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The scent of the city

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck used a sophisticated measurement method to create a chemical fingerprint of urban VOC emission sources. The study found that emissions from cosmetics, detergents, and food preparation contribute significantly to the total VOC burden, with some compounds leaving characteristic 'scent' in the air.

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.

A radical approach to methane oxidation into methanol

Researchers at Osaka University have created a radical reaction that converts methane into methanol and formic acid using a clean, low-temperature process. The process achieves this goal without the need for high temperatures or pressures, converting over 99% of methane into the target products.

From Cellulose to 3-D Objects

Researchers have developed a sustainable 3D printing process using polyethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF), a polymer made from cellulose. The new biobased polymer allows for high-quality objects with good solvent resistance and thermal stability.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

New green solvent could help clean our air

French researchers have developed a new green solvent that can trap harmful volatile organic compounds from the air. The non-flammable mixture, made from choline salt and urea, was found to dissolve up to 500 times more chemicals than water at 30°C.

Spray-on electric rainbows: Making safer electrochromic inks

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed water-based electrochromic film inks, making them safer and more accessible for various industries. The new method eliminates the use of flammable solvents and toxic fumes associated with previous inks.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Using espresso machines to do chemistry

Researchers extracted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil using an espresso machine, a process that takes only 11 seconds. The results were comparable to those obtained with certified techniques, but the new process was significantly less expensive and faster.

Exfoliating thinner flakes of phosphorene at higher yield

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new process to exfoliate atomically thin phosphorene flakes with high yield and minimal degradation. The method uses deoxygenated water as an environmentally benign solvent, resulting in superior material quality and scalable fabrication.

Benign by design

The UCSB organic chemistry team, led by Bruce Lipshutz, developed an ecofriendly approach to the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, significantly reducing palladium requirements. By using iron salt as a palladium substitute, they eliminated heat input and organic solvents, creating a more sustainable process.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Workplace exposure to organic solvents linked to heart defects at birth

Research found associations between exposure to certain organic solvents and an increased risk of heart defects in newborns. The study, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, suggests that workplace exposure to organic solvents may be a potential risk factor for several types of congenital heart defects at birth.

Livermore researchers develop battery-less chemical detector

Lawrence Livermore researchers have developed a nanosensor that relies on semiconductor nanowires to detect various molecules quickly and selectively responds to different types of solvent molecules. The device is simple, highly sensitive and could be the first step in making an easily deployable chemical sensor for the battlefield.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Green Chemistry Awards announced

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners, recognizing research that can make significant contributions to pollution prevention. The award winners developed innovative methods for producing greener chemicals, fuels, and materials.

Explosives go 'green'

LLNL scientists have successfully added unique green solvents to an explosive called TATB, improving crystal quality and chemical purity. This breakthrough aims to create safer explosives with reduced violent reactions.

New efficiency benchmark for dye-sensitized solar cells

Researchers have achieved a record light conversion efficiency of 8.2% in solvent-free dye-sensitized solar cells, paving the way for large-scale outdoor applications. The development of an electrolyte mixture made from three solid salts replaces volatile organic solvents, making it possible to produce lightweight and inexpensive flexi...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

A wafer of polyethylene

Researchers have created ultrathin polymer films made of nanocrystals using a novel production technique. The method, led by Stefan Mecking, produces films with a thickness of 50 nm using individual prefabricated nanocrystal building blocks.

Capturing sunlight

Researchers have developed a new type of solar cell that uses indoline dye and ionic liquid to improve efficiency. The cells achieve an energy conversion yield of 7.2%, a record for this type of cell, and could potentially lead to more affordable renewable energy.

Tolerance to inhalants may be caused by changes in gene expression

Changes in gene expression may cause people to develop a tolerance to inhalants by altering the response of fruit flies to future doses through epigenetic modifications. The research lays groundwork for understanding mechanisms of inhalant addiction and developing treatment methods.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New developments in 'artificial photosynthesis'

Brookhaven chemists aim to replicate natural photosynthesis to produce fuels like methanol, methane, and hydrogen from water and carbon dioxide using renewable solar energy. They are investigating various catalysts, including ruthenium-based complexes, to mimic the natural process of oxygen production from water.

Solvent exposure linked to birth defects in babies of male painters

A study by the University of Alberta links paternal airborne exposure to organic solvents used in painting, thinning and cleaning to increased risk of low birth weight and congenital birth defects. Workers exposed to these chemicals were up to six times more likely to father malformed babies.

New Web database improves access to ionic liquid data

NIST launches ILThermo, a free online database of physical properties for ionic liquids, including thermodynamic, transport, and structural information. The database includes over 200 ions and 300 ionic liquids with calculated uncertainties, facilitating comparison of measurements.

Rutgers findings a step toward safer chemicals in labs and industry

Rutgers chemists invent variant of room temperature ionic liquids to overcome viscosity barrier, enabling safer and more efficient industrial processes. The new chemicals could be used in industries such as chemical manufacturing, electroplating, and radioactive waste handling.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Data effort improves flow toward 'greener' chemistry

Scientists at NIST report that flow properties of alternative solvents called ionic liquids are extremely sensitive to tiny amounts of water. The finding could help design new industrial processes that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Low sperm count linked to organic solvents

A study of over 1200 Canadian manual workers found that moderate occupational solvent exposure was associated with a significant increase in low sperm counts. Painters, decorators, and builders were at the highest risk, while glycol ethers are suspected to be hazardous to male fertility

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.

Researchers use water instead of solvent to produce a new acrylic

Researchers at Virginia Tech have synthesized a novel acrylic blend using water instead of organic solvents, allowing for the production of polymers without solvent use. The new blend is made possible by introducing carbohydrates to solubilize hydrophobic monomers, enabling their formation in water.

Successful 'Green' Solvent Found For Problematic Chemicals

Researchers at University of Notre Dame and Pittsburgh have successfully developed a new process to separate problematic chemicals from ionic liquids using supercritical carbon dioxide. This environmentally benign solvent eliminates the need for distillation, which is impractical with low-vapor-pressure compounds, and can effectively r...

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New, Environmentally Friendly Technique For Separating Liquids Invented At UNC-CH

Researchers at UNC-CH have invented a process using carbon dioxide to separate liquids, promising a more environmentally friendly alternative to toxic solvents. The new method, described in Nature, has shown success in removing dye from water and could be applied in industries releasing vast amounts of waste water into the environment.