Glasses shake things up
Scientists found that certain dynamical defects help explain the allowed vibrational modes inside amorphous solids, like glasses. These findings may lead to controlling the properties of amorphous materials.
Chemical Physics
Articles tagged with Chemical Physics
A new window into the world of attosecond phenomena
Physicists from Cracow have developed a new measurement technique to track phenomena lasting attoseconds, using X-ray chronoscopy. This approach potentially makes it possible to infer events in the world of attophysics even at current XFEL technology.
Using sound to control enzymatic reactions
A team of scientists successfully controlled multistep enzyme reactions using audible sound, creating a new method for spatiotemporal regulation. The researchers used standing waves generated by sound to separate and compartmentalize solutions, allowing for the precise control of chemical reactions.
UCI scientists turn a hydrogen molecule into a quantum sensor
Physicists at UCI have developed a technique to measure electrostatic properties of materials with unprecedented resolution. By using a hydrogen molecule as a quantum sensor, researchers can detect changes in its quantum states and create atomic-scale images of samples.
Revolutionary images of the birth of crystals
Researchers have successfully visualized crystal nucleation, a crucial stage in crystallization, using Raman microspectroscopy and optical trapping. This breakthrough enables better understanding of molecular dynamics and may lead to the development of purer and more stable crystals for pharmaceuticals and other industries.
Amplification of light within aerosol particles accelerates photochemical reactions
Research shows aerosol particles can act as resonators for solar radiation, amplifying and structuring light to accelerate photochemical reactions. This phenomenon could speed up photochemical processes by a factor of two to three, impacting global chemistry and climate.
Feel the attraction of zwitterionic Janus Particles
A team of researchers used a new computer simulation to model the electrostatic self-organization of zwitterionic nanoparticles, which are useful for drug delivery. They found that including transient charge fluctuations greatly increased the accuracy, leading to the development of new self-assembling smart nanomaterials.
An ultrafast X-ray glance into photoacid electronic structure
Researchers have provided direct insight into the electronic structure of a proton donating group in an amine aromatic photoacid using ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy. The study reveals major electronic structure changes occur on the base side of the Förster cycle, resolving the long-standing open question.
The opto-ionic effect: Light may increase performance of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries
Researchers have discovered the opto-ionic effect, where light increases the mobility of ions in ceramic materials, improving the performance of devices such as solid-state electrolytes in fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries. This effect could lead to higher charging speeds and more efficient energy conversion technologies.
Pusan National University researchers develop “corrosion-free” copper thin films
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed oxidation-resistant copper thin films, which could potentially replace gold in semiconductor devices. The films' flat surface reduces the growth of copper oxides on its surface, making them resistant to corrosion.
Discovered: An easier way to create "flexible diamonds"
A team of scientists led by Samuel Dunning has developed an original technique to predict and guide the ordered creation of strong, yet flexible, diamond nanothreads. The innovation allows for easier synthesis of the material, which has potential applications in space elevators, ultra-strong fabrics, and other fields.
(Bio)sensing protein interactions
The study reveals new details about the conditions under which WDR5 starts and stops interacting with other proteins, allowing researchers to better understand its multitasking role in cancer. The biosensor's ability to recognize different types of protein connections will help develop more effective drugs to target WDR5.
Molecule snapshot by explosion
Researchers at the European XFEL facility have taken pictures of gas-phase iodopyridine molecules at atomic resolution using ultra-bright X-ray pulses. The images were reconstructed from the fragments caused by a Coulomb explosion, providing unprecedented clarity for this method and molecule size.
Beyond lithium: A systematic search for candidate materials for calcium-ion batteries
Researchers have identified a class of calcium-based cathode materials that show promise for high-performance rechargeable batteries. By running quantum mechanics simulations, the team pinpointed cobalt as a well-rounded transition metal for a layered Ca-based cathode.
Coral skeleton formation rate determines resilience to acidifying oceans
Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.
