Articles tagged with Surface Chemistry
Researchers have created a more systematic approach to synthesizing quantum dots, enabling the purification of semiconductor nanocrystals with uniform surface properties. The new method uses gel-permeation chromatography and has been shown to produce quantum dots with improved stability and reactivity.
Researchers at Northwestern University have created two new synthetic materials with the greatest amount of surface areas reported to date. The materials, NU-109 and NU-110, belong to a class of crystalline nanostructures known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are promising vessels for natural gas storage.
A new super-resolution microscope will be built at the University of Houston with a $1 million grant, allowing scientists to study the chemical properties of surfaces more accurately. The device combines sum frequency generation and compressive sensing imaging techniques to provide detailed data on surface reactions.
Researchers used neutron scattering to study molecular motion in a silica nanopore, gaining insight into how surface interactions affect chemistry. Understanding these interactions can help tailor materials for specific outcomes, such as catalysis and drug delivery.
Despite efforts to stop ozone depletion, mysteries remain, including unexpected Arctic losses and long-lived substances affecting global warming. Scientists explore geoengineering options to cool the climate, but more research is needed to address this pressing issue.
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a method to grow semiconductor nanowires on a surface, producing relatively long, orderly, aligned structures. This breakthrough enables the production of enhanced electronic and optical properties suitable for various applications.
Scientists at University of Cambridge and Rutgers University develop new class of organic thin films on surfaces, exhibiting unique properties ideal for high-density stable thin films. The findings pave the way for creating smaller electronic devices, replacing conventional fabrication techniques.
Gabor Somorjai has been recognized with the prestigious BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his groundbreaking work in surface chemistry and catalysis. His research has led to significant advancements in fields such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and automotive industries.
Researchers found extremely high levels of oxidized mercury above the Dead Sea, a phenomenon previously only observed in polar regions. The findings suggest that bromine in the atmosphere plays a key role in initiating mercury oxidation.
A new study reveals that aged dental fillings may contain a non-toxic form of mercury. Researchers found that the surface forms of mercury in dental amalgam change over time, with most mercury lost through evaporation or exposure to hygiene products.
A new study reveals that older dental fillings, containing beta-mercuric sulfide or metacinnabar, are unlikely to be toxic. The surface forms of mercury in these fillings lose up to 95% of their mercury over time, making human exposure less concerning.
Researchers studying snowflake shape and chemical reactions on their surface may uncover clues about ground-level ozone loss in the Arctic. The unique shapes of snow crystals, influenced by temperature and humidity, can affect the rate of chemical reactions that reduce ozone levels at ground level.
Researchers have successfully created a rotating molecular rotor on a gold surface, creating an off-axis rotation that mimics the property of machines like electric motors and generators. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of machines for generating currents at small scales.
Researchers found that particles and molecules have a tendency to separate from each other when mixed, forming small-scale phase separation. This phenomenon is counterintuitive, as one might expect different shapes to mix well without any special interaction or repulsion between them.
Researchers have discovered a new method to control graphene's properties by growing it on different surfaces. The results show that the chemistry of the surface plays a key role in shaping the material's conductive properties, allowing for the creation of either metallic or semiconductor graphene.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have devised a method to characterize special surfaces by using a series of killer laser pulses. The technique measures the distribution of site enhancements on the substrate surface, allowing researchers to design better scattering surfaces for sensor applications.
Scientists have created a new material featuring 'nanonails' that can repel almost any liquid, but become wettable when an electric charge is applied. This innovative surface has potential applications in biomedical technology and battery life extension.
The project aims to create 'smart, self-assembling nano-biomaterials' that can control bacterial adhesion on synthetic surfaces. Successful development of these materials will enable the creation of more resistant biomedical implants.
Nitric acid is less reactive when exposed to air on water's surface, unlike its strong acidic behavior in bulk solutions. This finding has implications for understanding the role of nitric acid in the atmosphere and environment.
Researchers at the University of Houston are presenting new material innovations that have potential applications in consumer electronics and fuel cell research. These advancements include hybrid nanomaterials for energy conversion devices, a Pd membrane reactor to convert fuels into hydrogen for electricity production in fuel cells.
Scientists at NIST develop a flexible technique to mimic the desert beetle's warty wing covers, which can shift rapidly from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The method uses ultraviolet light and photosensitive materials to control surface structure and chemistry, enabling rapid testing of paints, adhesives, and other coatings.
Researchers create covalent organic frameworks with high thermal stability, surface areas and extremely low densities. COF-108 has the lowest density reported of any crystalline material, suitable for storing hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing an instrument to study the chemistry of gases that decompose chemical and biological warfare agents on surfaces. The goal is to predict the fate of these gases on various surfaces, including metal, metal-oxide, and polymeric materials.
A new process combines molecular self-assembly with traditional lithography to create multifunctional surfaces in precise patterns. This technique allows for complex patterns of functional monolayers, enabling applications beyond semiconductors.
Researchers have created tiny test tubes made of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which enables them to probe the role of extreme molecular confinement on chemical behavior. The nanotubes allow water molecules to bond together into rings and shield reactive molecules from reacting with other chemicals.
Researchers at UCR discovered a way molecules assemble without external guidance, forming a two-dimensional honeycomb network with big pores. The finding could help develop templates for growing complex structures on surfaces and improve paints and lubricants.
Researchers create atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe to actively initiate chemical reactions on surfaces, increasing spatial resolution to one nanometer scale. This technique has potential applications in designing more efficient catalysts and solar cells, as well as refining chemical sensor technology.
