Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Supercomputing the emergence of material behavior

Researchers at UCSD designed a two-dimensional protein crystal that can toggle between states of varying porosity and density. The material's structural dynamics were simulated using all-atom molecular dynamics, revealing new insights into the emergence of complex properties in biomolecules. Control over the opening and closing of pore...

Mastering metastable matter

Researchers created metastable states in an artificial quantum many-body system, observing the switching dynamics between two states. They found that thousands of atoms move through quantum tunnelling during the process.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2018

Metabolic modelling becomes three-dimensional

Researchers have developed the first three-dimensional computer model to represent human metabolic processes. This new tool, Recon3D, integrates structural data on over 4,000 metabolites and nearly 13,000 proteins, allowing for more accurate simulations of metabolic reactions and better understanding of diseases such as Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Building blocks to create metamaterials

Researchers at Caltech and ETH Zürich created a systematic design method for metamaterials using quantum mechanics. They can engineer materials to manipulate incoming waves, such as bending light or reflecting sound waves. This breakthrough could lead to widespread use of metamaterials in various applications.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 17, 2018

Siberian chemists have improved hydrogen sensors

Scientists from Siberian Federal University and Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry create active layers in hydrogen detectors using metal phthalocyanines and palladium membranes. This increases the sensor's sensitivity, enabling detection of hazardous gases and aiding in disease diagnosis. The researchers plan to further improve...

SourceSiberian Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateJan 17, 2018

The structure of cool

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Duke University have made the first determination of TRPM8's atomic structure using cryo-electron microscopy. The findings reveal unexpected binding pocket locations for menthol and other cold-sensing molecules, opening new avenues for drug development.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Dec. 2017

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a precision de-icing technology that uses high-resolution modeling to identify areas most vulnerable to drivers during hazardous weather conditions. The team also discovered a function of certain microbes that produces a new derivative of vitamin B12, which could enhance the e...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 4, 2017

Nanomaterials

Researchers at LMU München precisely tune carbon dot's properties by introducing nitrogen atoms, enabling diverse applications. The study reveals that the physicochemical characteristics can be simply and precisely controlled, opening up new possibilities for energy conversion and bio-imaging.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 15, 2017

RUDN chemists have discovered a new formation mechanism of anti-cancer substances

RUDN University scientists have discovered a new formation mechanism for anti-cancer substances, which can be used to synthesize organophosphorus compounds with specified properties. The researchers found that the reaction does not proceed according to the previously thought Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction mechanism, but rather another way.

SourceRUDN University·JournalJournal of Organometallic Chemistry·DateNov 3, 2017

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, November 2017

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a method to quickly collect building structure datasets from satellite images, supporting emergency response efforts after hurricanes. They also used neutrons to discover the molecular mechanism responsible for flow in a hydrogen-bonding liquid and studied a semiconducting material...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalZeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie/International journal of research in physical chemistry and chemical physics·DateNov 2, 2017

The glass transition caught in the act

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used a new experimental setup to measure the atomic properties of liquid materials, resolving some long-standing debates about the glass transition. The team found that fragility is related to atomic interactions and structural changes during the transition.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 17, 2017

Researchers develop dynamic templates critical to printable electronics technology

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed bio-inspired dynamic templates used to manufacture organic semiconductor materials that produce printable electronics. This technique is also eco-friendly compared with how conventional electronics are made, which gives the researchers the chance to return the favor to nature.

Creating time crystals

Researchers at Harvard University created a time crystal, a periodic arrangement of atoms across time, using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. The discovery offers insights into non-equilibrium quantum systems and may lead to new applications in precision measurement.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateApr 17, 2017

The beginning of the end of order

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have proven the existence of Mermin-Wagner fluctuations, which grow logarithmically with system size and prevent crystal formation over long ranges. In contrast, small systems can exhibit crystal formation.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2017

Atomic 're-packing' behind metallic glass mystery

Researchers have solved a decades-long puzzle about metallic glasses' atomic structure using a new method combining various techniques. The study revealed a hidden amorphous phase within a certain temperature range, linked to metals' ability to form glass and potentially enabling the development of stronger novel materials.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2017