Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Researchers identify unexpected twist while developing new polymer-based semiconductors

Researchers at University of Illinois developed new semiconductor materials that can harness the power of chirality, a non-superimposable mirror image. The study found that subtle molecular changes can modulate chiral helical assemblies, leading to new optical, electronic, and mechanical properties.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

Twisted magnets make brain-inspired computing more adaptable

A new study using twisted magnets as computational medium has made brain-inspired computing more adaptable, reducing energy use and potential carbon emissions. The research found that by applying magnetic fields and changing temperature, physical properties of the materials can be adapted to suit different machine-learning tasks.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform a rare-earth crystal into a magnet by using chirality in phonons. Chirality, or the twisting of atoms' motion, breaks time-reversal symmetry and aligns electron spins, creating a magnetic effect.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Move over carbon, the nanotube family just got bigger

Researchers have engineered a range of new single-walled transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanotubes with different compositions, chirality, and diameters. The ability to synthesize diverse structures offers insights into their growth mechanism and novel optical properties.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 14, 2023

Observation of left and right at nanoscale with optical force

The study successfully observed the chiro-optical effect at the nanoscale, demonstrating the ability to analyze the chiral structure of matter using light. Different images were obtained when illuminating with right- or left-circularly polarized light, clarifying that local handedness can be distinguished.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

New quantum device generates single photons and encodes information

A new approach to quantum light emitters generates circularly polarized single photons, a crucial step towards quantum cryptography and information processing. The innovation uses a proximity-effect approach to produce low-cost fabrication and reliability.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023

Breakthrough in β-lactam synthesis using nickel catalysts

Researchers have made a significant advancement in the synthesis of β-lactam scaffolds, structural components frequently found in essential antibiotics. The breakthrough uses nickel catalysts to overcome challenges in β-lactam synthesis, enabling more efficient and simplified production of high-value materials.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Nuclear spin's impact on biological processes uncovered

A new study by Prof. Yossi Paltiel and colleagues reveals that nuclear spin significantly affects oxygen dynamics in chiral environments, particularly in transport. This finding challenges long-held assumptions and opens up possibilities for advancements in biotechnology and quantum biology.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

CABBI develops eco-friendly enzyme to create key chemical building blocks

Researchers at CABBI develop photoenzymatic system to efficiently synthesize chiral amines, crucial chemical building blocks with wide applications. The team's new method addresses a longstanding challenge in synthetic chemistry and offers a promising platform for biomanufacturing.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Selectivity effect of molecular chirality may have universal applications, researchers find

A team led by Takuro Sato found that the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect can filter out electrons and molecules with specific chirality, enabling enantioselectivity without chiral catalysis. This discovery has broader applications in producing safer chemicals and developing advanced electronics across various scales.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2023

Aggregation-induced catalysis: Asymmetric catalysis with chiral aggregates

Researchers at Texas Tech University and Nanjing University have developed a new method for controlling chirality in asymmetric catalysis using chiral aggregates. This method, called aggregation-induced catalysis (AIC), uses the aggregation of chiral auxiliary raw materials or catalysts to achieve controlled chirality in reactions. The...

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Liquid crystals that mimic beetle shell coloration units used to create more secure type of QR code

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a method to process cholesteric liquid crystals into micrometer-sized spherical particles, creating a unique anti-counterfeiting QR code that can only be displayed under a specific circular polarizer. The use of chirality in these particles enables the creation of more secure codes with potent...

SourceNagoya University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJul 14, 2023

Scientists synthesize isotopic atropisomers based on carbon isotope discrimination

Researchers successfully synthesized isotopic atropisomers based on carbon isotope discrimination, exhibiting high rotational stability and stereochemical purity. The findings hold promise for fundamental understanding of isotopic atropisomers with implications in organic and medicinal chemistry.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2023

Chemists develop new method to create chiral structures

A team of chemists at UC Riverside has discovered that the distribution of a magnetic field is itself chiral, allowing for the rapid formation of chiral structures. This method has potential applications in sensing and anti-counterfeit technology, such as detecting chiral or achiral molecules linked to certain diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2023

Unlocking the potential of enantioselective catalysis: advancements in pyrrolidinyl gold(I) complexes explored through DFT and NEST analysis of the chiral binding pocket

Researchers employ DFT and NEST analysis to investigate pyrrolidinyl gold(I) complexes, revealing enhanced understanding of electronic and steric effects. The findings facilitate the design of novel chiral ligands for enantioselective reactions.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalJACS Au·DateJun 19, 2023
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

