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Nanoplastics unexpectedly produce reactive oxidizing species when exposed to light

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that nanoplastics from polystyrene can produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, which can harm wildlife and the aquatic ecosystem. The study suggests that smaller particle sizes of nanoplastics may be more reactive and decompose faster under light.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

‘Sound’ly segregated supramolecular helices

Researchers have successfully segregated oppositely helical supramolecular polymers in a solution using audible sound, inducing surface vibrations and advection currents. This approach allows for the spatiotemporal control of chiral supramolecular systems, enabling the segregation of multiple aggregates.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Copper a clue in the fight against cancer

Researchers discovered that the Memo1 protein binds copper ions, blocking toxic redox reactions that damage or kill cancer cells. The protein's interaction with copper also protects against metastasis formation in breast cancer cells. This finding opens up potential new treatments for cancer.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2022

A ‘greener’ alternative for red-colored smoke

Researchers at ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering have identified a less toxic dye called pigment red 254 (PR254) as a greener alternative to current anthraquinone dyes used in signal smokes. PR254 forms a red-colored smoke cloud more effectively and is thermally stable, making it suitable for use in heat-generating systems.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateApr 19, 2022

New strategy achieves efficient and stable carbon dioxide electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cell

Researchers developed a new strategy to achieve efficient and stable CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cells. They found that redox cycle manipulations promoted the exsolution of high-density metal/perovskite interfaces, improving performance and stability.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 12, 2021

Less salt, more protein: Researchers address dairy processing's environmental, sustainability issues

A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign introduces an electrochemical redox desalination process that removes up to 99% of excess salt from whey while refining over 98% of its valuable protein content. The process uses less energy and operates at a lower cost compared to conventional desalination systems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Hybrid redox-flow battery with a long cycle life

A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has developed a non-aqueous All-Manganese Flow battery with a long cycle life, achieving an energy density roughly twice that of previous batteries. The new design uses sustainable manganese as its active material and has shown promising results for stationary energy storage.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMay 31, 2021

New material for catholytes and anolytes in organic redox flow batteries

Researchers at Skoltech have designed and synthesized new compounds that can serve as catholytes and anolytes for organic redox flow batteries, offering high cell voltage, solubility, and electrochemical properties. The materials have been tested for scalability and performance in large-scale energy storage applications.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateApr 6, 2021

Smart fluorescent molecular switches based on boron-based compounds

Scientists have created extremely stable fluorescent molecular switches that can be controlled electrochemically, using a particular redox active anion. These systems show large reversible fluorescence modulation and are soluble in many organic solvents, making them suitable for applications in biosensing, imaging, and drug delivery.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateOct 28, 2020

Watching changes in plant metabolism -- live

Researchers at the University of Münster used a new method to monitor plant metabolic processes in real-time, revealing key mechanisms in energy metabolism and their connection to environmental factors. The study provides new insights into plant responses to stressors like light, temperature, and pest infestation.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateAug 14, 2020

Simple molecular reagents to treat Alzheimer's disease

Researchers developed simple molecular reagents that can simultaneously target and modulate various pathogenic factors in Alzheimer's disease. The reagents displayed redox-dependent reactivities against free radicals, metal-free and metal-bound amyloid-beta, and led to chemical modifications that altered its aggregation.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 11, 2020

USC scientists develop a better redox flow battery

USC scientists have developed a new redox flow battery that stores electricity in solutions, sorts electrons, and releases power when needed. The technology uses iron sulfate and anthraquinone disulfonic acid (AQDS) to store electrochemical energy, with advantages over competitors in terms of cost, durability, and scalability.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateApr 9, 2020

Illinois researcher's theory of pore-scale transport to enable improved flow batteries

A new theory by Assistant Professor Kyle Smith predicts how fluid flow affects molecule reaction at porous electrode surfaces in redox flow batteries. The research enables prediction of mass transfer coefficients based on microscopic pore structure, enabling engineers to design optimal structures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateNov 21, 2019