Articles tagged with Physical Chemistry
A KAIST research team developed an anti-icing film coating technology using gold nanoparticles and cellulose nanocrystals. The film can uniformly pattern gold nanorods in quadrants through simple evaporation, achieving enhanced plasmonic photothermal properties.
Researchers visualized the 3D structure of ASC speck inside cells using advanced fluorescence microscopy methods. The study reveals an amorphous structure with a dense core and filaments extending into the periphery. This breakthrough provides crucial insights for understanding inflammation and immune-related diseases.
Amyloids have been found to selectively bind with codon-sized RNA, a crucial step in the emergence of life. These interactions may represent a universal genetic code that unites all living beings, increasing stability and order in an otherwise dilute system.
A multidisciplinary research project aims to improve carbon nanotube synthesis efficiency, enabling more sustainable alternatives to heavy industry materials. The project, led by Rice University's Matteo Pasquali, has received a $4.1 million grant from the Kavli Foundation.
A new polymer binder is introduced to address durability issues in dual-ion batteries. The binder features azide and acrylate groups, which enhance the structural integrity of graphite during charge and discharge cycles. Dual-ion batteries equipped with this binder demonstrate exceptional performance, even after 3,500 recharge cycles.
The Beckman Institute's DROPLETS project uses microdroplets to catalyze electrochemical reactions, producing clean hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide. The project aims to lay out a foundation for a sustainable clean energy future.
The Oxford Period Project provides free period products to all students and faculty, reducing stress and stigma around menstruation. The project aims to promote inclusivity and sustainability by offering eco-friendly alternatives.
Researchers have developed a metal nanocluster-based separator for lithium-sulfur batteries, accelerating electrochemical kinetics and improving capacity and cycling stability. The technology has the potential to increase the adoption of sustainable energy storage systems, including electric vehicles and renewable energy.
A research team at Göttingen University has developed plasmonic molecules from nanoparticles using a novel process that precisely arranges the particles. This breakthrough enables the creation of large quantities of these compounds, which can be used for various functions in nanotechnology.
Jennifer Kane is studying how microbes interact with Miscanthus roots to boost productivity and sustainability. The research aims to understand what conditions enable the plant to prosper, with potential implications for bioenergy production on marginal lands.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have made a groundbreaking discovery in polymer science, providing new insights into how polymer chains respond to accelerated solvent flows. This breakthrough has significant implications for various areas of physical sciences and industrial processes, including enhanced oil and gas recovery ...
Researchers developed a three-metal hybrid catalyst material featuring nickel, palladium, and platinum interfaces to enhance water splitting and hydrogen molecule generation. The new catalyst demonstrated significant stability and high catalytic activity, overcoming challenges of functional interferences.
Scientists studied fluid dynamics to understand interfacial tension, a force affecting mixing of liquids. Their numerical simulation revealed a non-monotonic relationship between flow strength and hydrodynamic instability, overturning conventional wisdom.
Researchers discovered a way to strengthen polymers by introducing weaker bonds, increasing resistance to tearing up to tenfold. The approach doesn't alter other physical properties and can be used to improve the toughness of other materials like rubber.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found that viruses lose their infectivity quicker in cleaner air, with opening a window reducing acid content and speeding up death. The study provides valuable insights into mitigating risk through gas composition manipulation.
Scientists have developed a new dynamic probe to measure electric interactions between molecules and the environment. Using ultrashort terahertz pulses, they mapped the optical absorption of molecules in an external electric field, revealing the strength and dynamics of these forces.
Researchers from Osaka University discovered a novel material that transitions from a crystal to a liquid when exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, enabling a detailed understanding of the crystal-melting process. The material exhibits changes in luminescence during melting, indicating molecular-level changes in shape.
Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry found that microplastics decrease bacteriophages' infectivity due to leachates and polymer size. The study highlights the impact of microplastics on aquatic ecosystems, affecting both animals and humans.
Researchers at Colorado State University propose using ultrathin films of molybdenum disulfide to improve solar cell efficiency. The material displays unprecedented charge carrier properties that could lead to drastic improvements in solar technologies.
Researchers developed a self-driven lab, AlphaFlow, that uses AI to optimize complex chemical reactions and discover new materials. The system significantly reduces the time needed to develop new chemistries from months to hours.