For experimental physicists, quantum frustration leads to fundamental discovery

Researchers have discovered a new phase of matter called the chiral bose-liquid state, which has surprising characteristics, such as robust spin and long-range entanglement. This discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the physical world and potentially leading to breakthroughs in quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature·DateJun 14, 2023

Mirror, mirror on the wall… Now we know there are chiral phonons for sure

Physicists have discovered that phonons, quasiparticles describing crystal lattice vibrations, can exhibit chirality - a fundamental concept with implications for material properties. Using circular X-ray light, researchers observed corkscrew motions of phonons in quartz, revealing the phenomenon of chiral phonons.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Mirror, mirror: A new way to recognize reverse-image molecules

Researchers have developed a modular system to recognize chiral molecules, which could lead to more effective methods of separating enantiomers in drugs. The system uses metallopolymers with chirality to sense two enantiomeric molecules through electrochemical interactions.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 8, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A new twist on chirality: researchers extend the concept of directionality and propose a new class of materials

A team led by Taylor Hughes and Gaurav Bahl has experimentally realized a theoretical extension of chirality in two dimensions. They constructed a topological circuit network to explore new behaviors predicted by this extended chirality, which manifests as locking between a particle's flow direction and an arrow carried along with it.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2023

Luminous molecules

A team of chemists at the University of Basel has successfully synthesized organic light-emitting diodes by creating compounds with the exact three-dimensional structure desired. This breakthrough enables the development of more efficient and longer-lasting OLEDs.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 12, 2023

Shining a light on helical polymers

Scientists at CiQUS have developed a methodology to quantify the folding degree of helical polymers, identifying the direction of helix rotation and its impact on structure-function relationship. The innovative approach allows for the estimation of folding degree and potential improvements in polymer performance.

SourceCenter for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Chemists design new molecule, with oxygen as the star of the show

Researchers at Colorado State University have created a synthetic molecule with an asymmetric oxygen atom that remains stable and nonreactive. This feat is significant because chiral molecules can have drastically different properties and are crucial in fields like drug discovery and materials engineering.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 29, 2023

Solving the mystery of left-handed amino acids in primordial RNA reactions

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science used computer simulations to clarify why L-alanine was preferred over D-alanine during primordial RNA aminoacylation reactions. The study revealed that L-amino acid had more electrostatic stability in its transition state, providing a plausible reason for the selective aminoacylation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 16, 2023

Colloids get creative to pave the way for next generation photonics

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have devised a way to fabricate a complex structure, previously found only in nature, to control light in the visible range. This new approach uses self-assembled colloidal particles to create chiral photonic crystals with tailored optical properties.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 9, 2023

New fluorescent chiral-selective receptor system represents a breakthrough in molecular detection with potential for applications in diabetes management

Researchers have developed a novel fluorescence recognition method for detecting D-glucose in water, showing excellent D-glucose chiral selectivity. The system consists of cyclodextrin and monoboronic acid-based receptor complexes, which can detect glucose concentrations with low limits of detection.

SourceSophia University·JournalACS Sensors·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Chiral phonons create spin current without needing magnetic materials

Chiral phonons convert waste heat into spin information, promising energy-efficient devices for computing and data storage. Researchers created a spin current at room temperature without magnetic materials, opening the door to cheaper, more accessible spintronic devices.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Chromo-encryption method encodes secrets with color

Researchers developed a new encryption method that encodes secret messages using brilliant colors created by silver nanostructures reacting to polarized light. The method's unique chiral response makes it more secure than traditional binary codes.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023

Metalloradical catalysis guides new cobalt-based system that exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction

Researchers at Boston College have developed a new catalytic approach that enables concurrent control of multiple convergences and selectivities in intermolecular amination of allylic carbon-hydrogen bonds in alkenes. The cobalt-based system exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction to form desired amine products in a high...

