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Innovative ultrasonic regeneration restores nano-phase change emulsions for low-temperature applications

Researchers developed a high-energy ultrasonic regeneration strategy to restore nano-phase change emulsion performance under low-temperature conditions. This innovation enhances the stability of phase change emulsions, unlocking their full potential for thermal energy storage and cold-chain logistics applications.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

Mini lungs make major COVID-19 discoveries possible

Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect more types of lung cells than previously thought, including those without known viral receptors. The study also found that the lung can independently muster an inflammatory antiviral response without immune system help when exposed to the virus.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2024

New priming method improves battery life, efficiency

Researchers at Rice University developed a new priming method to optimize prelithiation in silicon anodes, improving battery life cycles by up to 44% and energy density. The method uses stabilized lithium metal particles with surfactants, enabling more stable SEI layer formation and reduced lithium depletion.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2023

Why do Champagne bubbles rise the way they do? Scientists’ new discovery is worthy of a toast

Researchers from Brown University and the University of Toulouse found that surfactants make Champagne bubble chains stable. The experiments showed that larger bubbles and surfactants help reduce tensions between liquid and gas, creating a smooth rise. This discovery has implications for understanding bubbly flows in fluid mechanics.

SourceBrown University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2023

Purification of DNA nanostructures from hydrophobic aggregates

Researchers developed a simple purification method using surfactants to separate hydrophobic DNA nanostructures from aggregates, enabling the construction of artificial cells and complex functions in molecular robots. The purified structures retain their ability to bind lipid vesicle surfaces.

SourceKyutech·JournalChemBioChem·DateMar 6, 2023

Reliable diagnostics at the tip of your finger

Researchers developed a biosensor using nanostructured and nanoporous surfaces to detect biomarkers in clinical samples, overcoming technical challenges of small sample amounts. The new technology can provide quick and accurate diagnoses for diseases like prostate cancer without needing dilution or preprocessing steps.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Study discovers molecular properties of lung surfactants that could lead to better treatments for respiratory illnesses

A team of University of Minnesota researchers has discovered the molecular properties of lung surfactants, which could lead to improved treatments for respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and COVID-19. The study found that synthetic lung coatings can help premature infants and adults with respiratory problems breathe easier.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Effect of micellization studied for inhibition of hydrate formation

Researchers from Kazan Federal University discovered that micelle-forming polyurethane inhibitors can effectively inhibit hydrate formation. The study found that the presence of surface-active properties and ability to form micelles can hinder hydrate formation, providing a new mechanism for gas storage and flow assurance.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021

Rescuing street art from vandals' graffiti

Researchers developed a nanostructured fluid that slowly releases cleaning agents to remove over-paintings on street art without damaging the underlying layer. The technique, which uses low-toxicity solvents and biodegradable surfactants, has been tested successfully on laboratory mockups and real pieces of street art.

Modelling microswimmers for drug delivery

Researchers developed mathematical models to study microswimmers in clean and surfactant-covered viscous drops, revealing significant alterations in behavior due to the presence of surfactant. These models may aid in designing artificial microswimmers for targeted drug delivery, micro-surgery, and other applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 11, 2020

New research finds graphene can act as surfactant

New research finds that graphene flakes can attract water at their edges but repel it on their surface, making them a new generation of surfactant. This property allows graphene to stabilise oil and water mixtures, opening up possibilities for environmentally friendly extraction of minerals and crude oil.

SourceCranfield University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 22, 2020

Helping preterm babies breathe

Dr. Hossein Tavana's research aims to understand the fluid dynamics of surfactant in premature babies' lungs and improve surfactant replacement therapy for RDS. His lab will generate 3D physical models of airways to aid visualization of surfactant flow, leading to better design strategies.

A new way to mix oil and water

Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to mix oil and water, creating stable nanoscale emulsions without the need for shaking or sonicating. By cooling an oil bath with surfactant and allowing water vapor to condense onto its surface, they produce uniform droplets that remain stable over several months.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2017

Solutal Marangoni flows of miscible liquid drive transport without surface contamination

A research team led by Professor Hyoungsoo Kim quantified the Marangoni effect in miscible liquids, revealing a new mechanism for driving transport without surface contamination. The findings have potential applications in removing impurities from surfaces and developing alternative materials to surfactants.

Making biological drugs with spider silk protein

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully synthesized lung surfactant, a drug used in the care of preterm babies, by mimicking the production of spider silk. The new method uses a part of the spider protein that ensures proteins remain soluble and is cheaper and simpler to produce than current methods.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 23, 2017