The Rice University team, led by Naomi Halas and Peter Nordlander, has been recognized for its work on advancing light-driven technologies for sustainable ammonia synthesis. The project aims to improve light-based catalysts and reactor prototypes while scaling up sustainable production processes.
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.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has designed a new light-controlled cholesterol molecule that selectively targets two poorly understood sterol transport proteins, ORP1 and ORP2. This breakthrough enables precise spatiotemporal control over cholesterol's biological activity, paving the way for advanced therapeutics.
A University of Houston chemist has received a nearly $2M grant to develop molecular blueprints for controlling how molecules change shape and reactivity upon absorbing light. This research could lead to breakthroughs in storing and using chemical energy, as well as designing materials that change when exposed to light.
Scientists have detected the faint signals of electrons in organic materials, revealing new insights into the physics of photodegradation and long-term photoemission processes. By reimagining conventional spectroscopy setups, researchers have captured the exact mechanisms of weak charge accumulation, providing direct evidence for multi...
Researchers at Okayama University develop a novel photochemical strategy for macrolactonization, transforming hydroxyaldehydes into large ring lactones. The method avoids harsh conditions and multi-step procedures, making it attractive for scaling up synthesis and improving cost-effectiveness.
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 at The University of Osaka have developed a new reaction using main-group element gallium to synthesize important building-block molecules. The discovery uses earth-abundant elements, potentially easing reliance on rare-earth metals and reducing environmental costs.
A new study provides guidelines on creating photoreactive molecules sensitive to mechanical stimuli using flexible linkers. The findings may open possibilities for highly efficient energy conversion devices and advanced medical therapies.
Researchers found that sunlight can transform synthetic fabrics into tiny plastic fibers, releasing thousands of microscopic fragments. The study shows that fabric color and dye chemistry significantly impact microfiber generation, highlighting the need for sustainable textile design.
A novel manganese(I) complex has been developed, combining a record-breaking excited-state lifetime with simple synthesis, offering a powerful and sustainable alternative to noble metal complexes. The complex exhibits strong absorption and overcomes the challenges of tedious synthesis and short lifetimes of excited states.
Scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo create photo-switchable binding of DNA nanostructures that generate two distinct directional motions. The research paves the way for innovative fluid-based diagnostic chips and molecular computers.
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.
Researchers at East China University of Science and Technology discovered a novel photo-rearrangement reaction in diarylethenes induced by intramolecular proton transfer, yielding polycyclic aromatic structures. Mechanistic studies revealed an electrocyclization process followed by IPT-driven decarboxylation.
A team of Chinese researchers found that chlorinated volatile organic compounds on mineral dust particles can be converted into highly toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by sunlight. The study highlights the need to reassess the toxicity of commercial chemicals and their atmospheric conversions.
The study successfully manipulated the formation of left-handed or right-handed helical aggregates using precise light control, exhibiting promising insights into novel functional materials. The researchers found that residual aggregates acted as nucleation sites forming oppositely directed helical assemblies under certain conditions.
Researchers at Indiana University and Wuhan University developed a novel light-driven reaction to produce tetrahydroisoquinolines, a crucial group in medicinal chemistry. This approach enables the creation of new structural patterns in molecules, offering a more efficient way to make complex compounds.
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A new universal photocage modification strategy based on thioketal enables real-time live cell subcellular imaging. The thioketal-based probe SiR-EDT exhibits improved dark stability and can be specifically activated by UV-visible light.
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.
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University have synthesized aza-diarylethenes that exhibit both photoswitching and thermal switching properties. These new molecules can be used as rewritable recording mediums, written with light or heat, and erased with visible light.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz create a new approach to prepare highly efficient dyad photocatalysts through electrostatic interactions, outperforming established catalysts. The novel method enables the use of inexpensive additives to improve performance and durability.
Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a technique using light to imprint 2D and 3D images inside any polymer containing a photosensitive chemical additive. The technology enables the creation of erasable 3D displays with high resolution, applicable in surgeries, architectural designs, education, and art.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a self-powered pump that uses natural light and chemistry to target and remove specific water pollutants. The pump uses synthetic molecular receptors designed to bond to negatively charged ions, which are then trapped and released in a non-reactive substrate.
