Articles tagged with Chemical Engineering
A new smart mask prototype, EBCare, analyzes chemicals in exhaled breath in real-time, offering personalized health monitoring for respiratory ailments like asthma and COPD. The device's self-cooling system allows for daily wear, while its low cost makes it a promising tool for remote health assessments.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to understand and improve light-harvesting molecules for solar energy applications. By combining AI with automated chemical synthesis and experimental validation, they were able to produce molecules four times more stable than traditional ones.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for chemical plastics recycling that breaks down long-chain polymer molecules into monomers, creating high-quality plastics. The approach involves adding a powdered catalyst to molten plastic and stirring it with an impeller, resulting in improved mixing and fewer byproducts.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed an all-in-one solution to remove and destroy PFAS substances, also known as 'forever chemicals,' from water supply. The system combines an activated carbon filter with a patented catalyst that traps and breaks down harmful chemicals into harmless components.
Machine learning algorithms accelerate molecular dynamics simulations of irregular particles, enabling faster and more efficient modeling. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding microplastic behavior in the environment.
Scientists have developed a unique strategy to control molecular conductance using shape-persistent ladder-type molecules. This approach enables the synthesis of diverse, charged molecules with consistent electronic properties, paving the way for reliable and efficient devices.
Researchers have demonstrated DNA-based technologies that can store, retrieve, compute, erase, and rewrite data. The technology uses soft polymer materials with unique morphologies to create a structure with high surface area for depositing DNA, enabling the full range of operations found in traditional electronic devices.
Researchers at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology developed a novel approach to create degradable living plastics by programming spores to secrete enzymes that break down plastic. The 'living plastics' degrade efficiently within 6-7 days, outperforming regular plastics even with surface damage.
The University of Kansas has received a $26 million grant from the National Science Foundation to create a new Engineering Research Center focused on developing sustainable refrigerant technologies. The EARTH center will address the challenge of replacing hydrofluorocarbons with safer, more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
The WVU team, led by Yu Gu, is testing Loopy's ability to 'co-design' itself and learn to mark contaminated areas. Inspired by natural phenomena like ant swarms and tree roots, Loopy changes form in response to its environment.
Researchers developed a one-pot process to transform aromatic ketones into esters, simplifying the reaction process, reducing reaction times, and minimizing purification steps. The method enables seven different chemical transformations and has shown notable stability and reusability, making it scalable for industrial applications.
Researchers developed Porous-DeepONet, a deep learning framework that efficiently captures complex features of porous media and learns solution operators. It outperforms traditional FEM methods in solving parameterized reaction-transport equations in porous media, handling complex domain geometries and multiphysics coupled equations.
The new battery can capture oxygen from air and use it to oxidize zinc, creating a current of up to 1 volt. It powers an actuator, memristor, clock circuit, and sensors, making it ideal for robotics and medical applications.
Researchers at PolyU have invented a unique fluidic processor called Connected Polyhedral Frames (CPFs), which enables reversible switching between liquid capture and release. CPFs offer a versatile platform for various applications, including controlled multidrug release, biomaterial encapsulation, and air conditioning.
A novel printing technique allows for the creation of thin metal oxide films at room temperature, resulting in transparent and conductive circuits that can function at high temperatures. The technique uses liquid metals to deposit two-layer thin films with remarkable stability and flexibility.
Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a technique using light to imprint 2D and 3D images inside any polymer containing a photosensitive chemical additive. The technology enables the creation of erasable 3D displays with high resolution, applicable in surgeries, architectural designs, education, and art.
A new interpretable deep learning modeling architecture, LACG, is proposed to handle complex variable interactions in chemical processes. It achieves high-accuracy modeling results via the coupling of three sub-modules based on underlying logics. The model outperforms widely used neural networks in terms of interpretability.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have unveiled an eco-friendly method to extract rare metals from semiconductor waste, recovering precious tungsten and assessing its economic viability. The bioleaching process, using a fungus to dissolve metals, is found to be 7% cheaper than traditional methods.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed two nasal sprays, NanoSTING and NanoSTING-SN, to prevent respiratory virus transmission. NanoSTING is an immune activator that can protect against multiple viruses, while NanoSTING-SN is a pan-coronavirus vaccine that can prevent transmission to unvaccinated individuals.
