Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
Recent studies highlight conductive hydrogels as solutions in biosignal monitoring and electrical stimulation. Their tunable mechanical and electrical characteristics enable a wide range of applications, including wearable sensors, neural interfaces, and drug delivery systems.
Chungnam National University researchers developed a magnetoplasmonic strain sensor that changes color in response to mechanical stress, offering a reliable and user-friendly solution for real-time health and activity tracking. The device is powered-free, versatile, and ideal for use in remote or extreme environments.
Researchers at Chiba University have created an electronically controllable sliding molecular machine using a newly modified ferrocene molecule. The discovery overcomes the challenge of stabilizing the fragile ferrocene molecule on a flat surface, enabling precise control of its motion through electrical signals.
A Japanese research team investigates the origin of Bi2212's strong optical anisotropy, finding that increasing lead content reduces incommensurate modulation, enabling accurate measurement of optical activity and circular dichroism. This study contributes to understanding high-temperature superconductivity mechanisms.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed high-performance, low-cost zinc-sulfur batteries with enhanced energy capacity, improved conductivity and stability. These advancements address long-standing safety concerns and enable smaller, longer-lasting designs.
University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science professors William Epling and Roseanne Ford were elected as fellows to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. They are recognized for their expertise in environmental catalysis and bacterial chemotaxis, respectively.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo develop a new approach to produce four-stranded β-sheets with precisely controlled number of strands, overcoming challenges of fibril aggregation and isomeric variation. This breakthrough could advance biotechnology and nanotechnology applications.
A team led by Eric Stach at Penn Engineering has developed a new approach to visualize and understand molecular catalysts on semiconductor surfaces. By combining atomic-resolution imaging with machine learning analysis, they created detailed maps of the distribution and behavior of these microscopic structures.
Researchers at TUM have identified a new, highly effective filter material that can remove hazardous PFAS chemicals from drinking water. The bespoke metal-organic framework compounds are adaptable and electrostatically charged, significantly improving filter capacity compared to existing materials.
Researchers at MIT have developed a class of biodegradable materials that can replace plastic beads used in some health and beauty products. The particles are shown to be effective in encapsulating essential nutrients such as vitamin A, which could help alleviate nutrient deficiencies in populations worldwide.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a non-toxic pesticide using neem seed extract and nanotechnology. The new formulation shows improved targeting ability and reduces environmental pollution by up to 80-90% of sprayed pesticides missing their target entirely.
Researchers have created a versatile shape-changing polymer that can twist, tilt, shrink, and expand, mimicking animal movements. The polymer's unique properties make it useful for creating soft robots or artificial muscles, with potential applications in medicine and other fields.
At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 104 researchers have reached this milestone. The honorees are working on strategies including advanced manufacturing and carbon management.
A Virginia Tech researcher has received a collaborative grant to improve cancer therapies by developing 3D liver organoids and employing cutting-edge microscopy technology. The project aims to identify the most effective treatments for cancer, enabling better-targeted treatments.
Researchers develop innovative hybrid control strategy to improve product yields in biosynthetic processes. The new approach combines model-based optimization with in-cell feedback control, outperforming traditional methods and promising reduced costs and environmental impact.
A new ZrO2/Al2O3 catalyst has been developed to significantly enhance CO2 desorption efficiency, reducing energy consumption by 27.56% and optimizing costs. The catalyst's porous structure and active Zr–O–Al coordination promote proton transfer, accelerating CO2 desorption kinetics.
A new catalyst converts methane into polymers at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, making it easier to deploy at sites of methane production. The catalyst also enables the creation of sealants to heal cracks in natural gas pipes, potentially reducing methane leakage.
Researchers have developed a coral-inspired biomimetic material that promotes faster healing and dissolves naturally in the body. The material has been shown to fully repair bone defects within 3-6 months, overcoming limitations of traditional synthetic substitutes.
Bentham Science journals Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry and CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets accepted for PsycInfo database indexing, enhancing global visibility of research. PsycInfo provides extensive coverage of behavioral and social sciences, making this move a significant step forward.
