Articles tagged with Industrial Chemistry
Richard Willson, a University of Houston professor, has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to the chemical sciences. He has developed innovative methods to detect viruses and other biological threats using glow-in-the-dark nanoparticles.
The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK recognize promising scientists under 42 for their work on pressing issues. The three winners are tackling infant mortality, green manufacturing, and predicting long-term climate change. Their prize-winning research will receive £100,000 in unrestricted funds.
CrySyst's QbC framework addresses crystallization monitoring, modeling and control using research from Purdue University. The software provides guided experiment selection, semiautomated model development and reliable solutions to reduce time and material usage.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have created a technique to extract valuable metals from battery waste using a mix of water and cooking oil. The process enables the recovery of battery-grade metal oxides at room temperature, leaving behind 'black mass' that can be skimmed off to produce pure metal oxides.
A recent study by UCLA researchers has discovered high amounts of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate (BTMPS) in illicitly sold fentanyl. BTMPS is not approved for human consumption and has been linked to serious health effects such as cardiotoxicity and ocular damage.
Researchers have found a new method to remove PFAS from drinking water by heating them with granular activated carbon at 572 degrees Fahrenheit. This process achieves 90% mineralization of the PFAS, breaking them down into harmless inorganic fluorine.
Researchers at UC Davis created nanoislands with trapped platinum clusters, demonstrating improved hydrogenation catalytic activity and stability. The confinement of metal clusters on a tiny island of cerium oxide supports the production of stable catalysts for the chemical industry.
A new process converts polycotton textile waste into glucose, a key bio-based feedstock, and separates polyester fibers for reprocessing. The technique is scalable and cost-effective, offering a viable solution to textile waste recycling.
Researchers have developed a Zn-decorated GaN nanowire catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 and H2O into methane and hydrogen peroxide under light irradiation. The catalyst achieves high conversion rates with 93.6% selectivity and maintains activity for over 80 hours, providing a practical solution for sustainable fuel production.
Quinone-based carbon capture systems have been found to trap and release CO2 from the atmosphere through two distinct mechanisms. The study provides critical insights into the interplay of electrochemistry in these safer systems.
Researchers develop a dual-cross-linked network that enhances the toughness and stretchability of polymeric materials. The introduction of reversible secondary interactions between chemically exchangeable units and NIPAM improves ductility, while optimizing the number density of hydrogen bonds achieves optimal results.
Kyushu University researchers create a microwave flow reaction device that converts complex polysaccharides into simple monosaccharides, producing glucose. The device utilizes a continuous-flow hydrolysis process, where cellobiose is passed through a sulfonated carbon catalyst heated using microwaves.
A report by the Consortium for Children's Environmental Health calls for new laws to test chemicals for safety and toxicity before they enter markets. The authors propose a more precautionary approach to prioritize health protection over unconstrained production of synthetic chemicals and plastics.
Researchers have developed a novel copper-based catalyst that can selectively convert CO2 into acetaldehyde with an impressive efficiency of 92%. The breakthrough provides a greener and more sustainable way to produce acetaldehyde, potentially replacing the Wacker process and reducing CO2 emissions.
A team of scientists has developed a method to insert a filiform molecule into the cavity of a ring-shaped molecule using light-induced reactions and self-assembly processes. This creates a molecular fit that is not possible at thermodynamic equilibrium, enabling the creation of new substances with unique properties.
Researchers have developed a new aluminosilicate zeolite, ZMQ-1, with an intrinsic meso-microporous channel system that addresses the limitations of traditional zeolites. This breakthrough structure enhances catalytic processes in heavy oil cracking, achieving high conversion rates and selectivity for diesel production.
Scientists have engineered a 'super-powered' bacterium, E. coli, with a polymer coating to increase its industrial productivity and sustainability. The new strain enhances catalysis capabilities, reducing energy use and making production more environmentally friendly.
A study by Chiba University researchers has identified 106 compounds in pregnant women's serum samples, including phthalates, nitrogenous compounds, and parabens, which may impact biological pathways. The study proposes a non-targeted approach for detecting foreign chemicals and evaluating their potential health effects.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo successfully developed a multi-element perovskite catalyst that selectively oxidizes light alkanes to alcohols with high yield and selectivity. The breakthrough catalyst operates under mild conditions and exhibits excellent stability and reusability.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new method to break down PFAS, a group of human-made 'forever' chemicals. The system uses an LED light-based photocatalytic approach that can be used at room temperature, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution than traditional chemical manufacturing processes.
