Articles tagged with Hydrophobicity
A team of KAUST engineers has untangled the roles of water, hydrophobicity, and environmental factors in water electrification. They found that hydrophobic surfaces carry a negative surface charge, which attracts positive ions and repels negative ions from water.
Researchers at RUDN University have developed a new type of two-dimensional nanofilm from calixarene molecules, which can be used as protective coatings in electronics. The films' stability was found to depend on the length of hydrocarbon chains in the original macromolecules.
Researchers develop Salvinia-like slippery surface with stable water/air contact line, exhibiting increased stability against pressure and impact. The surface also enhances the mobility of water drops and reduces hydrodynamic drag.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to thermal management using bridging-droplet diodes, which can efficiently conduct heat in one direction. The device uses a wick structure to absorb heat and produces steam that condenses on the opposite side, allowing for improved heat conduction and reduced thermal resistance.
A research team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel approach to fabricating MXene films that can effectively block electromagnetic interference. The drop-casting method on pre-patterned hydrophobic substrates resulted in a 38% enhancement of EMI shielding efficiency over conventional methods, making it scalable an...
Researchers developed two approaches to control plant proteins related to hydrophobic pollutant transport. A pesticide that suppresses MLP gene expression reduced hydrophobic pollutant accumulation, while an MLP-binding pesticide inhibited binding to pollutants. This breakthrough enables safer crop production on contaminated soil.
Researchers discovered a two-layer water network surrounding hydrophobic molecules, with the inner layer being longer stable and more densely packed. This new understanding is crucial for biomolecular recognition and protein folding processes.
A new study engineered a form of botulinum toxin B with improved binding to nerve cells, increasing potency and reducing diffusion into surrounding tissue. The modified toxin demonstrated enhanced therapeutic potential and reduced adverse effects.
A new superhydrophobic magnetic sponge developed by Tomsk Polytechnic University and the University of Lille can effectively purify water from oil products. The material is capable of selectively absorbing oil molecules while repelling water, making it a promising solution for water pollution.
A groundbreaking method allows for easy determination of the surface free energy of particles, a quantitative measure of particle hydrophobicity. This innovation has significant implications for scientific and industrial applications involving particulate matter.
Physicists have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how liquids behave with other materials, including finding super-repellant substrates that can repel water. Their findings provide a comprehensive framework for tailoring material properties, which has important implications for various physical and biological systems.
KAUST researchers find that water molecules become less stable when squeezed between two hydrophobic surfaces due to quantum effects. This discovery has practical implications for the development of nanofluidic platforms for molecular separation.
DNA molecules have a hydrophobic interior that groups together when exposed to water, controlling the binding process. The discovery opens doors for new understanding in medicine and life sciences, with potential applications in fighting resistant bacteria and curing cancer.
The study highlights the importance of zeta potential in colloid surface chemistry and its effect on dispersion stability. The Navier boundary condition, considering relative velocity, is applied to particles with hydrophobic surfaces, leading to increased electrophoretic mobility and sedimentation potential.
Researchers have developed a new electrolyte regulation strategy for Li-O2 batteries using hydrophobic silica colloidal particles. The strategy prevents lithium dendrite growth and corrosion, achieving a 980-times better anticorrosion effect and stable long-life electrochemical performance.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed a way to control the hydrophobicity of surfaces inspired by nature, which could have widespread applications in the biomedical field. The 'nanoflower' design uses atomic defects in nanomaterials to repel water and clean surfaces.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University has demonstrated that the tunable hydrophobic nature of dense siloxane gels strongly correlates with their catalytic activity. The study shows that molecules with different hydrophobicity interact differently with surfaces, leading to increased or decreased catalytic activity.
Franz-Ulrich Hartl and Arthur L. Horwich's pioneering discoveries on assisted protein folding highlighted the importance of cellular quality assurance. They elucidated key aspects of the chaperone machinery and its role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered the structure of Gip1, a protein that sequesters G proteins to block signaling processes. The unique molecular bonding arrangement allows interactions with G proteins, providing a better understanding of their mechanism.
Researchers developed a novel method to control surface wettability of polymeric substrates using colloidal self-assembly and controlled strained-releasing. The approach enables the fabrication of eco-friendly waterproof polymer films with adjustable hydrophobicity.
