Articles tagged with Monomers
Researchers develop a method to create complex, low-symmetry structures by assembling organic monomers into cyclic macromolecules. These 'foldamers' mimic the properties of biopolymers and offer an ideal model system to study protein folding and interactions.
Researchers at EPFL create composite polymers with unique properties by encapsulating monomers in compartments and using UV radiation to polymerize them. The resulting material is exceptionally strong and can withstand heavy loads without damage.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed new palladium catalysts for polymerization, enabling the efficient synthesis of isotactic polar polypropylene (iPPP) with high isotacticity. The discovery opens up new possibilities for creating specialty plastics with improved wettability or enhanced degradability.
Researchers at Ehime University have successfully synthesized a new type of polymer with a carboxy-functionalized dendron structure. The polymer demonstrates pH-responsive behavior due to the dense accumulation of side chains, paving the way for the development of new functional poly(substituted methylene)s.
Researchers found that solid-state and melt polymerization mechanisms differ in the number of broken bonds, leading to unique kinetic behaviors. This discovery opens up possibilities for designing materials with desired properties.
Chemists at MIT have developed a way to modify thermoset plastics with a chemical linker that makes them easier to break down after use, retaining mechanical strength. They successfully produced a degradable version of pDCPD and reused the powder to form new material.
Researchers have successfully created supramolecular poly-catenanes through molecular self-assembly, forming hierarchical structures composed of interconnected rings. The nano-poly[n]catenanes exhibit unprecedented physical properties and potential applications in molecular machines and active materials.
A team of researchers has identified potential new therapeutic targets to treat Parkinson's disease by understanding the structure and dynamics of the protein alpha-synuclein. They found that a specific region of the protein becomes more exposed when it aggregates, which can lead to diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to precisely control the sequence in synthetic polymers, allowing them to study charge transport properties and measure conductance through single chains. This work has significant implications for designing and manipulating materials with designer properties.
A study by the University of Saskatchewan has discovered that liquid crystal monomers from LCDs are present in nearly half of household dust samples, with 90% of these chemicals showing concerning properties. The findings raise concerns about the potential toxicity of these monomers to humans and the environment.
87 LCMs show potential for persistent and bioaccumulative properties, affecting gene expression in embryonic chicken cells. Several LCMs found in indoor dust samples, highlighting environmental concerns.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab successfully image the atomic structure of peptoid nanosheets using cryo-EM, a breakthrough that could advance applications such as synthetic antibodies and self-repairing membranes. The study demonstrates unprecedented atomic precision and paves the way for designing soft materials at the atomic scale.
Researchers have developed a process to create synthetic polymers with precision of biology, enabling the production of advanced materials such as nanoelectronics, self-healing materials, and fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to improved personal protective gear and sophisticated electronics for Soldiers.
Scientists at KAUST have successfully combined four polymers to form a single substance using a novel approach called catalyst switching. This breakthrough could lead to the development of materials with enhanced properties, such as improved energy storage and tissue engineering applications.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new synthesis method to create polymers that can break down more readily in the body and environment. By adding a novel type of building block, they were able to create polymers with easier degradability under biologically relevant conditions.
A team of researchers from SciLifeLab and AstraZeneca have used cryo-EM to unravel the extracellular region of the receptor tyrosine kinase RET, which is involved in degenerative diseases. The study reveals how two large RET monomers dimerize on the membrane, leading to potential therapeutic targets for neuronal survival.
Researchers at Ehime University developed a new synthetic polymer with great potential for use as an environmentally friendly material. The polymer can be degraded into low molecular weight compounds under mild acidic conditions, making it useful for drug encapsulation and recyclable materials.
Scientists at CNRS have created polymers that can change information stored on a molecular level using specific wavelengths of light. This technology allows for the storage and decoding of secret messages, with potential applications in designing new materials.
Researchers create polyurethane that can be dissolved in organic solvents, enabling easy degradation and reprocessing into new products. The breakthrough has potential applications in adhesives, paints, and other industries.
Scientists use pattern recognition to understand and predict behavior of disordered strands of proteins and polymers. By analyzing the precise sequence of charged monomers, researchers can design new materials with improved properties.
