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HKU chemists harness light to build 3D molecular structures for drug discovery

Researchers at HKU have developed a new light-driven method for constructing three-dimensional molecular building blocks. This approach broadens the range of starting materials and suppresses unwanted polymerisation, overcoming key limitations of existing synthetic methods. The findings have the potential to improve characteristics of ...

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

Quantum calculations expose hidden chemistry of ice

Researchers used quantum mechanical simulations to study the interaction of light with ice, revealing new insights into its chemical properties. The findings have implications for understanding the release of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost and improving predictions of climate change.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2025

Fresh route to more efficient cooling using light and heat

Researchers have developed a theoretical model that enhances passive radiative cooling by generating positive photon chemical potential, allowing for more efficient heat emission. The system can reach cooling powers of up to 485 watts per square meter, surpassing typical radiation power from a blackbody at room temperature.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateMay 16, 2025

Researchers discover accelerated reaction between Criegee intermediates and water via roaming mechanism

Scientists have discovered a new pathway for the reaction of Criegee intermediates with water vapor, approximately 100 times faster than previously predicted. The 'roaming mechanism' driven by strong dipole-dipole interactions between molecules leads to a higher probability of reaction, revising our understanding of key atmospheric pro...

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 28, 2025

The Frontiers of Knowledge Award goes to Avelino Corma, John Hartwig and Helmut Schwarz for their founding work on the catalysts that are enabling a more efficient, sustainable chemistry

Avelino Corma, John Hartwig, and Helmut Schwarz received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for their fundamental advances in catalysis. They have improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in various industrial processes through their innovative catalysts.

The metal that does not expand

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new alloy, pyrochlore magnet, that exhibits nearly zero thermal expansion over an extremely large temperature range. This breakthrough is due to the material's heterogeneous composition, which balances out the usual thermal expansion effect.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

FRIB research team identifies flaw in physics models of massive stars and supernovae

The FRIB research team has identified a flaw in physics models of massive stars and supernovae, revealing inconsistencies with observational gamma-ray astronomy data. This discovery was made possible by the development of a new experimental method that enabled the team to study short-lived isotopes, including iron-60.

New chemical treatment reduces number of plant pores that regulate water loss

Researchers at Nagoya University have identified a chemical compound that regulates stomatal density in plants, reducing water loss through transpiration. The compound, Stomidazolone, inhibits stomatal development without affecting plant growth, offering a promising solution for drought-prone environments.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2024

New study shows how organic molecules impact gold nanoparticles

A new study by Prof. Daniel Mandler and his team found that organic molecules can significantly influence the electrical properties of gold nanoparticles, up to 71 mV. The research highlights the importance of capping agents in controlling nanoparticle behavior and provides insights for customizing their interactions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Magnetic with a pinch of hydrogen

A German-American research team has developed an innovative idea to improve the properties of ultra-thin magnetic materials by reacting them with hydrogen. The researchers have identified three promising candidates that can be magnetically activated by hydrogen passivation, paving the way for new types of electronic components.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2024

Rice’s Nai-Hui Chia wins NSF CAREER Award

Nai-Hui Chia, an assistant professor of computer science at Rice University, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop a new theoretical framework for efficient quantum algorithms. The grant aims to enhance the security of quantum cryptography and tackle complex problems in physics and machine learning.

Light stimulates a new twist for synthetic chemistry

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new category of molecules that can undergo internal rotation on interaction with light, opening possibilities for photochemical switching functions and bioactive molecules. This breakthrough could lead to precisely targeted applications in biological systems and eventual therapeutic p...

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Machine learning guides carbon nanotechnology

Researchers at Tohoku University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University developed a machine learning method to predict the growth of carbon nanostructures on metal surfaces. The approach combines theoretical models with data from chemistry experiments to control the dynamics of material growth, leading to improved quality and efficiency.

