Articles tagged with Molecular Chemistry
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
Researchers developed a novel approach called 'countercation engineering' to impart thermoresponsiveness to graphene-oxide nanosheets. The method involves synthesizing GO nanosheets with specific countercations, resulting in inherent thermoresponsive behavior without the need for thermoresponsive polymers.
A team of researchers has improved photoclick chemistry by engineering the phenanthraquinone triplet state, increasing photoreaction quantum yield and reaction rates. The study's findings pave the way for efficient photoclick transformations with unprecedented efficiency.
Researchers at Duke University used a quantum computer to measure the geometric phase in light-absorbing molecules, which puts limitations on molecular transformations. This breakthrough allows for direct measurement of a long-standing fundamental question in chemistry, critical to processes like photosynthesis and vision.
Researchers developed a three-metal hybrid catalyst material featuring nickel, palladium, and platinum interfaces to enhance water splitting and hydrogen molecule generation. The new catalyst demonstrated significant stability and high catalytic activity, overcoming challenges of functional interferences.
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop new catalytic process that can convert polyolefins from single-use plastics into valuable alkylaromatics, underlying surfactants in detergents. The improved method reduces production time and energy input, enabling potential commercialization and large-scale use.
A protein found in bacteria activates its enzymatic activity by up to 10,000 times when exposed to blue light, acting like an on-off switch. This discovery could lead to enhanced and optimized optogenetic tools and medical treatments.
Semi-crystalline polymers' structure and properties depend on molecular chain entanglement. The researchers developed a model to predict their microscopic structure and properties, offering potential improvements or replacements with more sustainable materials.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a synergistic method that allows for the synthesis of non-canonical amino acids, which are important for therapeutic purposes. The process shortens existing multi-step methods by 3-5 steps and provides stereoselective chemistry.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully synthesized high-purity SrVO2.4H0.6 and Sr3V2O62H0.8 perovskite oxyhydrides using a novel high-pressure flux method, opening up new possibilities for catalysts and lithium-ion battery electrodes.
Researchers have developed a set of biocatalysts that enable precise control over free radical reactions, solving a decades-old challenge in asymmetric catalysis. The metalloenzymes can selectively convert chiral compounds into desired products, opening up new possibilities for the synthesis of bioactive molecules and everyday polymers.
A new algorithm has been created to search fungal genomes for clusters of genes likely to result in interesting biological compounds. The algorithm, trained on a newly described type of chemistry in fungi, has discovered over 1,300 fungal species with biosynthetic gene clusters centered on isocyanide chemistry.
Carbon-based materials have been found to be more reactive with alcohol-functionalized oxygens, challenging traditional catalysis chemistry. The researchers' study showed a correlation between the amount and type of oxygen present and performance, including the long-range effects of aromatic rings.
A recent study by Tokyo Tech researchers explores the structure and electron transport properties of molecular junctions. The findings reveal three distinct structures at the junction, corresponding to high- and low-conductivity states, which hold promise for designing novel electronic devices with unique properties.
Researchers developed MicroSpine, a shape-transforming structure mimicking the human spine, with soft-hard components that can act as microactuators. The system demonstrates precise actuation modes and temperature-controlled release of guest objects.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new way to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using electricity and chemical reactions. In small-scale lab experiments, PET was broken down into its basic building blocks, which can be recovered and potentially reused to make new plastic bottles.
University of Missouri researchers developed a method using thermal induction heating to rapidly break down PFAS on the surface of granular activated carbon and anion exchange resins. The process achieved 98% degradation in just 20 seconds, offering a highly energy-efficient alternative to conventional methods.
Researchers have developed a new technique to generically treat several kinds of cancer, showing tumors grew almost three times less and survival rates reached 100% after just one injection. The method targets cancer cells with alpha radiation, sparing healthy tissue.
Kolomeisky aims to develop analytical models that quantify the role of heterogeneity in chemical and biological processes. He plans to explore its impact on catalytic reactions, antimicrobial peptides and early cancer development.
Scientists at POSTECH successfully grow two-dimensional molecular crystals, demonstrating control over exciton interactions. The findings could enable various applications in organic semiconductors and solar power generation.
Researchers from Radboud University have developed a quantum simulator to create artificial molecules resembling real organic ones. This allows for the simulation of complex chemical reactions and properties, paving the way for new materials and technologies.
A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.
A team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope has detected complex organic molecules in a galaxy over 12 billion light-years away. The discovery suggests that the presence of these molecules does not necessarily indicate star formation, contradicting a long-held assumption.
Researchers developed a machine-learning algorithm to predict the density of states within an organic molecule using core-loss spectroscopy data. The model achieved improved accuracy by excluding tiny molecules and adding specific noise to the data.
Researchers developed molecular nanocages for selective siRNA delivery, showing promise in targeting cancer cells. The nanocage composition determines siRNA delivery efficiency, making it possible to tailor the system for specific cell types.
Three pre-clinical studies published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis explore the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and neurological diseases, providing new avenues for therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are acquiring a new transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The TEM will allow them to conduct experiments in real-time and gain a greater understanding of material structure at an atomic level.
Researchers developed a self-driven lab, AlphaFlow, that uses AI to optimize complex chemical reactions and discover new materials. The system significantly reduces the time needed to develop new chemistries from months to hours.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have discovered that the orientation of a single amino acid in peptides can direct activation to specific neurons, influencing communication among brain cells. This finding has far-reaching implications for understanding and regulating signaling processes in the brain.
Researchers from ETH Zurich, Harvard, and Cambridge join forces to study chemical and physical processes of living organisms and environmental conditions for life on other planets. Synthetic cells enable scientists to deconstruct complex systems, understand basic principles of life and evolution.