PRI-002, a new Alzheimer's drug candidate, has successfully completed Phase I clinical research, demonstrating improved cognitive performance in human trials. The compound destroys toxic oligomers without involving the immune system, offering a promising approach to treating Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab created a next-generation plastic that can be recycled endlessly without losing its properties. The new material, poly(diketoenamine), can be disassembled and reassembled from its constituent parts, allowing for the recovery of original monomers.
Researchers have developed an energy-efficient method to synthesize bioplastic ingredients, overcoming a key limitation in large-scale production. The new technique uses a gold nanoparticle catalyst and achieves high conversion rates, making it more practical for commercial production of sustainable 'green products'.
Scientists are developing ultra-high precision synthetic polymers with precisely controlled chain lengths and monomer sequences. These information-containing macromolecules can be deployed for data storage, anti-counterfeiting and traceability technologies.
Researchers at University of Groningen developed nanopores that can measure peptide mass, offering a cheap and portable solution for proteomics research. The smallest pores produced have a resolution of around 40 Dalton, allowing for the identification of peptides with varying chemical compositions.
Researchers developed a transgenic mouse model of Parkinson's disease, replicating PD-like motor symptoms and α-synuclein aggregation. The study suggests that stabilizing normal αS tetramers may prevent or delay PD onset.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a novel type of lignin, C-lignin, that can be refined into various bioproducts with high yields and minimal processing. This breakthrough has the potential to transform agricultural markets by utilizing a previously underutilized plant biomass.
Scientists have developed a novel approach to synthesize highly crystalline triazine frameworks, which demonstrate exceptional thermal stability and high photocatalytic efficiency. This method could be the starting point for industrial production of these frameworks.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new class of highly elastic aerogels with adjustable network density, allowing for tailored porosity. These materials exhibit excellent thermal insulation, surpassing conventional materials like polyurethane foam, and can be bent, rolled, twisted, and cut into desired shapes.
Researchers develop a novel approach to create tailored, tough polymers for 3D printing. The new method uses an ester-activated vinyl sulfonate ester as a chain transfer agent, reducing the risk of shrinkage cracks and increasing material flexibility.
Conjugated polymers have been studied for their electrical conductivity, but determining their structure was challenging. A new technique developed by the University of Warwick has produced high-resolution images of their structure, revealing gaps and defects in an ABBA pattern.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a method to synthesize a novel polyester with an alternating arrangement of L- and D-lactic acids, leading to improved productivity and crystallization rate. This achievement is expected to facilitate the development of polyesters with unprecedented characteristics.
Chemists at Colorado State University have discovered a polymer with high molecular weight, thermal stability, and mechanical properties comparable to conventional plastics. The new material can be recycled back to its original state under mild lab conditions, paving the way for a circular materials life cycle.
Researchers have developed a family of synthetic polymers that can be repeatedly recycled with great efficiency. These new polymers overcome the challenges faced by existing biodegradable plastics and mechanical approaches to reusing plastic, offering a highly desirable chemical recycling method.
The team developed a process to make sequential polymers by switching light on and off, allowing precision control over physical properties. This method simplifies existing synthesis methods and has potential for creating new polymers with desired functionality.
Rice University scientists have developed a stable and economical method to make polymers through photo-controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization. The process uses photosensitive quantum dots as a catalyst, which can be triggered by light sources such as the sun or a household lamp.
Scientists successfully read several bytes of data stored on a molecular scale using synthetic polymers, setting a new benchmark for data storage. The breakthrough enables the use of polymers in hard drives to reduce size by 100 times.
Researchers genetically engineered a microbial host to produce fluorinated metabolites and bioplastics, leveraging the potential of living systems to create complex chemical compounds. The breakthrough enables controlled incorporation of fluorine into polyhydroxyalkanoates, resulting in more durable and targeted bioplastics.
Scientists create novel technique to track molecular detachment from polymer, enabling precise control over self-assembling materials. The method uses hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, avoiding the influence of added dyes or tags on molecular movement.
