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Shut the nano gate! Electrical control of nanopore diameter

Scientists from SANKEN at Osaka University created an electrically controlled nanogate that can be tailored for specific molecules. The gate's diameter was adjusted using voltage, leading to distinct ion transport behaviors. This technology has the potential to enable precise control over molecule transport and reaction systems.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2025

In-situ magic: A game changer for stabilizing electrode/electrolyte interfaces in aqueous zinc batteries

Scientists introduce a novel approach to construct robust electrode/electrolyte interphase layers on both cathode and anode of aqueous zinc batteries. The use of glutamate additives enables efficient suppression of undesirable side reactions, leading to improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Revolutionary biofilter offers breakthrough solution for emerging contaminants in wastewater

Researchers unveiled an innovative system that outperforms conventional filtration methods by combining microbial electrochemical technologies with enhanced biodegradation processes. The biofilter demonstrates significant removal of pharmaceuticals and herbicides, altering their chirality to influence toxicity and biodegradability.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025

Turning carbon emissions into methane fuel

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024

Visible light energy yields two-for-one deal when added to CO2 recycling process

Combining visible light with electrochemistry improves CO2 conversion rates and selectivity, enabling the production of valuable products such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The study's findings have significant implications for catalysis research and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024

Tiny heroes and innovative technology are here to fight back against antibiotic-resistant biofilms

Researchers create silver nanoparticles infused with azithromycin that effectively break down biofilms and unveil a new sensing method to assess antimicrobial activity. The novel approach offers a promising solution against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with potential applications in coating medical devices.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNanoscale·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

Fresh light on the path to net zero

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.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJul 25, 2024

New study shows how organic molecules impact gold nanoparticles

A new study by Prof. Daniel Mandler and his team found that organic molecules can significantly influence the electrical properties of gold nanoparticles, up to 71 mV. The research highlights the importance of capping agents in controlling nanoparticle behavior and provides insights for customizing their interactions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

“The magic of making electricity from metals and air” The vexing carbonate has achieved it!

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a high-energy, high-efficiency all-solid-state sodium-air battery that can reversibly utilize sodium and air without additional equipment. The breakthrough overcomes the challenge of carbonate formation, increasing energy density and reducing voltage gap.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 28, 2024

The Clues for Cleaner Water

Researchers at Pitt and Drexel have discovered that electrocatalysts can promote chemical reactions that generate ozone in water through corrosion and solution phase reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable electrochemical ozone production technologies.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2024

Longer-lasting and more sustainable green hydrogen production

Researchers at RIKEN have improved the stability of a green hydrogen production process by using a custom-made catalyst, increasing its lifetime by almost 4,000 times. The breakthrough uses earth-abundant materials, making it more sustainable and potentially cost-effective for widespread industrial use.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Catalysis·DateApr 26, 2024

Researchers realize electrochemical conversion of CH4 and O2 to HCOOH at room temperature

Scientists have successfully converted methane (CH4) into formic acid (HCOOH) using oxygen (O2) at room temperature through an electrochemical process. The high-pressure electro-Fenton strategy achieved a Faradaic efficiency of 81.4% with an ultra-low cathodic overpotential of 0.38 V.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 26, 2024

Electrochemistry helps clean up electronic waste recycling, precious metal mining

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a novel electrochemical process to extract precious metals, including gold and platinum group metals, from discarded electronics and low-grade ores. This method uses less energy and fewer chemical materials than current methods, producing high-purity metals with minimal waste.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2024

Electrolyte cation types control electrochemical reactions on an electrode surface

Researchers discovered that electron and proton transfer mechanisms during oxygen reduction reactions vary depending on electrolyte cations, enabling improved energy conversion efficiencies. This breakthrough suggests optimizing reaction pathways without using costly electrodes.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2024

A new method for successfully measuring electrical conductivity in microorganisms―approaching understanding of microbial ecosystems

A new bioelectronic system has been developed to measure electrical conductivity in microorganisms without requiring biofilm formation on electrodes. This approach has revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis possess conductive properties, with potential applications in environmental energy technologies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 29, 2024

Advancing precision diagnostics at the patient point-of-care

A new nanocomposite porous antifouling coating has been developed, enabling higher numbers of biomarker-detecting probes and up to 17-fold higher sensitivities than previous best-in-class sensors. This breakthrough broadens the diagnostic horizon for multiplexed electrochemical sensors across multiple diseases.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2024

Resting boosts performance of lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that resting lithium metal batteries in the discharged state can restore capacity and boost overall performance. By reprogramming the battery management software, lost capacity can be recovered without additional cost or changes needed for equipment, materials, or production flow.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Incheon National University-Harvard University joint research team improves fuel cell durability with fatigue-resistant membranes

Researchers created a polymer electrolyte membrane with an interpenetrating network that enhances fatigue resistance and prolongs the lifespan of fuel cells. The composite membrane exhibits a lifespan of 410 hours, compared to 242 hours for the original Nafion membrane.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Biodegradable sensor monitors levels of pesticides via direct contact with surface of fruit and vegetables

The biodegradable sensor, made from plant-based material, can detect pesticide levels in minutes and has the potential to help assure food safety. The study showed that washing and immersion were insufficient to remove residues of pesticides, highlighting the need for reliable detection methods.

Core-shell ‘chemical looping’ boosts efficiency of greener approach to ethylene production

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...

SourceLehigh University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2024

Understanding the relationship between the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and hydrogen partial pressure

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the relationship between hydrogen partial pressure and PEMFC performance, revealing a pronounced decline in performance as hydrogen partial pressure decreased. The study aims to simplify fuel cell quality testing, cost reduction, and reduced safety requirements.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2023

Template for success: Shaping hard carbon electrodes for next-generation batteries

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science developed nanostructured hard carbon electrodes using inorganic zinc-based compounds, which deliver unprecedented performance and significantly increase the capacity of sodium- and potassium-ion batteries. The new electrodes improve energy density by 1.6 times compared to existing technologies.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

The little things matter: Chemists develop new sensor for microvolume pH detection

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.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMicrochimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2023

Making electric vehicles last

A new polymer binder is introduced to address durability issues in dual-ion batteries. The binder features azide and acrylate groups, which enhance the structural integrity of graphite during charge and discharge cycles. Dual-ion batteries equipped with this binder demonstrate exceptional performance, even after 3,500 recharge cycles.