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University have found that single crystals of anthracene derivatives react differently when irradiated with light, holding clues for functional applications. The research team discovered non-uniform photoreactions in two of the compounds, which proceed from the edge to the center of the crystal.
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
In this study, researchers identified PIF transcriptional regulators and KAT1 gene as essential players in regulating stomata aperture during day/night cycles. This understanding can be used to optimize plant yield and adaptation to different stressors, such as drought conditions.
Researchers developed a novel compound with nonlinear photochromic properties, achieving enhanced contrast and spatial resolution. The compound exhibits improved coloration efficiency with higher-intensity light, enabling diverse applications in photolithography, 3D printing, and optical disks.
Researchers developed a novel light-sensitive drug that enhances extracellular adenosine activity, inducing sleep artificially without genetic modification. The drug overcomes issues with conventional photosensitive drugs, showcasing optochemistry's potential in targeting A2A receptors and regulating brain function.
Researchers from IOCB Prague have developed a molecule that can switch between three distinct states, enabling the storage of complex information. This achievement opens the door to the development of molecular chips with unprecedented capabilities.
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.
The study reveals that certain dyes can release more radicals than others, leading to increased energy efficiency and speed in photochemical reactions. By slowing down a reverse reaction, radicals are given more time to leave a solvent cage, resulting in up to ten times higher energy efficiency.
A new method has been developed to convert the widely used dry-cleaning solvent perc into carbonate esters and chloroform, valuable building blocks for further organic synthesis. This clean process uses on-demand UV activation, eliminating the need for toxic source materials.
Researchers have created a reliable and efficient method to add fluorine to molecules, increasing pharmaceutical drug efficiency. The iron and sulfur-based reaction enables the release of fluorine from carboxylic acids and its incorporation into alkenes, common building blocks for drugs.
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
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 at Drexel University developed a titanium oxide material that can break down two common dye pollutants in water under visible light. The material reduced rhodamine 6G and crystal violet concentrations by 90% and 64%, respectively, in just 30 minutes.
Researchers create process to recycle polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene plastics into chemical ingredients useful for energy storage. The new method uses LEDs and a catalyst, reducing greenhouse emissions compared to traditional recycling processes.
Researchers develop a simple, low-cost molybdenum complex for photocatalysis and photon upconversion, overcoming the limitations of expensive precious metal complexes. The complex shows excellent photostability and outperforms traditional compounds in some cases.
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.
Chemists at the University of Basel have developed chromium compounds that can replace osmium and ruthenium in luminescent materials and catalysts. The new materials are nearly as effective as some osmium compounds and are about 20,000 times more abundant and cheaper than their noble metal counterparts.
Researchers used ultrafast electron diffraction to image the pericyclic minimum, a critical geometry in electrocyclic reactions. The study reveals that stereospecificity arises from the change of double bonds, not the exact motion, allowing for more precise synthetic chemistry tools.
A new method for polyurethane synthesis without isocyanates was developed by Kobe University and AGC Inc. using fluorinated compounds, enabling the creation of highly elastic, wear-resistant, and durable polyurethanes with improved environmental sustainability.
Scientists at Stockholm University propose a nonlinear spectroscopic technique to investigate coupled nuclear electronic dynamics in photo-excited molecules. This approach allows for the observation of conical intersections, which are 'funnels' connecting different electronic states, and provides insight into non-adiabatic dynamics.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new method using cooperating catalysts to perform challenging dearomative carboxylation reactions. This process enables the production of α-amino acids, which are potentially useful for drug development, and offers greater freedom in designing and synthesizing molecules with carboxyl ...
Researchers developed a new photo-oxidation method to efficiently synthesize pharmaceutical intermediates and polyurethane from perchloroethylene, a common dry cleaning solvent. The method yields high-quality compounds with minimal environmental impact, offering a promising alternative for sustainable chemical recycling.
A team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island has discovered new details about the chemical reaction that occurs when ferrate is exposed to visible and ultraviolet light. The findings could help optimize the use of ferrate in water treatment applications, making it a promising option for smaller systems.
Researchers have developed a metal-free photon upconversion system that transforms readily available visible light into UVB photons, enabling sustainable photochemical processes. The breakthrough enables efficient generation of high-energy UV photons without relying on mercury lamps or other inefficient alternatives.