Chemists at KIT have developed a method to control the setup of precision polymers by light-induced chemical reactions. This allows for precise arrangement of chain links, leading to defined properties and potential applications as storage systems or synthetic biomolecules. The new synthesis reaction is reported in Nature Communications.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have determined the most likely configuration of rhodopsin in a living organism, finding it exists as a dimer, a two-molecule complex. This discovery may help develop future treatments for retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease with no known cure.
Scientists develop method to produce polymers mimicking proteins' versatility and structure, using triazine-based polymer TZP. The resulting material has non-covalent bonds and side chains arranged in specific positions.
Researchers developed a theoretical model to explain the origins of self-replicating molecules. Their work suggests that complex polymers can form rapidly through a template-assisted ligation mechanism, which would have allowed early life on Earth to emerge.
A new model suggests that template-assisted ligation could have enabled the leap from monomers to self-replicating polymer chains in primordial soup. The model proposes a cycle between 'day' and 'night' phases, driven by environmental changes, where polymers join together to form longer chains via template-assisted ligation.
Researchers at KAIST developed an ultrathin polymeric insulator using initiated chemical vapor deposition, overcoming limitations of traditional techniques. The resulting insulator enables the creation of low-power, high-performance field-effect transistors on flexible substrates.
The researchers demonstrated a chain-growth process to assemble supramolecular polymers at room temperature and pressure. They were able to create polymers with controlled chirality, length, and sequence, opening the way for precision engineering of macromolecules. The findings also suggest potential applications in electronics and sus...
Researchers at Rice University developed a model to quantify the last unknown characteristic of film formation. Hot monomers can make islands grow or knock other molecules off, affecting film properties.
Scientists have observed the creation of temporary intermediate structures during amylin aggregation, which may explain why proteins aggregate into toxic plaques. The new technology using 2D IR spectroscopy helps elucidate the physics and chemistry behind amyloid diseases.
Researchers have developed conducting polymer films decorated with biomolecules to facilitate cell growth, adhesion, and manipulation. The films are created through hydrogel stamps and can be tailored to various shapes, sizes, and surface properties.
Researchers at Michigan State University have engineered poplar trees to break down more easily, improving their viability as a sustainable source of biofuel. The innovative approach reduces energy usage and cost in the production of biofuels.
Researchers develop a new method of polymer synthesis based on segregation and templating to achieve precise control over polymer structure. This approach enables tailored polymers with specific properties for applications in nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry.
A new guide addresses the challenges of researching multiblock polymers, which can result in a wide range of materials customizable to various specifications. The approach combines predictive computer simulation methods with advanced synthetic and structural characterization tools to address the vast number of possible combinations.
Researchers discovered that IL-8 monomers and dimers interact differently with cell-surface molecules in different body tissues, influencing neutrophil recruitment. This fundamental mechanism regulates neutrophil function and could help control runaway inflammation and related tissue damage in diseases such as sepsis.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully created two-dimensional polymers for the first time using a novel synthesis method. The resulting 'molecular carpets' have potential applications in filtering tiny molecules and could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties.
Researchers used single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to visualize myoV molecules walking along actin filaments in real-time. The study found that myoV can take multiple hand-over-hand steps without falling off its track, making it well-suited for intracellular cargo transport.
Scientists at Yale University used fluorescent stains to create movies of cellular actin filaments disassembling, shedding light on their mysterious process. The study reveals the location of breaks along the filaments, crucial for cell movement and maintenance.
Researchers successfully grow graphene ribbons with adjustable properties by creating narrow ribbons with well-defined edges. The new method enables the production of components with specific optical and electronic properties, paving the way for the development of future nanoelectronics.
The CSIRO has granted a global license to Monomer-Polymer for its patented RAFT technology, a powerful polymerization process that enables the creation of complex molecules. This agreement will allow Monomer-Polymer to market the technology worldwide and strengthen their position in material development.
An interdisciplinary team of researchers analyzed the simplest known biological clock and found that the protein KaiC, combined with KaiA and KaiB, creates a complex system to regulate biochemical processes. The study reveals that the proteins form a dynamic mixture of complexes at different stages of their cycles.
Researchers at UD University discovered a new class of polymers that can be transformed into ultra-thin films with potential applications in coatings, optics, and electronics. The discovery was made possible by a novel polymerization technique developed by the team, which eliminates the need for solvents.