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New filter removes chemical contaminants from water even at very low concentrations

A team of researchers has developed a new membrane material that can detect and remove pharmaceutical chemicals from water at trace levels. The new approach uses a polymer membrane with an interconnected network of pores, which are designed to capture larger molecules, allowing for more effective filtration.

Breakthrough in molecular control: new bioinspired double helix with switchable chirality

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science created a novel mechanical motif, double-helical monometallofoldamers, with controllable chiral switching properties. The new molecule can undergo inversion switching in response to external stimuli, paving the way for novel high-order molecular systems and molecular information processing.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2024

Data storage of tomorrow

Researchers have developed a novel supramolecular memristor based on bistable [2]catenanes, which can achieve high-density storage and non-volatile memory capabilities. The memristors demonstrated at least 1000 erase-read-write cycles and switching times comparable to commercial inorganic memristors.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Scaling up the power of nanotechnology

The team created a proof-of-concept nanocapsule capable of delivering specific payloads to targeted locations, with potential applications in drug delivery, nutrient transport, and other fields. By using calcium metal ions as building blocks, they can generate identical reservoirs for different substances.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalChemical Science·DateSep 21, 2023

Water pollution, a major environmental contamination issue, solved by developing eco-friendly materials capable of purifying water at high speed with inexpensive raw materials!

Researchers developed an eco-friendly porous polymer material that removes phenolic organic contaminants and microplastics from water at ultra-high speeds. The material can be reused multiple times without losing performance, making it a promising solution for efficient water purification.

Microscopic chains that mimic DNA

Researchers discover circular polycatenanes with properties similar to DNA rings, showcasing a connection between local and global properties. These structures have unique elastic properties and can be used in designing new materials and micro-sensors.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 24, 2022

‘Sound’ly segregated supramolecular helices

Researchers have successfully segregated oppositely helical supramolecular polymers in a solution using audible sound, inducing surface vibrations and advection currents. This approach allows for the spatiotemporal control of chiral supramolecular systems, enabling the segregation of multiple aggregates.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Novel multi-proton carrier complex as efficient proton conductor at high temperatures

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel multi-proton carrier complex that shows efficient proton conductivity even at high temperatures. The resulting starburst-type metal complex acts as a proton transmitter, making it 6 times more potent than individual imidazole molecules.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Programmed cell death in cancer cells: Overcoming resistance through paraptosis-inducing compounds

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed novel complex-peptide hybrids that induce programmed cell death in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells through paraptosis. The compounds, syn-6 and anti-6, inhibit cell death by uncoupling mitochondrial calcium uptake and inducing cytoplasmic vacuolization, leading to cell death.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

More efficient perovskite-based solar cells thanks to supramolecular chemistry. A study by the Politecnico di Milano

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed a new approach using additives that form halogen bonds with halide ions in perovskites, improving stability and efficiency. This technique enables the creation of hydrophobic and water-repellent perovskites, blocking trap states and increasing electrical energy conversion.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 15, 2022

Columns designed from nanographenes

Scientists from University of Würzburg create custom-made nanographene with cavities to hold smaller PAHs, forming two- and three-layer complexes in solution. They also isolate pairs as solids, leading to promising results for solar cells

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Matthew Jones wins NSF CAREER Award

Matthew Jones, a Rice University chemist, has won a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to investigate the fundamental processes of nanoparticle formation. He aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle growth to control their size and shape, enabling advances in biomedicine, energy storage, and computing.

Circular economy: Researchers show how synthetic rubber raw material can be degraded

Researchers have successfully degraded synthetic polyisoprene using enzyme LCPK30, a breakthrough that could enable recycling of car tires and production of new plastics. The method involves creating an emulsion with the polymer, allowing the enzyme to break down long molecular chains into smaller fragments.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2021

Color coding molecular mirror images

Scientists at Kanazawa University have discovered a new method for determining the chirality of amines, which involves reactions with 'color indicator' molecules that produce different colors depending on the enantiomer present. The approach enables easy naked-eye differentiation between enantiomers and could be used to quantify enanti...

SourceKanazawa University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 22, 2021

Using electricity to give chemistry a boost

Researchers have successfully produced iron-based Metal Organic Framework (MOF) materials directly using renewable electricity at room temperature, overcoming challenges in scalability and environmental friendliness. The new method is 96% efficient and enables the creation of advanced MOF sensors.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalACS Central Science·DateSep 8, 2021

Switched on IR-active organic pigments

Researchers developed a modular organic molecular system with customizable properties, creating a potent dye that absorbs light in the near-infrared range. The pigments' electronic switchability makes them suitable for studying electron transfer in photosynthesis and as efficient electron-transporting materials.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2021

Scientists release new AI-based tools to accelerate functional electronic materials discovery

Scientists developed new AI-based tools to identify and study materials exhibiting a metal-insulator transition (MIT), which could lead to faster and more energy-efficient microelectronic devices. The tools provide a freely available database, online classifier, and new features for characterizing these materials.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 28, 2021

A top-notch chemist

Kazunori Sugiyasu, a renowned Japanese chemist, has been awarded the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award for his groundbreaking work on supramolecular polymers. He will collaborate with Professor Frank Würthner at the University of Würzburg to develop artificial chloroplasts that harness light energy to produce fuels.

Mimicking the ingenuity of nature

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have developed a supramolecular ruthenium macrocycle that mimics photosystem II, improving water oxidation efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The new catalyst enables the production of high-energy-density fuels like hydrogen, methane, or methanol.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 3, 2016

UCLA chemists create nano valve

Researchers at UCLA have successfully created a nano valve that can trap and release molecules on demand, controlling them at the nano scale. The device uses switchable rotaxane molecules attached to a tiny piece of glass, allowing for precise control over molecule movement.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 15, 2005