Articles tagged with Solvents
Researchers at Rice University have created stable and efficient halide perovskite solar cells by finding the right solvent design to apply a 2D top layer on top of a 3D bottom layer. The new method achieves high power conversion efficiencies, comparable to commercially available solar cells, while maintaining stability.
A team of researchers developed a low-energy and efficient way to harvest and concentrate valuable chemicals from microalgae, which can be grown on waste materials. This membrane-based process enables continuous extraction and concentration of secreted metabolites, paving the way for large-scale bio-factories.
A Rutgers researcher contributed to a National Institutes of Health study confirming a link between phthalate exposure and increased risk of preterm birth. The study examined data from 6,045 pregnant women in the U.S., finding that higher concentrations of phthalate metabolites were associated with slightly higher odds of preterm birth.
Scientists from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a simple method to produce polyethylenimine-based network polymers by dissolving triaziridine compounds in water. The resulting porous polymers exhibit versatile properties, including tailored morphological and mechanical characteristics.
Researchers from Japan have found that organic vapors can trigger the dissolution of molecular salts in a way similar to water vapor. This phenomenon, known as organic deliquescence, has potential applications for cleaning up indoor pollutants and can be used to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor environments.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University discovered helicoidal screw dislocations in layered polymers, enabling the easy diffusion of solvents through layers. This discovery has implications for stimuli-interactive structural colors, which are used in human-interactive electronics and health sensors.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a novel large-scale manufacturing technology for sulfide solid electrolytes, specifically Li7P3S11, which exhibits high ionic conductivity. This breakthrough enables the low-cost and scalable production of highly ion conductive solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batte...
Researchers develop less-corrosive solutions using methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and oleum acids to separate and process nanotubes. The new method enables scalable production of advanced materials with excellent electrical and mechanical properties.
A research team from City University of Hong Kong has developed an efficient electrochemical intercalation method to produce high-yield mono- or few-layer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanosheets. The new strategy offers a higher degree of control over lithium insertion and can be scaled up for industrial applications.
A new analysis technique has simplified the process to detect contaminants like Bisphenol A, reducing analysis time from one hour to just over a minute. The technique uses environmental mass spectrometry and a green solvent called SUPRAS to extract bisphenols from samples with minimal pre-treatment.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created two-dimensional polymer microfiber networks that exhibit shape memory properties. These networks can be controlled by temperature-induced changes, allowing for morphing materials with microscale resolutions.
Researchers in Brazil and Portugal create biodegradable plastic film using eutectic solvents and natural pigments extracted from yeast. The process is environmentally sustainable and has potential applications in smart packaging with antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
A large population-based study found a significant association between lifetime workplace exposure to pesticides and an increased risk of COPD. The study, which included over 500,000 participants, controlled for other risk factors and found that even low levels of pesticide exposure were linked to a heightened risk of COPD.
Researchers have developed a new selective membrane technology that significantly improves the cycling stability of dual-ion batteries. The innovative approach decouples negatively charged anions from solvents, preventing co-intercalation and electrolyte corrosion, leading to enhanced oxidation resistance.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new approach to modify the surface of copper catalysts, improving the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels. The technique involves coating the copper with thin films of ionomers, which steer the reaction towards generating carbon-rich products.
Researchers developed new materials with enhanced adsorption capabilities, promising advancements in hydrogen storage, oil spill cleanup, and sensor development. The polymerization mechanism and kinetics were analyzed, revealing a significant impact of solvation on reactivity.
Researchers develop a multifunctional supramolecular catalysis protocol using open-cage solutions to achieve diverse cage-confined catalysis. The protocol enables selective mass transfer, C-H activation, and anionic intermediate stabilization, promoting acid/base-catalyzed cascade reactions.
A new method uses carbon dioxide, water, and food-grade citric acid to extract rare-earth metals from coal ash without damaging the environment. This technique increases a national resource while making coal ash cleaner and less toxic.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that tiny porous crystals called zeolites can speed up chemical reactions by changing the shape of water molecules. This approach could lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial processes.
Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have developed tiny, color-changing gas sensors using new materials and 3D printing techniques. These sensors can detect solvent vapors in air and have potential applications in wearable devices for health monitoring and low-cost environmental monitoring systems.