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Distinguishing between right and left with magnets

Researchers employed magnets to separate left and right handed chiral molecules, verifying a novel mechanism that could enhance efficiency and widen magnet-based chirality control. The study discovered spin polarizations corresponding to different handedness in organic chiral superconductors.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Collective circular dichroism by chiral plasmonic nanoparticles

Scientists at Seoul National University and Korea University created a new method to detect molecular chirality, a property crucial in biology, chemistry, and pharmaceutics. They achieved ultrasensitive detection of up to 10^-4 M using chiral plasmonic nanoparticles with four-fold rotational symmetry.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalNature·DateDec 21, 2022

New strategy for the synthesis of axially chiral allenic compounds

Researchers at USTC developed a new strategy for synthesizing axially chiral allenic compounds, achieving high enantiopurity and stereoselectivity. The method involves nickel-catalyzed asymmetric propargyl substitution and Myers rearrangement reactions.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2022

New optical computing approach offers ultrafast processing

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new optical computing approach that uses circularly polarized light to operate logic gates, resulting in ultrafast processing speeds. The technology operates about one million times faster than existing technologies and can be integrated into a single device.

SourceAalto University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 9, 2022

How metastatic cancer causes leaky blood vessels

Researchers found that tumor cells directly interact with blood vessel cells, altering their normal clockwise orientation to a counterclockwise position. This interaction may play a role in cancer metastasis and could be targeted for prevention and treatment.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateDec 6, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

University of Ottawa researchers solve 20-year-old optical light mystery

Researchers at the University of Ottawa have developed a new technique to differentiate the mirror images of a chiral molecule, a problem that was believed to be unsolvable for nearly 20 years. The team used linear polarized helical light beams to enhance sensitivity and observed differential absorption in achiral molecules.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Photonics·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 1, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

‘Sound’ly segregated supramolecular helices

Researchers have successfully segregated oppositely helical supramolecular polymers in a solution using audible sound, inducing surface vibrations and advection currents. This approach allows for the spatiotemporal control of chiral supramolecular systems, enabling the segregation of multiple aggregates.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Truly chiral phonons observed in three-dimensional materials for the first time

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have identified truly chiral phonons in cinnabar, a three-dimensional material. The discovery was made using a combination of theoretical calculations and experimental techniques, allowing for the determination of chirality with improved resolution.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Growing pure nanotubes is a stretch, but possible

Materials theorists Boris Yakobson and Ksenia Bets propose a method to control the growth of carbon nanotubes by constraining the carbon feedstock in a furnace. This approach allows for the production of batches with single desired chirality, which is essential for highly conductive applications. The researchers suggest etching away lo...

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 9, 2022

“Kagome” metallic crystal adds new spin to electronics

Researchers discovered a novel metallic crystal, Kagome metal, with unusual electronic behavior on its surface. The material's unique atomic structure allows for the manipulation of electrons' spin chirality, which can be controlled by applying a local voltage.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2022

Spintronics: A new tool at BESSY II for chirality investigations

Scientists used new instrumentation to study the chiral magnetic ordering of Cu2OSeO3, revealing helical and conical magnetic modulations. This discovery enables novel investigations of polar magnetic textures with high spatial resolution and short time scales.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

First observation of switchable chiral transport in a structurally achiral crystal

Researchers have reported the first observation of switchable chiral transport in a structurally achiral crystal, Kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5. The team proposes a model where electrons arrange themselves in patterns that violate mirror symmetry, even though atoms are arranged symmetrically.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022

Synthetic routes to pharmaceuticals greatly expanded leading to new and more effective treatments

A search of the Cambridge Structural Database found nearly 1,800 conglomerate crystal structures with spontaneous enriched chirality, augmenting synthetic building blocks for medicinal chemists. This discovery introduces a new pool of chiral molecules outside of natural sources, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

SourceCCDC - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre·JournalJACS Au·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers show that chiral oxide catalysts align electron spin

A team of researchers from Münster and Pittsburgh has discovered that chiral oxide catalysts can align electron spin, improving the efficiency of chemical reactions. The findings have potential applications in spin-based electronics and fuel cells.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2022

Eliminating low-frequency noise using chiral metabeam

Researchers at POSTECH developed a chiral structure to block all vibration modes in a specific frequency band, effectively reducing any vibration. This innovation has significant implications for various fields like mechanical structures, buildings, and civil engineering.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalCommunications Physics·DateSep 21, 2022

Ultracold atoms dressed by light simulate gauge theories

Researchers at ICFO successfully simulated a topological gauge theory using ultracold potassium atoms dressed with laser light, moving beyond previous electromagnetism simulations. This breakthrough allows for better understanding of exotic quantum behavior in materials and error correction codes for future quantum computers.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Chiral sources for metamaterial interface waveguides

A new broadband near-field chiral source enables comparison of different edge states to advance applications in integrated photonics and wireless devices. The research advances the field of chiral photonics science, promoting applications of chiral-sorting technology for microwave metadevices.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 19, 2022