Greg Liu has developed a revolutionary way to convert certain plastics into soaps, detergents, lubricants, and other products through thermolysis. The process breaks down polypropylene and polyethylene molecules into chemical compounds, leaving minimal residual solids and usable oil.
A new phase-transformable membrane can precisely select CO₂ and H₂, enabling efficient gas separation. The membrane's liquid-glass-crystal states optimize its selectivity and permeability for specific gases.
A recent Stanford University study has identified 33 current faculty members from Binghamton University as among the top 2% of all researchers worldwide in their fields. The researchers were ranked based on their career-long or single-year output and citation metrics, indicating their significant impact on their respective fields.
The university introduces Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Double Major Bachelor of Engineering Science in Process Engineering and Synthetic Chemistry to address global demand for roboticists. The programs incorporate AI-related elements and are designed to provide students with a unique skill set.
Scientists have discovered that adding carbon to metal nanoparticles makes them 200 times more active, which could lead to significant cost savings and improved efficiency in industrial processes. The discovery was made possible by precise measurements and simulations of the interaction between metal nanoparticles and a carbon substrate.
Scientists create diacetylene derivative-based luster materials with tunable colors and metallic lusters, opening new possibilities for applications in jewelry, printing inks, and cosmetics. The developed material can express a golden luster selectively using light irradiation, minimizing environmental footprint and weight.
Researchers at National University of Singapore develop a straightforward method to convert common chemicals into valuable alkenes using light. The new method simplifies the production of alkenes from abundant feedstock chemicals, enabling the creation of complex bioactive molecules.
Juan Jimenez, a Goldhaber postdoctoral fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory, has been recognized as a Blavatnik Awards Finalist for his work on developing new catalysts to convert greenhouse gases into industrially useful materials. His research focuses on minimizing hazardous byproducts and using solvent-free processes.
The McGill team's light-driven chemical process transforms methane and carbon dioxide into green methanol and carbon monoxide, producing highly valued products. The discovery offers a promising path towards Canada's net-zero emissions target by 2050 and provides a sustainable way to produce industrial products.
Researchers developed a self-assembling catalyst to facilitate the reaction between alkenes and alcohols, producing ethers with improved efficiency, generality, and selectivity. The catalyst's design was inspired by enzymes, which can position reaction partners for optimal reactivity.
A team from Kyushu University has developed a zeolite catalyst that can be heated using microwaves to speed up the conversion of fatty acid esters to olefins. This process improves energy efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide production, offering a more sustainable chemical industry.
A new chemical process can vaporize plastics, reducing waste and creating hydrocarbon building blocks for new plastics. The catalytic process efficiently degrades a mix of post-consumer plastic waste, bringing closer a circular economy for many throwaway plastics.
Researchers at Universiteit van Amsterdam created a PFAS-free synthesis route for pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds using a trifluoromethyl group attached to sulfur, nitrogen, or oxygen atoms. The method avoids the use of PFAS reagents, offering an environmentally friendly alternative.
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have successfully developed a method to recycle samarium diiodide, a crucial reagent in synthesizing molecules that can lead to new pharmaceuticals. This breakthrough enables large-scale industrial production, making it possible to create essential compounds like taxol, an anticance...
Researchers developed a one-pot process to transform aromatic ketones into esters, simplifying the reaction process, reducing reaction times, and minimizing purification steps. The method enables seven different chemical transformations and has shown notable stability and reusability, making it scalable for industrial applications.
A research team from Aarhus University has found a method to recycle polyurethane foam into its original components, polyol and isocyanate. The new process recovers up to 82 weight percent of the material, making it possible to reuse them as raw materials in new PUR products.
A team of researchers led by UC Santa Barbara's Justin Wilson has developed a technique to purify certain rare earth elements at room temperature using optimized chelators. This new process can concentrate dysprosium by a factor of over 800, compared to less than 10 for the industry standard.
MIT researchers detected a clear signal of human influence on upper tropospheric ozone trends, separate from climate noise. The study provides insights into specific human activities driving this trend.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have proposed a new way to reduce industrial emissions by utilizing liquid metals in chemical reactions. This approach aims to decrease energy requirements and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at UNIST developed zeolitic imidazolate frameworks that mimic intricate machines, exhibiting precise control over nanoscale mechanical movements. The discovery has significant implications for applications in data storage, digital technology, and beyond.