Scientists have developed a new method to measure calorimetric quantities at the molecular level with picosecond time resolution. By tracking water's spectroscopic fingerprints in the THz range, researchers can accurately predict protein-rich droplet formation and its dependency on external parameters like temperature.
Researchers discover abiotic peptide chain formation from glycine in space conditions, shedding light on the origin of life. The study shows that small clusters of glycine molecules exhibit polymerization upon energy input.
Researchers are exploring how a kind of clay can soak up carbon dioxide and store it, potentially reducing the impact of climate change. The study found that carbon dioxide is more stable in wet clay nanopores than in plain water.
A computer simulation confirms the presence of a self-lubricating layer on the surface of ice, which is driven away by pressure and causes the ice to melt and repair itself. This discovery could lead to improved lubricants in other systems and significant energy savings.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a unique 3D COF with scu-c topology, exhibiting efficient gas adsorption and drug delivery capabilities. The material has been shown to exhibit excellent hydrogen and methane adsorption properties.
Molecular dynamics simulation pioneer Martin Karplus and his team pioneered the simulation of protein motion, impacting biology and physics. This breakthrough enabled scientists to study protein function through dynamic simulations, leading to a deeper understanding of biological processes.
Scientists have created a magnetic material that can mimic how the brain stores information, allowing for potential breakthroughs in neuromorphic computing. The material enables controlled updating of information without external voltage, opening doors to new logic functions and neural learning emulation.
Researchers create a material with disordered molecular structure that conducts electricity well, defying conventional theories. The material's stability and versatility make it promising for new electronic devices.
Researchers from the Max Born Institute found that magnesium ions reduce ultrafast fluctuations in water's hydration shell, slowing solvation dynamics. The study reveals a short-range effect of individual ion pairs on dilute aqueous systems.
Scientists at Osaka University have developed an ultrathin silicon membrane with arrays of nanopores that can harness osmotic flow to generate electricity from seawater. The device achieved peak power efficiency of 400 kW/m² and demonstrated optimal configuration for best power generation.
A team of researchers, led by Prof. Ehud Pines, has confirmed his theory that a proton moves through water in trains of three water molecules, contradicting the long-held Grotthuss Mechanism. This breakthrough resolves one of the holy grails of physical chemistry after 17 years of research.
Researchers at Universiteit van Amsterdam use fluorescence microscopy and specialized molecules to study the transition from static to dynamic friction. They find that a slip wave propagates from the edge towards the center of the contact area just before sliding occurs.
A Korean research team created a dual-catalyst system that precisely controls catalytic reactions like cells. The nanoreactor combines magnetic materials and metal catalysts to selectively activate the catalyst under magnetic fields and near-infrared rays.
A new study proposes a method of foam stabilization that could be used to make highly efficient hand sanitizers. The team added an anionic surfactant, long-chain alcohols, and an inorganic electrolyte to an aqueous solution containing 60% ethanol by volume.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a new method for detecting alcohols using zero- to ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) combined with the SABRE-Relay hyperpolarization technique. This innovative approach enables measurements without strong magnetic fields, reducing device size and potential ...
A team of researchers from Ritsumeikan University in Japan has elucidated the mechanism behind the liquid-solid phase transition of FUS protein that leads to ALS. They discovered a new therapeutic target, arginine, which suppresses FUS aggregation and could delay ALS progression.
Researchers found a 33% drop in total mercury concentrations in the Barents Sea during the polar night, attributed to a scavenging process involving manganese particles. This decrease in surface levels may lead to increased toxic mercury formation in sediments and potentially more methylmercury in Arctic food webs.
The Electrifying Technical Organic Syntheses (ETOS) research network, coordinated by JGU, will be funded from BMBF to support the development of new techniques for organic chemical synthesis using electrolysis. The cluster aims to promote forward-looking innovations and secure technological sovereignty.
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have created a test system to characterize and compare passive cooling materials, overcoming challenges in determining their performance. The system mimics key factors influencing passive cooling performance, allowing for reproducible tests under identical conditions.
A laboratory study published in PNAS found that SARS-CoV-2 virus can lose 90% of its infectivity when in aerosol particles within 20 minutes. The loss is strongly dependent on low relative humidity and pH, with a decrease in airborne infectivity observed at levels below 50%.
