Articles tagged with Polymer Chemistry
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop new catalytic process that can convert polyolefins from single-use plastics into valuable alkylaromatics, underlying surfactants in detergents. The improved method reduces production time and energy input, enabling potential commercialization and large-scale use.
A team of researchers at the University of Florida has developed a new method for recycling plastics that promises to reduce energy requirements without sacrificing quality. This breakthrough approach uses chemical recycling and depolymerization, which can produce recycled plastic with similar or better properties than the original mat...
Semi-crystalline polymers' structure and properties depend on molecular chain entanglement. The researchers developed a model to predict their microscopic structure and properties, offering potential improvements or replacements with more sustainable materials.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new way to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using electricity and chemical reactions. In small-scale lab experiments, PET was broken down into its basic building blocks, which can be recovered and potentially reused to make new plastic bottles.
Scientists have developed a sustainable electrochemical method to remove PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals,' from water. The new platform uses metallocenes to capture and release PFAS, allowing for efficient removal and reuse without incineration or harsh chemical conditions.
A research team has developed an organic redox polymer that surpasses the capacity of graphite, enabling aluminium-ion batteries to store up to 167 milliampere hours per gram. The battery retains 88% of its capacity after 5,000 charge cycles at 10 C.
Researchers developed a new hydrogel material with a Janus structure, combining ultra-lightweight and super-hydrophobic properties for efficient solar desalination. The material exhibits enhanced salt resistance and high mechanical strength.
Scientists have developed a new method to deliver genetic information to stem cells using nanoparticles coated with a specific polymer, enabling more efficient control over cellular differentiation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a chemical process to disassemble epoxy composite materials from wind turbine blades, extracting intact glass fibres and high-quality epoxy resin building blocks. The process has potential applications for circular economies in the aerospace, automotive, and space industries.
Chemists at Colorado State University have created a synthetic PHA platform that addresses the limitations of existing biodegradable plastics. The new design enhances thermal stability, mechanical toughness, and enables closed-loop chemical recycling.
A novel hydrogel enhances chemotherapy by targeting hypoxic regions in tumors, reducing metastasis. The gel's oxygen-scavenging properties improve the delivery of prodrugs, increasing its effectiveness against cancer.
Scientists at CiQUS have developed a methodology to quantify the folding degree of helical polymers, identifying the direction of helix rotation and its impact on structure-function relationship. The innovative approach allows for the estimation of folding degree and potential improvements in polymer performance.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a system that converts waste acetone and low CO2 concentrations into biodegradable plastic using artificial photosynthesis. The study successfully synthesized 3-hydroxybutyrate with over 60% efficiency after 24 hours.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel solvent-resistant hole injection layer material, enabling the creation of efficient solution-processed OLED devices. The material exhibits high mobility and excellent film-forming properties, leading to improved efficiency and lifetime compared to existing materials.
Researchers from Saarland University have developed a method to create complex, structurally colored 3D objects using core-shell particles. These materials can be used in anti-counterfeiting technology and versatile measurement sensors.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
Researchers from Tsinghua University develop a new strategy to decouple temperature and pressure in hydrothermal carbonization, breaking the temperature limit. This process produces high-quality carbon microspheres with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups and good thermal stability, suitable for various applications including ...
A research team at Osaka Metropolitan University successfully synthesized fumaric acid from CO2 using sunlight, paving the way for a renewable energy-powered alternative to traditional plastics. The findings could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable production of biodegradable plastics.
Phosphate ions in water alternate between a hydrated state and a mysterious 'dark' state, evading direct detection. The discovery has implications for understanding biocatalysis, cellular energy balance, and biomaterials formation.
Researchers developed RadonPy, an open-source software that automates polymer physical property calculations using simulations. The program produced and stored data for over 1,000 unique amorphous polymers, validating its accuracy against experimental values.
Researchers developed a biodegradable material that decomposes in weeks to months, replacing toxic metal components of electronic devices. The starch-based polymer uses natural enzymes and has the right properties for sensors, offering an alternative to complex polymers and reducing e-waste.
