Physical Chemistry
Articles tagged with Physical Chemistry
Announcing the 2026 Laureates of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel
Three young scientists in Israel have been awarded the prestigious Blavatnik Awards for their innovative research in chemistry, cancer biology, and astrophysics. Sergey Semenov, Uri Ben-David, and Paz Beniamini will each receive US$100,000 to advance their projects on complex materials, cancer treatments, and extreme cosmic events.
Twisting water
The study reveals that the first four layers of water molecules possess a well-defined orientational structure with alternating molecular tilt and twist angles. This new understanding has important implications for processes at aqueous interfaces, including electrochemical devices such as batteries.
A surprisingly simple way to control quantum behavior
Researchers demonstrate a new way to control quantum behavior using materials design alone by freezing molecular hydrogen in dry ice. This technique could improve energy storage for hydrogen fuel, memory for quantum computing, and measure comet temperatures in outer space.
Texas A&M opens world’s largest academic controlled-explosions lab
The new facility enables scientists to observe and measure detonation forces in unprecedented detail, shedding light on industrial safety risks and potential breakthroughs. Researchers aim to develop safer designs and protocols by examining detonation disasters like the Buncefield Fire.
“Why water is special” mystery finally solved.
A team of researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology has identified the underlying cause of water's unique properties, solving a fundamental mystery in science. They have observed water's liquid-liquid critical point, which marks the transition from two distinct liquid states into a single supercritical liquid state.
Molecular umbrella protecting the solar cell
Researchers propose a novel molecular system to address surface defects and suppress ion migration in perovskite solar cells. The dual-functional molecule, [12]-C-4POR, traps specific ions with its cyclic binding sites, enhancing device stability and performance.
Redox reactions in chains of chalcogens
A new NMR method has enabled the direct observation of heterochalcogen bonds in redox systems, revealing strong redox activity. This innovative approach allows for the generation and characterization of trichalcogenide molecules containing sulfur, selenium, or tellurium.
Magnetic pulling of the strings
Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry have developed a unique system that uses magnetic fields to spatially organize endothelial cells onto microparticles, creating vascular systems with well-defined micro-architecture. This technology has the potential to revolutionize personalized drug testing and precision medicine by...
New “lock-and-key” chemistry
Researchers have developed a new chemistry-based strategy to localize therapeutic drugs to tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissues. The 'lock-and-key' system uses biorthogonal supramolecular chemistry to release drugs in specific locations, offering a potential path to safer and more precise cancer treatment.
American Chemical Society Journal cover highlights SQU research on functionalized gold nanoparticles
A study from Sultan Qaboos University's Department of Physics investigates how surface functionalization affects gold nanoparticle behavior. The research uses molecular dynamics simulations to show that varying surface coverage density can influence thermodynamic behavior and stability.
Understanding nature’s proton highway
The study reveals a novel hydrogen-bonding motif in the deprotonated dimer of phosphoric acid, which may be key to understanding proton transport in phosphoric acid-based systems. This finding provides insight into the molecular origin of phosphoric acid's extraordinary proton conductivity.
Shaping carbon fiber with electricity
A team from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, has developed a method to control the shape of microfibers using electricity. This breakthrough enables the creation of miniaturized actuators that can change shape on demand, opening up possibilities for novel applications in micromechanics and soft robotics.
Silent enemies, smart weapons - switching off contamination by nanoparticles
Scientists propose a solution to inactivate bacteriophages without destroying bacterial strains, using polymeric nanospheres that interact with phage surface charges. The nanoparticles are effective against 95% of phages and could provide a safer alternative to existing anti-phage strategies.
Unveiling polymeric interactions critical for future drug nanocarriers
Researchers quantify interactions of P407 micelles in PBS to understand gelation behavior and release mechanisms. The study reveals stronger attractive forces between micelles in saline, affecting gel stability and structural fluctuations.
DNA provides a solution to our enormous data storage problem
ASU researchers use DNA to store and protect information in fundamentally new ways, offering a nature-inspired alternative to silicon-based solutions. The approach uses tiny DNA structures that act like physical letters to record and analyze electrical signals, providing high accuracy and scalability.
