Articles tagged with Solvents
Researchers at Washington State University have created a superconductor capable of transmitting electrical current with zero resistance. By compressing carbon disulfide under high pressure and cooling it to near absolute zero, they achieved a material that exhibits properties like magnetism and superhardness.
A meta-analysis of over 100 studies found exposure to pesticides, weed killers, and solvents is associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The research suggests that the risk increases in a dose-response manner as length of exposure to these chemicals increases.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich discover 'desorption stick', a new type of friction that occurs when polymer molecules interact with surfaces. This mechanism depends on the chemical nature of the surface and solvent, not on movement speed or adhesive strength.
A new method of creating chemical reactions, using high-speed ball-milling, eliminates waste and outperforms traditional solutions. This approach has potential applications in pharmaceutical companies, detergents, plastics, and other industries.
A new mobile app, Green Solvents, has been developed to foster the use of environmentally friendly principles of green chemistry in pharmaceutical processes. The app provides a guide for solvents, reducing waste generation by up to 100 times, and is available on Apple and Android devices.
Scientists have developed a new and more efficient way to make paliperidone, a widely used medication for severe mental illness, reducing solvent use and increasing yield.
Scientists have studied a milling reaction in real time using highly penetrating X-rays, observing the transformation of simple ingredients into complex products. This breakthrough enables optimization of industrial processes, reducing solvent use and energy consumption.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process for producing lithium batteries. By replacing the hazardous methylpyrrolidone solvent with water, they reduced production costs by up to 5%.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a method to generate structural color and superhydrophobicity in materials. By using holographic lithography and poor solvents, they can create 3D networks that produce bright colors and repel water.
A study published in Neurology found that exposure to solvents can lead to cognitive impairment in less-educated individuals, while those with higher education levels remain unaffected. The study, which analyzed data from 4,134 workers, suggests that improving early education may protect against future cognitive decline.
Researchers found that film casting methods can affect the ordering of block copolymers in thin films. Spin casting led to fewer residual stresses and improved cylinder alignment for computer memory devices, suggesting a potential route for enhanced device performance.
Researchers at Penn State developed a process to spin starch into fine strands for use in bandages and other medical dressings. The biodegradable bandages would degrade into glucose, eliminating the need for painful removal.
A new method for mass-producing high-quality graphene nanosheets has been developed by researchers, enabling the production of sheets at a lower cost than current methods. The technique uses dry ice and an industrial process to create flakes of graphite with opened-up edges, making them soluble in solvents and allowing for easy separat...
Researchers discovered a statistically significant association between occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, percholorethylene, and carbon tetrachloride and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and onset of the disease.
A study in twins found a significant association between trichloroethylene exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, with a more than 6-fold increased risk. The study also suggested a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and symptom onset.
A recent NIH-funded twin study found a significant link between occupational chemical exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, suggests that two common solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), may increase Parkinson's risk sixfold and ninefold, respectively...
Scientists have observed water's retardation of dynamism in biological enzyme substrate compounds, which acts like an 'adhesive' to control metabolic processes. This finding has implications for future drug design and development of medicines.
A new extraction method using green chemistry has been developed to recover pigmented carotenoids from dried Capsicum fruit, with a recovery rate of 85% or greater. This process reduces the use of hazardous solvents and minimizes environmental risks, enabling a wider range of red-fruited cultivars to be used for pigment production.
A new additive has been developed to treat carbon dioxide, making it suitable for efficient and environmentally friendly oil extraction. The additive can also reduce environmental damage caused by industrial processes.
University of Michigan researchers Kevin Kubarych and Carlos Baiz have achieved the feat of watching the first solvation shell respond to a chemical reaction. They realized that electrons move during chemical reactions, causing vibrational frequencies in surrounding molecules to change.
Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to observe electron transfer in biochemical substances. They discovered a 'dark channel' where excited electrons remain longer, preventing fluorescent light emission.
A new solvent developed by Queen's University Professor Philip Jessop extracts oil from soybeans using carbon dioxide, reducing the need for energy-intensive distillation processes. The 'switchable' solvent can be reused with water, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hexane-based cooking oils.
A new method for capturing CO2 from flue gas has been developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The approach uses ionic liquids as a solvent to separate carbon dioxide from its source, overcoming the shortcomings of existing methods, such as non-selectivity and corrosiveness.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that citric acid can control the clumping of buckyballs, forming sphere-shaped aggregates. However, the long-term implications of this finding are uncertain, with concerns about potential toxicity and environmental impact.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered microorganisms that can convert the chlorinated solvent TCE into ethene, a harmless product. Using membrane biofilm reactors, these organisms were able to remove TCE from water efficiently and effectively, making them a promising tool for cleaning up contaminated groundwater.
The Rutgers-Camden team has identified conditions that ensure thorough polymer coating and compiled new data on the effects of wavelengths on specific properties. The research aims to improve the coating of polymers in smoothness and uniformity, crucial for biomedical devices like pacemakers and artificial joint replacements.