Graham Collier's research aims to streamline synthetic polymer production using pyrrolopyrrole building block, reducing steps and natural resource usage. The project could lead to faster, more sustainable electronics production and contribute to KSU's mission as a top-tier research university.
A Japanese research team successfully constructed the first polymeric Weaire-Phelan structure, a previously theoretical form predicted to be the most efficient solution for a century-old tessellation problem. The structure was achieved through a novel polymerization-induced phase separation method.
A research group at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a nanovaccine that delivers cancer antigens to dendritic cells, inducing strong cellular immunity. The new system, using positively charged cationic lipids, increases cytokine production by approximately 100 times compared to previous designs.
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.
A new international collaboration has explored the suitable conditions for polyester microdroplet synthesis and assembly, revealing that they can form in much wider conditions than previously understood. The research suggests that polyester microdroplets could have played a role in chemical evolution on early Earth.
A German Research Foundation-funded research unit is developing switchable polymer gels for biomaterial applications, including tissues for biotechnological or biomedical uses. The team has successfully explored the nature of amphiphilic co-networks and will now focus on material design.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have created a novel thermoresponsive polymer that can be easily regulated by changing the type and mixing ratio of metal ions. This innovation offers potential applications in drug delivery systems and metal ion-sensing devices, allowing for precise temperature control.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully created fumarate using artificial photosynthesis, a process that mimics natural photosynthesis. This fumarate can be used to produce biodegradable plastic, storing carbon in a compact and durable form.
Scientists create polymer bricks made from waste cooking oil and industrial byproducts, eliminating the need for mortar in traditional building methods. The new material's sulfur-sulfur bond produces a strong, sustainable construction material with potential to streamline construction.
Scientists have created a durable molecular encryption key using sequence-defined polymers that can store and transport digital keys securely. They successfully decrypted a file with text from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by extracting the key from ink in a letter, demonstrating the approach's potential for real-world applications.
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has designed a new material system to overcome the challenges of mixed-plastic recycling. They created customized polydiketoenamine (PDK) plastics that can be recycled efficiently and indefinitely, providing a low-carbon manufacturing solution for plastic products.
Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheet research has made significant advances in gas recovery and sensing materials. Professor Makiura's review article summarizes the development of MOF nanosheets on water surfaces, showcasing their potential for separation membranes and sensor miniaturization.
Researchers at UCSB develop soft, semiconducting carbon-based polymer for reconfigurable logic circuits. The conjugated polyelectrolyte enables flexible and power-efficient electronics, promising a new era in computing systems.
Pitt and Princeton engineers develop a system that converts chemical energy into mechanical action, allowing two-dimensional polymer sheets to rise and rotate in spiral helices without external power. The self-assembly process creates a complex, three-dimensional structure resembling twisted yarn being formed by a rotating spindle.
Researchers created a light-activated fish robot that rapidly swims around and removes microplastics from waterways. The robot's unique material allows it to heal itself and maintain its ability to adsorb pollutants.
A team of researchers developed a new, fully biodegradable cellulose membrane that can effectively separate oil and water. The membrane is composed of 'all cellulose' material with improved mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications in pollution treatment.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a simple process to upcycle ABS, a popular thermoplastic used in everyday objects, into a more robust material compatible with industry 3D-printing methods. The upcycled version boasts enhanced strength, toughness and chemical resistance.
A new mathematical model has been developed to reproduce the experimental results of topological change in a partially miscible VF pattern. The researchers successfully incorporated phase separation effects and the Korteweg force into the classical miscible VF model.
Scientists from Harvard and Pittsburgh develop liquid crystal elastomer material that can perform complex dance-like motions in response to UV light. The material's behavior is inspired by the interconnected structures of the human body, allowing it to seamlessly integrate dynamic processes.
Researchers have developed a polymer composite binder that improves the performance of silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The binder, consisting of P-BIAN and PAA polymers, stabilizes the silicon particles and maintains a thin solid-electrolyte interface layer, resulting in improved discharge capacity and structural integrity.
