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Nature unveiling herself before science

Scientists have developed a new prototype that amplifies signals up to 10,000-fold, enabling the monitoring of rapid chemical processes on the milliseconds timescale. This breakthrough allows for the analytical characterization of pre-nucleation species in biomineralization, challenging current theoretical frameworks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMay 19, 2020

Gold for silver: A chemical barter

Researchers study thiolate-protected gold-silver alloys, revealing intra-cluster and inter-cluster metal exchange that affects cluster stability and geometric structure. This understanding is crucial for harnessing novel physical and chemical properties of these clusters.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJun 20, 2019

Study reveals how polymers relax after stressful processing

A new study reveals that entangled, long-chain polymers in solutions relax at two different rates, marking an advancement in fundamental polymer physics. The findings will provide a better understanding of the physical properties of polymeric materials and individual polymer molecule behavior under high-stress processing conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 2, 2018

Staying coherent while spinning

Scientists have successfully transferred vibrational coherence between electronic states of a molecule, overcoming a major hurdle in the study of ultrafast chemical reactions. The research builds upon earlier studies and demonstrates the importance of solvents in driving energy flow in polyatomic molecules.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2018

Removing heavy metals from water

Researchers have developed a new method for removing heavy metals like lead and mercury from water using metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The MOF composite can quickly and selectively remove high amounts of toxic materials from real-world water samples, down to levels deemed drinkable by health organizations.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 14, 2018

Molecular phenomenon discovered by advanced NMR facility

Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a molecular phenomenon where a guanosine derivative changes its supramolecular structure upon transitioning from solution to solid state and vice versa. This defies chemical precedent, suggesting a complex interplay between molecular interactions in different environments.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateFeb 17, 2017

Fast energy transport between unlike partners

Scientists have found that dye molecules can transfer energy quickly to each other, even when they are different types, which could lead to more efficient ways of harnessing sunlight. This discovery was made using special aggregates of four chromophores and was confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2016

SOFS take to water

Berkeley Lab researchers unveiled the first soluble single-layer 2D honeycomb SOFs with precise control over dimensionality, holding implications for sensing, separation, energy sciences, and biomimetics. The breakthrough uses non-covalent supramolecular interactions to maintain solubility in water.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 16, 2013

Berkeley Lab researchers get a detailed look at a DNA repair protein in action

A team of researchers from Berkeley Lab and the Scripps Research Institute used a new technique to study the role of MutS in DNA's mismatch repair system, providing new insight into genome integrity. The study validated the 'beads-on-a-string' model of DNA repair and revealed details about MutS that could be valuable for drug design an...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2013

Better insight into molecular interactions

Researchers have developed a 'dark channel mechanism' to explain binding processes in biochemical materials, allowing for deeper understanding of molecular interactions. The discovery, combined with ab initio calculations and high-resolution spectroscopy, provides new information on the chemistry of life.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 21, 2013

Scripps research and technion scientists develop biological computer to encrypt and decipher images

Researchers have created a biological computer that uses biomolecules to decipher images encrypted on DNA chips, showcasing the potential for a new type of computing system. The device, based on Alan Turing's design, can process vast amounts of information in parallel, making it faster than traditional electronic computers.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 7, 2012

New world record for Danish nano researchers

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have achieved a world record in nano research by tracking the largest contraction in an inorganic molecule ever recorded. The study used time-dissolved X-ray scattering to measure the contraction of Iridium atoms, resulting in a 62% increase over the previous record.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalInorganic Chemistry·DateSep 12, 2011

Growth spurts

Researchers have observed single colloidal platinum nanocrystals growing in solution using liquid cell in situ transmission electron microscopy. The study reveals complex growth trajectories, including steady and spurt-like growth driven by coalescence events.

Night of the living enzyme

Researchers at PNNL discovered that entombed enzymes in silica nanochambers can regain their activity, mimicking cellular crowding. The team developed a method to functionalize the pores with compounds tailored to specific enzymes, allowing for potent catalysis and efficient production of desired products.

Electricity controls nanocrystal shape

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory developed a method to control the architecture of nanocrystals using electrochemistry. They created nearly 30 different nanostructures by changing applied voltages and chemical types, offering greater predictability and convenience compared to traditional methods.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 17, 2004