Researchers warn conservators about the risks of polar solvents containing water in historical oil paintings. Traces of water accelerate the formation of metal soap crystals, reducing mechanical stability and causing paint to crack and flake. The study provides a new spectroscopic method to estimate zinc soap crystallization risk.
Researchers from Drexel University found that microbes help break down biodegradable materials and release per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment. PFAS have been linked to serious health problems and accumulate in soil, crops, and groundwater.
Researchers discover abiotic peptide chain formation from glycine in space conditions, shedding light on the origin of life. The study shows that small clusters of glycine molecules exhibit polymerization upon energy input.
The study uses artificial intelligence to generate new molecules with optimized properties, applicable to various industries. The method enables finding Pareto-optimal solutions, leading to more efficient materials for optoelectronics, solar energy, and other fields.
Researchers developed new spiro-pyrazolo quinazoline derivatives with reduced bee toxicity without compromising insecticidal activity. The compounds showed promising results, including one compound with an LD50 value three to four orders of magnitude lower than fipronil.
Researchers from Osaka University have stabilized atomic carbon for common reaction conditions in organic chemistry, enabling the synthesis of complex drugs in one step. This breakthrough simplifies and lowers the cost of pharmaceutical synthesis.
Researchers have used a technique called QCM-D to observe the interplay between hydration structures and ion configurations in layered materials. The study found that the hydration structure plays a crucial role in determining the material's ion-storage capacity, with flexible layers helping to stabilize the structure.
A study by University of Liège researchers decodes the mechanical response of synthetic small-molecule overhand knots to tightening, revealing a high resisting force and relative rigidity. The results have relevance for designing extended knotted and molecularly woven materials.
A multidisciplinary team led by Northwestern University has developed an electric motor that can convert electrical energy into unidirectional motion at the molecular level. The motor's design is based on a catenane molecule and has the potential to make a huge difference in medicine, particularly in biomolecular motors in the human body.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a multiplex base-editing platform that significantly improves the pace of new drug discovery by inducing fungi to produce more bioactive compounds. The technique has been deployed as a tool for mining fungal genomes for medically useful compounds, reducing research timeline by over 80%.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a photochemical process that simplifies the manufacture of essential precursors for drugs and agricultural chemicals. By illuminating reagents with visible light, they can form diazides in conditions far gentler than current industrial processes.
University of Copenhagen researchers made a groundbreaking discovery about the mammalian brain, finding that a vital enzyme that enables brain signals is switching on and off at random intervals. This challenges the long-held assumption that these enzymes are active at all times to convey essential signals continuously.
Researchers at UC San Diego have shown that vibrational polaritons alter molecular dynamics, leading to changes in chemical reactions. The study uses 2D infrared spectroscopy to separately excite and follow polariton modes and dark modes, revealing a new way to control reactions.
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam's Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Synthesis have developed a biocatalytic method to synthesize primary, secondary, and tertiary amines containing two stereogenic centers. The method uses a one-pot enzyme cascade, achieving excellent stereoselectivity and high chemical purity.
Researchers discover individual gold atoms can target specific C-H bonds in organic molecules, enabling a low-energy reaction at room temperature. This breakthrough addresses two significant challenges and paves the way for the synthesis of novel organic and metal-organic nanomaterials.
A Kyoto University research group has developed a material that effectively separates heavy water from normal water at room temperature. The discovery uses an adsorption-separation method based on copper-based porous coordination polymers, which utilize the flipping action of linkers to separate molecules.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have successfully used click chemistry to deliver radiopharmaceuticals specifically to tumors in large dogs with bone cancer, increasing effectiveness and minimizing circulation. This breakthrough could pave the way for click chemistry-based treatments for humans with cancer in the future.
Researchers create a material with disordered molecular structure that conducts electricity well, defying conventional theories. The material's stability and versatility make it promising for new electronic devices.
A team of researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have successfully developed a new approach to improve the way data is processed and stored. By combining chirality in spin configurations and molecules, they aim to create faster, smaller, and more efficient data storage devices.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
A joint research team from Korea and Japan developed site-specific organelle fluorescent thermometers that visualize temperature changes in almost all typical organelles. The new thermometers, called Thermo Greens (TGs), provide quantitative images of heat generation at different organelles, offering insights into cellular processes.
A POSTECH research team developed a new polymer electrolyte with different functional groups, resolving contradictions in mechanical strength and conductivity. This breakthrough enables the creation of artificial muscles that can produce fast switching and great strength.
A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to synthesize medicines using carbenes, reducing the need for explosive intermediates. This breakthrough could enable faster production of cyclopropanes, a key ingredient in COVID-19 treatments and other medications.
Researchers develop technique to control pH at microsites, enabling high-throughput biomolecular synthesis and enzymatic DNA synthesis. This allows for increased experimental throughput and speeding up processes in DNA synthesis.
A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel multi-proton carrier complex that shows efficient proton conductivity even at high temperatures. The resulting starburst-type metal complex acts as a proton transmitter, making it 6 times more potent than individual imidazole molecules.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed novel complex-peptide hybrids that induce programmed cell death in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells through paraptosis. The compounds, syn-6 and anti-6, inhibit cell death by uncoupling mitochondrial calcium uptake and inducing cytoplasmic vacuolization, leading to cell death.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology accidentally discovered that adding more water to a liquid solution turns it back into a gel, and then further dilution forms another gel. The team's findings have significant implications for various fields in chemistry and biology.
Liu's three-year grant will pursue protein-derived cofactor studies to improve understanding of amino acids and their role in metabolism. The research aims to gain a quicker and more thorough understanding of amino acid function and purpose.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a new method to remove nanoplastics from water using apples and pectin. The study found that the method was able to remove 95% of nanoplastics in just 24 hours.