Articles tagged with Chemical Processes
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a novel catalytic technology that converts non-edible plants into renewable fuels, chemicals and plastics. By pulsing hydrogen gas on and off, they increase the population of active sites on catalysts, allowing reactions to occur up to 10 times faster.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a 'self-driving lab' that uses artificial intelligence and fluidic systems to advance our understanding of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals. The technology can autonomously dope MHP nanocrystals, adding manganese atoms on demand, allowing for faster control over properties.
Researchers have identified a novel enzyme that catalyzes the formation of glycosidic bonds in complex sugar moieties. The discovery provides fresh insights into carbohydrate metabolism and offers a breakthrough for the synthesis of sugar chains, which play key roles in various biological processes.
A zirconium oxide-supported platinum-molybdenum catalyst enables the selective conversion of esters into valuable unsymmetrical ethers under mild conditions. This process offers a sustainable solution for producing these compounds from renewable biomass-derived materials, reducing waste and energy consumption.
A chemical used in electric vehicle batteries can also power rockets and satellites, reducing CO2 emissions and requiring less storage. The new fuel, ammonia borane, releases more energy than traditional hydrocarbon fuels and has no environmental impact.
Researchers investigated formaldehyde levels in Ghanaian market fabrics, finding some exceeded standard limits before and after washing. Washing significantly reduced formaldehyde levels, emphasizing the importance of pre-use washing to minimize health risks.
Researchers from Waseda University have developed an alternative technique, sampled current voltammetry (SCV), to accurately determine the activity of electrocatalysts used in water-splitting reactions. The study shows that SCV can provide reliable measurements of electrocatalytic performance at constant steady-state applied voltages.
Scientists have identified a peripheral mechanism that allows fruit flies to quickly assess complex odors without costly synaptic computation. The fly's olfactory receptor neurons communicate through electrical interactions, enabling an energy-saving way to process meaningful odor blends.
A new portable $51 testing kit can provide fast and reliable COVID-19 detection in resource-poor regions, refugee camps, and disaster zones. The non-invasive saliva sampling system uses a technique similar to PCR testing, with costs comparable to commercial tests.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new neutron-based method to detect clogs in underwater pipelines non-destructively. This approach uses prompt gamma neutron activation analysis to measure hydrogen concentration, allowing for the detection of blockages and hydrate formation.
Scientists at the University of Missouri study photodissociation reactions on the quantum level, revealing strong quantum effects that challenge classical 'billiard-ball' models. The research could lead to a better understanding of atmospheric chemistry and develop new theoretical frameworks.
A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.
The university is coordinating the second funding period of the program, which aims to develop innovative, high-performance molecular materials for various applications. The program will tackle photophysical and photochemical challenges, as well as fundamental questions associated with these materials.
The coating protects bacteria during the freeze-drying and manufacturing process, allowing them to be used therapeutically. The researchers tested the coating on a strain of E. coli and another species that aids in digestion of plant starches.
A SUTD-led study develops brighter, more sensitive fluorophores by suppressing twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and enhancing photon-induced electron transfer (PET). The research provides design guidelines for dye chemists to rationally tune TICT, PET, and other mechanisms for a wide range of applications.
The £17M Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) aims to translate sustainable chemical technology research into commercial products. The centre will deliver 10 joint industry projects a year, tackling critical challenges in clean growth and addressing the UK's climate emergency.
Researchers from South Korea have demonstrated that applying an electric field during air stripping can significantly improve ammonia removal efficiency from wastewater. The study found that electric fields with alternating current of 50 MHz and power of 15 V/cm increase efficiency from 51% to 94%, even under sub-optimal conditions.
Osaka University researchers have successfully synthesized a stable, crystalline nanographene with predicted magnetic properties, opening the door to revolutionary advances in electronics and magnets. The breakthrough uses a simplified model system called triangulene, which has long been elusive due to polymerization issues.
Chemists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a method to produce cement by milling instead of burning lime, reducing CO2 emissions. The process could be implemented on an industrial scale, but further development is needed.
Researchers at Mainz University have conducted a literature review on cathodic corrosion in electrosynthesis, highlighting the need for new materials and methods to prevent electrode dissolution. The team aims to develop a method to generate plastic precursors from agricultural waste using electrosynthesis.