From biocidal coatings to medicines: A nanocomposite sting for microorganisms
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
Watching atoms roam before they decay
A team of researchers investigated electron-transfer-mediated decay (ETMD), a key process in radiation chemistry and biological damage. They found that atoms undergo pronounced roaming-like motion, reshaping molecular geometry and influencing decay timing.
A new optical centrifuge is helping physicists probe the mysteries of superfluids
Researchers have successfully controlled the rotation of molecules suspended in liquid helium nano-droplets using a new optical centrifuge. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the behavior of exotic, frictionless superfluids and understand how molecules interact with the quantum environment at various rotational frequencies.
Catching a radical in motion with µSR spectroscopy
Scientists successfully observed a quinoxalinyl radical forming within nanoseconds using µSR spectroscopy. The technique enabled real-time detection of highly reactive aromatic heterocyclic radicals in isocyanide insertion reactions.
Metal–metal bonded molecule opens new path toward quantum computing materials
Researchers have discovered a unique cobalt-based molecule that can function as a spin quantum bit, providing a new design strategy for molecular materials used in quantum information technologies. The molecule exhibits slow magnetic relaxation and delocalized electron spins, allowing it to stabilize the quantum state.
New microscope can image an invisible 2D material
Researchers have developed a new microscope that uses nonlinear optics to visualize hBN, a 2D material previously impossible to study. The technique enables live imaging of the material's crystal orientation and reveals its high nonlinearity in vibrational resonance.
Towards sustainable organic synthesis – Mechanochemistry replaces lithium with sodium in organic reactions
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed an environmentally friendly method to synthesize organosodium reagents using ball-milling mechanochemistry. This approach replaces traditional methods using highly reactive and toxic materials, offering a sustainable alternative in organic synthesis.
New building blocks of cell communication: How an invisible “cap” could control electrical synapses
A ring-shaped 'cap' has been found to regulate the connection of gap junctions, enabling the direct exchange of information between cells. This discovery may hold implications for controlling electrical signals in the heart or intestine.
Feeding off spent battery waste, a novel bacterium signals a new method for self-sufficient battery recycling
Researchers at Boston College have identified a novel bacterium that can thrive on spent battery waste, producing protons capable of leaching electrode materials. The bacteria, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, also shows promise in recycling Li-Ion battery cathode materials using iron and stainless steel as food sources.
Passive silver-nanoring coating points to “self-regulating” smart windows — without power or tinting
Aarhus University researchers have developed a transparent layer with silver nanorings that adapts to sunlight intensity, controlling heat entry through glass without dimming the view. The thermoplasmonic effect reduces near-infrared transmission, lowering cooling demand and CO₂ emissions in energy-efficient buildings.
Behind the scenes of ammonia synthesis
Researchers at the Fritz Haber Institute have made significant strides in understanding the complex interactions within multi-promoted ammonia synthesis catalysts. The study reveals that promoter phases and structural transformations are crucial for forming an active catalyst configuration.
Two ERC Grants for Goethe University: Why a sharks becomes extinct and how to study the dynamics of biomolecules
Researchers Jeremy McCormack and Andrei Kuzhelev at Goethe University are investigating the reasons behind prehistoric shark extinctions using new isotopic analysis methods. They also develop a novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique to study large biomolecules.
Chung-Ang University researchers reveal strange dynamics of nanoparticle growth and shrink
Researchers developed a new model and theory to explain nanoparticle growth dynamics, accounting for six essential characteristics of nanoparticle growth. The new theory provides fresh physical insights into the role of nanoparticle motion and configurational degeneracy on their nucleation and growth.
Robust and soft porous crystals with unique gas sorption properties
Scientists have created a new class of nanocrystals with exceptional thermal and chemical stability, showcasing impressive gas adsorption capabilities. The discoveries could lead to the development of advanced porous solid-state materials.
