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Cracking a controversial solid state mystery

Scientists at the University of Nottingham and the University of California, Berkeley have provided evidence for a new kind of sudden transition between liquid and solid glass. This transformation occurs when molecules are viewed in both space and time, guiding towards methods for producing stronger and longer-lasting glass.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScience·DateFeb 6, 2009

Scientists find new way to produce hydrogen

Researchers at Penn State University have discovered a way to produce hydrogen by exposing aluminum clusters to water, leveraging their unique geometric structures. The process enables the production of hydrogen gas without heat or energy input, opening up new possibilities for clean energy applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateJan 22, 2009

Infra red spotlights crystal growth

Engineers at the University of Leeds developed a technique using infra-red spectroscopy to analyze chemical processes, enabling real-time monitoring of supersaturation levels required for crystallization. This can help predict optimum crystal structure conditions and improve pharmaceutical manufacturing efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateJan 19, 2009

Rocky water source

Researchers propose using oil and gas flare-off energy to release water from gypsum deposits, creating a vast source of clean drinking water. The process has been successfully tested and could solve the water shortage problem in dry areas, enabling irrigation and fertility improvement.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Environmental Issues·DateJun 11, 2008

Are nanobots on their way?

Researchers have built a proto-prototype nano assembler, a microscopic device capable of constructing nano machines. The NIST system uses micro-scale nanomanipulators to assemble complex structures on a small scale, with the potential for real-time imaging and low-cost production.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanomanufacturing·DateApr 28, 2008

Math models snowflakes

Mathematicians at UC Davis and University of Wisconsin-Madison develop program to model snowflake growth, revealing complex structures and rare patterns. The model generates a wide range of natural snowflake shapes, including novel forms like the 'butterflake', which could appear in nature but would be fragile.

Animated movie of ice

Swedish researchers used a computer to simulate ice melting after heating with a short light pulse. The simulation showed that the energy causes OH bonds to oscillate and eventually breaks bridging hydrogen bonds, leading to crystal collapse.

SourceWiley·DateJan 7, 2008

Physicists reveal water's secrets in journal Science

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new method to simulate the hidden properties of water, resolving long-standing ambiguities in its structure and behavior. The study uses quantum mechanics to predict the properties of liquid water, opening up new avenues for understanding its applications in various fields.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateMar 2, 2007

Yes, Virginia, some snowflakes can look the same!

Research by Jon Nelson suggests that smaller snowflakes may be less unique than previously thought, with tiny temperature changes influencing their diversity. The study of snowflakes has also shed light on their role in global climate change and ozone depletion, revealing a complex chemistry behind these winter wonders.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateDec 13, 2006

Mind the gap

A team of scientists used high-energy X-rays to study the hydrophobic water gap, revealing its size and characteristics. The study provides new insights into protein folding and stability, which are crucial in biological systems.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2006

Learning how nature splits water

Scientists have derived the precise structure of a catalyst composed of four manganese atoms and one calcium atom that drives water-splitting reactions. The high-resolution structure holds promise for developing clean energy technologies that rely on sunlight to split water, enabling the production of hydrogen fuel.

Scientists get best look ever at water-life connection

Researchers at Ohio State University have made a groundbreaking discovery on how water molecules interact with proteins, revealing that they slow down to connect with proteins. The study provides an early result in explaining essential biological functions like protein folding and enzyme catalysis.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2006

Rehydrate -- your RNA needs it

The study reveals that water molecules trapped inside RNA enzymes form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules or parts of the molecule, creating a domino effect that modifies the structure elsewhere. This network-like behavior is essential for the enzyme's activity.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 22, 2006

Movies show nanotubes bend like sluggish guitar strings

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to visualize individual carbon nanotubes using standard optical microscopes and fluorescent dyes. The technique reveals the harmonic bending of nanotubes in liquids, providing insights into their behavior and potential applications in life sciences.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 27, 2006

APS Physics Tip Sheet #59

Researchers have successfully detected neutrons with energies typical of fusion reactions in a sonofusion experiment, eliminating earlier concerns about data accuracy. Meanwhile, water molecules have been found to form long, squirming filaments through electronic bonds, providing a clearer picture of their interactions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 11, 2006

Wetness-defying water?

Researchers found a single layer of water on a platinum surface is hydrophobic, repelling subsequent layers, contrary to previous assumptions about water molecule attachment points. The discovery challenges current theories and has implications for technological applications such as catalysis and corrosion.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2005

'Keep cool to reduce friction,' suggests study of nanoscale water condensation

A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology discovered that the formation of capillary structures is thermally activated. By studying the frictional forces acting on an atomic force microscope tip, they found that reducing temperatures and moving surfaces quickly can reduce adhesion between nanoscale surfaces.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2005

Closing in on quantum chemistry

Researchers develop quantum algorithm to calculate molecular energy states with high accuracy, overcoming challenges in quantum chemistry. By using a relatively small number of qubits, they demonstrate the potential of quantum computers to solve complex problems that are currently unsolvable by classical supercomputers.

Identifying the 'signatures' of protons in water

Researchers at Yale University have identified unique infrared laser spectrum signatures for free protons associated with one to three water molecules. The study reveals that the proton's vibrations are driven by changes in its hydration environment, leading to significant shifts in spectral signatures.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateJul 14, 2005