Liheng Cai, a UVA engineering professor, has received a $1.9 million NIH grant to create advanced biomaterials that can be used to repair living tissues and build organ structures. His lab aims to develop polymers that mimic human biology and integrate healthy cells into the human body.
Researchers have reviewed advancements in wearable cuffless blood pressure monitoring, focusing on flexible electronics and machine learning. The integration of sensors, signal processing, and algorithms enables accurate blood pressure estimation, promising personalized medicine applications.
A new 3D printing method developed by UC San Diego engineers uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures with ease. The process is reversible, allowing the PNIPAM ink to be reused for further printing.
Researchers at Chung-Ang University have discovered an additive that enhances the efficiency of perovskite solar cells, resulting in a record-breaking 12.22% efficiency. The additive, 4-phenylthiosemicarbazide, improves stability and reduces defects, paving the way for more accessible and long-lasting solar panels.
Research from the University of Illinois highlights the potential of organic nanozymes for broader applications beyond traditional uses of inorganic nanozymes. The development of sustainable, environmentally friendly materials offers a promising solution for various industries.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed an eco-friendly method to precisely mix fluorine into olefins using natural enzymes and light, offering a more efficient strategy for creating high-value chemicals with potential applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable fuels and more.
Researchers from UNSW used magnetic fields to study singlet fission, a process that breaks light particles into smaller chunks, increasing efficiency. The study could lead to improved silicon solar cell technologies, potentially achieving over 30% efficiency and reducing energy costs.
Researchers create fast and sustainable method to produce hydrogen gas using aluminum, saltwater, and coffee grounds. They find that adding caffeine speeds up the reaction, producing hydrogen in just five minutes.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have proposed a new way to reduce industrial emissions by utilizing liquid metals in chemical reactions. This approach aims to decrease energy requirements and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at HKU have developed a new method to assess the stability of 2D materials, enabling controllable tuning of their mechanical properties. The study provides opportunities for modulating nano-scale instability morphology and physical properties of atomically thin films.
Researchers are developing a framework to combine AI and human intelligence in process safety systems, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency. The study identifies challenges and benefits of using Intelligence Augmentation (IA) and proposes strategies for effective implementation to minimize risks.
A new study links various soft material behaviors, revealing a critical parameter called the brittility factor that simplifies failure behavior. This finding helps engineers design better materials for future challenges.
A new handheld device enables rapid non-invasive detection of harmful chemicals and biological molecules using a Raman spectrometer and cellphone camera. This technology reduces analysis time from days to minutes, making it ideal for remote areas where laboratory spectrometers are impractical.
Researchers have created a novel process for producing acetylene from CO2, reducing reliance on petroleum feedstocks. The new method achieves high current efficiency of 92% and produces CaC2 with minimal sulfur and phosphorous content.
A team of scientists and engineers designed an electrolyte that maintains high power delivery during charging and discharging cycles. This innovation addresses the key challenge of low power delivery at landing stages in electric aircraft, where batteries are not fully charged.
Researchers achieved a new method for synthesizing α-substituted carbonyl compounds using a palladium-catalyzed anti-Michael addition reaction. The method produces high-yield products and can be applied to various nucleophiles, including indoles and aromatic compounds.
Researchers developed a technique to separate well-mixed mixtures, creating an economically viable process for synthesizing and purifying ionic liquids like [bmim][BF4]. High-purity [bmim][BF4] was produced with a purity exceeding 99%, and the recovered layer containing methylimidazole could be recycled.
Lehigh University researchers developed a novel spectroscopy technique called modulation excitation spectroscopy (MES) to study selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides. The results, published in Nature Communications, reveal the correct reaction pathway and have significant implications for optimizing catalytic converters.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego developed a soft, stretchy electrode that can simulate pressure or vibration sensations using electrical signals. The device overcomes existing pain-inducing issues with rigid metal electrodes by conforming to the skin, providing localized stimulation.
Scientists developed a new approach to drive chemical reactions, generating compounds with unique pharmaceutical properties. The method uses photocatalysis and computational models to predict successful reactions, expanding the range of accessible substrates.
Researchers at UNICAMP and UCA optimize anthocyanin extraction from jabuticaba peel, achieving a higher yield than traditional methods. The novel method uses biosorbent material derived from the residue, resulting in an efficient and environmentally friendly process.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) made a small change to develop highly efficient SOT materials. By creating an imbalance in the spin-Hall effect, they controlled magnetization switching without magnetic fields, achieving 2-130 times higher efficiency and lower power consumption than known single-layer ...