Researchers developed a real-time polarized infrared spectroscopy technique to study metal-organic frameworks and guest molecule interactions. This method provides insights into host-guest and guest-host interactions, enabling the development of high-performance porous materials.
A Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology research team finds that changes in viscoelastic properties affect flow dynamics differently depending on gel elasticity, leading to a reversal of flow effects. This discovery opens new avenues for controlling flow dynamics using chemical reactions.
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.
Using a novel method to arrange molecules, Northwestern University researchers have created a material that performs even better than the glue they were trying to mimic. The protein-like polymer can be used as an adhesive in biomedical contexts, such as wound healing or repair.
Scientists have created a new material using nanometer-scale ceramic particles decorated with polymer strands that exhibit enhanced toughness. The material's unique property allows it to dissipate energy from impacts rapidly, making it suitable for applications such as body armor and bulletproof glass.
Scientists at Osaka Prefecture University developed a novel method for creating uniform, electrically conductive nanosheets using oil and water interfaces. The approach resulted in highly organized three-dimensional nanostructures with high electrical conductivity, offering potential applications in energy devices and sensors.
Scientists have developed a coacervate droplet that can replicate and evolve, providing a potential link between chemistry and biology. The research, published in Nature Communications, may help explain the emergence of the first living organisms on Earth.
A Japanese collaborative team presents a novel method for tuning hydrodynamic interfacial instability through a thermodynamic parameter controlling liquid–liquid phase separation. They successfully predict pattern changes of a growing interface by applying the maximum entropy production principle.
Scientists at Kanazawa University have discovered a new method for determining the chirality of amines, which involves reactions with 'color indicator' molecules that produce different colors depending on the enantiomer present. The approach enables easy naked-eye differentiation between enantiomers and could be used to quantify enanti...
A Japanese research team has improved an optical tissue clearing method to diagnose cancer, enabling 3D visualization of tumor tissues in just a week. The new approach uses zwitterionic hydrogels to rapidly remove fats from tissues, reducing processing time and improving diagnosis accuracy.
The Welch Institute has appointed Matthew Tirrell, a renowned material scientist, to chair its Scientific Advisory Board. His expertise in nanotechnology and biomolecular engineering will help the institute accelerate discovery and innovation in advanced materials.
Researchers from Osaka University have demonstrated a rapid and robust chemical method for preparing highly pure glycoproteins. The new synthetic route uses an unprecedented amide bond formation reaction to form a junction between two functional peptides, resulting in a reliable means of synthesizing glycoproteins with little waste of ...
Researchers at Kanazawa University have developed new solvent mixtures containing positive and negative charges to break down plant cellulose for bioethanol production. These solvents are more environmentally friendly and reduce toxicity compared to current methods, enabling the conversion of unused biomass into fuel.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed a new approach called click-to-polymer (CLIP) to attach functional units to polymer semiconductors, overcoming limitations in their functionality. The CLIP method enables the creation of multifunctional conjugated polymers for human-integrated electronics, including disease detecto...
A research team led by Prof. Dr. Michael Sommer has developed a new dye molecule that can visualize stress in plastics by changing color, allowing for the differentiation between stresses of different magnitude. This technology has great advantages for monitoring material integrity and could lead to improved mechanical properties.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have identified the origin of a phenomenon that occurs when rubber materials under stress rapidly break. Their simplified step-loading model replicates the non-monotonic mechanical behavior observed in these materials, shedding light on the velocity jump phenomenon.
The American Chemical Society's ACS Fall 2021 meeting will feature over 7,000 presentations on various scientific topics. Journalists and public information officers can register for the meeting and access on-demand content.
Scientists at the University of Freiburg created nanoparticles with polysaccharides, which allow them to pass through the kidneys and be excreted in urine. This breakthrough enables the combination of tumor accumulation and kidney clearance in a single nanoparticle, paving the way for safer nanomedicine administration.
Researchers at the Center for Self-Assembled Organic Electronics will integrate chemical synthesis, theory, and simulations to develop next-generation materials capable of converting sunlight into electricity. The goal is to create lightweight and flexible solar cells that can be deployed in various environments and scenarios.