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Method to separate microplastics from water could also speed up blood analyses

Researchers developed a faster and more precise method to separate particles in fluids, enabling quicker sorting of cells in blood samples and removal of pollutants in water. The improved technique uses specially engineered channels and high polymer concentrations to guide particles and increase accuracy.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·TypeObservational study·DateAug 13, 2024

New membrane technology developed by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers could lead to more effective and efficient water purification systems

The NYU Abu Dhabi team has developed a new type of dual-faced membrane that effectively purifies water from contaminants and boasts strong antibacterial properties. The microwave-mediated synthesis method allows precise control over the membrane's properties, enabling efficient removal of pollutants.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 8, 2024

Balancing the seesaw: Simultaneously enhancing strength and elongation in metallic materials

A team of researchers from POSTECH has introduced a novel approach to balance strength and elongation in metallic materials. By using periodic spinodal decomposition, they created an alloy that boasts both high strength and high elongation, achieving a yield strength of 1.1 GPa with nearly the same elongation as before.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2024

Pusan National University researchers revolutionize environmental health with advanced explainable machine learning approach

Pusan National University researchers introduced FLIT-SHAP, an explainable machine learning approach that breaks down pollutant effects in mixtures. The tool revealed significant synergistic and antagonistic interactions, challenging current approaches to regulating pollutants.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2024

Mining rare earth metals from electronic waste

A team of researchers has developed a simple and efficient method to separate and recover rare earth metals from complex mixtures, including Europium. This approach uses tetrathiometallates to reduce the need for chemical- and energy-intensive separation processes, making it a more environmentally friendly and economically viable option.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 9, 2024

New carbon nitride membrane revolutionizes lithium extraction from salt lakes

Researchers developed a crystalline carbon nitride membrane that outperforms traditional polymer membranes in separating lithium ions from magnesium ions in salt-lake brine. The innovative design mimics biological ion channels, achieving an impressive selectivity ratio of 1,708 for highly dilute lithium ions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

Recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash

A new method recovers phosphorus from sewage sludge ash through chemical and heat treatment, providing a valuable resource for industries. The process can be implemented with lower energy requirements and costs than conventional technologies, making it an attractive solution for addressing the depletion of phosphorus ores.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalResources Conservation and Recycling·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2024

Promising advances in organosilica membranes for separating organic liquid mixtures

Scientists have created a novel organosilica membrane using imidazolium-type ionic liquids, achieving high selectivity and permeability in separating organic liquid mixtures. The findings suggest that this technology has the potential to replace energy-intensive distillation processes in chemical industries.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Membrane Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2024

New method developed to isolate HIV particles

Researchers develop a new method to efficiently capture and isolate HIV particles using nanofibrils and magnetic beads. This innovation improves the sensitivity of existing diagnostic tools, enabling better monitoring of viral infections and resistance.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2024

Water droplet spun by sound screens for colon cancer

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin an individual drop of water up to 6,000 revolutions per minute. The technique separates tiny biological particles within samples to enable new diagnostics based on exosomes.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2024

Breakthrough in nanostructure technology for real-time color display

Researchers at UNIST have developed a groundbreaking technology that enables the real-time display of colors and shapes through changes in nanostructures. Utilizing block copolymers, they achieved the self-assembly of photonic crystal structures on a large scale, mimicking natural phenomena observed in butterfly wings and bird feathers.

Shaping the future: A new technique for sorting micro-particles unveiled

A team of experts introduces a novel acoustofluidic method that distinguishes and separates micro-particles based on their shape rather than size. This label-free technique offers unprecedented accuracy in separating prolate ellipsoids and spherical microparticles, enabling high purity and efficiency.

Incheon National University-Harvard University joint research team improves fuel cell durability with fatigue-resistant membranes

Researchers created a polymer electrolyte membrane with an interpenetrating network that enhances fatigue resistance and prolongs the lifespan of fuel cells. The composite membrane exhibits a lifespan of 410 hours, compared to 242 hours for the original Nafion membrane.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Scientists have come up with a technology to recycle used clothes rather than simply burning them

Scientists have developed a technology to recycle used clothes by separating different fibers, which could significantly increase textile recycling rates. The method uses heat and chemicals to break down elastane fibers in mixed fabrics, allowing for the processing of materials that were previously impossible to recycle.

SourceAarhus University·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2024

Replicating the structure of bird feathers

Researchers at ETH Zurich replicate the structural design of bluebird feathers using a new method. The material exhibits nanonetworks similar to those found in natural feathers and offers potential for technical and sustainable applications, including battery improvements and water filtration.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2023

Optical-fiber based single-photon light source at room temperature for next-generation quantum processing

Scientists create a low-cost, room-temperature single-photon light source by doping optical fibers with ytterbium ions, paving the way for affordable quantum technologies. The innovation overcomes cooling system limitations, enabling applications in true random number generation, quantum communication and high-resolution image analysis.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023

New polymer membranes, AI predictions could dramatically reduce energy, water use in oil refining

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed new polymer membranes that can improve distillation processes, reducing the global energy and water use. The DUCKY polymers use a novel combination of characteristics to selectively bind desirable molecules, making them a promising solution for industries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

New pipeline makes valuable organic acid from plants — saving money and emissions

Researchers at CABBI developed an economical method for producing succinic acid, a key chemical in food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical products, using acid-tolerant yeast. The new pipeline eliminates costly downstream processing steps, significantly reducing costs and emissions.

Separating molecules requires lots of energy. This new, heat-resistant membrane could change that

A University at Buffalo-led research team has created a new, sturdier membrane that can withstand harsh environments associated with industrial separation processes. The membrane, made from an inorganic material called carbon-doped metal oxide, is a potential alternative to energy-intensive processes like distillation and crystallization.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2023

Majority rule in complex mixtures

Göttingen University researchers develop mathematical model that shows small imbalances in mixture composition can amplify and control phase separation. This discovery offers a potential mechanism for regulating structure formation in living cells, with applications in fields such as market economies and ecological networks.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers reveal the effect of AIN surface pits on GaN remote epitaxy

GIST researchers found that nano-sized pits on AlN surfaces cause graphene degradation at higher temperatures, leading to GaN film exfoliation failure. The study's results demonstrate the importance of substrate chemical and topographic properties for successful remote epitaxy.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists develop a sustainable way to convert kale waste into products for health and personal care

A new technique converts kale waste into phytochemicals for use in health and personal care products, preserving potency and using non-toxic solvents. The method reduces energy consumption and emissions, making it attractive for industry adoption and supporting a circular economy.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalSeparation and Purification Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Duct tape evidence holds up in court using innovative method from WVU forensic scientists

Forensic scientists at West Virginia University have developed a systematic approach to compare pieces of trace evidence, including duct tape, using a novel method. The technique evaluates fracture edges and demonstrates physical fit, providing a foundation for evaluating error rates and improving accuracy in crime scene investigations.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalForensic Chemistry·DateAug 2, 2023

Don’t wait, desalinate: a new approach to water purification

Researchers at the Beckman Institute developed a new purification system that uses an electrified version of dialysis to separate salt and other unnecessary particles from wastewater. The method saves money and saps 90% less energy than its counterparts, making it a promising solution for global water scarcity.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2023

Stronger tape engineered through the art of cutting

Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a method to create adhesives with both strong bonds and easy removal using the ancient Japanese art of cutting paper. This innovation has potential applications in robotic grasping, wearables for health monitoring, and manufacturing for assembly and recycling.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 22, 2023

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023