Articles tagged with Photochemistry
Researchers discovered that a volcano's eruption can clean up methane pollution by breaking it down into formaldehyde. The phenomenon could potentially be key to slowing global warming and has implications for reducing methane emissions.
Researchers developed a next-generation phototherapeutic agent, NDI-COE, which induces pyroptotic cell death in hypoxic tumor tissues. The agent's superior photochemical mechanism involves strong binding to water molecules and efficient electron transfer to oxygen.
A novel nickel-based Pickering emulsion catalyst enables gram-scale synthesis of high-purity benzaldehyde with co-produced hydrogen, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fine chemical synthesis. The synergistic effect of photon-heteroatom jointly promoted redox cycling accelerates the dehydrogenation reaction.
Researchers at BESSY II discovered a new method to investigate hydroxyl radicals, gaining surprising insights into their reaction pathway. They found that the proton of the hydroxyl radical reacts with TEMPO first, revealing an unexpected intermediate state.
Researchers develop hybrid photocatalyst system to overcome light-induced damage in molecular catalysts, significantly improving CO2-to-formate quantum yield from 6% to over 27%. The new design ensures selective excitation of semiconductors and prevents unwanted photochemical reactions.
Researchers at The University of Osaka developed a molecular design strategy to reconcile the trade-off between polymer material's durability and degradability. They created a tough material whose enzymatic degradation can be switched on or off using light, allowing for precise programming of its lifetime.
A new photocatalyst design using machine learning interatomic potential calculations has successfully identified suitable dopants for a novel tin oxide material. The resulting aluminum-doped material produces 16 times more hydrogen under visible light than the undoped material, paving the way for next-generation clean energy applications.
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that uses sunlight to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of water-repellent chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. The technology could be scaled up for detection or removal from the environment and human body.
Researchers developed a new strategy to engineer biochar with enhanced sunlight-driven chemical activity, boosting its ability to drive light-powered reduction reactions. The findings suggest that biochar can dynamically transform under sunlight, participating in complex photochemical reactions that affect pollutant behavior and metal ...
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.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to create psychoactive-like molecules that mimic the brain's serotonin receptors. The study found five compounds with efficacy ranging from 61% to 93%, but none induced hallucinogenic behavior, offering a potential new therapeutic scaffold for treating psychiatric disorders.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers engineered a nanoreactor cage with visible-light absorption to drive highly efficient photochemical reactions. The cage achieved perfect stereo- and site-selectivity in cross-[2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, enabling catalytic transformations of chemically inert substrates.
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.
A new molecule has been developed that can store four charges simultaneously under light irradiation, two positive and two negative. This is an important step toward achieving artificial photosynthesis, which aims to convert sunlight into carbon-neutral fuels.
A team of scientists observed the earliest steps of ultrafast charge transfer in a complex dye molecule, with high-frequency vibrations playing a central role. The experiments showed that these vibrations initiate charge transport, while processes in the surrounding solvent begin only at a later stage.
Researchers led by QUT's Distinguished Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik identified a new mechanism involving molecular microenvironments that can dramatically influence how molecules respond to light. This effect can lead to longer excited-state lifetimes, making certain molecules more reactive under lower-energy light.
Researchers developed nanosized, porous oxyhalide photocatalysts that achieve record performance in producing hydrogen from water and converting carbon dioxide to formic acid using sunlight. The breakthrough offers a scalable, eco-friendly approach to solar fuel production by carefully controlling particle size and structure.
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.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a new combined material to produce 'green' hydrogen more effectively. The material uses sunlight to split water into hydrogen, promising a renewable energy source for heavy transport.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano have developed a system that allows bacteria to sense light and convert it into electrical signals without genetic modification. This method has the potential to develop next-generation antimicrobial platforms and biocompatible 'bacterial robots' for targeted drug delivery.
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.
The Michigan-based system produces ethylene with efficiency, yield, and longevity well above other artificial photosynthesis systems. It achieves a five to six times better performance in converting carbon dioxide into ethylene.
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.
The study reveals how the secondary structure of helical polymers influences their aggregation and size control. Researchers designed nanoespheres with varying densities and controlled their size by adjusting water-to-solvent ratios. Light-triggered release offers tailored solutions for targeted drug delivery.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a novel technique to control Förster resonance energy transfer using optical tweezers. The method, which accelerates energy transfer by increasing laser intensity, offers a non-contact approach for microchemistry and quantum dot applications.