Researchers have synthesized a phosphonium polymer that exhibits extraordinary antibacterial activity despite lacking hydrophobic alkyl chains. The polymer's hydrophilic nature and balanced display of positive charges played a crucial role in its effectiveness.
MIT researchers create a new technique to alter membrane proteins, making them more accessible for structural studies. The QTY code allows for the substitution of hydrophobic amino acids with hydrophilic ones, enabling water-soluble proteins that can be analyzed using X-ray crystallography or NMR.
A team of computational biophysicists has identified a hydrophobic dewetting mechanism that blocks intracellular access to the selectivity filter in BK channels. This finding represents a paradigm shift in understanding the regulation and gating process of these channels, which play a crucial role in various health conditions.
Researchers at UCSB have identified a nuanced way to influence surface hydrophobicity, which affects how water interacts with solid surfaces. By varying the patterning of hydrophobic groups, they found that it can produce large effects on water dynamics, making it useful for designing more efficient membranes.
Chemists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum tracked individual water molecules attaching to an organic molecule, exploring hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. The study uses low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, providing insights into solvation processes.
Researchers discovered that water-repellent surfaces force ice to grow upward, making it easier to remove. The team's findings suggest applying water-repellent coatings or engineering surfaces with built-in repelling properties could enable breeze-assisted ice removal.
Researchers developed self-powered, paper-based devices that detect biomarkers and identify diseases with high accuracy. The devices use electrochemical analyses powered by the user's touch and can be used in remote villages or military bases without requiring electricity or additional equipment.
Researchers at VTT have discovered the frictional mechanism behind water repellency on inclined surfaces. By understanding this phenomenon, they can predict sliding of drops off surfaces and develop hydrophobic materials with improved wettability.
Researchers found that untreated graywater causes soil hydrophobicity, leading to water runoff and erosion. Treating the graywater through biofiltration mitigates this issue, making it suitable for irrigation in arid regions.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery using real-time monitoring to quantify cooperativity in hydrophobic interactions, demonstrating its critical role in stabilizing macromolecular assembly. The study's innovative microfluidic device enables precise tracking of solute molecule aggregation at sub-microsecond timescales.
A study by Binghamton University researchers discovered that anionic surfactants in soaps can control the wettability of human skin. This finding has potential applications in improving transdermal drug delivery and adhesion of biointegrated electronics.
Scientists have observed a surprising order in the surface of water droplets at the nanoscale, with molecules behaving like those in ice. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of atmospheric, biological, and geological processes, as researchers explore how additives like salt affect the water network.
Researchers discovered that virus surface proteins can be used to improve vaccine purification by understanding their hydrophobic properties. By analyzing the protein structures and interactions with other surfaces, scientists hope to develop more efficient methods for detecting and concentrating viruses.
Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that rare earth oxides become hydrophobic only after aging due to chemical reactions with ambient air. The study found that even room temperature exposure can trigger these reactions, leading to water-repelling properties.
Researchers at University of Illinois developed a new approach to dynamically tune the micro- and nano-scale roughness of atomically thin MoS2, improving its hydrophobicity for various applications including waterproof electronics and medical devices. The study expands toolkit for tunable wettability of 2D materials.
A new approach by researchers at MIT offers a way to make movable parts with no solid connections between the pieces, potentially eliminating wear and failure. The system uses a layer of liquid droplets to support a tiny, movable platform, which can be controlled electrically.
A team of students has demonstrated that water-filled balloons can be made to bounce on a bed of nails, exhibiting similar behavior to tiny water droplets. The study, published in the European Journal of Physics, used large store-bought party balloons and recorded impacts at different velocities.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique that allows studying protein misfolding and toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases. The technique enables visualizing changes in protein molecules' surfaces, shedding light on the mechanisms behind these devastating diseases.
Researchers studying giant space droplets develop simple experimental device to predict their behavior, shedding light on fluid dynamics in low-gravity environments. The findings have potential applications in water processing, fuel systems, and habitats.
A team of researchers discovered that chaperones have two classes, each identifying distinct types of hydrophobic amino acid sequences. These sequences can form hazardous clumps in the cell if not eliminated rapidly. The study sheds light on molecular quality control and has implications for biotechnological protein production.
