Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
Researchers have developed a novel catalyst platform that enhances the selectivity of catalytic reactions by trapping nanoparticles to prevent agglomeration. The distance between particles plays a crucial role in determining the product yield, with increased separation leading to more efficient production of intermediate chemicals.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are developing a suite of performance metrics to standardize the evaluation of self-driving labs in chemistry and materials science. These metrics aim to compare different lab technologies and identify areas for improvement, ultimately advancing the field and accelerating discovery.
Researchers developed customized adhesive patches using mussel-derived proteins, exhibiting strong underwater adhesion, biocompatibility, and adjustable degradation time. These patches showed successful treatment in animal models, paving the way for personalized medical applications.
Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology employ linker ions to pioneer three-dimensional microprinting technology applicable to inorganic substances and other various materials. The team successfully crafts inorganic porous structures with dimensions below 10 μm without specialized equipment.
Researchers synthesized nanocarbons from guanine molecules to understand nitrogen's role in carbon-based materials. The study revealed controlled surface functional groups, allowing for precise tuning of nitrogen content and improving catalytic activity.
University of Houston researcher Peter Vekilov discovers two-step incorporation into crystals, mediated by an intermediate state, solving a 40-year-old riddle. The new paradigm guides the search for solvents and additives to stabilize the intermediate state and slow down unwanted polymorphs.
Researchers fabricated a soccer ball-shaped construction using edge-to-edge assembly of 2D semiconductor materials, exhibiting exceptional mechanical stability and durability. The new technique improves the efficiency of catalytic reactions and facilitates the smooth movement of reactants, paving the way for the development of stable a...
Researchers have identified nanoplastics in ocean water off the coasts of China, South Korea, and the US, with surprising diversity in shape and chemical composition. The tiny plastic particles, originating from consumer products, were found to be more toxic than larger plastic particles due to their small size.
Scientists develop a new class of hydrogels that can concentrate proteins within cells, mimicking natural sequestering phenomena. The hydrogels, designed using computers, exhibit similar mechanical properties both inside and outside of cells.
Researchers have successfully induced and controlled polarization states within metals using flexoelectric fields. This method has the potential to mitigate power losses attributed to semiconductors and extend battery lifespan in electronic devices.
Researchers propose new statistical index to detect river ecosystem changes, potentially preventing tragedies like the Oder River crisis. The developed index is more versatile and responsive to variations in individual parameter values.
Researchers developed a chemically protective cathode interlayer using amine-functionalized perylene diimide, which stabilizes perovskite solar cells. The novel solution-processed PDINN cathode interlayer achieved impressive performance with over 81% retention and record-high bias-free solar hydrogen production rate.
A new bifunctional water electrolysis catalyst made from ruthenium, silicon, and tungsten enables the efficient production of high-purity green hydrogen. The catalyst demonstrates exceptional durability in acidic environments, making it an attractive alternative to traditional precious metal catalysts.
A team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has successfully created the world's first plumber's nightmare structure in block copolymers, a complex configuration where polymer chain ends coalesce inward. This achievement showcases the potential for self-assembly in block copolymers and opens up new possibilities for materializi...
Researchers at the University of Bath have invented a new form of high-performance air purifier that uses FOAM3R filter technology, promising zero harmful waste. The purifier features a unique, mouldable foam structure that captures contaminants and viruses with high efficiency.
Amanda Marciel, assistant professor at Rice University, receives a $670,406 NSF CAREER Award to develop synthetic networks with gel-like softness and high elasticity. Her research aims to create new elastomers with controlled structure-function relationships.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a material to selectively oxidize urea in water, producing hydrogen gas. The material, made of nickel and cobalt atoms with tailored electronic structures, enables the efficient conversion of urea into hydrogen through an electrochemical reaction.
Rice chemists find a way to remove impurities from boron nitride nanotubes using phosphoric acid and fine-tuning the reaction. The new method produces high-purity tubes that are stronger than steel by weight, making them suitable for various industries, including aerospace and biomedical imaging.
Aston University has established the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) with a £10m grant from Research England. The institute aims to develop novel biomimetic membranes through interdisciplinary collaboration between biology, physics, and chemistry.