Researchers developed engineered biochar with enhanced properties for environmental remediation and energy storage. The study highlights the potential of biochar in soil amendment, water purification, supercapacitors, and batteries, but also identifies challenges such as complex biomass composition and lack of standardized protocols.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have developed a new material that creates synthetic heart valves as effective as native ones. The innovative material, created by Dr Roberto Volpe, has anisotropic properties that mimic natural tissue and can be fine-tuned for rigidity and flexibility.
Researchers at Penn School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new method to refine ionizable lipids, key ingredients in lipid nanoparticles. This approach combines precision with rapid output, enabling safer and more effective mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.
University of Delaware researchers develop a method to remove toxic particles from tires by upgrading a molecule that provides UV protection into safe chemicals. The leftover crumb rubber can be recycled using classic plastic recycling methods or converted into aromatics and carbon black.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new method to break down PFAS, a group of human-made 'forever' chemicals. The system uses an LED light-based photocatalytic approach that can be used at room temperature, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution than traditional chemical manufacturing processes.
Chemists at Ohio State University have developed a novel way to capture and convert carbon dioxide into methane, utilizing nickel-based catalysts and reducing the need for massive amounts of energy. This breakthrough could pave the way for more efficient climate mitigation technologies and help close the carbon cycle.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco designed biological sensors that can ensure engineered cells are activated in tumor environments, making cancer therapies more effective. The new sensors, called SNIPRs, can bind to soluble molecules and alter gene expression, offering a promising approach for targeted therapies.
Researchers developed Virtual Ligand-Assisted Optimization to enhance ligand design and effectiveness in chemical reactions. The approach analyzes ligands through computer simulations, allowing for quick testing of different designs.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel three-chamber electrochemical reactor that improves the selectivity and efficiency of lithium extraction from geothermal brines. The reactor achieves high lithium purity rates and minimizes by-product formation, offering a promising approach to address growing demand for lithium in ...
A recent Stanford University study has identified 33 current faculty members from Binghamton University as among the top 2% of all researchers worldwide in their fields. The researchers were ranked based on their career-long or single-year output and citation metrics, indicating their significant impact on their respective fields.
The university introduces Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Double Major Bachelor of Engineering Science in Process Engineering and Synthetic Chemistry to address global demand for roboticists. The programs incorporate AI-related elements and are designed to provide students with a unique skill set.
A proof-of-concept study has demonstrated that off-the-shelf thermoelectric generators can convert CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals. The temperature differences encountered in various environments, from geothermal installations to the Martian surface, could power this conversion.
The University of Birmingham and DEFRA's Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee have published new recommendations for improving chemical testing. The report suggests that the UK can adopt a risk-based approach to regulation, using New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), to reduce animal testing and improve safety assessments.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new, portable method to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water. The device is small, inexpensive, and can detect levels as low as 400 ppt, making it more accessible for on-site testing.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) developed a smart insect screen-inspired film that regulates solar heat and lowers interior temperatures. The breakthrough, published in Advanced Functional Materials, achieves both transparency and radiative cooling performance.
Scientists at The University of Tokyo successfully observe the existence of space charge layers in solid electrolyte fuel cells, shedding light on their impact on ion conduction. By controlling grain boundary structure, they can eliminate these layers and improve material performance.
A research group at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a silk thread coated with a conductive plastic material that can generate electricity from temperature differences. The thread shows promising properties for turning textiles into electricity generators, which could be used to monitor health or charge mobile phones.
Yihao Zheng and his team are developing a fiber-optic probe that analyzes artery blockages in the brain and guides procedures for blockage removal. The technology uses light and advanced calculations to determine the properties of blood clots, enabling doctors to make informed decisions about how to remove them.
Researchers at MIT have designed tiny particles that can be implanted at a tumor site, delivering heat and chemotherapy to treat cancer. The treatment approach has been shown to completely eliminate tumors in most mice and prolong their survival.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology presents a technology that can destroy bacteria on implants using gold nanorods and near-infrared light. The method heats up the gold rods, killing bacteria without damaging surrounding tissue.
A joint research team developed an ultra-sensitive pressure sensor for electronic skin inspired by the human brain's nervous system. The sensor detects slight changes in pressure, heart rate, and finger movements, making it suitable for wearable devices and medical monitoring systems.
Researchers at WVU have developed microwave technology to recover propylene from polypropylene waste, which can be reused in new plastics or products. The process uses precise control and lower temperatures than traditional methods, offering energy efficiency and reduced emissions.
