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New type of extremely reactive substance in the atmosphere

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new class of highly reactive chemical compounds called hydrotrioxides. Formed during atmospheric decomposition of substances like isoprene and dimethyl sulfide, these compounds are stable enough to react with other atmospheric compounds.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalScience·DateMay 26, 2022

Trained sniffer dogs accurately detect airport passengers infected with SARS-CoV-2

Researchers have trained sniffer dogs to detect SARS-CoV-2 in airport passengers with high accuracy, comparable to PCR swab tests. The dogs' performance was found to be robust across various scenarios, including low prevalence populations, suggesting their potential for widespread use in screening.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 16, 2022

CityU chemists develop a strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

A research team from City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College London developed a new strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells using ferrocene molecules. The breakthrough invention can achieve efficiency of up to 25% while maintaining stability, making it a promising alternative to silicon solar cells.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Safely storing dangerous gasses in pores

Scientists developed a new porous coordination polymer that can store and release acetylene, a highly flammable industrial gas, without using solvents. The material allows for the storage of large quantities of acetylene at pressures below 2 bar.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 21, 2022

University of Sheffield study shows potential to reduce reliance on non-renewable fertilisers in agriculture

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified a unique bacterial phosphatase, PafA, that can efficiently release phosphate from its organic forms. This discovery has potential to help reduce the consumption of phosphate chemical fertilisers and promote sustainable agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2022

Beam me up to 5G, Schottky

An international team of scientists has developed an organic semiconductor that can operate in the 5G frequency range, with a structure featuring ultralow capacitance and resistance. The innovation paves the way for mass manufacturing at low cost using solution processing techniques.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2022

Hope for inflammatory bowel disease with novel “green” synthesis of drug candidate

Researchers at Okayama University have developed a novel 'green' synthesis technique for the production of NEt-3IB, a promising small-molecule oral drug candidate for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The new method produces large quantities of NEt-3IB with high purity and a total yield of over 30%, using only recoverable organic solve...

SourceOkayama University·JournalChemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 11, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Ethers may have a more sustainable future thanks to heterogenous catalysis

A zirconium oxide-supported platinum-molybdenum catalyst enables the selective conversion of esters into valuable unsymmetrical ethers under mild conditions. This process offers a sustainable solution for producing these compounds from renewable biomass-derived materials, reducing waste and energy consumption.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJACS Au·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Researchers train neural network to recognize chemical formulas from research papers

A team of researchers from Skoltech and universities developed a neural network-based solution for automated recognition of chemical formulas on research paper scans. The algorithm combines molecules, functional groups, fonts, styles, and printing defects to mimic existing molecular template depiction styles.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalChemistry - Methods·DateFeb 14, 2022

Scientists pack centuries of organic chemistry into neat 2D visualization

Researchers propose a new neural network-based method to visualize chemical reactions in a 2D plane, grouping similar reactions together. The visualization helps chemists understand the global chemical reaction space and identify underused or unused reaction types.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalACS Omega·DateFeb 2, 2022

University of Helsinki research shows particles formed in boreal forests affect clouds in the troposphere

A new study by University of Helsinki researchers shows that boreal forests can mitigate climate change through aerosol formation and growth, influencing cloud properties and regional climate. The study found that aerosol particles produced by the forests alter cloud reflectivity, potentially cooling the climate.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Camels’ noses inspire a new humidity sensor

Researchers created a humidity sensor mimicking camel noses to detect moisture levels in industrial exhaust and human skin. The device responds to changes in skin perspiration and can even follow the path of a finger, suggesting a potential basis for touchless interfaces.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 19, 2022

Towards high-performance organic optoelectronics with better crystallinity at semiconductor interface

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a high-quality crystalline interface using quasi-homo-epitaxial growth, which eliminated mobility issues and enabled spontaneous electron transfer. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient flexible solar cells and wearable electronic devices.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022

Scientists cut their teeth on new separation technology

Researchers developed a new membrane-based separation technology using MOF nanoparticles, which consumes up to 90% less energy than traditional methods. The technology overcomes interfacial adhesion problems by fabricating compatible MOF fillers, improving membrane performance.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Eco-friendly process for synthesizing organic materials developed for high-performance materials industry