Researchers used AI to optimize a carbon capture system at a coal-fired power station, capturing 16.7% more CO2 and using 36.3% less energy from the grid. The system can adapt to changing weather conditions, reducing energy consumption while increasing carbon capture efficiency.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that exceeds 30% yield for the production of ethylene through oxidative coupling of methane, a more sustainable and economically viable method. The core-shell Li2CO3-coated mixed rare earth oxides catalyst enables sequential oxygen switching, replenishing its ability to provide oxygen for the r...
A team of researchers at Shinshu University has successfully extracted mycelial pulp and fibers from fruiting mushroom bodies using sunlight, preserving their intricate mycelial structures. The fibers show excellent formability and potential applications in packaging materials, textiles, and soundproofing.
Researchers have developed a novel light source that minimizes interference zones, enabling stable and accurate information transmission. The technology utilizes conventional lighting systems, such as LEDs, to facilitate the simultaneous transmission of large amounts of data.
The Coscientist AI system has been successfully designed, planned, and executed a chemistry experiment, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize scientific research. By leveraging large language models and cloud lab technology, Coscientist can automate the experimental process, enabling scientists to design and run experiments much...
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano have designed a hydrogel with specific characteristics using supramolecular chemistry and crystallography. The study showed that the interactions between an amino acid and bioactive molecules can be identical in both solid and aqueous states.
A team of MIT researchers has created a computational model that can calculate the structures of transition states in chemical reactions much more quickly than traditional methods. The new model uses machine learning and can generate accurate predictions for thousands of reactions, enabling chemists to design new catalysts and fuels.
A new NSF-supported collaboration aims to improve liquid organic hydrogen carriers and use AI to identify novel approaches for a global renewable energy supply chain. The team is developing a new class of molecules, chemistries, and chemical processes to better store and transport green energy across the globe.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a detailed understanding of microfluidic post-array devices, which are used to create monodisperse emulsions with controlled droplet size. The team found that effective capillary number and specific geometric parameters play crucial roles in droplet formation.
Researchers at West Virginia University are using artificial intelligence to analyze habanero peppers and develop new methods for predicting genetic traits. The goal is to improve crop yields and prevent genetic diseases, with potential applications in human health.
Researchers at WVU develop a cotreatment process that reduces demand for chemicals to soften wastewater, allowing treated water to be reused up to 99% of its original volume. The study's findings offer a potential solution to the industry's water use challenge and could close the cycle of treating cooling tower blowdown and reusing it.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University is developing a low-cost, safe, and controlled cancer treatment using programmable bacteria. The $20 million project aims to create an efficient bacterial therapeutic that can target cancer cells with high precision, reducing side effects and costs.
Researchers have engineered a living material resembling human phlegm to study polymicrobial biofilms in cystic fibrosis patients. The material, which grows 3D biofilms in a controlled manner, will help experts understand how these structures form and develop effective treatments.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered a new method for capturing proteins in nano-sized traps to study difficult-to-treat diseases. The technique allows for the trapping of hundreds of proteins in a small volume, enabling the study of early development and potential drug countermeasures.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a miniature, injectable glucose biosensor and wearable device that enables user-friendly, minimally-invasive continuous glucose monitoring. The device addresses challenges associated with existing CGMs, including size and skin tone compatibility.
Researchers are developing a bioengineered pancreas-like tissue using innovative biomaterials and engineered cells. The goal is to implant these cell-laden scaffolds into patients who need help managing their glucose levels.
Researchers at CSU and the University of St. Andrews created an effective antimicrobial material that slowly releases nitric oxide, killing bacteria and fungus over time.
A team of researchers from POSTECH has introduced a tungsten oxide coating to protect the membrane-electrode assembly in hydrogen fuel cells. The coating prevents electrochemical reactions that lead to catalyst degradation, resulting in improved performance retention rates.
Scientists at Pohang University of Science & Technology develop biopolymer-blended protective layer to stabilize zinc anodes in metal batteries. The film facilitates uniform nucleation of zinc, reducing the formation of twig-like crystals and improving battery longevity.
Researchers at NC State University developed an autonomous system called SmartDope to synthesize 'best-in-class' materials for specific applications in hours or days. It uses a self-driving lab to manipulate variables, characterize optical properties, and update its understanding of the synthesis chemistry through machine learning.