Scientists at Swansea University have discovered a non-toxic biodegradable solvent called γ-Valerolactone (GVL) that can replace toxic solvents without impacting cell performance. This breakthrough could improve the commercial viability of carbon perovskite solar devices, making them more environmentally sustainable.
The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays a critical role in ideal battery function, and researchers have studied its nucleation and growth in atomic detail. Anions and solvents must be well-balanced to form a homogeneous inorganic, crystalline SEI.
Researchers used quantum simulations to understand glycerol carbonate, a compound that could improve lithium-ion battery efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The study revealed new details about hydrogen bonding and its effects on solvent properties.
A new solvent, EEMPA, has been developed that captures carbon dioxide at a cost of $47.10 per metric ton, surpassing commercial technology's $58.30 per metric ton. The solvent is water-lean and 99% less viscous than previous formulations, allowing it to be easily applied in existing capture systems.
A new electrochemical procedure produces sulfonamides rapidly and inexpensively using cheaper starting materials, electrical current, and safe solvents. The process eliminates three reaction stages, making it scalable and cost-effective.
Researchers at the Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics have created a flexible method to produce sol¬id, two-dimensional silica solvents, allowing for control over material properties and molecular structure. This breakthrough simplifies material design and synthesis.
Scientists at NIST and University of Delaware developed a new method to create nanoparticle gels, which have potential uses in water filtration and smart windows. The resulting gel has a spongelike structure with interconnected microscopic channels, offering advantages for filtration and chemical reactions.
Scientists have created a novel 3D-printable material, bottlebrush polymers, which exhibits unusual softness and elasticity resembling human tissue. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-sensitivity electronic devices and biomimetic tissue with improved stability.
Bhattacharyya plans to use advanced mathematical models to inch the country closer to net zero emissions. He realizes it's a tall order, as large-scale, efficient carbon capture has seemingly been entrenched in decades of testing and development.
A University of South Florida Health study reveals that flavored vaping products can disrupt the heart's normal electrical activity and increase the risk of cardiac rhythm disturbances. The study used cardiac cells and young mice to assess the toxicity of vape flavorings in cardiac cells.
Researchers propose a new approach to produce calcium acetylide, a key industrial compound, using renewable carbon sources and reducing its environmental impact. The study simulates the interaction of calcium acetylide with water and dimethyl sulfoxide on an atomic scale, revealing potential for greener synthesis methods.
KAUST researchers developed a holistic approach using design of experiments and machine learning to identify the greenest method for producing a popular metal organic framework material called ZIF-8. This process reduced waste and energy consumption by optimizing multiple variables simultaneously.
Engineers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a method for reclaiming polymers in multilayer plastics using solvents. The STRAP process uses thermodynamic calculations to separate polymers and has the potential to close the recycling loop.
The study shows that Janus particles can be used to improve the performance of paints and coatings, making them more water-repellent and better adhering. The researchers found that the particles self-stratify into layers on the surface, creating a unique combination of properties.
Researchers have developed a way to solubilize metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to create liquid-like materials. These MOF dispersions can separate gas mixtures with high efficiency and selectivity, making them suitable for industrial applications.
Researchers used ultrafast pulsed laser techniques to investigate chemical separations, tracking dynamics of molecules designed to grab cobalt from solutions. The study reveals the essential role of hydrogen bonding in developing new extraction methodologies.
A Shinshu University research team has successfully cultivated microalgae using a novel mechanical milking system, overcoming three major cultivation challenges. This non-destructive method enables the efficient production of valuable compounds like polysaccharides and phycobiliproteins without solvent extraction.
Researchers apply temperature swing solvent extraction technique to attain energy-efficient ZLD, a major advance for global water management. The process extracts water from high-salinity brines without boiling, using low-polarity solvent and moderate temperatures.
The synthesis of coumarin derivatives can be performed using various green chemistry methods, including ultrasound, microwaves, and solvent-free synthesis. These methods reduce the utilization and generation of toxic organic substances, while also enhancing product yields and purity.