Researchers at CeMM have developed an eco-friendly process to synthesize organic materials using water instead of toxic solvents, achieving cost savings of up to 25% and improving material properties. The process involves heating molecules in water under pressure to create high-performance materials with unique structures and properties.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateSep 7, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Study shows that electronic air cleaning technology can generate unintended pollutants

A Georgia Tech study found that a hydroxyl radical generator in an office setting generated organic acids and secondary organic aerosols, which can cause health problems. The device was marketed to inactivate pathogens like coronaviruses, but the study highlights the need for further research on its unintended effects.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateJul 16, 2021

Bone-deep: Mineral found in human bone can help fight toxic organic compounds

Scientists have discovered that hydroxyapatite, a mineral present in human bones, can efficiently decompose hazardous organic compounds when activated using mechanical stress. This breakthrough could lead to the development of cheap, noble-metal-free catalysts for controlling volatile organic compounds.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 11, 2021

Ghosts of past pesticide use can haunt organic farms for decades

Researchers identified pesticide residues at 100 Swiss farms, including all organic fields, with beneficial microbes' abundance negatively impacted by their occurrence. Organic farming strategies avoid synthetic substances, yet pesticides can persist in the soil.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 3, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Formation of secondary air pollution components

Researchers discovered that secondary organic aerosols can form quickly through oxidation of primary organic aerosols in humid conditions. This process may explain the decrease in secondary organic aerosol concentrations between 2013 and 2018.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021

Highly sensitive detection of circularly polarized light without a filter

Researchers developed a new photodiode that can detect circularly polarized light without a filter, enabling higher sensitivity and miniaturization. This technology has the potential to reveal previously unidentified information about object surfaces, including stress intensity and distribution.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 16, 2020

Carbon-carbon covalent bonds far more flexible than presumed

Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that carbon-carbon covalent bonds can expand and contract flexibly, a new phenomenon that could confer unique properties on organic compounds. The study found that these flexible bonds exhibit reversible expansion and contraction in response to external stimuli.

SourceHokkaido University·DateOct 1, 2020

Organic heterostructures composed of one- and two-dimensional polymorph

Researchers have fabricated organic heterostructures with enormous structural diversity and novel optical/electronical properties using polymorphism. These structures exhibit multiple output channels, structure-dependent optical signals, and good optical waveguide performance.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateApr 24, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Moviegoers contaminate nonsmoking movie theater with 'thirdhand' cigarette smoke

Research shows that concentrations of nicotine and smoking-related volatile organic compounds spike when moviegoers enter a non-smoking theater, equivalent to up to 10 cigarettes of secondhand smoke. The study highlights the need for regulation and warns of the health risks of thirdhand exposure, especially for infants and children.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 4, 2020

Bayreuth researchers discover new arsenic compounds in rice fields

Researchers have developed a new measuring method to detect sulphur-containing arsenic compounds in rice soils, which have not been accounted for in health assessments. The study identifies the need for further research on the formation and transport of these compounds to assess health risks.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 11, 2020

Ultrafine particle formation from vehicle exhaust

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) formed through photooxidation of organic compounds are a major source of urban pollution. Existing particles inhibit new particle formation, suggesting controlling primary emissions or removing existing particles could worsen pollution.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Research explores how grape pests sniff out berries

A new study found that female grape berry moths detect a subset of volatile organic compounds emitted by grapes, as well as nearby plants like gray dogwood and apple trees. The researchers suggest that the moths use these common volatiles to find their target habitat before using other cues to locate specific berries.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology·DateDec 10, 2019

Atmospheric chemists move indoors

Atmospheric chemists are cataloging compounds in indoor air, which can react with others to form new molecules. Indoor emissions come from various sources, including stoves, cleaning products, and people's breath, skin, and personal care products.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 4, 2019

Study: Actually, potted plants don't improve indoor air quality

Researchers from Drexel University review a decade of studies on the air-purifying effects of potted plants and find that natural ventilation is far more effective at cleaning the air than plants. To compete with building air handling systems, it would take between 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateNov 6, 2019

Three ways studying organic chemistry changes the brain

A new study from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that learning scientific information results in changes in the actual structure of memory-related areas of the brain. The researchers found evidence of microstructural, informational, and network change in the left hippocampus during the learning of organic compounds.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalBrain Structure and Function·DateMar 7, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study uses satellite data to pinpoint widespread oil industry 'flaring'

