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Putting the pressure on platinum

Hokkaido University researchers have synthesized a platinum-based superconducting material with unique crystal structure, which becomes superconducting at 10 GPa but returns to non-superconductive state at 15 GPa. The high-pressure synthesis method holds promise for further exploration of unknown phases in various materials.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 5, 2016

New catalyst for hydrogen production

Researchers have found a new, sustainable catalyst for hydrogen production in the form of pentlandite, a mineral composed of iron, nickel, and sulfur. The study shows that artificial pentlandite produces hydrogen more efficiently than naturally occurring variants, with stable performance and a high active surface area.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 27, 2016

Lonely atoms, happily reunited

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology observe how carbon monoxide enables single platinum atoms to move and form clusters, breaking the grip of the magnetite surface. This process has significant implications for chemical catalysis, as it opens up a strategy to turn clusters into single atoms.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2016

Carbon leads the way in clean energy

Researchers have developed a nickel-carbon-based catalyst that replaces platinum in producing hydrogen from water, offering a cheaper alternative for renewable energy technologies. The new catalyst exhibits highly efficient hydrogen evolution performance and impressive durability.

SourceGriffith University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 22, 2016

Uncovering bacterial role in platinum formation

Researchers have found that bacteria play a crucial role in the dispersion and re-concentration of platinum group elements in surface environments. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, suggests that bacterial processes can reform nuggets of platinum at the surface, shedding new light on the formation of these valuable metals.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 21, 2016

Efficiency of water electrolysis doubled

Researchers have successfully increased water electrolysis efficiency by applying a copper layer to platinum electrodes. This innovation boosts the reaction's activity and extends electrode lifespan. The breakthrough could lead to large-scale implementation of climate-friendly energy conversion using surplus electricity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2016

Small is different

Researchers at TUM and Georgia Institute of Technology found that the size of platinum catalyst particles significantly affects reactivity, with clusters having fewer atoms showing lower activity. The discovery could lead to more efficient production of margarine and other chemicals, as well as new materials.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2016

For faster, larger graphene add a liquid layer

Researchers at Oxford University have developed a scalable technique to produce millimetre-sized graphene crystals in minutes, compared to hours using current methods. The new approach creates a liquid layer that smooths out nanoscale valleys, allowing for larger flakes of high-quality graphene.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2015

Rutgers University chemistry research holds great promise for advancing sustainable energy

Rutgers University chemists have developed a patent-pending HER catalyst Ni5P4 that has the potential to replace platinum in electrolyzers and fuel cells, lowering material costs while maintaining efficiency. The researchers aim to test the compound's operating stability and efficiency over extended time periods in commercial devices.

SourceYankee Public Relations·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMar 19, 2015

Emissions-free cars get closer

Researchers have discovered that hydrogen binding energy is the most important factor predicting the rate of the fuel-cell reaction, enabling the design of new catalyst materials. Alkaline polymers are being explored as a potential solution to create less expensive electrocatalysts that work well in an alkaline environment.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2015

Supercomputers join search for 'cheapium'

Duke University researchers used computational methods to identify dozens of new platinum-group alloys that could prove beneficial in applications such as catalytic conversion, corrosion-resistance, and fuel cells. The study provides detailed structural data on known materials and identifies potential targets for further research.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysics·DateJan 3, 2014

Toward a truly white organic LED

Researchers at the University of Utah have created a polymer that emits light in multiple colors, including blue and red, and can be tuned to cover the entire visible spectrum. This breakthrough holds promise for more efficient and less expensive white organic LEDs, which could replace traditional light bulbs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 2013

Hydrogen cars quickened by Copenhagen chemists

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new fuel cell design that produces as much electricity as current models but requires significantly less platinum, a rare and valuable precious metal. The discovery, published in Nature Materials, could lead to more economically viable fuel cell production.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 21, 2013

JCI early table of contents for April 15, 2013

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanisms behind two rare diseases: giant axonal neuropathy and ovarian cancer. In GAN, mutations in gigaxonin disrupt neural protein degradation, leading to neurofilament accumulation. Meanwhile, ATP11B facilitates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by mediating platinum export.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 15, 2013

Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining the shapes of catalytic nanoparticles

Controlling the shape of nanometer-sized catalytic particles is crucial for optimizing their activity and selectivity in applications such as catalytic converters, fuel cells, and chemical catalysis. Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining these shapes. The research found that varying temperature and deposition rate can control ...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013

3D microchip created

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of microchip that allows information to travel in three dimensions. The innovation uses spintronic technology and enables additional storage capacity on chips by spreading data across multiple layers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2013

How the kilogram has put on weight

Researchers at Newcastle University used X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze the build-up of hydrocarbons on replica kilograms, finding that a suntan could help remove contamination and bring prototype weights back to their ideal mass. The study highlights the significance of maintaining precise measurements in internatio...

SourceNewcastle University·JournalMetrologia·DateJan 6, 2013