Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
A team of MIT researchers has created a biohybrid photocatalyst that can mimic photosynthesis, improving the yield of chemical reactions for generating pharmaceuticals. The new catalyst uses a light-harvesting protein to capture energy from red light and transfer it to a metal-containing catalyst.
Researchers found that a battery's chemistry can affect its environmental impact, with cobalt being a common material that requires more energy to mine and has negative effects on the environment. Replacing cobalt with nickel can alleviate concerns, but there are tradeoffs involved. The study suggests that reusing batteries before recy...
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.
A new skin-attachable patch mimics cactus spines to collect sweat efficiently, facilitating continuous monitoring of bioanalytes. The wedge-patterned channel shows high sweat-collecting efficiency and can transport nearly all sweat droplets to the sensing area.
A team of researchers at the University of Konstanz has developed a new method for producing polyethylene with added polar groups, which enhances its degradability while maintaining its durability. The new plastic exhibits slow chain degradation in simulated sunlight, unlike conventional polyethylenes.
A multidisciplinary team at Wayne State University has been awarded a grant to develop alternative sources of rare earth elements critical to advanced military and consumer technologies. The project aims to create a sustainable US rare earth element supply chain and mitigate potential supply disruptions.
A new technique reveals the role of cations in surface chemistry, shedding light on environmental issues like rust and pollution. The study uses surface analysis to understand the initial stages of iron corrosion, which can help monitor carbon dioxide capture, water quality, and infrastructure management.
A study found that seabirds around the globe consume up to 52% of plastic, leading to accumulation of its chemical components in their bodies. Researchers analyzed oil from preen glands and stomach contents of bird carcasses to determine contaminant burdens.
Scientists have directly observed carbon-centered hydroperoxyalkyl radical (QOOH), a crucial intermediate product in climate change models and combustion engine design. The study's results improve understanding of oxidation reactions and their impact on atmospheric pollution.
A new method developed by Penn State and LLNL demonstrates a promising way to extract and separate rare earth elements from low-grade sources. The protein-based approach separates metals with greater than 99% purity, offering a more efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated plastic pollution, with global waste generation increasing by twice the amount in 2020 compared to 2019. To address this issue, researchers advocate for a transition to novel sustainable practices and technologies, including biodegradable plastics and efficient recycling processes.
A group of 'single-atom' catalysts has been identified by researchers, which can convert carbon dioxide into clean energy sources. The study used theoretical modelling and found that adding the atom of the catalyst metal to ferroelectric materials results in converting CO2 into a desired chemical fuel.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has sequenced the genome of the blue crab, revealing approximately 24,000 genes and a genome length that is one third of the human genome. This breakthrough will aid in fisheries policies, aquaculture, and potentially track food source origins.
Researchers developed a real-time measurement technique to detect algae health issues, detecting threats 37-76 hours earlier than traditional methods. This could save hundreds of millions of dollars in algae biomass losses and protect the world's most promising sustainable product source.
A new process recovers rhodium, palladium, gold and silver from electronic waste in seconds, producing a byproduct clean enough for agricultural land. The flash Joule heating method uses significantly less energy than traditional lab methods, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
A new study found that benzo(a)pyrene plays a small part in the global risk of developing PAH-associated cancer, with 89% of the risk coming from other unregulated chemicals. Degradation products formed in the atmosphere can also be more toxic than the emitted PAHs.
Researchers found a decline in pollutant concentrations worldwide during the 2020 lockdown, particularly in Central Europe. The study attributed these reductions to the lockdown's impact on sectors like road and air transport, but noted that weather conditions also played a significant role.
Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have developed tiny, color-changing gas sensors using new materials and 3D printing techniques. These sensors can detect solvent vapors in air and have potential applications in wearable devices for health monitoring and low-cost environmental monitoring systems.
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.
Kazan Federal University researchers designed a unique dielectric cell to study gas hydrate formation and decomposition under pressure. The device's effectiveness was demonstrated, allowing for further investigation of hydrate inhibitors.
Scientists from KIT have investigated the behavior of iridium oxide catalysts under dynamic conditions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The study reveals highly unexpected structural modifications connected to a stabilization of the catalyst at high voltages, contributing to more efficient and sustainable green hydrogen production.