Researchers create functional coatings with microorganism-resistance, self-cleaning and anti-reflecting properties. The new materials have potential for various applications, including seagoing vessels, mobile phone screens and spectacle lenses.
University of Illinois researchers have demonstrated doping-induced tunable wetting and adhesion of graphene, revealing its unique properties. The findings show that graphene can exhibit switchable hydrophobic and hydrophilic behavior, enabling the creation of reusable, self-cleaning sensors with potential energy savings.
Physicists at Lomonosov Moscow State University propose a theoretical model for analyzing the conformational behavior of hydrophobically modified polymer gels in solution. The model explains experimentally observed phenomena and reveals new ways to control gel susceptibility, promising applications in drug delivery systems.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created a new technology to induce and control boiling bubble formation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency of steam boilers in large electric generating facilities. The approach uses piezoelectric inkjet printing and zinc oxide nanostructures to precisely control bub...
Berkeley Lab scientists discover a family of nature-inspired polymers that spontaneously assemble into hollow crystalline nanotubes in water. The nanotubes have uniform diameters and can be tuned for specific functions, opening up new possibilities for filtration, desalination, and more.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed new probes to measure surface hydrophobicity in proteins. These sensors show significant improvements over existing commercial tools, with up to a 60-fold increase in detection strength.
Researchers create biphilic surface that repels water in some areas and attracts it in others, delaying frost formation even at 6 degrees below freezing. The unique condensation dynamics on the surface cause small droplets to merge and release energy, delaying freezing for over 3 hours.
The 'dancing droplets' phenomenon allows small droplets to launch themselves from moderately hydrophobic surfaces, enabling efficient removal of accumulated droplets in fibrous webs. This technology has potential applications in water purification and oil refining by reducing clogging and improving efficiency.
Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich create a comprehensive phase diagram that describes the material properties of colloids based on their structure and concentration. The study finds that the interaction length, which determines the solubility of the colloid solution, can be tuned to achieve specific macroscopic properties.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have determined the structure of a flippase, PglK, that flips lipid-linked oligosaccharides, revealing a novel mechanism. The discovery sheds light on fundamental biological processes and may lead to therapeutic approaches for diseases associated with glycosylation disorders.
Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University have developed a new theory that sheds light on electroosmotic flow in hydrophobic surfaces. The theory resolves long-standing paradoxes and provides explanations for phenomena like zeta potential measurements of bubbles and drops.
Researchers have identified a protective mechanism for tail-anchored proteins, which are crucial for various cellular functions. The study reveals a dimeric structure of the transport molecule Get3 that shields these proteins from harmful aggregation and guides them to the correct membrane location.
Researchers from the University of Rochester created extraordinary new surfaces that efficiently absorb light, repel water, and clean themselves using femtosecond laser pulses. The multifunctional materials have potential applications in durable, low-maintenance solar collectors and sensors.
The study reveals how polar substances nearby can change the interaction between nonpolar hydrophobic groups, allowing for controlled adhesion or repulsion in water. This discovery may lead to new designs of molecules with useful functions in water-based applications.
A team of international researchers has created 'molecular tadpoles' with unique properties, allowing for improved detergent performance and potential applications in flexible electronics. These molecules are formed by modifying 'bucky balls' with long chains, enabling them to assemble into extended structures.
A University of Pittsburgh study reveals that graphite materials are actually hydrophilic due to airborne contaminants. This discovery has significant implications for lithium-ion batteries and super capacitors, which may lead to stronger and more durable devices.
University of Illinois bioengineers find way to permanently modify silicone polymer surface with organic material, resulting in stable adhesion for several months. The method enables practical applications in cell culture platforms, microfluidic devices, and tissue engineering.
A unique shell design on guillemot eggs allows them to survive exposed cliffs with no nests. The nano-scale cone-like structures act as self-cleaning guardians, preventing eggs from falling and protecting them from salt and guano exposure.
A team at NIST has developed a simple and cost-effective way to separate metallic from semiconducting carbon nanotubes, paving the way for high-purity samples in electronics applications. The method uses liquid extraction with subtle differences in polymer hydrophobicity, yielding high-resolution results.
Researchers challenge a long-held hypothesis on water's surface charge, finding that intrinsic properties of water molecules are responsible. Using advanced techniques like nonlinear optics and light diffusion, scientists detect negative charges even in the absence of impurities.