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Finally available in a bottle

Researchers from University of Freiburg successfully prepared the elusive chromium hexacarbonyl cation, a key compound for basic research and applications. The team used standard laboratory equipment and common solvents to fill the stable compound into bottles as a solution and crystals.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2019

How a crystal is solvated in water

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum used microscopic methods to observe the solvation process of a crystal in water. The team imaged individual molecules at extremely low temperatures, revealing the attachment of solvent molecules and the loss of molecular order.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 20, 2018

Staying coherent while spinning

Scientists have successfully transferred vibrational coherence between electronic states of a molecule, overcoming a major hurdle in the study of ultrafast chemical reactions. The research builds upon earlier studies and demonstrates the importance of solvents in driving energy flow in polyatomic molecules.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2018

Researchers tap problematic e-waste surplus to recover high-quality polymers

A new study has developed a method to recover high-quality polymers from mixed-plastic electronics waste, providing an environmentally friendly solution for recycling. The process uses a solvent called NMP, which releases vapors only when heated above 180 degrees Celsius, and can be reused multiple times.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateMar 14, 2018

Creating complex molecules in just a few steps

Researchers have developed a new process for creating complex molecules in just a few steps, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly. The method involves C-H activation, allowing for the transformation of a single C-H bond into a functional group, enabling easy combination of two different molecules.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 7, 2018

Naked-eye detection of solvent vapor

Scientists at University of Tsukuba create effective fluorescent sensor for detecting solvent vapor, utilizing a branched molecule called a dendrimer. The sensor can distinguish between various solvents through changes in emission color and intensity.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalChemical Communications·DateFeb 28, 2018

Unexpected undulations in biological membranes

A new study reveals that biological membranes display dynamic properties and exhibit unexpected undulations when embedded in polymer networks. The authors propose a theory elucidating the dynamics of such membranes and identify a new intermediate wavelength regime of membrane undulations.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJan 10, 2018

Carbon displays quantum effects

Researchers have observed carbon atoms exhibiting quantum effects, including wave-particle duality and tunneling behavior, in a reaction called the Cope rearrangement. At extremely low temperatures, the molecules can transition from one form to another without overcoming an energy barrier, a phenomenon known as tunneling.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 12, 2017

Dramatic improvement in surface finishing of 3-D printing

Researchers at Waseda University have developed a new 3D Chemical Melting Finishing (3D-CMF) method that improves surface texture and structural rigidity while reducing waste and cost, making it suitable for home 3D printing. The process uses a tool to selectively apply solvent to specific parts of the printed piece.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 13, 2017

How solvents affect the skin

Researchers studied how solvents affect skin molecules, revealing changes in fluid state and interactions with added components. The findings improve understanding of molecular mechanisms, enabling more efficient regulation of skin properties.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2017

How solvent molecules cooperate in reactions

Researchers discovered that solvent molecules can significantly impact the formation of an ether molecule, even when they don't directly participate in the reaction. A second methanol molecule is essential for the reaction to occur, indicating that solvent molecules are not just bystanders but rather assistants.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2016

Team digs deep to answer water-safety questions

Researchers at Clemson University are launching a new study using their developed 'microcosm' method to investigate how solvents degrade in rock, which could help determine the need for costly cleanups. The study aims to simulate groundwater flow and test how much solvent is released from rock cores at different sites.

Tumble-proof cargo transporter in biological cells

Researchers have developed a new model of molecular transport using synthetic nanomotors on biopolymer filaments, effectively delivering substances such as anti-cancer drugs. The study's findings suggest that even small motors can operate efficiently without tumbling and losing direction.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateApr 12, 2016

When liquids get up close and personal with powders

Researchers from ESPCI, France, have spent ten years studying the wetting of soluble polymer substrates by droplets of solvents. They found that spontaneous imbibition is stopped due to a change in material softness as the solvent melts the polymer, slowing down the spreading of the droplet.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 3, 2016

When less is more

A new study by NOAA and CIRES scientists reveals that the US is responsible for 8% of global CCl4 emissions, with hotspots in the Gulf Coast region and Colorado. The findings contradict previous reports and highlight the need for further research to understand the source of excess emissions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 29, 2016

A new method for making perovskite solar cells

A new method for making perovskite solar cells has been developed by researchers at Brown University, which involves a room-temperature solvent bath to create perovskite crystals. The technique produces high-quality crystalline films with precise control over thickness across large areas.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 16, 2015

Fine-tuned supramolecular polymerization

The researchers demonstrated a chain-growth process to assemble supramolecular polymers at room temperature and pressure. They were able to create polymers with controlled chirality, length, and sequence, opening the way for precision engineering of macromolecules. The findings also suggest potential applications in electronics and sus...

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateFeb 5, 2015

Berkeley Lab researchers create nanoparticle thin films that self-assemble in 1 minute

Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have devised a technique to form highly ordered thin films over macroscopic distances in one minute. The technique uses supramolecules based on block copolymers to create nanocomposites that self-assemble into hierarchically-structured thin films.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2014

'Ship in a bottle' detects dangerous vapors

Researchers at Rice University have created an 'artificial nose' that can detect dangerous fumes from solvents by trapping metallic compounds inside zeolite cages. The technology uses a 'ship in a bottle' type of chemical assembly, with each gas having a unique photoluminescent fingerprint.

SourceRice University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 10, 2013