Scientists have developed novel gas sensors with improved detection sensitivity and durability by combining organic and inorganic materials. The hybrid sensors boast high durability and high sensitivity, making them suitable for portable gas sensing applications.
Researchers developed a novel block copolymer electrolyte that controls structure through electrostatic interactions, enhancing ionic conductivity. The new nanostructure enables significant enhancement in conductivity compared to typical two-dimensional structures, paving the way for safer all-solid-state batteries.
Researchers have successfully synthesized AIE-active nanoparticles in a single step, producing fluorescent sensors that can detect nitroaromatic compounds with high sensitivity. The novel solid-state sensors show quenching of fluorescence emission on contact with PA, enabling fast and accurate detection of explosives.
Michigan Tech researchers developed a model to calculate how particular chemicals break down in surface water using singlet oxygen, which degrades contaminants and helps protect our waterways. The study's findings can aid environmental engineers and scientists in estimating half-lives of chemicals and predicting their degradation rates.
Researchers have discovered that microplastics can serve as a transport vehicle for metals in the environment, accumulating and releasing these pollutants. The study found significant differences in metal accumulation between different types of plastics, with some metals attaching almost entirely to microplastics.
Research by Lancaster University has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals, known as 'forever' chemicals, in the Arctic Ocean. These chemicals, used in products like stain-proof uniforms and non-stick pans, can accumulate in sea ice due to long-range transport from the atmosphere.
A systematic review of published papers on microplastics in table salt found significant variability in reported data due to differences in measurement and identification methods. The study highlights the need for standardized protocols to ensure reliable health-relevant results and accurately quantify human exposure to microplastics.
A study by scientists from Incheon National University reveals that microplastics in agricultural soil can affect soil quality, plant physiology, and even the environment. The researchers found that different shapes of MPs dominate various agricultural practices, highlighting the need for efficient management strategies to reduce the t...
A Northwestern University study found that widespread electric vehicle adoption could save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. Replacing 75% of cars with EVs could increase savings to as much as $70 billion annually.
Recent advances in the synthesis of hierarchically mesoporous TiO2 materials are reported, highlighting their potential applications in energy storage and environmental protection. The review covers various synthetic strategies and discusses the challenges and future directions of research in this area.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have isolated transition metal compounds of nitrous oxide, which provide clues into its potential use in sustainable chemical technologies. The discovery offers a valuable reference point in the field and is likely to stimulate future catalyst developments.
Krishnan Rajeshwar, a prominent chemistry professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to electrochemistry. He received the Electrochemical Society's 2019 Electrodeposition Research Award for his outstanding research in electrodeposition.
When ozone and skin oils meet, they produce volatile gases and substances that can cause sensory irritations. People with asthma may be particularly vulnerable to ozone and its reaction products.
Marine scientists investigate the relationship between bumphead parrotfish and their coral reef habitat using molecular analysis, finding that coral rock contains more calories than live coral. The study sheds light on the complex dynamics of coral reef ecology and the role of bumphead parrotfish in shaping their environment.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-led project seeks to identify and replicate prebiotic molecules under early Earth conditions. Researchers will explore various environments and their potential to give rise to life's chemistry.
The HOMEChem field experiment is analyzing chemical interactions in indoor environments, exploring sources of oxidants, organic compounds, and reactive nitrogen species. The month-long project uses advanced instruments to detect chemicals in real-time, providing insights into the complex chemistry of indoor environments.
Scientists have found that urban road dust reacts with sunlight to produce singlet oxygen, a reactive form of oxygen that can influence other chemical reactions. The study aims to understand the impact of these reactions on human health and the environment.
Researchers created the largest publicly available chemical database of hair dye substances to develop new, safer hair colors. The database reveals promising approaches for reducing allergic reactions and cancer risk associated with permanent hair dyes.
The American Chemical Society reviews the most intriguing chemistry stories of 2017, including breakthroughs in computing and molecular machines. Chemists also demonstrated their support for science through marches and rallies, while environmental groups protested the Trump administration's TSCA implementation delays.
