Articles tagged with Surface Chemistry
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.