Tribopolymerization reduces wear in liquid and vapor phase applications by forming self-replenishing protective polymer films on rubbing surfaces. The US-Poland collaboration developed effective additives for reducing wear with metals, alloys, and ceramics.
Scientists create light-responsive colloidal particles that can be tailored to exhibit desired effects, including gel-to-fluid transitions and elastic property tuning. These innovations have vast potential applications in various fields such as ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and robotics.
A graduate student at Virginia Tech has fabricated a biopolymer material with controlled surface morphology, enabling the study of its effects on cell adhesion. The new material is produced using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and exhibits highly ordered poly(L-lactic acid) crystalline substrates with low surface roughness.
A newly designed molecule, 9,10-dithioanthracene (DTA), has been engineered to walk in a straight line on a surface using its two linkers as feet. This achievement proves that molecules can be deliberately designed to perform specific dynamic tasks on surfaces.
Scientists at the University of Illinois developed a new surface chemistry method to control defects in silicon wafers, extending the life of transistor technology. This technique uses nitrogen-containing gases to saturate dangling bonds and remove interstitials, resulting in shallower active regions and enhanced dopant activation.
Researchers create tholins in lab experiments to understand Titan's chemistry and potential for life. They analyze spectroscopic properties and react with molten water to form oxygenated compounds.
Guohua Yang and Gang-yu Liu used scanning tunneling microscopy to study the behavior of thiols on gold surfaces, revealing up to 15 different structural phases. These findings shed light on the interaction between thiol molecules and the gold surface, potentially enabling the creation of patterns with other molecules.
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.
The team uses heterocycles from DNA to recognize specific complementary groups, creating a reversible surface that can be modified and reused. The new technology has potential applications in body armor and films.
Jeanne E. Pemberton's research reveals that changing the electrical charge on electronic paper affects how well ink sticks, enabling the development of reusable tablets. The study uses the 'emersion' method to analyze molecular interactions at the interface between liquids and solids.
Researchers studied how microbes control chemistry on mineral surfaces and found that bacteria produce surface coatings made of iron sulfate and goethite. The results show a fundamental difference between individual organisms and groups in controlling the process.
Researchers created a nanoscale model catalyst that enhances hydrogen desulfurization efficiency by 100 times, enabling detailed analysis of the reaction at atomic levels.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory isolated an important intermediate in a catalyst using reverse reactions, enabling the study of reaction mechanisms and potentially improving catalytic efficiency. The goal is to design new catalysts with enhanced reactivity and selectivity.
Nuzzo and colleague David L. Allara developed stain-repellent coatings, lubricants that cling in harsh weather, and materials for artificial hearts and protein protection. Their discovery attached molecules to gold surfaces, changing interactions with other substances.
Allara and Nuzzo developed a model that allows researchers to study how molecules arrange themselves on surfaces, packing tightly and responding to their environment. This discovery has been used to advance various fields, including the development of artificial hearts, lubricated surfaces, and complex plastics.
Researchers at UW-Madison developed a novel diamond film that can be used as a stable platform for biological sensing. The films have proven to be remarkably durable and can withstand multiple cycles of processing DNA, making them suitable for continuous monitoring in high-risk environments.
The UCSB team has developed a reversible switch for surface design, allowing for dynamic regulation of macroscopic properties. The technology uses alkanethiolates to create nanometer-thin interfaces that can be controlled as a function of space and time.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel molecular template that enables the creation of surfaces with varying particle concentrations. This innovation allows for the design of sensors, filters, and other devices that can be tailored for specific applications in electronics, chemistry, and life sciences.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a new protective process using phosphates to bond with metal surfaces, preventing corrosion and improving safety. The technology has potential applications in industries such as healthcare, where it could be used to create safer implants.
A Los Angeles chemist has won a national award for his groundbreaking research on thin films, specifically monolayers. His technique allows scientists to study these structures at the atomic level, which can lead to breakthroughs in fields like cell membranes and respiration.
A Texas A&M chemist has developed new tools to analyze molecules and improve catalyst efficiency. The researcher's work aims to better understand complex catalysts, which are crucial in various industrial processes.
Researchers have successfully attached molecules to the surface of a virus, creating a novel method for immobilizing large molecules on viral surfaces. This technique has potential applications in nanotechnology, materials science, and medicine.
Virginia Tech Professor James Wightman to tell the story of Benjamin Franklin and Agnes Pockels' groundbreaking work in surface chemistry. Pockels, a German hausfrau, was the first to determine cause and measure monolayer effects, paving the way for Langmuir-Blodgett films.
Peter Jutzi, a German chemist, has received the Frederic Stanley Kipping Award in Silicon Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. He developed new materials for the electronics and optics industries by designing methods to make compounds of silicon and carbon.
Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new surface chemistry that simplifies DNA computing and enables scaling up to tackle complex problems. This breakthrough demonstrates DNA computing's potential to surpass conventional computers in information storage and processing capabilities.
National Chemistry Week highlights the importance of polymers as natural insulators, found in products like umbrellas, sunglasses, and jackets. The week also explores fascinating chemistry facts about the weather, such as the transformation of nitrogen into a more user-friendly form by lightning.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a coating process that attracts and binds specific proteins to biomaterial surfaces, promoting affinity for natural healing. The technique, which uses keyhole-like indentations and sugar molecules, has shown strong affinity for proteins in laboratory experiments.