A two-year project, called HOMEChem, aims to comprehensively understand the chemistry of indoor environments by studying various aspects of air, surfaces and microbes in a recreated home setting. Researchers will analyze data collected using new mass spectrometry-based instrumentation.
The Baltimore Ecosystem Study is integrating local data into the city's high school chemistry curriculum, aligning with Next Generation Science Standards and incorporating Earth science concepts. The initiative aims to make chemistry more relevant and engaging for students by exploring local environmental concerns.
A group of international researchers from nine countries calls for a grand challenges strategy to set global priorities for developing renewable energy. The proposed approach is modeled on the successful efforts to combat neglected diseases, with an emphasis on big thinking, multidisciplinary approaches and supportive policies.
Researchers found highly variable contamination events in the Eagle Ford shale region due to mechanical inefficiencies. The study suggests that air contamination from fracking can be monitored and controlled with improved efficiency.
New research suggests that lithium-ion battery compounds can be toxic to certain soil-dwelling bacteria, which play a crucial role in environmental cycling. The study's findings highlight the need for more sustainable battery materials.
Tufts University chemist Mary Jane Shultz has discovered a way to select specific surfaces of single-crystal ice for study. This breakthrough promises insights into climate and the environment, enabling researchers to better understand interactions between vapor and ice crystals in clouds.
Scientists have created a stable and recyclable material that captures carbon dioxide from the air, even in the presence of water. The material, SGU-29, has micropores with different adsorption sites for CO2 and water, allowing it to efficiently capture both.
A recent study found that incense smoke contains mutagenic properties, causing genetic mutations and potential cancers. Incense was compared to cigarette smoke in a comparison of indoor use, revealing surprising results.
Joshua Tully, a Louisiana Tech University chemistry student, has been awarded a Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowship by the EPA for his research on natural clay nanotubes. The fellowship provides a year of academic support and internship experience, valued at up to $50,000.
Researchers discovered soy lecithin can break down oil into small droplets that bacteria can degrade, reducing toxicity. The natural surfactant outperformed commercial dispersants in lab tests.
Notre Dame researchers have created a paper test card that can detect low-quality antimalarial drugs with high sensitivity and accuracy. The test card uses 12 colorful chemical tests to identify the presence or absence of key ingredients, helping people in developing countries identify suspicious medications before they harm patients.
A novel, fully untethered soft robot capable of repeated jumping has been developed, covering half a meter in a single hop-and-roll motion. The innovative design utilizes a combustion-powered system based on a roly-poly toy, enabling the robot to function over rough terrain.
Elsevier has launched a new journal, TrEAC, which will publish concise and critical overviews of the rapid changes and development in environmental analytical chemistry. The journal aims to enhance understanding of the environment through analysis and detection of new contaminants.
The five Neimark Award winners explore biostatistics, molecular plant sciences, and particle astrophysics among other areas. Their research in second language acquisition also sheds light on human cognition.
Tobin Marks received the Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences for his work on catalysts enabling recyclable plastics and sustainably produced materials. His research has led to multi-billion dollar industrial processes and enormous energy savings.
A study by IMDEA and the University of Almeria found 88 pollutants in river waters in Madrid, with most being eliminated at wastewater treatment plants. The researchers used advanced analysis techniques to detect low concentrations of priority and emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
LSU has been awarded a grant to establish a Superfund Research Center, exploring the health effects of toxic combustion products and their potential impact on public health. The center will investigate the role of combustion-related nanoparticles in determining their special properties and harmful effects.
Researchers from Matis-Icelandic Food Research developed a PCR-based technique to detect bacteria causing stinky fish smell in just five hours, four times faster than traditional methods. This innovation enables the fish industry to monitor contamination by spoilage bacteria more efficiently.
The Global Innovation Imperatives (Gii) project aims to combat global health, environmental and societal issues through chemistry-based solutions. Key focus areas include advancing science breakthroughs and addressing pressing water concerns, such as cleanliness, availability and sustainability.
Recent progress enables interpretation and prediction of actinide compounds' properties using first principle theory. Researchers are identifying molecules that can extract uranium from its natural environment, improving nuclear energy systems and environmental remediation technologies.