Research at Washington University in St. Louis reveals that white clover's chemical defense against insect pests comes from both of its parental species, not just one as previously thought. The plant's ecological success can be attributed to this cyanogenesis process.
Researchers at INRS and Université de Montréal are developing new electrodes based on nanostructured materials to degrade chemical compounds, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like PFAS. The project aims to create innovative solutions to decontaminate waters containing harmful chemicals.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a copper-containing polymer that greatly enhances the antibacterial activity of hydrogen peroxide. The use of these tailored polymers resulted in higher catalytic activity and more effective killing of bacteria, opening up new design avenues for antimicrobial drugs.
University of Delaware researchers are developing a system to produce bioenergy from microbes that convert carbon dioxide into useful chemicals. The team aims to refine the technology to produce desirable metabolites and consume less useful ones, paving the way for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.
A team of geologists from TU Graz identified the chemical influencing factors and triggers for recurrent mass movements in fine-grained sediments, enabling preventive measures to be taken. By adapting drainage systems and considering interactions between the system and subsurface, stability can be increased and economic damage reduced.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology and Ghent University have developed a green light-stabilised 3D polymer structure that folds itself when exposed to light and unfolds when left in the dark. This process consumes light as fuel, mimicking the way proteins function in living organisms.
Two studies on foxgloves published by University at Buffalo biologist Zhen Wang investigate the production of cardiac glycosides. The research aims to improve the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of farming foxgloves, which currently takes two years to produce a small amount of the compound digoxin.
A new method using bubble-attracting sheets of specially textured mesh can significantly reduce or eliminate foamy bubbles in industrial processes. The system works by attracting and shedding bubbles, allowing them to dissipate quickly and reducing the need for chemical additives.
Researchers have developed a process to transform waste sugar cane and wheat straw into valuable chemicals, increasing value by 5000-fold. The new method produces high-value building blocks for food industry and pharmaceuticals directly from waste biomass in a single 'one-pot' process.
The KAUST team developed porous membranes from recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), reducing the energy used in chemical separation processes. The membranes can withstand high temperatures and separate molecules of different sizes.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new type of membrane that can separate chemicals without using heat or energy-intensive distillation processes. The hybrid membrane, infused with metal oxide networks, improves chemical separation capabilities and withstands harsh solvents for several months.
Scientists have created nanocubes that can form stable cubes at specific temperatures, then scramble back into individual components when heated or cooled. This self-assembly ability mimics life's chemical processes, enabling the creation of complex systems.
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Argonne National Laboratory a $30 million grant to study ultrafast chemical processes on timescales of quadrillionths of a second. Researchers will use X-ray free-electron lasers to capture molecular movies, enhancing energy efficiency and applications in optoelectronics and solar energy.
A study led by Michigan Technological University explores mercury pollution in the Great Lakes, particularly in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The research focuses on policy scenarios to reduce mercury emissions and provides insights into regional remediation efforts and fish safety for local communities.
Researchers found that Costa Rican paper wasps' brains follow biological rule when overall brain size increases, but specific subregions don't. Complex brain structures like mushroom bodies and antennal lobes decrease in proportional size in smaller-bodied wasps.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that DNA molecules move faster as they enter a nanopore and slower when exiting, due to buckling under compressive forces. This finding could inform the design of biosensors and have real-world applications in polymer properties measurement.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a novel chemical process to create a new class of antibiotics, which could help combat growing resistance. The discovery uses simple commercial chemicals to produce molecules related to the natural product pleuromutilin.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new technology that mimics imprint processes used in industrial manufacturing, creating nanowire-array structures similar to those found in touch-screens for sensors, computers, phones, and TVs. The pressure-based fabrication process is faster and more environmentally friendl...
A prototype device has been developed to remove asphaltenes from crude oil, addressing costly pipeline blockages. The device uses electrokinetics to attract and remove the solidified molecules, improving flow rates and reducing pressure requirements.
Recent advances in understanding regulatory mechanisms of HH pathway and chemical regulation are discussed. CAS scientists propose a hypothetical model for endogenous chemical modulation and suggest precise interventions for better therapeutic outcomes.