A study by San Francisco State University researchers used satellite data to track oil industry 'flaring', a practice that burns off unwanted natural gas and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The study found over 43,000 flares in south Texas, with most associated with fracking operations.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 13, 2019

Green alternative to PET could be even greener

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an enzyme-based polymerization method to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET). By using a commercially available enzyme, they successfully produced furan-based copolyesters with improved properties.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalChemSusChem·DateJan 30, 2019

New applications for encapsulated nanoparticles with promising properties

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have successfully encapsulated semiconductor nanocrystals into polymers, improving their optical properties and fluorescence control. The new method enables stable detection in biomedicine and detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalIsrael Journal of Chemistry·DateJan 22, 2019

Checking water quality at the tap

A new study found that US tap water contains a mixture of contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and lead, which can harm public health. The researchers detected high levels of lead in 23 samples, exceeding the EPA's zero-lead goal.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 21, 2018

New study supports survival of microbes and organic compounds in space

A recent study published in Astrobiology found that microbes and organic compounds can survive for a year in space, suggesting interplanetary migration is possible. The Tanpopo mission exposed Deinococcus aetherius to space conditions, measuring key factors like temperature and radiation.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAstrobiology·DateOct 17, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Porous materials shed light on environmental purification

Researchers developed thermally and chemically durable organic frameworks with large surface areas and fluorescence properties. The new materials have wide specific surface areas and can withstand high temperatures and acidic environments.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 4, 2018

A nanotech sensor that turns molecular fingerprints into bar codes

Researchers have developed a compact and sensitive nanophotonic system that can identify molecules without conventional spectrometry. The system uses metapixels to generate a unique bar code for each molecule, enabling massive analysis and classification using artificial neural networks.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2018

Urban emissions of volatile organic compounds

Researchers measured urban nonmethane volatile organic compound flux, finding oxygenated compounds account for a significant portion of unaccounted emissions. Current atmospheric chemistry and climate models may underestimate global anthropogenic NMVOC emissions due to this unexpected large proportion.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 22, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

UV-irradiated amorphous ice behaves like liquid at low temperatures

Researchers from Hokkaido University discovered that UV-irradiated amorphous ice exhibits liquid-like behavior at extremely low temperature ranges. The ice behaves similarly to a liquid, with a viscosity similar to that of honey or silicic magma, allowing it to facilitate the formation of organic compounds and dust accretion on planets.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 29, 2017

Purple plant is on the defensive

Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus have identified molecules in lavender that create antimicrobial and insecticidal compounds, providing a potential solution for controlling fungal growth and pests. This discovery could lead to the development of more environmentally friendly pesticides.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalPlant Molecular Biology·DateSep 27, 2017

Rice University chemical engineers explore market for pure levoglucosan

Researchers at Rice University have created a method for producing extremely pure levoglucosan, an organic compound with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and synthetic chemistry. The team's process is more economical and operationally simpler than existing methods, offering new possibilities for the production of LGA.

SourceRice University·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateAug 8, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New method can identify chemical warfare agents more easily

A new method for extracting, enriching and identifying chemical warfare agents from oils and organic liquids has been developed, using nanoparticles to capture the chemicals. The method can identify agents at low concentrations, overcomes challenges of detecting water-repellent agents, and has potential to save lives.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateJul 13, 2016

Clouds and climate in the pre-industrial age

Researchers found that organic compounds from trees in pre-industrial times formed aerosols that counteracted greenhouse gas effects. The CLOUD experiment discovered a process where these low-volatility substances efficiently form new particles under atmospheric conditions, even without sulphuric acid.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2016

Smelly socks and sweaty shirts: Why your laundry stinks, and how to stop it

Researchers discovered six VOCs responsible for bad smells on dirty clothes, which are significantly reduced after washing. The study provides new insights into the impact of washing temperatures and detergents on fabric smell, potentially leading to more environmentally friendly cleaning methods.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateMay 19, 2016

Major source of methanol in the ocean identified

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discover that phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms, produce massive amounts of methanol in the ocean, rivaling or exceeding land-based production. This finding challenges previous thinking on oceanic methanol sources and has implications for biofuel applications.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 10, 2016
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.