Articles tagged with Chemical Physics
Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a novel molecule that can produce fluorescence and serve as an MRI contrast agent, addressing limitations of current imaging techniques. The molecule, a water-soluble and metal-free compound, demonstrates improved imaging depth and reduced toxicity compared to existing agents.
Researchers used photons and electrons to create hollow gold nanoboxes, differing in material properties, and demonstrated that beam observation affects chemical reactions.
A new study on Li0.5VS2 reveals that electron-deficient σ bonds reorganize as the material passes through successive structural changes, leading to unusual electronic and magnetic behaviors. The findings show that chemical bonding can play an active role in shaping the properties of correlated materials.
Researchers discovered that ancient potters created iridescent colors by infusing metallic nanoparticles into ceramic glazes. The type and amount of nanoparticles determined the color's appearance, with varying amounts of copper and silver influencing the chemical reactions during firing.
Researchers at HKU have developed a new light-driven method for constructing three-dimensional molecular building blocks. This approach broadens the range of starting materials and suppresses unwanted polymerisation, overcoming key limitations of existing synthetic methods. The findings have the potential to improve characteristics of ...
Researchers developed a low-temperature steam-assisted process to create durable, conductive spinel coatings on magnesium alloys for harsh acidic environments. The coating achieved ultralow corrosion current density and high sheet resistance, making it suitable for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies.
The Skala AI model, developed by Microsoft Research AI for Science, is now available through the CP2K software ecosystem. CASUS and Microsoft Research collaborated to integrate Skala into CP2K, enabling more accurate quantum mechanical simulations of larger molecular systems. The collaboration aims to improve the accuracy and efficienc...
Researchers review functional hybrids of liquid crystals and nanomaterials, enabling advanced multifunctional materials with tunable properties. These materials can display photothermal response, color switching, and encryption, among other capabilities.
Researchers developed a new molecular editing strategy that relocates the nitrogen atom within the pyridine ring, creating positional isomers. This approach preserves substituents while altering properties such as solubility and interactions with biological targets.
A novel measurement cell enables in-situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements under high pressures and temperatures, providing new insights into thermocatalytic processes such as the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The setup is suitable for investigating catalytic gas-solid reactions under realistic operating conditions.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili analysed 29 substances in commercial products sold in Tarragona, finding that phthalates were the most prevalent contaminants, especially in hake dishes. The risk assessment concluded that levels detected do not pose a significant health risk.
Laser light controls molecular structures by triggering IR-induced isomerization, allowing for precise control over chemical reactions. The technique enables the measurement of molecular fingerprints and provides insight into fundamental dynamics governing chemistry.
A team at Graz University of Technology has solved the puzzle of MOF thin film structure using advanced diffraction techniques and computational modeling. They found that prototypical Cu(bdc) thin films are not porous as expected, but instead densely packed with additional hydroxide groups.
A new molecule, TP-An, enables highly efficient triplet-triplet annihilation-based photon upconversion, converting low-energy green light to high-energy purple light. The molecule achieves a nearly comparable upconversion performance and works well even at high concentrations.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
Researchers have designed a clay material that can absorb and retain ethylene gas, slowing down the ripening process of fruits and vegetables. This innovation has the potential to reduce food waste and improve fruit flavor by allowing for later harvesting in the ripening process.
The new hydrogel features ultra-high stretchability, excellent crack resistance, and strong self-adhesion, making it a promising candidate for wearable sensing devices. It delivers steady electrical signals when detecting movements of fingers, wrists, elbows, and knees.
Scientists have successfully synthesized a new fullerene material that exhibits metallic behavior even under cryogenic temperatures. This discovery challenges conventional understanding of the Mott metal-insulator transition and has significant implications for future electronics and quantum technologies.
Researchers at TU Wien found that the sapphire surface is irregular and rough at the atomic scale, with tiny regions of ordered aluminum atoms being surrounded by inhomogeneous surfaces. This atomic-scale disorder dramatically affects the surface's chemical properties, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers found that mirror-image forms of chiral molecules behave differently due to asymmetric magnetic field strengths. This discovery supports a theory about how life began on Earth, proposing that magnetized surfaces played a key role in the emergence of biological molecules.
