilization efficiency of H+ (>97%), reducing secondary pollutant generation. The developed process obviates the need for auxiliary reagents and substantially reduces chemical consumption.
Researchers developed an AI tool to predict how effectively biochar materials break down antibiotics, offering a faster and smarter way to design environmental cleanup technologies. The framework accurately estimates reaction rates and provides scientific insights into material characteristics that influence performance.
A new platinum-based catalyst has been developed at SKKU, improving both activity and durability in hydrogen fuel cells. The catalyst's optimized electronic structure delivers high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and outstanding durability, making it suitable for use in hydrogen electric vehicles.
The €30 million ASCEND project aims to accelerate catalyst discovery using Digital Catalysis and thin-film technologies. By combining AI with physical synthesis and stress testing, the project seeks to unlock performance breakthroughs for commercially viable large-scale deployment of green hydrogen and sustainable chemicals.
Researchers at University of Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medicine used protein nanoparticles to genetically modify several types of human cells, including liver cancer and immune cells. The goal is to develop a safer method for delivering gene therapies without using modified viruses.
NYU faculty Eray Aydil, André Fenton, Anirban Maitra, and Liina Pylkkänen recognized for their groundbreaking work in materials synthesis, neuroscience, cancer research, and language processing. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has selected 449 members as AAAS Fellows this year.
Researchers have developed a new class of carbon materials called 'viciazites' that contain carefully controlled configurations of nitrogen groups, enabling low-temperature operation and efficient CO2 capture. The materials outperform untreated carbon fibers in CO2 uptake and desorption at temperatures below 60°C.
A new study developed an AI-driven strategy that accelerates catalyst discovery while revealing the underlying chemistry. The approach, referred to as 'gray-box,' provided meaningful insights into the effect of individual promoters and synergistic interactions between them.
Health Engineering combines engineering principles with life sciences to address pressing global health challenges, focusing on prevention, precision intervention, and long-term health maintenance. The journal publishes interdisciplinary research across various fields, including biomaterials, synthetic biology, and precision medicine.
Researchers redesigned a key component of lipid nanoparticles to steer particles toward lymph nodes, reducing off-target delivery. This advancement could make mRNA vaccines more efficient, potentially achieving strong immune protection at lower doses.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo successfully developed a high-pressure freezing method that reduces CPA concentration to 20-30% and improves cell viability and metabolic activity. The method holds promise for cryopreservation in regenerative medicine research, with potential applications in drug testing and cell transplantation.
Research team identifies two key strategies to address polyolefin environmental challenges: mechanical upcycling and redesign. Upcycling converts waste into high-value products, while redesign enhances production efficiency and material performance.
Research highlights biodegradable polymers' energy efficiency in recycling, challenging the assumption of composting as the only end-of-life solution. Chemical recycling offers better environmental and economic outcomes, transforming waste into a profitable resource.
A research team from East China Normal University highlights photocatalysis as a promising strategy to convert plastic waste into useful small molecules, fuels, and functional materials. The approach allows plastics to be transformed under relatively mild conditions, with various mechanistic frameworks offering different advantages.
Scientists have developed a light-activated material that can convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a key building block for fuels and chemicals, using sunlight and water. The material, which combines ideas from biology and materials science, produces CO extremely efficiently with no detectable by-products.
Researchers developed a water-rich, Jell-O-like hydrogel that mimics human tissue's movement, stretching, and relaxation. The hydrogel can be precisely controlled by light, enabling the study of cell behavior and disease modeling.
Researchers developed a spray shield that adheres to transplant organs using mussel-derived adhesive protein, reducing immune rejection and its side effects. This innovation enables targeted delivery of immunosuppressants directly to the transplanted site, increasing success rates in xenograft transplantation.
Researchers developed a wearable vibration sensor capable of detecting subtle body movements without external power, opening new possibilities for healthcare technologies. The sensor accurately captures physiological signals and detects extremely faint vibrations across a broad frequency range.
