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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

Magnetic superstructures resonate with global 6G developers

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University observed unprecedented collective resonance motion in chiral helimagnets, allowing a significant increase in current frequency bands. This phenomenon enables a boost in frequencies beyond 100 GHz with relatively weak magnetic fields, making these materials promising for 6G technology.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2022

Researchers design new emulator that reveals the intricacies of light behavior in complex evolving systems

A team of researchers has developed a novel photonic emulator that reveals the intricacies of light behavior in non-Hermitian optical systems. The findings suggest that the topology of energy surfaces plays a crucial role in determining light behavior, leading to novel mechanisms for light manipulation and technological advancements.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

Controlling mirror images

Researchers have developed a method to control the rotational states of chiral molecules, allowing for specific separation of enantiomers. By irradiating chiral molecules with UV radiation and microwaves, the team has gained more control over which 'hand' is in which state.

SourceFritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2022

Learning chemical networks give life a chiral twist

A mathematical model reveals that spontaneous symmetry breaking in chemical reactions leads to homochirality, optimizing energy harvesting from the environment. This phenomenon could explain how life developed on primordial Earth and has implications for the synthesis of chiral drug molecules.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 26, 2022

A fresh perspective on Picket-Spengler reaction with α-ketoesters as a new carbonyl source

Researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology have successfully demonstrated the first enantioselective Pictet-Spengler reaction of acyclic α-ketoesters with tryptamines, achieving high yields and enantioselectivity. The study expands the scope of the process, which could accelerate drug development.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

A novel baker’s yeast-mediated microwave-induced reduction of racemic 3-Keto-2-Azetidinones: Facile entry to optically active hydroxy β-lactam derivatives

A team of researchers developed a novel method for producing optically active hydroxy β-lactam derivatives using baker's yeast and microwave irradiation. The process yielded 3:1 ratio of two hydroxyl compounds in 65% yield, with the resulting compounds showing high optical purity.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Organocatalysis·DateMar 8, 2022

New super-conductors could take data beyond zeroes and ones

Researchers have developed conducting systems that control electron spin and transmit a spin current over long distances without ultra-cold temperatures. This breakthrough enables the creation of new technologies for encoding and transmitting information at room temperature.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2022

Broadband spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitters with tunable chirality

Researchers developed a novel spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitter that generates broadband, circularly polarized, and coherent terahertz waves. The design offers flexible manipulation of the polarization state and helicity with magnetic fields, enabling efficient generation and control of chiral terahertz waves.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

Atropisomeric N-aryl quinazoline-4-thiones with isotopic differences at the ortho position

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology synthesized atropisomeric N-aryl quinazoline-4-thiones, showing unprecedented isotopic atropisomerism due to rotational restriction around an N-Ar bond. The findings support the formation of diastereomers and have potential applications in pharmaceuticals.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Light does the twist for quantum computing

Researchers generate circularly polarized light at room temperature, a breakthrough for optical quantum information processing. The device uses strained semiconductors to produce twisting 'chiral' valley-polarized light, promising vast data storage capabilities.

SourceNagoya University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2021

Identification of plant-parasitic nematode attractant

A recent study has identified a nematode attractant in flax seeds, which can be used to develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture methods. The attractant, consisting of cell wall polysaccharides, is found to contain L-galactose sidechains that are critical for nematode attraction.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2021

Overcoming false optical activity

Researchers discovered false optical activity in Raman spectroscopic analysis of vitamin B12 and its derivatives, leading to misinterpretations of data. The phenomenon was attributed to circular dichroism and can be computationally modeled or adapted to measurement methods.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Inducing and tuning spin interactions in layered material

A Chinese-Australia collaboration successfully induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) in TaS2 by intercalating iron atoms, which can be further tuned by gate-induced proton intercalation. This enables electrical control of chiral spin textures and potential applications in energy-efficient spintronic devices.

The future of particle accelerators is here

The Electron Ion Collider will take 3D images of electrons colliding with polarized protons and ions, shedding light on fundamental questions in nuclear physics. The collider's experimental equipment may also detect the elusive chiral magnetic effect, a crucial prediction for understanding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.

Circularly polarized luminescence from organic micro-/nano-structures

Chinese scientists summarize the latest progress of CPL-active organic micro-/nano-structures, which can reduce energy loss in displays and photonic technologies. The review discusses design principles, external stimuli regulation, and potential applications, including OLEDs, optical information recording, and sensing technologies.

The fastest one wins

A team at the Indian Institute of Science developed a catalytic version of the Fischer indole synthesis that primarily produces one enantiomer. The reaction involves a dynamic kinetic resolution mechanism with a chiral catalyst, resulting in moderate yields and good to excellent enantiomeric selectivity.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 8, 2021

Breakthrough in organic chemistry: Asymmetric syntheses of useful, unique chiral compounds

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize N-C axially chiral compounds, which have promising applications in medicine and agriculture. The team's breakthrough enables the creation of highly enantioselective syntheses using chiral catalysts, leading to potentially useful compounds with therapeutic properties.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalAccounts of Chemical Research·DateFeb 16, 2021