Researchers found that foamed cellulose diacetate (CDA) degrades 15 times faster than solid CDA and even faster than paper. The study's results suggest that foamed CDA could be used to replace Styrofoam plastic and single-use plastics, reducing plastic pollution and environmental impacts.
Researchers use tongue and groove technique inspired by ancient East Asian wooden structures to create advanced ceramic microparticles with unprecedented complexity and precision. These particles can be used in various applications across microelectronics, aerospace, energy, and medical engineering.
Scientists developed a technique to engineer LHPs with controlled size distribution of quantum wells, improving efficiency and stability in LEDs and lasers. By controlling nanoplatelets' growth, they achieved excellent energy cascades, enhancing photovoltaic performance and stability.
A new process developed by Lehigh University researchers uses evaporative ion exchange (EIX) to concentrate hypersaline brine at room temperature, avoiding scaling and fouling. The process has shown promising results in concentrating salts from hypersaline water, with the potential for widespread use.
The ASU-led initiative, EPIXC, aims to develop cost-effective technologies to replace fossil fuel-based industrial process heating with clean electricity. Five jump-start projects were selected to advance innovations in electrified industrial process heating, covering various sectors and temperature ranges.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a promising solid electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries, showing high conductivity and formability. The new electrolyte, Na2.25TaCl4.75O1.25, also exhibits superior mechanical properties and electrochemical stability.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed nanopillars that breach the nucleus of a cell without damaging its outer membrane. This technology has potential applications in gene therapy and drug delivery. The researchers observed that only the nuclear membrane was punctured, leaving the rest of the cell intact.
A research team has developed a simplified synthesis method for organic fluorophores using formaldehyde, reducing molecular size and increasing atomic efficiency. The new technique can also be applied to in vivo environments, showing promise for life sciences research and diagnostics applications.
Researchers unveil a groundbreaking approach to designing refractory high-entropy alloys with unparalleled strength and ductility. The method, integrating machine learning with advanced computational techniques, has resulted in the development of alloys with superior mechanical properties.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a non-fluorinated battery system to comply with environmental regulations and enhance battery performance. The innovative 'APA-LC' system, entirely free of fluorinated compounds, shows improved oxidation stability and higher capacity retention.
A team of researchers from the University of Washington has developed a flexible pipe with an interior helical structure inspired by shark intestines, which can keep fluid flowing in one direction without flaps. The design rivaled and exceeded Tesla valves, a one-way fluid flow device invented over a century ago.
A new USDA-funded research grant supports the development of sustainable, biodegradable mulch films that can provide nutrients to crops while reducing plastic pollution. The project aims to create durable and effective films that can be used for years without harming the environment.
Juan Jimenez, a Goldhaber postdoctoral fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory, has been recognized as a Blavatnik Awards Finalist for his work on developing new catalysts to convert greenhouse gases into industrially useful materials. His research focuses on minimizing hazardous byproducts and using solvent-free processes.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel screening methodology using machine learning to identify key design guidelines for ternary metal sulfide electrocatalysts. Focusing on crystal structure leads to better results, overcoming challenges in material properties and electrochemical performance analysis.
A team from Kyushu University has developed a zeolite catalyst that can be heated using microwaves to speed up the conversion of fatty acid esters to olefins. This process improves energy efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide production, offering a more sustainable chemical industry.
Dr. Abdoulaye Djire, a Texas A&M chemical engineer, has received the Army Research Office Early Career Award for his research on electrochemical ammonia production. His project aims to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for producing ammonia using 2D nanostructured nitride MXenes.
A novel synthetic biology platform enables rapid and cost-effective transformation of protein binders into high-contrast nanosensors for various applications. The platform uses fluorogenic amino acids to increase fluorescence up to 100-fold, enabling the detection of specific proteins, peptides, and small molecules.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that foaming plastic carriers promote 44 times more biofilm formation, enhancing wastewater treatment. Adding waste biomass further improves performance, especially in nitrate removal during the moving bed biofilm reactor process.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective and easily reproducible point-of-care testing device that can accurately measure cortisol levels in the blood. The device uses iridium oxide nanoparticles to improve stability, sensitivity, and selectivity, allowing for commercial use.