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed new guidelines for mixing dense suspensions, reducing impeller speed and energy requirements. The study's findings suggest that placing the impeller near the solid-liquid interface improves energy efficiency in baffled conditions.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a porous polymer gel that selectively recognizes specific molecules through coordination chemistry, triggering visible color change and deformation. The gel's mechanical properties also strengthened upon recognition of guest molecules.
A new method using rheo-impedance spectroscopy links slurry shear conditions to battery performance, enabling data-driven optimization and improved manufacturing efficiency. The study found an optimal 'sweet spot' in processing conditions that balances breaking up particle clusters with maintaining electrical pathways.
Researchers develop quantum algorithms to simulate polymer degradation caused by UV radiation, using industrially relevant aircraft coatings as an example. The goal is to optimize surface coatings for various industries, improving safety and reducing costs.
Three young scientists in Israel have been awarded the prestigious Blavatnik Awards for their innovative research in chemistry, cancer biology, and astrophysics. Sergey Semenov, Uri Ben-David, and Paz Beniamini will each receive US$100,000 to advance their projects on complex materials, cancer treatments, and extreme cosmic events.
The study reveals that the first four layers of water molecules possess a well-defined orientational structure with alternating molecular tilt and twist angles. This new understanding has important implications for processes at aqueous interfaces, including electrochemical devices such as batteries.
Researchers at TU Wien have demonstrated a remarkable mineralogical mechanism where certain minerals convert CO2 into solid carbonate quickly, mediated by water. This process enables rapid CO2 capture and storage in rocks, potentially solving the issue of atmospheric CO2 removal.
Researchers at DTU have developed a new magnetic material that features a stable internal magnetic structure and almost no external magnetic field, above room temperature. This could enable faster components and lower energy consumption in spintronics.
Researchers investigate Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 nanoparticles using operando TEM, revealing dynamic structural changes during methanol synthesis. A 'frustrated phase transition' is identified, where the catalyst constantly transforms between states, driving its high activity and stability.
A team of researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology has identified the underlying cause of water's unique properties, solving a fundamental mystery in science. They have observed water's liquid-liquid critical point, which marks the transition from two distinct liquid states into a single supercritical liquid state.
Researchers created a new type of microporous aerogel that overcomes limitations of conventional materials, enabling flexible and highly processable shapes. The material's flexibility arises from reversible van der Waals interactions between metal–organic polyhedra molecules.
Scientists have developed a light-activated material that can convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a key building block for fuels and chemicals, using sunlight and water. The material, which combines ideas from biology and materials science, produces CO extremely efficiently with no detectable by-products.
Researchers analyzed the teeth of four European straight-tusked elephants, discovering they migrated up to 300km before reaching their final habitat. The study suggests organized hunting and cooperation between Neanderthals and the elephants.
The Global Physics Summit will feature over 12,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics, particle physics, and quantum information science. Registered journalists and public information officers will receive daily emails with information during the meeting.
Researchers have developed a new chemistry-based strategy to localize therapeutic drugs to tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissues. The 'lock-and-key' system uses biorthogonal supramolecular chemistry to release drugs in specific locations, offering a potential path to safer and more precise cancer treatment.
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will feature over 10,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics and particle physics. Attendees can book discounted hotel rates near the Colorado Convention Center until February 12 to receive a discount.
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
A team of researchers investigated electron-transfer-mediated decay (ETMD), a key process in radiation chemistry and biological damage. They found that atoms undergo pronounced roaming-like motion, reshaping molecular geometry and influencing decay timing.
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will convene over 14,000 physicists worldwide for groundbreaking research presentations. The event will feature both in-person and online experiences, including scientific sessions, exhibits, and networking events.
Researchers at Fritz Haber Institute have made significant strides in understanding fuel-cell catalysts under industrially relevant conditions. They discovered that the rate-limiting steps and their degree of rate control change as a function of overpotential and pressure, challenging traditional views on multi-step reactions.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new plant-based plastic made from cellulose that rapidly degrades in natural environments, eliminating microplastic waste. The biodegradable plastic can be adjusted in strength and flexibility with added choline chloride, providing a practical solution to ocean pollution.
Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a universal quantum rule governing electron-phonon coupling strength, which is linked to the fine-structure constant. The study reveals that this strength is quantized and universally applies to crystals, with implications for designing materials with tailored properties.
Scientists at TU Wien have created an alternative production method for Cu-64, a crucial copper isotope used in medicine. By harnessing recoil chemistry and utilizing a specially designed metal–organic complex, they can efficiently separate the desired isotope from ordinary copper.
Researchers from two Max Planck Institutes directly observe the strong reshaping of C60 molecules by laser fields using x-ray camera. At low intensities, the molecule expands before fragmentation sets in, while at high intensities, fast expansion and removal of outer valence electrons occur.
TUM researchers discovered that dendrite growth can occur inside polymer-based electrolytes, which are supposed to protect against short circuits. This finding challenges the assumption that dendrite growth occurs only at the interface between electrode and electrolyte.
A new study provides guidelines on creating photoreactive molecules sensitive to mechanical stimuli using flexible linkers. The findings may open possibilities for highly efficient energy conversion devices and advanced medical therapies.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the energy state of iron in materials, enabling the creation of higher-voltage batteries. The breakthrough could also aid the development of superconductors and magnetism applications.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new computational method that accurately calculates van der Waals forces between large molecules, resolving decades-long discrepancies. The improved method corrects errors in existing approaches and enables reliable predictions for biological systems and renewable energy technologies.
A novel manganese(I) complex has been developed, combining a record-breaking excited-state lifetime with simple synthesis, offering a powerful and sustainable alternative to noble metal complexes. The complex exhibits strong absorption and overcomes the challenges of tedious synthesis and short lifetimes of excited states.
A team of scientists observed the earliest steps of ultrafast charge transfer in a complex dye molecule, with high-frequency vibrations playing a central role. The experiments showed that these vibrations initiate charge transport, while processes in the surrounding solvent begin only at a later stage.
Researchers discovered a new 'In and Out' mechanism where CO₂ briefly dips into the topmost layer of water, reacts, and then reemerges. This challenges previous assumptions about where and how CO₂ can turn into carbonic acid, suggesting faster ocean acidification.
A new project at FAU aims to advance water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee by understanding how common contaminants break down after being released into freshwater environments. The team will deploy passive sampling devices and use cutting-edge chemical analysis to predict which contaminants are forming dangerous byproducts.
Physicists from the IFJ PAN in Cracow have successfully produced homogeneous coatings of titanium oxide nanotubes on large metal surfaces, overcoming the obstacle of crystal grain boundaries. The method combines nanoparticle lithography and electrochemical anodization, enabling controlled material properties.
Researchers developed nanosized, porous oxyhalide photocatalysts that achieve record performance in producing hydrogen from water and converting carbon dioxide to formic acid using sunlight. The breakthrough offers a scalable, eco-friendly approach to solar fuel production by carefully controlling particle size and structure.
Researchers at National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology developed a technique to decompose polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into gaseous products using electron beam irradiation. This process reduces energy required by 50% compared to traditional methods, making large-scale recycling of fluoropolymers more viable.
A 2.35-billion-year-old meteorite offers fresh insights into the Moon's volcanic history and suggests ongoing internal heat generation processes. The rock's distinct composition provides new constraints on when and how volcanic activity occurred on the Moon.
A research team at IOCB Prague has discovered a previously unknown phenomenon where a liquid transitions between metallic and nonmetallic states without settling in either. The study proposes a new hypothesis: ultrafast switching between the two phases on a timescale of tens of femtoseconds.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have made graphene drastically more stretchable by rippling it like an accordion. This discovery reveals a new property of graphene and paves the way for applications requiring certain stretchability.
A Kobe University study finds that carbon-containing meteorites appear less shocked because gases produced during impacts are ejected into space, revealing a new understanding of shock metamorphism. The team's guidelines for future missions also predict the accumulation of highly-shocked material on dwarf planet Ceres.
A new method for DNA detection uses heterogeneous probe particles and laser light to accelerate genetic analysis. This PCR-free technique offers greater sensitivity and speed than traditional methods, making it more accessible for medical, environmental, and personal health applications.