New ‘In and Out’ mechanism reveals how carbon dioxide reacts at water’s surface
Researchers discovered a new 'In and Out' mechanism where CO₂ briefly dips into the topmost layer of water, reacts, and then reemerges. This challenges previous assumptions about where and how CO₂ can turn into carbonic acid, suggesting faster ocean acidification.
How urea forms spontaneously
A team led by Ruth Signorell at ETH Zurich has found a previously unknown reaction pathway for urea formation on water surfaces under ambient conditions. This spontaneous reaction could have occurred on prebiotic Earth and provides insights into the origin of life.
Imperfect perfection
Researchers have developed a new approach to create defective carbon nitride, a metal-free semiconductor that enhances solar-driven chemical reactions. The material shows improved photocatalytic performance due to its increased surface area and density of active sites, leading to higher yields in hydrogen peroxide generation.
Creating ice layer by layer: the secret mechanisms of ice formation revealed
Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, used molecular-scale simulations to understand ice formation. They found that the arrangement of water molecules in the two layers closest to the surface is crucial for nucleation, promoting a low-dimensional hexagonal crystal lattice at the surface.
Fresh route to more efficient cooling using light and heat
Researchers have developed a theoretical model that enhances passive radiative cooling by generating positive photon chemical potential, allowing for more efficient heat emission. The system can reach cooling powers of up to 485 watts per square meter, surpassing typical radiation power from a blackbody at room temperature.
New computer language helps spot hidden pollutants
The Mass Query Language (MassQL) tool empowers scientists to uncover previously unknown pollutants in massive chemical datasets. It has identified toxic compounds hidden in plain sight, including organophosphate esters and chemicals from breaking down over time.
Scientists finally confirm vitamin B1 hypothesis from 1958
Chemists have confirmed a 67-year-old theory about vitamin B1 by stabilizing a reactive molecule in water. The discovery opens doors to more efficient ways of making pharmaceuticals using cleaner solvents.
A little bit of space on Earth
Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, have identified unusual phosphorus molecules in space. These molecules, including phosphabutadiyne and vinylphosphaethyne, were studied using cryogenic techniques and infrared spectroscopy, providing new insights into their formation and properties.
Study tracks chromium chemistry in irradiated molten salts
Scientists used radiation-induced reactions to convert corrosive Cr³⁺ to less-corrosive Cr²⁺, potentially mitigating metal alloy corrosion in molten salt nuclear reactors. The findings could improve the long-term reliability of these new reactors.
How calcium may have unlocked the origins of life’s molecular asymmetry
A new study by researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo hints that calcium ions played a crucial role in shaping life's earliest molecular structures. The team discovered that calcium dramatically alters how tartaric acid molecules link together, favoring homochiral polymers and potentially influencing the emergence of life.
Structure of supercritical water decoded
Scientists at Ruhr University Bochum have shed light on the structure of supercritical water, finding that water molecules form few hydrogen bonds in this state. The research reveals that water behaves like a gas, with short-lived molecular interactions between hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Scientists discover new heavy-metal molecule ‘berkelocene’
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered the first organometallic molecule containing berkelium, a highly radioactive element. The discovery reveals that berkelium exhibits a unique tetravalent oxidation state, challenging traditional understanding of its behavior in the periodic table.
How life's building blocks took shape on early Earth: the limits of membraneless polyester protocell formation
A recent study found that polyester microdroplets can form in salt-rich environments, at low alpha-hydroxy acid concentrations, and in small reaction volumes. This expands on previous research and suggests that polyester protocells were likely more common on early Earth than previously thought.
Microporous crystals for greater food safety – ERC proof of concept grant for researcher at Graz University of Technology
A research team led by Paolo Falcaro has developed a microporous crystal compound that detects toxic chemical compounds produced when protein-rich foods spoil. The ERC Proof of Concept Grant will explore practical applications for the composite ink, which changes color depending on the concentration of toxic compounds.
New model system for the development of potential active substances used in condensate modifying drugs
Researchers have developed a simple model system to break down fibrils into their constituent single units or liquid droplets. This discovery has the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by targeting pathological fibrils.
How nanostructures are created? We unveil the secrets of electrodeposition!