The molecule features two freely spinning rings that can adopt either a Hückel or Möbius topology, depending on the solvent and temperature conditions. This allows it to exhibit distinct colors in each configuration.
UB researchers discover that certain solvents can significantly impact acid-base interactions, strengthening chemical bonds between molecules. The study suggests a new tool for initiating these interactions in important biological enzymes.
Researchers discovered a reversible 'breathing' action in nanoporous materials, with a 230% increase in volume, similar to the lungs' function. The materials can be expanded by immersing them in solvents, and then reversed by heating, exhibiting remarkable selectivity in gas absorption.
A team from NIST and GMU developed a simple method to bond polymeric microfluidic devices using capillary action. By injecting solvent through tiny channels, the plates are welded together quickly and efficiently.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to reduce the cost of producing quantum dots by 80% by replacing expensive solvents with cheap heat-transfer fluids. The new method uses mathematical modeling and experimentation to predict particle size and growth behavior based on solvent properties.
The UK has seen a significant decline in deaths from volatile substance abuse, with 51 deaths recorded in 2003, the lowest annual total since 1980. Butane cigarette lighter refills were found to be a major contributor to these deaths, particularly among under-18 year olds.
Steve Granick and Zhiqun Lin found that patterns of high fidelity form spontaneously through evaporation of a droplet in a cylindrical mount. The process results in concentric rings with regular spacing, controlled by the material's size and surface properties.
The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards have honored scientists who develop innovative chemistry to lower pollution. Two winners in 2004 developed "tunable" benign solvents from water and CO2 that host chemical reactions more cleanly and efficiently.
Charles Liotta and Charles Eckert developed benign tunable solvents that couple reaction and separation processes, reducing waste and allowing recycling of catalysts. Their sustainable technology uses near-critical water, supercritical carbon dioxide, and other eco-friendly methods.
A six-year study found that early therapy for moderate to severe COPD exacerbations hastens recovery time, reduces hospitalization rates, and boosts health-related quality of life. British researchers' prospective study demonstrated the importance of timely treatment on COPD exacerbation outcomes.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to clean up toxic plumes by using solid forms of organic material containing potassium permanganate. These time-released chunks slowly dissolve over weeks and months, controlling the distribution of pollutants in wet soil. The method has shown promising results in laborat...
Researchers fabricate polymer 'nanobrushes' and other 'smart' molecules with potential uses in analyzing individual cell proteins and detecting chemicals. The molecular dimensions of these nanostructures allow for scalable chemistry and could enable tiny ELP arrays to screen protein contents.
Brookhaven chemists use pulsed electron beams to initiate chemical reactions in ionic liquids, revealing unanticipated reactivity patterns. The study's findings have profound implications for uses of ionic liquids in radiation-filled environments like the nuclear fuel cycle.
The Cornell researchers successfully developed a new technique to create ultra-small diameter fibers from cellulose using electrospinning. These nanofibers have potential applications in air filtration, protective clothing, agricultural nanotechnology and biodegradable nanocomposites.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have isolated a novel bacterium, Dehalococcoides strain BAV1, that can degrade toxic chlorinated compounds like PCE and TCE into non-toxic ethene. The discovery holds promise for cleaning contaminated groundwater and subsurface environments, offering a new hope for bioremediation strategies.
Researchers found that association constants, a crucial factor in supramolecular chemistry, are often determined with faulty measures. They developed new equations to calculate Ka when ion-pairing is different and showed that this has significant implications for creating functional materials.
INEEL researchers won seven of 35 EMSP projects, focusing on contaminant movement, remediation techniques, and metal-reducing microbes. The funding will support three additional projects led by other institutions.
Researchers have found that adding gold to titanium dioxide creates a highly reactive catalyst for sulfur dioxide, which can help clean air pollutants. Additionally, ionic liquids may be used as solvents for cleaning up radioactive waste due to their stability and ability to block neutrons.
A brain-imaging study has shed light on the reasons behind inhalant abuse by revealing how toluene moves into the brain rapidly and affects reward centers. The study shows that toluene spreads more generally to the entire brain before clearing the body, which may explain its addictive potential.
A Virginia Tech researcher is working on a project to reduce the use of toxic solvents in polymers processing, replacing them with carbon dioxide. The goal is to decrease environmental contamination by 36 billion pounds of solvents used annually, offering cost and environmental benefits.
Researchers at INEEL have developed an energy-efficient process to produce alkylate, a high-octane gasoline blend with low environmental pollutants. The new method uses a solid acid catalyst and supercritical fluid solvent to regenerate the deactivated catalyst, increasing its lifespan by 20 times.
Scientists at Penn State have developed a new method to reduce the permeability of biomedical polymers using silicate clay, achieving a significant improvement in air and water resistance. The clay is mixed with the polymer in a common solvent, resulting in a barrier that effectively blocks many paths for air and water migration.