The American Society for Photobiology's Biennial Conference will take place in downtown Chicago from July 27-30, 2024. The event features over 100 scientific sessions and various networking opportunities.
A new research project, PHOTOZYME, aims to develop photobiocatalytic tools to convert basic chemicals into chiral molecules. The project combines biocatalysis, photochemistry, and directed evolution to create sustainable molecular synthesis.
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.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a combined microscopy technique that captures the nanoscale behavior of azo-polymer films triggered by laser light. This allows for real-time observation with high spatiotemporal resolution, shedding light on the mechanism of light-driven deformation in these materials.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new category of molecules that can undergo internal rotation on interaction with light, opening possibilities for photochemical switching functions and bioactive molecules. This breakthrough could lead to precisely targeted applications in biological systems and eventual therapeutic p...
Researchers have created a water-soluble fluorescent spray that can visualize latent fingerprints in just ten seconds. The new dye-based technology is non-toxic, biologically compatible, and reduces the risk of damaging DNA evidence.
Scientists investigated the photoluminescence properties of toroidal and randomly coiled supramolecular polymers. The study found that a closed circular structure led to higher energy and more efficient luminescence compared to random coils, which lost excitation energy due to defects.
Scientists have created a new molecular system based on manganese that can oxidize various organic substrates and emit NIR-II light after excitation. The complex has two different photoactive states, one of which is extremely oxidizing and exists only briefly, while the other is moderately oxidizing and longer-lived.
Scientists at Linköping University have successfully developed molecular gears with controlled rotary motion, overcoming previous challenges of single bond rotation. This breakthrough paves the way for future applications in medical drug delivery and solar energy storage.
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.
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 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.
Scientists engineer bacteria to target cancer cells, utilizing NIR fluorescence and photothermal conversion to selectively eliminate malignant cells. The study demonstrates effective optical and immunological functions in a mouse model of colon cancer.
Researchers have developed novel liquid metal nanoparticles that combine photothermal therapy with immunotherapy, demonstrating high specificity and low side effects. The nanoparticles can target and destroy cancer cells while also stimulating the immune system to fight against tumors.
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 have designed new light-responsive membrane carriers for the translocation of peptide cargos inside living cells, offering a promising strategy for remotely controlled delivery of large biomolecules. The light-triggered system utilizes azobenzene units to control the transport of cationic peptides across lipid membranes.
A study by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics reveals two competitive channels for the photoionization of dichloromethane under VUV light irradiation. The dominant photodissociation channel produces Cl radicals that react with CH2Cl2 to form CHCl2+.
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 have successfully uncovered the structure of a model bacterial phytochrome, revealing symmetrical and asymmetrical states in response to light. The study found that almost non-existent structural changes in regulatory domains can amplify biochemical effects elsewhere.
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.
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 City University of Hong Kong have successfully developed a novel Vacuum Ultra-Violet (VUV) meta-lens, which can generate and focus the VUV light. The focused VUV light source enables nanolithography, material processing, and advanced manufacturing applications.
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.
A team of scientists developed a method to generate molecular triplets in colloidal nanocrystals through rapid spin-flip, which can be used for photochemical applications such as photon upconversion and singlet oxygen generation. The study demonstrates the potential of solution-processed semiconductor materials for new fields.
Researchers from the University of Münster have successfully performed an unconventional cycloaddition, reacting a carbon-carbon double bond with a strained single bond. This method has significant synthetic benefits, allowing for the creation of polycyclic, three-dimensional carbon scaffolds.
The university is coordinating the second funding period of the program, which aims to develop innovative, high-performance molecular materials for various applications. The program will tackle photophysical and photochemical challenges, as well as fundamental questions associated with these materials.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics demonstrate vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen production from water photochemistry. This process represents a further source of vibrationally excited H2 observed in the interstellar medium.
Researchers found that combining zinc oxide with small-molecule UV filter ingredients reduced UVA protection by 84.3-91.8% compared to non-mineral sunscreens. The study also showed toxic effects on zebra fish embryos when exposed to sunscreen mixtures containing zinc oxide.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics used the Dalian Coherent Light Source to study vacuum ultraviolet water photochemistry, identifying rotationally hot OH radicals. Highly excited 'super rotors' were observed from water photodissociation at 115.2 nm, revealing interesting dissociation mechanisms.