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New hydrogen-storage method discovered

Researchers at Carnegie Institution create unique hydrogen-storage material by combining xenon with molecular hydrogen under pressure, offering a new family of materials to boost hydrogen technologies. The discovery reveals unusual bonding chemistry and potential applications in synthesizing energetic materials.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 22, 2009

4 from Penn State receive PECASE awards

Four Penn State researchers, Sean Hallgren, Adam Smith, Michael Hickner, and Susan Parks, will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their outstanding work in quantum computation, cryptography, polymer chemistry, and bioacoustics.

Blue light specials

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists have developed new materials that improve the power efficiency of blue OLEDs by at least 25 percent. These advancements aim to overcome major research challenges and provide a solution for large-scale applications in rooms and buildings.

Paper electrified by copper particles

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have successfully produced nano-sized metallic copper particles that can form electricity-conducting layers and patterns on paper. The particles, protected by polymeric compounds, exhibit good electrical conductivity and make them promising materials for electronics printed on paper.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 16, 2009

JHU chemists devise self-assembling 'organic wires'

A team of chemists at Johns Hopkins University has developed water-soluble electronic materials that spontaneously assemble into 'wires' with potential for biomedical applications. The researchers are exploring the use of these materials to guide electrical current and regulate cell-to-cell communication.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 23, 2008

Improved technique determines structure in membrane proteins

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to determine the atomic-scale structure of membrane proteins using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables high-resolution structural information, which is crucial for understanding protein function.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2008

Invisible for electrons

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research and University of Manchester fabricate ultra-thin membranes made of graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms. The membranes have demonstrated stability comparable to corrugated cardboard despite their thinness.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMar 6, 2007

New hybrid material has potential use in microelectronics

Researchers have developed a new hybrid material with superior insulating properties, which could help address the performance limitations of smaller chip components. The material, called three-ring periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO), is a porous solid that combines organic and inorganic parts to create a stable molecular assembly.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateOct 9, 2003

Synthesis of cage-like silica structure easier and cheaper

Scientists at Penn State University have created a novel method for synthesizing cage-like silica structures by combining different templates and heating them in a microwave oven. This innovative approach produces larger particles with improved stability and reduced synthesis time compared to previous methods.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry·DateSep 15, 2003

'Buckyball' material brings light into line

Researchers have developed a new material combining buckyballs with polyurethane to improve information processing in fibre-optic networks. The material interacts with light particles 10-100 times more strongly than previous C60-based materials, enabling faster and more efficient data transmission.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 12, 2003

A rare find

Scott Oliver has been awarded a $500,000 NSF career grant to develop a new class of cationic microporous inorganic materials with unprecedented potential applications. These materials can trap anionic pollutants and are stable under high temperatures or acidic/basic conditions.

Non-toxic anti-fouling coating for ships

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a non-toxic paint that effectively prevents marine fouling by creating a self-cleaning surface. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, tested by the ONR and other collaborators, deny bacteria a compatible surface to grow on, reducing fouling.