A single molecule makes a big splash in the understanding of the two types of water
Researchers studied electron transport through a single water molecule in a C60 cage, revealing multiple tunneling-induced excited states. The findings suggest the transition between ortho- and para-water occurs simultaneously within a minute.
Suiting up with Al-Mg-Si: New protective coating for steel to resist corrosion in ships and marine and coastal facilities and structures
Scientists have created a new protective coating using Al-Mg-Si alloy to resist corrosion in ships and marine facilities. The coating demonstrates improved corrosion resistance through a 'shielding effect', increasing the economic life of steel machinery.
Biomolecular explosion
Scientists have observed that ionizing radiation can cause intermolecular Coulombic decay in organic molecules, leading to damage in DNA and proteins. This new understanding could lead to the development of more effective substances for radiation therapy and improve knowledge of how radiation damages healthy tissue.
Synthetic tissue can repair hearts, muscles, and vocal cords
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
Sparking new insights into dye chemistry
A SUTD-led study develops brighter, more sensitive fluorophores by suppressing twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and enhancing photon-induced electron transfer (PET). The research provides design guidelines for dye chemists to rationally tune TICT, PET, and other mechanisms for a wide range of applications.
Why the world needs a better LED light bulb
Researchers have developed a new light-emitting material that doubles the intensity of existing LEDs while also being more energy-efficient. The material, cerium-doped zinc oxide, has the potential to be used in commercial LED lighting applications and could make lighting more affordable for households and businesses worldwide.
AI predicts extensive material properties to break down a previously insurmountable wall
Researchers used machine learning to analyze core-loss spectroscopy data, revealing connections between spectral data and material properties. The study successfully predicted intensive and extensive material properties, enabling high-throughput development of new materials.
Press registration open for the virtual 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics
The 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics presents cutting-edge research on nuclear astrophysics, quantum technology, and rare isotopes. Researchers will discuss breakthroughs such as the most precise measurement of neutron lifetime and novel experiments measuring neutron skin in calcium.
Selectively staining neutrophils in white blood cells
A new fluorescent probe, NeutropG, selectively stains healthy neutrophils in blood samples, allowing for accurate quantification. The Metabolism-Oriented Live-cell Distinction (MOLD) method enables the selective identification of active neutrophils without affecting their native functions.
New opportunities for light-powered battery and fuel cell design
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have discovered that ultraviolet light can modulate oxide ion transport in a perovskite crystal at room temperature. This enables the enhancement of future battery and fuel cell functionality by increasing energy storage and output efficiency.
Fabrication of single-layer tetracene molecular crystals
A research team has successfully fabricated single-layer tetracene molecular crystals using two-dimensional inorganic crystals as substrates. The resulting material exhibits extraordinary photostability and Davydov splitting, making it a promising candidate for OLEDs and organic photoelectric energy conversion.
New Bayesian quantum algorithm directly calculates the energy difference of an atom and molecule
Researchers from Osaka City University have developed a Bayesian phase difference estimation (BPDE) algorithm that directly calculates the energy difference between two relevant quantum states. This breakthrough enables precise accuracy in chemistry problems and overcomes limitations of conventional full-CI calculations.
Polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries without dead zones
Researchers developed a novel block copolymer electrolyte that controls structure through electrostatic interactions, enhancing ionic conductivity. The new nanostructure enables significant enhancement in conductivity compared to typical two-dimensional structures, paving the way for safer all-solid-state batteries.
One-dimensional red phosphorous glows in unexpected ways
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered that fibrous red phosphorous, when electrons are confined in its one-dimensional sub-units, shows large optical responses. The material demonstrates giant anisotropic linear and non-linear optical responses, as well as emission intensity.
How basic physics and chemistry constrain cellular functions in primitive and modern cells
A team of bioengineers defined ten overarching classes of constraints on early metabolic networks based on basic chemistry and physics. These abiotic constraints dictate fundamental aspects of chemical processes, influencing the evolution of alternative transport systems and stress response mechanisms.