Researchers from the University of Arizona suggest that dying stars can forge carbon nanotubes in the envelopes of dust and gas surrounding them. This process involves the spontaneous formation of carbon nanotubes, which are highly structured rod-like molecules consisting of multiple layers of carbon sheets.
A new double-layered catalyst, combining platinum with NiFe hydroxide, was developed to enhance hydrogen generation efficiency. The catalyst's activity is 11.2 times higher than conventional materials, making it a promising solution for increasing green hydrogen production.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology have discovered a method for describing molecules in optical cavities, which could lead to breakthroughs in chemistry and pharmaceutical industries. The study uses molecular orbital theory to predict how molecules will react inside optical cavities.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have discovered a deep connection between two previously distinct fields of physics, stochastic thermodynamics and transition-path theory, allowing for a framework to quantify reaction information. This framework enables researchers to separate signal from noise in massive datasets, facilitating b...
A team of researchers has provided evidence to settle the debate on the relative stabilities of boron nitride's structures using a state-of-the-art quantum simulation method. The study found that hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is the most stable structure, followed by rhombohedral (rBN), zinc-blende (cBN), and wurtzite (wBN).
Researchers at the University of Cologne and the University of Wuppertal have developed a tandem solar cell that achieves an unprecedented 24% efficiency, outperforming previous records. The innovative design combines organic and perovskite-based absorbers with an indium oxide interconnect to minimize losses.
A team of researchers has developed a tunable graphene-based platform to study exceptional points, which exhibit unique properties when light and matter interact. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in optoelectronic technologies and potentially contribute to the development of 'beyond-5G' wireless technology.
Research proves O2-bridged bicyclic compounds are key reaction intermediates in oxidation of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene. These compounds contribute to the formation of high-mass, low-volatility secondary organic aerosol products.
A SUTD-led study develops brighter, more sensitive fluorophores by suppressing twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and enhancing photon-induced electron transfer (PET). The research provides design guidelines for dye chemists to rationally tune TICT, PET, and other mechanisms for a wide range of applications.
Scientists investigate how positively and negatively charged ions behave at solid-liquid interfaces. They found that the hydration shell of positively charged sodium ions is stripped away at small voltages, while negatively charged chloride ions require higher voltages.
Osaka University researchers have successfully synthesized a stable, crystalline nanographene with predicted magnetic properties, opening the door to revolutionary advances in electronics and magnets. The breakthrough uses a simplified model system called triangulene, which has long been elusive due to polymerization issues.
Researchers at University of Göttingen investigate tight junctions' importance in cell movement and their consequences when missing. The findings suggest a 'tug of war' scenario between cells with unequal contraction and stretching, affecting tissue mobility and biological functions.
The Danish NMR Center is part of the PANACEA consortium, enabling European researchers to access state-of-the-art solid-state NMR equipment. The project will provide trans-national access to over 30 unique NMR spectrometers and develop new web-based software tools for simplified analysis.
A new fluorescent probe, NeutropG, selectively stains healthy neutrophils in blood samples, allowing for accurate quantification. The Metabolism-Oriented Live-cell Distinction (MOLD) method enables the selective identification of active neutrophils without affecting their native functions.
A team of scientists led by prof. Juan Carlos Colmenares developed an efficient reactive adsorbent that can purify air from various toxic compounds cheaply and effectively. The material, made from titanium dioxide and graphite oxide, uses photocatalysis to break down toxins into less harmful elements.
Researchers discovered a two-layer water network surrounding hydrophobic molecules, with the inner layer being longer stable and more densely packed. This new understanding is crucial for biomolecular recognition and protein folding processes.
A European research team developed a photographic film at the atomic level to track the motion of a molecular building block. The result shows a light-controlled 'pedalo-type motion', moving forward and backward, which could help control material properties with molecular switches.
Researchers propose new way to test structural stability of predicted 2D materials, correcting earlier mistakes. The new approach considers finite-size portions of materials for added stability criteria.
Researchers at the IPC PAS and WUT have developed a new, solvent-free drug encapsulation method that uses a pre-assembled metal complex incorporating the drug molecule. This approach could dramatically improve the efficiency of drug encapsulation in MOF materials and open the way to formulating vast arrays of 'drug@MOF' composites.
Scientists from the IPC PAS found that cell viscosity remains constant throughout its life cycle, defying intuitive expectations. This discovery has implications for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, particularly in cancer treatment and neurodegenerative diseases.