Scientists have visualized single molecules moving inside a helium droplet, observing ultrafast intramolecular processes. The researchers found that superfluid helium has little influence on these processes compared to conventional solvents.
Researchers at UNIST developed an ion concentrate electrolyte using a solvent containing fluorine atoms, which protects both the negative and positive electrodes in lithium metal batteries. This new composition increases battery output and lifespan, addressing stability issues with lithium metal batteries.
The new approach makes the screening process hundreds of times faster and accelerates solvent retrieval. It can determine a solvent's efficiency in as little as three minutes using image processing, running multiple samples simultaneously.
Physicists have discovered a new phase of motion in ring-shaped polymers under shear, where they 'inflate' and stabilize themselves. This behavior is not seen in other forms of polymers, such as linear chains or stars.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) has developed a new type of polymer ionic conductor that can be stretched and crumpled by water. This innovation enables the creation of stretchable thermometers that can measure body temperature with simple contacts, such as wearing clothes or shaking hands.
Researchers developed a new method to pre-replenish lithium for lithium-ion supercapacitors using DMF-stabilized lithium nitride. This technology improves specific energy, rate performance, and cycle stability, with 90% energy retention after 10,000 cycles.
Researchers at Rutgers University develop innovative ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly dissolves plant fibers, slashing enzyme use by up to 50-fold. The process can reduce biofuels production costs and extract more lignin from plant waste.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified a general mechanism governing crystal growth that scientists can manipulate when developing new materials. The 'dancing' barrier surrounding crystal-forming molecules is shown to fluctuate under different conditions, allowing molecules to break free and form crystals.
A team of researchers directly observed charge transfer and intermolecular interactions in artificial photosynthesis on a picosecond scale. They used time-resolved attenuated total reflection spectroscopy in the terahertz region to reveal the process, which involves rhenium complexes and Triethanolamine solvent.
Chronic e-cigarette vapor exposure damages lungs by disrupting normal lung structure and function, reducing immune cell response to viral infections. The study also found abnormal lipid accumulation within resident macrophages, leading to increased susceptibility to diseases like influenza.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to break down polyurethane waste into other useful products, such as adhesives and glues. This approach reduces the amount of toxic byproducts generated from incineration, providing an environmentally friendly solution to managing polyurethane waste.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for producing highly detailed structures measuring less than 100 micrometres, enabling the creation of the world's smallest stent with shape-memory properties. The stent has shown promising initial findings and could potentially open the door to minimally invasive surgery.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a novel parameter to select electrolytes for metal-air batteries, reducing trial-and-error testing. The 'Electrochemical' Thiele Modulus measures ion transport and reaction kinetics, allowing rational development of high-performance electrolytes.
A mother's workplace exposure to solvents may increase her child's risk of autism, according to a recent study. Mothers with autistic children were found to be more frequently exposed to solvents than those whose children weren't on the spectrum.
Researchers found that using a binary solvent mixture can improve the efficiency of polymer solar cells. By varying the casting solvent, they were able to control the molecular organization and nanoscale morphology of fluorinated non-fullerene acceptors, resulting in higher power conversion efficiencies.
Scientists have caught a new class of molecular switches in action, revealing the full sequence of structural transformations. The discovery sheds light on how thermal steps work and provides new control mechanisms to improve switch performance.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a novel desalination approach called temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) for treating high-salinity brines. TSSE can efficiently remove salt and recover water, with the potential to transform the water industry by reducing energy consumption and costs.
A team of researchers at UW-Madison has developed a new process for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from plant sugars, which is a versatile chemical crucial for building a renewable economy. The process uses an inexpensive solvent system and can be integrated into existing industrial systems.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries using an environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvent. The solvent successfully extracted over 90% of cobalt and significant amounts of lithium from powdered compounds and used batteries, making it a promising approach to curtail hars...
Researchers improve energy density of supercapacitors using a suitable electrolyte solvent, doubling the charge storage capacity of titanium carbide MXenes. The study reveals that specific solvents can significantly increase charging speed and boost energy storage.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a rapid and efficient method to extract lipids from algae, making it a more viable alternative fuel source. The new process uses a specially-designed jet mixer that extracts the lipids with much less energy than current methods.