Quantum Hall effect and the third dimension
Scientists at Max Planck Institute show that electron system of ZrTe5 remains three-dimensional even in strong magnetic fields, linking quasi-quantization to quantum-Hall physics. This finding promises a unified explanation for puzzling plateaus in Hall measurements in many three-dimensional materials.
TPU scientists find method to more effectively predict properties of ClO2 isotopologues
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University developed a mathematical model and software to predict ClO2 molecule properties with high accuracy, surpassing existing results by 10 folds. The model was applied to analyze rotational-vibrational spectra in a degenerate electronic state, showing promising results.
In a leap for battery research, machine learning gets scientific smarts
Researchers combined machine learning with physics and chemistry to discover a process that shortens lithium-ion battery lifetimes, overturning long-held assumptions. The approach could dramatically accelerate the development of sturdier batteries for electric vehicles.
48 finalists named for the 2021 Hertz Fellowships
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation has announced 48 finalists for the 2021 Hertz Fellowship, representing 17 universities. The selected candidates will advance to a culminating round of interviews for one of the most competitive fellowships in the nation.
A charge-density-wave topological semimetal
Researchers have discovered a new material that exhibits both charge density wave and topological metal properties, featuring Weyl points and immense chiral charges. The discovery reveals an intimate connection between topology and electron correlations, opening up avenues for observing axion electrodynamics in condensed matter systems.
Ice-binding molecules stop ice growth, act as natural antifreeze
Certain molecules bind to ice surfaces, halting further growth and acting as natural antifreeze agents. Researchers developed a computational method to model ice binding, which has applications in cryopreservation and climate modeling.
Scientists unveil nature of active site in nitrogen-doped carbon for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction
Researchers have discovered that graphitic nitrogen (GN) dopants significantly improve the activity of adjacent carbon atoms for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO. The study found a 95% Faradaic efficiency at -0.5 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, outperforming other N-dopant types.
Nanoreactor strategy generates superior supported bimetallic catalysts
A new nanoreactor strategy has been proposed for synthesizing superior supported bimetallic catalysts, showing enhanced catalytic performance in formic acid dehydrogenation and recyclability. The synthesized PdAu BNPs exhibit uniform diameter and homogenous distribution, with a TOF value of 3684 h-1 at 333 K.
Nobel prize-winning work is concentrated in minority of scientific fields
Research found that five scientific fields (particle physics, atomic physics, cell biology, neuroscience, and molecular chemistry) account for more than half of Nobel Prizes awarded between 1995 and 2017. Additionally, many papers in these fields received less citation compared to other publications.
Scientists discover three-dimensional structure in smaller water droplet
Researchers reveal noncyclic 3D structure of water clusters begin to exist with pentamers at low finite temperatures. A new method using infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical studies confirms the formation of a noncyclic 3D structure beginning with pentamers.
Study reveals secret of 18th-century portrait
A team of Russian researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology analyzed a 1789 portrait by Dmitry Levitsky, revealing that the two extension pieces were indeed painted by the artist. The study used modern methods for local analysis of materials and nanomaterials to confirm the painter's involvement.
Magnetic whirls in future data storage devices
Researchers have discovered that skyrmions and antiskyrmions can coexist in the same material, enabling a more reliable racetrack memory device. This breakthrough allows for advanced data storage capabilities with improved performance and reduced energy consumption.
Exotic new topological state discovered in Dirac semimetals
Researchers found that Dirac semimetals exhibit robust, conducting electronic states in 1D, challenging previous conclusions about the nature of these materials. The discovery settles the decades-old problem of whether condensed matter Dirac fermions have topologically protected surface states.
New technology for pre-replenishing lithium for lithium ion supercapacitors
Researchers developed a new method to pre-replenish lithium for lithium-ion supercapacitors using DMF-stabilized lithium nitride. This technology improves specific energy, rate performance, and cycle stability, with 90% energy retention after 10,000 cycles.