A Scottish startup is scaling up its whisky waste-to-fuel process, converting draff and pot ale into ethanol and 1-butanol. The company has secured funding from the UK government and private investors to move towards a commercial plant.
A study found hydraulic fracturing triggered a series of small earthquakes in Harrison County, Ohio, coinciding with operations at nearby wells. The 10 positive magnitude earthquakes, ranging from 1.7 to 2.2, revealed an east-west trending fault beneath the gas wells.
NYU researchers have engineered a protein that can detoxify organophosphates, commonly used in pesticides and warfare agents. The protein has increased stability and half-life, making it suitable for therapeutic applications, including preventing nerve damage from gas attacks or pesticide exposure.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered a new chemical to aid drug manufacturing processes, making it more environmentally-friendly and easier to scale up for industry. The team found that a positively charged molecule known as TMA can replace silver in the manufacturing process, reducing costs and waste.
Researchers from NC State University have developed a safety testing system called TiPED to help chemists design inherently safer chemicals. The system aims to identify potential endocrine disruptors before they are used in commercial products, benefiting consumers and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a chemical that can mature small eggs to healthy, mature eggs, offering new hope for women struggling with infertility. The breakthrough could provide an alternative method to preserving fertility in girls who have not yet reached puberty.
The AkzoNobel North America Science Award recognizes outstanding scientific contributions in chemistry and materials research, with a focus on sustainability. The award winner will receive a $75,000 cash prize and be honored at the ACS' National Meeting & Exposition in New Orleans.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that male songbirds use scent to attract both female and male mates through the 'Axe effect'. Female birds preferred the odor of smaller males, while larger males overcompensate with greater amounts of an attractive scent.
A new study published in Biotechnology Journal reveals a cheaper and more efficient method for treating dyed denim, eliminating the need for hazardous sandblasting techniques. The surface activation technique reduces fabric strength decay, shortens wash-down processes, and minimizes chemical usage.
A new study from UCSF found that virtually all pregnant women in the US are exposed to multiple chemicals, including some banned since the 1970s. The study identified over 163 chemicals, with many linked to adverse health outcomes such as preterm birth and childhood morbidity.
Scientists have discovered a key role for the GC-D necklace subsystem in mice's ability to detect safe food based on social scent. This breakthrough adds to evidence that smell is comprised of multiple parts with specialized functions, highlighting a complex communication process between animals through breathing.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a two-step method to convert cellulose in raw biomass into a promising biofuel. The new process simultaneously bypasses lignin and produces a high yield, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
New study analyzes commercially made carbon nanotubes, finding vastly different compositions and potential emissions of toxic chemicals. Researchers aim to work proactively with industry to prevent environmental mistakes, highlighting the need for better understanding and regulation of nanotechnology manufacturing processes.
Researchers found that acetylcholine enhances visual processing by selectively enhancing information in the brain's visual cortex. This enhancement allows neurons to detect and signal stimuli below detection threshold, a process similar to how attention strengthens signals.
A study by Dutch researchers identified four cases of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) among workers at a chemical plant producing diacetyl, a key component of butter flavoring. The findings support the conclusion that an agent in the diacetyl production process has caused BOS.
A study by Oregon State University researchers identified a soldier beetle preserved in amber, showcasing an ancient chemical defense response. The discovery indicates that this type of protective mechanism has been around for over 100 million years.
A simple oxygen treatment can extend the shelf life of organic produce, reducing losses and costs. This technique has shown promise in preventing scald formation and physiological diseases in apples, with potential applications for other organic fruits and vegetables.
A long-term study found that salamander exposure to atrazine had persistent effects on mortality rates, even after recovery. Survivors of the exposure suffered lower survival rates compared to those not exposed to atrazine.
A new process combines molecular self-assembly with traditional lithography to create multifunctional surfaces in precise patterns. This technique allows for complex patterns of functional monolayers, enabling applications beyond semiconductors.
A new approach eliminates some steps in conventional tanning, resulting in substantial production efficiencies and a significant reduction in pollutants. The reverse process produces comparable leather with 42% less time, 54% fewer chemicals, 42% less energy, 65% less water and up to 79% fewer emissions.