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Inventing the world's strongest silver

Researchers create metal that is 42 percent stronger than previous record while maintaining electrical conductivity. The team's discovery combines nanocrystalline and nanotwinned structures to overcome traditional trade-offs between strength and conductivity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 2, 2019

Cracking the ethylene code

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has developed a new method to separate ethylene from ethane gas, which is abundant in natural gas. The technique uses isolated copper atoms that olefins like ethylene can bond to strongly, potentially saving energy and reducing costs.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 23, 2019

Big game hunting for a more versatile catalyst

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered the architecture of a copper-nitrenoid complex that can transform carbon-hydrogen bonds into valuable building blocks for chemical synthesis. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable production methods for pharmaceuticals, household products, and other chemicals.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateSep 12, 2019

Secret messages hidden in light-sensitive polymers

Scientists at CNRS have created polymers that can change information stored on a molecular level using specific wavelengths of light. This technology allows for the storage and decoding of secret messages, with potential applications in designing new materials.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2019

Breaking up is hard to do

Researchers discovered that electrons in copper oxide superconductors continue to pair up even above the critical temperature, reducing the energy gap. This finding constrains theories about high-temperature superconductivity and opens avenues for designing more precise materials.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature·DateAug 21, 2019

A novel graphene-matrix-assisted stabilization method will help unique 2D materials to become a part

Researchers from Russia and Japan have developed a new stabilization method for unique 2D copper oxide materials using graphene, allowing them to exhibit stable rectangular atomic structures. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of spintronics devices, as these materials show promise in this field.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateAug 1, 2019

From greenhouse gas to fuel

A novel catalysis system reduces carbon dioxide to methane in a single step, eliminating intermediate steps. The system uses copper and nanostructured silver surfaces, yielding higher methane concentrations than copper-only systems.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2019

Mining microbial treasures from toxic sites

Researchers have found microorganisms in toxic sites like the Berkeley Pit, which produce potent molecules with potential human medicine uses. These molecules show anti-cancer and antibiotic activities, offering new hope for treating diseases such as cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 8, 2019

Heterogeneous catalyst goes enzymatic

Researchers have developed an enzyme-like heterogeneous TiO2 photocatalyst with high catalytic activity for hydrogen production. The catalyst's unique enzymatic characteristics enable it to efficiently convert light energy into H2, rivaling the performance of expensive Pt-TiO2 photocatalysts.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 22, 2019

Same properties, lower cost

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a technique to transform copper into a material that mimics properties of gold and silver. The new medium, made of copper nanoparticles, has applications in the production of electronic devices and is suitable for environmentally friendly printing technologies.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 1, 2019

Matrix could ensure vital copper supplies

Researchers have identified a matrix of 12 risk categories that consider environmental, social, governance and mineralogical factors affecting the viability and accessibility of complex copper orebodies. The study found that 75% of undeveloped copper orebodies face environmental, social and governance challenges.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateMar 5, 2019

Scientists identify atomic structure of catalytically active copper-ceria interface

Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters identified the atomic structure of the catalytically active copper-ceria interface, proposing a copper bilayer model. The copper-ceria interface was found to be responsible for efficient hydrogen production through low-temperature water-gas shift reactions and CO/CO2 hydrogenation.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Catalysis·DateFeb 19, 2019

Greener days ahead for carbon fuels

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a copper catalyst that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels without wasteful byproducts. This breakthrough could enable the production of renewable fuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Catalysis·DateDec 18, 2018

Better electrical cables can save energy

Scientists at Swansea University's Energy Safety Research Institute are working on a £20,000 Royal Society Research Grant to create ultra-conductive wires that can transport electricity with improved energy efficiency. By mixing copper with carbon nanotubes, they aim to reduce the 10% of electricity lost in the grid.

The culprit of superconductivity in cuprates

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences found that a strong chemical bond between the apical cation and oxygen in cuprate compounds impacts superconductivity temperature. This discovery sheds light on key component of complicated phenomena in cuprates, opening up new avenue for materials design.

The gods of small things

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have created a heterometallic copper-aluminum superatom that exhibits atomic properties. The discovery paves the way for the development of new, cost-effective catalysts for various chemical processes.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 25, 2018

Researchers highlight neglected evidence on the cardiovascular risks of toxic metals

A comprehensive analysis found associations between exposure to toxic metals and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The study's authors call for attention to metals as a significant source of cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need for population-wide strategies to minimize exposure.

Rediscovering the sources of Egyptian metals

Researchers analyzed copper-based artifacts to understand provenance and production of Egyptian metal objects, finding signs of localized ore sources and diverse metal origins. The findings offer new insights into ancient Egyptian metallurgy and supply networks, highlighting the importance of ongoing research.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateAug 7, 2018

Discovery of copper band shows Native Americans engaged in trade more extensively than thought

A copper band discovered in coastal Georgia indicates that ancient Native Americans had a more extensive trade network than previously thought. The band was manufactured in the Great Lakes region and shows that the practice of cremation was used across a wider area than previously known, suggesting shared cultural values.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 7, 2018