A new flow photo-on-demand synthesis system using chloroform as a precursor has been successfully developed by researchers at Kobe University. The system achieves high conversion rates and can synthesize various chemical products continuously in large quantities, offering a safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly alternative to...
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
A research group at Kobe University has successfully synthesized α-amino acid N-Carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), a crucial precursor for artificial polypeptides, using the photo-on-demand phosgenation method. This new synthesis method eliminates the use of toxic phosgene and is considered safe, inexpensive, and simple.
A team from The Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo has developed a new platform that uses organorhodium(III) phthalocyanine complexes to achieve the combination of traits necessary for photodynamic therapy. The new system shows toxicity to HeLa cells, indicating its potential as a cancer treatment.
Researchers at Linköping University used computer simulations to show that stable aromatic molecules can become reactive after absorbing light. This could enable new ways to control photochemical reactions using the aromaticity of molecules.
Researchers observed a novel type of excitation, called a polaron, where collective oscillations of the electron and its screening cloud arise at terahertz frequencies. These oscillations persist for tens of picoseconds and are impulsively triggered by ultrafast electron localization.
Researchers at UC Riverside discover that adding iodide to a water treatment reactor using ultraviolet (UV) light and sulfite can destroy up to 90% of PFAS chemicals in just a few hours. This method accelerates the reaction four times, saving energy and chemicals, and enables the treatment of ten times higher concentrations of PFAS.
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.
Researchers have provided direct insight into the electronic structure of a proton donating group in an amine aromatic photoacid using ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy. The study reveals major electronic structure changes occur on the base side of the Förster cycle, resolving the long-standing open question.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel light-based method for rapidly racemizing chiral sulfoxides, a crucial step in producing desired enantiomers. This breakthrough utilizes photocatalysts to achieve rapid racemization under moderate conditions, bypassing the need for high temperatures previously required.
A German team led by Thorsten Bach successfully synthesized agarozizanol B, a complex sesquiterpene with potential pharmaceutical applications. The researchers developed a photochemical reaction cascade to form the molecule from an indanone derivative, achieving both enantiomers of the natural product.
Researchers discuss direct conversion of N2 into organic compounds via N-C bond formation, with potential applications in sustainable systems. The review highlights the challenges and limitations of current methods, but also outlines promising future research directions.
Scientists at Chiba University have discovered a previously overlooked electronic transition 'S0 → Tn' in heavy-atom-containing molecules exposed to visible light. The study reveals that this mechanism promotes radical reactions in photoreactions with visible light, which was not previously considered a main role.
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.
A team of chemists at the University of Münster has developed a strategy for generating random hits in a systematic way, discovering new reactions and gaining deeper understanding of molecular processes. The study identified three previously unknown reactions, including a photochemical cycloaddition.
A team of physicists has captured the behavior of a five-atom molecule's atomic nuclei and chemical bonds in response to a laser, revealing the clearest glimpse yet of a photochemical reaction. The study marks a significant advancement in understanding these light-fueled molecular transformations.
A team of scientists from Arizona State University has re-thought the evolutionary history of photochemical reaction centers (RCs). They propose a new pathway that ancient organisms may have taken to evolve the great variety of photosynthetic RCs seen today.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new microscope that can observe magnetic sensitivity in photochemical reactions within sub-cellular structures. The microscope, called TOAD imaging, allows for the detection of radical pairs formed from flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and their response to weak magnetic fields.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers developed a new technique to study photochemical reactions, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of electronic and molecular dynamics. This breakthrough could answer questions about photochemical and photobiological systems, enabling the development of more efficient solar energy systems and nanomaterials.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich have discovered a way to create natural substances using photoreactions and a special catalyst, reducing the formation of unwanted mirror-image variants. This method has potential for industrial applications in drug development and plant protection.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii created a photochemical reactor built into a surfboard to perform green reactions with sunlight and sea water. The system efficiently dissipates excess thermal energy using ocean currents, enabling scalable production of vitamin A variants.
Roger Atkinson, a leading atmospheric chemist, has been elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union. His pioneering research on atmospheric reactions and photochemical smog has received recognition from various quarters. He has contributed to the development of analytical and experimental methods for researchers.
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.