Glassy gels are a new class of materials that combine the properties of glassy polymers and gels, with unique characteristics including high elasticity and adhesive surfaces. The materials were created by mixing liquid precursors with an ionic liquid, resulting in a hard yet stretchable material.
Researchers developed a 3D metamaterial capable of detecting polarization and direction of light, overcoming limitations of conventional optical devices. The breakthrough technology utilizes pi-shaped metal nanostructures with numerical aperture-detector polarimetry to analyze light distribution.
Lopatkin's lab will investigate how bacterial metabolism contributes to antibiotic resistance using sophisticated tools and techniques. The research aims to identify drug-resistance mutations that arise in bacteria adapting to different antibiotics and metabolism-altering chemicals.
Researchers have engineered nanosized cubes that spontaneously form a two-dimensional checkerboard pattern when dropped on the surface of water. The self-assembly process is driven by surface chemistry, with hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules interacting to create voids between the cubes.
Researchers developed a novel air-handleable garnet-type solid electrolyte technology that improves surface and internal properties, preventing contamination layer formation. This innovation enables the creation of ultra-thin lithium solid-state batteries with high energy density and low weight.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a machine learning-based deicer that offers higher performance while minimizing environmental harm. The new mixture of propylene glycol and sodium formate solution shows improved ice penetration capacity, reducing the need for substance use.
Researchers at NIMTE have developed a fatigue-free ferroelectric material based on sliding ferroelectricity, eliminating performance degradation and device failure. The bilayer 3R-MoS2 dual-gate device retained its memory performance after 10^6 switching cycles.
The Purdue method creates layered perovskite nanowires with exceptionally well-defined and flexible cavities that exhibit unusual optical properties. These nanowires show promising applications in nanophotonics and nanoelectronics, including anisotropic emission polarization and efficient light amplification.
Scientists aim to create a spray-on bandage that breaks down within 48 hours, providing time for proper treatment. The project uses enzymes to degrade polymer complexes, which will allow for controlled degradation and potential applications in drug delivery.
University of Illinois Chicago engineers have designed a new method to make hydrogen gas from water using only solar power and agricultural waste, reducing the energy needed to extract hydrogen from water by 600%. This process creates new opportunities for sustainable, climate-friendly chemical production.
Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a subset of T cells called CD8-fit that show high motility and serial killing capabilities in patients with clinical responses. These cells were discovered using a patented approach called TIMING, which evaluates cell behavior and movement to identify potential cancer-killing cells.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a hybrid porous structure using polyvinyl alcohol, enabling uniform lithium electrodeposition. The new design facilitated the transport of lithium ions, reducing 'dead Li' areas and internal short circuits, resulting in high stability after 200 charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers developed adhesive hydrogel coatings that eliminate fibrosis, a common issue with medical implants. The coatings bind devices to tissue and prevent the immune system from attacking them.
Engineers have modelled a new way to recycle polystyrene that could make the material reusable. The technique uses pyrolysis to break down polystyrene into parts that can be reformed into new pieces of the material, reducing energy consumption and increasing yield.
A low-cost, tin-based catalyst selectively converts CO2 to ethanol, acetic acid, and formic acid, producing valuable liquid hydrocarbons. The discovery could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by converting CO2 into desired chemicals near the site of production.
Researchers aim to create polymers that can form the basis of effective sensors for applications in physiological, environmental, and Internet of Things monitoring. The goal is to increase energy efficiency and broaden material choices, enabling devices to operate at low voltage and interact with ions and transport ionic charges.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a three-stage process to convert polyethylene (PE) into biodegradable polyester, addressing the issue of plastic waste. The method utilizes enzymes, microorganisms, and chemical processes to break down PE's strong carbon bonds.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed the first wide field-of-hearing metalens, overcoming traditional acoustic lens limitations. The device achieves up to 140 degrees of field-of-hearing without sound distortion, enabling new applications in acoustic imaging and high-sensitivity sensing.
The team developed a deep learning AI technique to quantitatively analyze cation mixing using atomic structure images. This approach revealed that introducing metal dopants like aluminum, titanium, and zirconium into the transition metal layer fortified bonds between nickel and oxygen atoms, curbing cation mixing.