Researchers successfully produced alstonine, a naturally occurring substance with potential for treating mental disorders, using genetically engineered yeast cells. The yeast platform has the potential to discover and develop plant-based medicines, including those for schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a new technique using liquid metals to replace energy-intensive chemical engineering processes. The method reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15% and enables the production of high-energy fuels like propylene, crucial for various industries.
The researchers propose a hybrid organic–inorganic gas sensor design that enhances gas sensing performance while maintaining sensing speed. The proposed design outperforms conventional sensors in terms of chemical sensitivity to NO2, showcasing impressive durability and higher potential for long-term installation.
Researchers discovered that a new type of electrolyte uses complex nanostructures similar to those in soap to improve battery life. This understanding could lead to the development of lithium batteries that store more energy and last longer.
The study successfully enhances energy conversion efficiency by over twice that of conventional cells while reducing production costs by a factor of 3,000. This breakthrough could lead to widespread adoption in energy harvesting applications generating energy from waste heat.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed new, tissue-equivalent curved organic X-ray detectors that are cheaper, more flexible, and sensitive than traditional detectors. These detectors have the potential to improve accuracy in cancer treatment and reduce radiation risk.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
Researchers have developed catalysts that combine iridium and ruthenium, preserving their excellent attributes and improving activity and stability. The study also explores the importance of carefully selecting candidate materials and retaining superior properties even after nanostructure formation.
The LoCKAmp device uses lab-on-a-chip technology to detect Covid-19 and other pathogens in just three minutes, providing rapid and accurate results. The device has the potential to be used in remote healthcare settings and could also detect conditions like cancer.
Researchers at University of Tokyo developed a new plastic material called VPR, which can maintain complex shapes, repair itself with heat, and biodegrade in seawater. The material has improved toughness, shape memory, and recyclability.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new simulation method using AI to predict powder mixing with high accuracy and low computational costs. This breakthrough enables large-scale and long-duration powder mixing processes, set to enhance product quality and streamline production.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have created modular nanoparticles that can be tailored for various applications, including targeted drug delivery and neutralizing biological agents. By leveraging a plug-and-play approach, scientists can rapidly modify functional biological nanoparticles with ease.
Researchers successfully developed a novel method for transforming atropisomers into specific enantiomers using the Pauson–Khand reaction. The reaction achieved high enantiomeric excesses and selectivity, opening up new avenues for synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds.
A team of researchers from POSTECH successfully engineered a dual metalens capable of switching between different imaging modes using a single lens. This innovation enables fast mode-switching and acquisition of high-resolution images for applications such as bio-imaging and cellular reactions.
Researchers from Texas A&M University's Department of Geography and collaborating departments aim to improve understanding of how environmental hazards influence human health outcomes. The project, 'Climate-LEAD,' will create robust models using localized data to inform decision-making in vulnerable communities.
Researchers have developed a new synthesis method that controls the temperature and duration of the crystallization process to produce 2D halide perovskite layers with ideal thickness and purity. This breakthrough improves the stability and reduces the cost of solar cells, making them a viable option for emerging technologies.
The study highlights that up to 80% of dye-containing industrial wastewaters are released untreated into waterways, posing direct and indirect threats to human, animal, and plant health. New sustainable technologies and regulations are needed to combat the issue.
Researchers at UC Riverside successfully engineered a plant to turn beet red in the presence of a banned pesticide, enabling an environmental sensor without damaging its native metabolism. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for detecting other toxic substances like drugs and birth control pills in water supply.
Researchers created a hydrogel mat with magnetic microparticles that mimic the forces of exercise. The team found that regularly exercising muscle cells resulted in longer, aligned fibers, and improved contraction capabilities.
A collaborative study published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters uses computer algorithms to generate molecular adaptations for COVID-19 medications. The researchers identified a functionalized molecule that showed promise against SARS-CoV-2, with enhanced potency compared to its parent compound.
Researchers have created a fire-inhibiting, nonflammable gel polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, increasing ion conductivity by 33% and improving life characteristics by 110%. The electrolyte prevents radical chain reactions during combustion, effectively inhibiting battery fires.