How to shift gears in a molecular motor

Scientists at Linköping University have successfully developed molecular gears with controlled rotary motion, overcoming previous challenges of single bond rotation. This breakthrough paves the way for future applications in medical drug delivery and solar energy storage.

SourceLinköping University·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 25, 2024

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers develop metal-enhanced fluorescence probes for influenza a virus detection

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed metal-enhanced fluorescence probes for rapid and accurate detection of influenza viruses. The probes showed high sensitivity and specificity, detecting the virus even at low concentrations, with a remarkable accuracy of over 99%.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2023

How quantum light sees quantum sound

Researchers at UEA have proposed a new method to investigate quantum-mechanical processes in molecules using quantum light. The study shows that phonon signatures can be detected in photon correlations, providing a toolbox for studying quantum sound interactions.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2023

Water makes all the difference

Computer simulations reveal that water molecules play a key role in the formation of biomolecular condensates, which act as specific microreactors for biochemical reactions. The confinement of water molecules inside these condensates is an unfavorable driving force, while their freedom outside is favorable.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2023

Growing triple-decker hybrid crystals for lasers

By controlling the arrangement of multiple layers within crystals, researchers can tune the materials' optoelectronic properties and emit light of specific energies. This technique has significant implications for applications such as LEDs, solar cells, and lasers.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2023

New review in Energy Reviews discusses progress in the design of porous volumetric solar receivers

The study provides a condensed overview of recent advances and challenges in atmospheric and pressurized PVSRs, highlighting potential for improving performance through geometrical parameter optimization and spectrally selective absorption. Standardized evaluation methods remain essential to unlock the full potential of PVSRs.

SourceEnergy Reviews·JournalEnergy Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 28, 2023

The sacrifice within – how collagen’s weak bonds help protect tissue

Scientists at Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies discovered that collagen's weak sacrificial bonds rupture before the main structure, protecting tissue from excessive force. This mechanism helps to localize damage and promote recovery by dissipating mechanical stress and reducing oxidative stress in the body.

SourceHeidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 3, 2023

A new dynamic probe of electric forces between molecules

Scientists have developed a new dynamic probe to measure electric interactions between molecules and the environment. Using ultrashort terahertz pulses, they mapped the optical absorption of molecules in an external electric field, revealing the strength and dynamics of these forces.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2023

Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis studies shine the light on advancements in pharmaceutical analytical techniques and overcoming chemoresistance

Researchers have developed new methods to analyze dry-coated drug particles using 3D Raman mapping, which can effectively slow down dissolution rates. Another study introduces a novel technique for detecting complex traditional Chinese medicines, preventing adulteration and counterfeiting.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2023

Light-driven molecular motors light up

Scientists have successfully created two types of light-driven molecular motors that can both rotate and fluoresce in the same molecule. This achievement demonstrates that these motors can be designed to control various functions using light energy, paving the way for potential applications in biomedical imaging and cellular processes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Calculating the "fingerprints" of molecules with artificial intelligence

Researchers have developed an AI-powered approach to calculate molecular spectra using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), significantly reducing computation time and improving accuracy. The SchNet model achieved a 20% increase in accuracy while reducing computational time, enabling the analysis of complex molecules like quantum dots.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of Chemical Theory and Computation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2022

Rice chemists skew the odds to prevent cancer

Researchers at Rice University have developed a theoretical framework to explain how cancers caused by multiple genetic mutations can be identified and potentially stopped. By analyzing energy landscapes of cellular transformation pathways, they found that the most dominant pathways are favored by chance.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 17, 2022

Laser bursts drive fastest-ever logic gates

Scientists at Rochester and Erlangen develop logic gates that operate at femtosecond timescales, paving the way for ultrafast electronics and information processing. The breakthrough involves harnessing and independently controlling real and virtual charge carriers in gold-graphene-gold junctions with laser pulses.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2022

Visualizing the invisible

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new model to aid interpretation of atomic resolution molecular images. The Z-correlated molecular model accurately fits imaging data and helps chemists analyze electron microscope images without theoretical calculations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 28, 2022