Researchers used multi-omics technologies to identify novel pathways and mechanisms involved in degrading organic micropollutants. The integration of omics data at different levels revealed the genetic potential and community composition of OMP-degrading microorganisms.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a single-atom catalyst that enables more efficient CO2-based methanol synthesis. The new catalyst, composed of isolated indium atoms on hafnium oxide, allows for the use of precious metals in an economically viable manner.
University of Utah researchers have discovered a steam-enabled self-cleaning mechanism that dramatically improves sulfur tolerance in solid oxide fuel cell anodes. The addition of rhodium leads to the formation of bimetallic nanoparticles that actively resist sulfur poisoning and autonomously regenerate under steam exposure.
A study found that WWTP upgrades improved river water quality by reducing total nitrogen concentrations. The upgrade triggered significant shifts in bacterial communities' composition and nitrogen-cycling functions, while viral communities adjusted their functional strategies.
Researchers developed a machine learning-guided strategy to design advanced biochar materials that remove phosphorus efficiently while lowering treatment costs. The study provides a practical pathway for restoring eutrophic waters at large scale.
A research team has engineered bacteria capable of consuming tumours from the inside out, using a novel tool for cancer treatment. The bacteria, Clostridium sporogenes, are designed to multiply in oxygen-free environments found in solid tumours, where they can effectively target and destroy cancerous cells.
Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed new bio-based resins that match or exceed the performance of fossil-based counterparts. The resins are produced from biomass-derived platform chemicals and offer a critical sustainability advantage: chemical recyclability.
Researchers discovered that adding salt additives and water enables PEDOT:PSS to grow hair-like fibers conducting electricity. The material's stretchability and conductivity can be enhanced by adjusting the chemical makeup, making it suitable for bioelectronic devices.
Researchers at Penn State develop novel technology to isolate and recover dysprosium, a critical rare earth element used in semiconductors and other applications. The new approach uses cellulose-based nanocellulose to selectively separate dysprosium from other elements, promoting a more environmentally friendly and efficient method.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new Prussian-blue based electrode that can effectively remove cesium from water. The electrode, made by combining Prussian blue with chemically treated carbon cloth, demonstrates high capacity for cesium adsorption and excellent reusability.
Professor Michael L. King has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his seminal contributions to transport phenomena and biomedical engineering. His work has deepened fundamental understanding of particle transport, adhesion, and aerosol behavior in biological systems, informing advances across biomedical applications...
A new review assesses the current state of science, technology, and policy around managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) waste in semiconductor manufacturing. The authors outline three priority areas: improved monitoring, effective separation, and safe destruction.
Anne Aunins, a UVA chemical engineering alumna and board member, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for her innovative work in bioprocess engineering and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Her contributions have had transformative impact on industry and society, particularly during the global COVID-19 crisis.
Researchers at TUM developed a coating that makes UV-A radiation visible using proteins and bacteria, opening up new possibilities for sustainable materials. The coating, which includes the protein mEosFP, reliably detects contact with UV-A light and can be integrated into paints and coatings without compromising material properties.
Wachs was recognized for his work on mixed oxide catalysts that guide the rational design of solid catalysts for air pollution remediation, sustainable energy, fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. His election to the NAE honors his contributions to chemical engineering and the modern field of operando molecular spectroscopy.
The substance-energy network is a strategic concept for China's energy system transformation, integrating power grids and pipeline networks for flexible and resilient energy systems. It provides solutions for large-scale renewable energy consumption and high-reliability energy security.
Researchers at Chiba University developed oxygen-functionalized graphene membranes that selectively separate carbon dioxide from methane while maintaining high permeability. The study demonstrates the potential of graphene-based filtration systems for next-generation gas purification, enabling cheaper and cleaner energy production.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a new technology for plastic recycling that uses aqueous chemi-mechanical recycling to blend, decolorize, and purify mixed polyolefins. This approach reduces energy consumption and eliminates toxic chemicals compared to existing methods.