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Water cleanup method developed by University of California, Riverside, scientists destroys pervasive, cancer-causing “forever chemicals” or PFAS

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a novel method to break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals', in contaminated water. The hydrogen-infusion and UV light-based process achieves high molecular destruction rates without generating unwanted byproducts.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2022

Story tips: Genetic markers for autism, hiding in plain sight; Recyclable composites help drive net-zero goal; Evaluating buildings in real time; Nanoreactor grows hydrogen-storage crystals

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered genetic markers for autism, developed recyclable composites to drive the net-zero goal, and created a tool for real-time building evaluation. Additionally, they have made significant progress in growing hydrogen-storage crystals using a novel nano-reactor material.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2022

High-temperature superconductivity in lanthanum, yttrium, and cerium ternary hydrides

A team of researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has discovered thermodynamically stable phases in Y–Ce–H and La–Ce–H systems that exhibit high-temperature superconductivity. Calculations predicted Tc values of up to 173 K, paving the way for the development of more energy-efficient and sustainable societies.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalMaterials Today Physics·DateNov 16, 2022

Photocatalysis: Processes in charge separation recorded experimentally

Scientists have recorded photocatalysis charge separation processes experimentally on Cu2O particles, revealing rapid electron transfer and slower hole trapping, enabling better understanding of photocatalytic water splitting limitations. The technique allows for spatiotemporal imaging of charge transfer in photocatalyst particles.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2022

Particles pick pair partners differently in small nuclei

A high-precision experiment reveals that protons and neutrons in small nuclei prefer to pair up with others of the same kind more often than expected. The study provides new details about short-distance interactions between particles and may impact results from experiments seeking to tease out further nuclear structure details.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2022

New hafnium polyhydrides are discovered superconductivity above 80K

Researchers at Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered new hafnium polyhydrides exhibiting superconductivity above 80K, a temperature threshold previously unattained by any 5d transition metal hydride. The study reveals these compounds display high critical fields and Ginzburg-Landau superconducting coherent l...

SourceInstitute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalMaterials Today Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2022

Astronomers develop novel way to ‘see’ the first stars through the fog of the early Universe

A team of astronomers has developed a novel way to observe the first stars and galaxies, detecting light through the fog of the early Universe. The Square Kilometre Array will likely make images of the earliest light, but current telescopes struggle to detect the cosmological signal through hydrogen clouds.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2022

Scientists synthesize material for fuel cells

Researchers at Ural Federal University have synthesized a proton conductor with high electrical conductivity, which could become the basis for solid oxide fuel cells. The new material is potentially cost-effective and exhibits higher electrical conductivity than other solid-state conductors.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateMay 30, 2022

New tech aims to drive down costs of hydrogen fuel

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for extracting hydrogen gas from liquid carriers, making it faster, less expensive and more energy efficient. The new method uses sunlight and a reusable photocatalyst to release hydrogen molecules, reducing the need for rhodium and lowering production costs.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalChemSusChem·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2022

Lights, catalyst, reaction! Converting CO2 to formic acid using an alumina-supported, iron-based compound

Researchers from Tokyo Tech developed an alumina-supported iron-based catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into formic acid with up to 90% selectivity. The new catalyst's excellent recyclability and low-cost nature make it a promising candidate for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and providing energy via combustion.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

Low-energy protons from strong-field breaking of hydrogen

A joint research team investigated the generation of low-energy protons in dissociative ionization of H2 using time-energy-resolved spectroscopy. They found that low-energy protons are produced via dipole-transition at large bond lengths, contrary to the expected bond-softening scenario.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2022

High output voltage

Researchers have developed organic sulfonamides as a flexible and stable material for proton battery cathodes, achieving higher output voltages than conventional cathodes. The new material is also easy to manufacture, stable under standard conditions, and non-toxic.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2022

Reversible fuel cells can support grid economically, Stanford researcher finds

Researchers at Stanford University and University of Mannheim find that integrated reversible power-to-gas systems can provide backup electricity during surging prices, reducing costs and increasing capacity utilization. The technology has the potential to link the electricity and hydrogen markets, making renewable energy more viable.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2022

Story tips: Clean water bots, self-sanitizing N95 masks and cooking with hydrogen

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed AquaBOT to measure water quality in mid-sized streams with precision and speed. The lab has also created a safe and effective antiviral coating for N95 masks, allowing for reuse of masks made from various fabrics. Furthermore, the lab has designed a cooking appliance that uses...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalACS ES&T Water·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2022

Green hydrogen glows pink

Researchers at FAU have developed a sensor that can make invisible hydrogen gas visible to the naked eye, using supraparticles that change color when exposed to hydrogen. The innovative sensor has the potential to increase safety in handling hydrogen and is suitable for real-time leak detection and monitoring.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 21, 2022

How Mars lost its oceans

Researchers recreated conditions expected in Mars' core billions of years ago and found that molten metal gave rise to a brief magnetic field. This led to the evaporation of water vapor and eventual loss of Martian oceans about 4 billion years ago.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

New study suggests an alternative technique for determining the true activity of catalysts

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.

SourceWaseda University·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2022

"Heavy" hydrogen stabilizes drugs

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new method to introduce heavy hydrogen isotopes into drugs, potentially making them more effective. The technique involves the use of epoxides and a titanium-based catalyst, allowing for precise control over the placement of deuterium atoms.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 23, 2021

Toxin-adapted fish pass down epigenetic mutations to freshwater offspring

Researchers found that toxin-adapted fish passed on epigenetic mutations to their freshwater offspring, with an 80% overlap in DNA methylation regions. This study provides evidence for the long-term effects of toxic exposure on epigenetics, with implications for understanding human health and environmental adaptations.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Where on Earth is all the water?

Researchers discovered that water can bond strongly with iron under extreme conditions, explaining the presence of significant amounts of hydrogen in the Earth's core. This finding suggests that much of the water that arrived on Earth during its formation might be stored in the core as hydrogen.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2021

Mysterious hydrogen-free supernova sheds light on stars' violent death throes

Astronomers have discovered a mysterious yellow star that exploded without the typical hydrogen layer, revealing new insights into the violent death throes of massive stars. The discovery challenges current understanding of stellar evolution and suggests that these stars may undergo catastrophic eruptions before exploding.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 5, 2021

There might be many planets with water-rich atmospheres

Researchers at University of Chicago and Stanford University propose mechanism for formation and retention of water-dominated atmospheres on hot, rocky exoplanets. The model suggests these planets could have a water-rich atmosphere for long stretches, with some potentially keeping it for billions of years.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 15, 2021

First direct band gap measurements of wide-gap hydrogen using inelastic X-ray scattering

Researchers have made the first direct measurements of the electronic band and gap of solid hydrogen up to 90 GPa using inelastic X-ray scattering. The study found that the electronic band gap decreased linearly from 10.9 eV to 6.57 eV as pressure increased, with a densification factor of 8.6.