Researchers developed a novel photocatalyst called N-BAP to reduce esters using sustainable light energy. The catalyst initiates a quadruple electron transfer process, enabling the reduction of esters to form alcohols without using metal reductants.
Researchers have created a new efficient catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction, a crucial step in producing hydrogen from water. The catalyst is about four times better than the current state-of-the-art iridium catalyst, requiring less iridium to produce hydrogen at the same rate.
Researchers developed polymeric protective films to improve anode interface stability in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries. The films, made from various polymers, showed improved interfacial stability and high-capacity retention rates after multiple cycles.
A German junior research group at the University of Oldenburg is developing precious-metal-free catalysts to convert carbon dioxide into methanol, formaldehyde, and ethylene. The team aims to create inexpensive and durable materials for large-scale industrial applications.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a hybrid porous structure using polyvinyl alcohol, enabling uniform lithium electrodeposition. The new design facilitated the transport of lithium ions, reducing 'dead Li' areas and internal short circuits, resulting in high stability after 200 charge-discharge cycles.
Researchers discovered that adding water-resistant materials to an electrode can dramatically speed up chemical reactions in water, known as 'fouling'. This process can increase reaction rates up to six times faster than traditional methods. By leveraging this method, the chemical industry may be able to reduce its reliance on fossil f...
A new AI method developed by Swedish researchers can identify toxic substances based on their chemical structure, potentially replacing animal testing. The method has been shown to be more accurate and broadly applicable than existing computational tools, offering a promising alternative for environmental research and authorities.
University of Sydney researchers have developed a chemical process using plasma that could create sustainable jet fuel from methane gas emitted from landfills. This process has the potential to eliminate the need for traditional and sustainable jet fuels, which add further emissions into the atmosphere. By capturing almost the exact co...
Researchers found widespread data gaps on environmental effects, emphasizing the need for updated information requirements in REACH legislation. They propose utilizing cross-species knowledge and grouping substances to increase understanding.
Scientists at POSTECH create conducting polymers with exceptional electrical conductivity, rivaling graphene's performance. The breakthrough achieves ultrafast electron mobility and long phase coherence length, overcoming a major challenge in organic semiconductors.
Researchers use a vortex fluidic device to improve the shelf life and cleaning ability of organic shampoos. The spun shampoo contains more evenly dispersed oil droplets and glass microspheres compared to the original product, resulting in a better lather and cleaner hair.
New study uses high-powered microscopy and mathematical theory to unveil nanoscale voids in three dimensions. The findings show a strong correlation between unique physical properties of random empty space and improved filtration performance.
A new research project, PHOTOZYME, aims to develop photobiocatalytic tools to convert basic chemicals into chiral molecules. The project combines biocatalysis, photochemistry, and directed evolution to create sustainable molecular synthesis.
Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a new ruthenium catalyst, proven to be long-term stable in air while maintaining high reactivity. This breakthrough enables the user to run simultaneous reactions, streamlining optimisation procedures and reducing waste accumulation.
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.
A research team developed an anode protection layer to prevent random electrodeposition of lithium, promoting stable 'bottom electrodeposition' and reducing unnecessary consumption. The breakthrough results in all-solid-state batteries with stable electrochemical performance over extended periods using ultrathin lithium metal anodes.
Researchers have developed a copper(II)-alkylperoxo complex that can selectively oxidize unactivated alkanes, showcasing exceptional reactivity and paving the way for sustainable technology. By manipulating the solvent environment, the team uncovered the unique properties of their catalyst.
A research team has synthesized a cutting-edge manganese-fluorine catalyst with exceptional oxidizing power, capable of extracting electrons from compounds. The catalyst facilitates efficient electron loss from toxic toluene derivatives, marking a significant breakthrough in catalytic research.
A new metabolomics method has been proven to be a reliable approach for grouping chemicals, potentially reducing the use of lab rats. The study's results show that the method can accurately group chemicals into categories, making it a viable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new photosensitizer that doubles the yield of fumaric acid from CO2, creating biodegradable plastics with reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The innovation reuses waste resources to produce fumaric acid, a key component of sustainable packaging materials.