An international team of scientists created a platinum-nickel nanolayer on an electrode using electrodeposition, observing the formation of spherical nanoparticles with densely branched structures. TEM and STXM imaging revealed the layer's composition as nickel(II) oxide and metallic platinum.
NTU Singapore launches two new degree programs in robotics and advanced chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing
The university introduces Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Double Major Bachelor of Engineering Science in Process Engineering and Synthetic Chemistry to address global demand for roboticists. The programs incorporate AI-related elements and are designed to provide students with a unique skill set.
Bones from Tudor Mary Rose shipwreck suggest handedness might affect collarbone chemistry
A study of human skeletal remains from the Tudor warship Mary Rose reveals that handedness may influence clavicle bone chemistry as people age. The analysis found increased mineral content and decreased protein content in right clavicles compared to left, suggesting repeated stress on the right side during activities like sailing.
Second life of lithium-ion batteries could take us to space
Scientists have developed an electrochemical approach using catalysts derived from used lithium-ion batteries to produce hydrogen peroxide. The method utilizes carbon nanostructures and cobalt, displaying catalytic properties in oxygen reduction reactions.
Targeted cancer therapies: Getting radioactive atoms to accumulate in tumors
Researchers developed a novel compound to target prostate cancer using radioactive atom astatine-211, potentially overcoming issues with previous compounds like deastatination. The study found high accumulation in tumors and low accumulation in vital organs, highlighting the potential of this new compound for targeted alpha therapy.
New 'chiral vortex' of light reveals molecular mirror images
A new structure of light has been discovered that can accurately measure chirality in molecules, a property of asymmetry important in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This 'chiral vortex' provides an accurate and robust form of measurement, allowing for the detection of chiral biomarkers.
Controlling molecular electronics with rigid, ladder-like molecules
Scientists have developed a unique strategy to control molecular conductance using shape-persistent ladder-type molecules. This approach enables the synthesis of diverse, charged molecules with consistent electronic properties, paving the way for reliable and efficient devices.
New organic molecule shatters phosphorescence efficiency records and paves way for rare metal-free applications
A new organic molecule thienyl diketone achieves high-efficiency phosphorescence more than ten times faster than traditional materials. This breakthrough provides design guidelines for developing metal-free organic phosphorescent materials, promising significant advancements in various applications.
Gold nanoparticles kill cancer – but not as thought
Research using a novel microscopic technique reveals that gold nanoparticles' lethality to cancer cells is more complex than previously thought. Smaller nanoparticles can regenerate and divide after initial stress, while larger star-shaped particles cause oxidative stress leading to programmed cell death.
A simpler method for precise molecular orbital visualization
A new method for visualizing molecular orbitals has been developed, enabling scientists to analyze molecular dynamics and deformations in molecular films more easily. The technique, called PhaseLift-based photoemission orbital tomography (POT), allows for precise visualization of electronic states with a single set of measurements.
Lessons in chemistry: Guo aims at fundamental understanding of emerging semiconductor material
Assistant professor Yinsheng Guo is developing a comprehensive understanding of metal halide perovskites, promising semiconducting materials for energy technologies. He also seeks to transform how physical chemistry is taught using computational and experiential approaches.
The Protein Society announces its 2024 award recipients
This year's winners include Professor Neil Kelleher, Dr. Tamir Gonen, Professor Margaret Sunde, and more, recognized for their pioneering research in top-down proteomics, membrane proteins, amyloid studies, and human health applications.
How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automation
A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.
Lu(a)minar Flow Odyssey – the power of water and light towards early leukemia diagnostics
Researchers developed a unique microfluidics-based diagnostic system that combines optical tweezers with stimulated Raman spectroscopy to enable fast and accurate diagnosis of leukemia. The device can identify cancer cells based on their metabolic activities and metabolites, providing tailored treatment options.
Balancing training data and human knowledge makes AI act more like a scientist
Researchers develop framework to assess relative value of rules and data in AI models, improving efficiency and accuracy in scientific problems. The framework optimizes model training by tweaking the influence of different rules, filtering out redundant ones, and identifying synergistic relationships between rules.