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Bacteria could become a future source of electricity

Researchers at Lund University have achieved a more efficient transfer of electrical current from bacteria to electrodes, paving the way for potential use in biofuel cells and other energy applications. The discovery also sheds light on how bacteria communicate with their surroundings, including other molecules and each other.

SourceLund University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMar 26, 2019

5,000 times faster than a computer

Scientists have created a new way to generate electricity using light, which operates at speeds 5,000 times faster than current computers. The 'interatomic light rectifier' uses the interaction between atoms to produce directed electric currents.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 14, 2019

Hydrogen transfer: One thing after the other

Researchers used time-resolved spectroscopy to study the mechanism of light-dependent hydrogenation of protochlorophyllide. They found evidence of partially stepwise hydride transfer involving three discrete intermediates. This discovery sheds light on how light energy can be harnessed for chemical reactions.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 14, 2018

Hydrogen gas from enzyme production

Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin and Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered how enzymes produce molecular hydrogen. The process involves two electrons being transferred to two hydrogen ions through proton-coupled electron transfer, a mechanism that could explain the production of hydrogen gas in other enzymes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 6, 2017

Researchers demonstrate new ways to achieve selectivity for biomarkers in bioelectronics

Engineers at the University of Arizona have developed a new method to control charge transfer rate from an organic polymer to a biomarker molecule, advancing the field of organic bioelectronics. Their findings show that electron transfer rate depends directly on applied voltage and demonstrate Marcus' theory of inverted charge transfer.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2017

Glowing news for organic materials

Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully demonstrated persistent luminescence from organic materials, achieving long-lived emission lasting over an hour. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize various fields, including bio-imaging and safety applications.

SourceKyushu University, OPERA·JournalNature·DateOct 2, 2017

Step towards better 'beyond lithium' batteries

The team demonstrates that titanium dioxide can be modified to be used as an electrode in multivalent batteries, providing a valuable proof of concept. This breakthrough could lead to higher charge densities and better performance for new battery technologies, essential for transitioning to low-emission energy sources.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 18, 2017

New carbon nitride material coupled with ruthenium enhances visible-light CO2 reduction in water

A new nanomaterial capable of reducing CO2 with high selectivity and turnover number has been developed by Tokyo Tech. The material consists of carbon nitride nanosheets combined with a metal structure known as binuclear ruthenium(II) complex, resulting in unprecedented binding of RuRu' to the nanosheet surface.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 12, 2017

Watching quantum jumps

Researchers at TU Wien and Germany have developed a method to study the time structure of quantum jumps, which are extremely fast state changes in atoms. The experiment showed that the duration of two different ionization processes can be distinguished, revealing new insights into the physics of ultrashort time scales.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 7, 2016

The gene of autumn colors

Hokkaido University researchers have identified a key enzyme involved in chlorophyll degradation and the formation of autumn colors. By understanding this process, scientists may uncover novel mechanisms for photosynthesis and discover new enzymes with potential applications.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateOct 25, 2016

Revolutionary antibiotics will save the world

Russian scientists have identified a unique enzyme in E. coli that enables the bacterium to breathe, despite the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which would normally inhibit mitochondrial respiration. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that target specific types of bacteria without harming human cells.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 25, 2016

Sniffing out a dangerous vapor

University of Utah engineers developed a handheld scanner that can detect small traces of alkane fuel vapor, crucial for preventing oil pipeline leaks and detecting explosives. The portable device will be used to locate leaks in pipelines, airplane fuel tanks, and security threats, providing real-time warnings.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalACS Sensors·DateMar 25, 2016

Helping turn waste heat into electricity

Researchers found a way to control energy transfer between electrons and bismuth crystal lattice, enabling efficient conversion of waste heat into electricity. This discovery could improve the overall efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess heat.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 3, 2016

Clean energy 'bio batteries' a step closer

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have made a significant discovery in bio battery technology, enabling the generation of clean energy from bacteria. The study reveals how electrons hop across bacterial proteins and find that the rate of electrical transfer is dependent on protein orientation and proximity.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 18, 2014