Scientists improve pancreatic cancer diagnosis with multifunctional platinum nanoreactor
Researchers have created a platinum nanoreactor that enables visual detection and mass spectrometry fingerprinting of metabolic biomarkers, allowing for biopsy-free diagnosis of pancreatic cancer patients. The platform has shown sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 92%, respectively.
Speeding up the hydrogen production by the magic topological surface states
Scientists have discovered a new catalyst material that speeds up hydrogen production using topological surface states. The material, Co3Sn2S2, has been shown to outperform conventional nano-structured catalysts despite having much lower platinum content.
Using lasers to visualize molecular mysteries in our atmosphere
Scientists have developed a new technique to visualize gas-liquid collisions using lasers, enabling the study of fundamental molecular interactions. The method captures individual frames of molecular movement, revealing the rough surface of liquids and their impact on atmospheric chemistry.
New properties of perovskite solar cells
Researchers found that perovskite solar cells are stable up to 300 Gy of γ-radiation but suffer a rapid drop in efficiency with further increases in dose. The study aims to find more stable materials, which could make perovskite solar cells suitable for use in space
A new model of ice friction helps scientists understand how glaciers flow
A new model of ice friction offers crucial insight into glacier flows, revealing how cavities form during sliding and influencing ice movement. This discovery has significant implications for understanding sea level rise and climate change.
Scientists unravel the mysteries of polymer strands in fuel cells
Researchers have discovered that Nafion membranes partially unwind their fibers as they interact with water, leading to the growth of polymer fibers extending from the surface. This phenomenon is most pronounced in water with a high deuterium content, offering new avenues for optimizing fuel cell performance and electrical properties.
Special issue of Health Physics highlights women in radiation protection
A special issue of Health Physics journal highlights women's contributions to and experiences in radiation protection and safety. The articles showcase the historic roles of women pioneers and their diverse roles in health physics, including research on approaches in monitoring radiation exposure.
Winner of Bernd T. Matthias Prize announced
Katsuya Shimizu received the prize for his discovery of superconductivity in non-superconducting elements under high pressures with a Tc up to 29K. The Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston sponsors the award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.
Springer Nature and Tsinghua University Press present the fifth Nano Research Award
Chad Mirkin and Lei Jiang are honored with the fifth Nano Research Award for their groundbreaking work in nanoscience and technology. The award recognizes their significant contributions to the field, including Mirkin's development of dip-pen nanolithography and Jiang's research on intelligent materials and devices.
OU physicist developing quantum-enhanced sensors for real-life applications
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are developing quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensors that can detect biosamples, monitor atmospheric conditions, and analyze chemicals with enhanced sensitivity. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like metrology and chemical detection.
Molecular evolution: How the building blocks of life may form in space
Researchers create glycine, an essential amino acid, from simple molecules in a laboratory experiment that mimics astrophysical conditions. The study suggests that the combination of star dust and radiation could have formed life's building blocks in space, leading to their arrival on Earth via comet or meteorite impact.
Life's building blocks observed in spacelike environment
Researchers create simulated space environments where small organic molecules form under radiation, potentially offering an alternative explanation for the origin of life. The study used advanced techniques to analyze icy films containing methane and oxygen, producing a variety of complex organic molecules.
Study reveals new threat to the ozone layer
Researchers discovered increasing emissions of short-lived ozone-depleting chemicals in East Asia, threatening the recovery of the ozone layer. The study found dichloromethane and 1,2-dichloroethane in large amounts, which can be carried up into the stratosphere and cause damage.
Understanding brittle crack behaviors to design stronger materials
A team of researchers from Northeastern University has discovered a new mechanism that causes cracks to behave strangely in brittle materials, leading to catastrophic failure. The study's findings have the potential to help designers create stronger materials by understanding how fragile materials like glass and bone break.
New algorithm finds the optimal bond breaking point for single molecules
Researchers developed an algorithm to identify the stress-induced breakdown of molecular bonds, enabling efficient chemical synthesis and catalysis. The algorithm can be applied to any molecule, including biological ones, and has implications for various applications such as molecular machines and catalyst design.
Giant charge reversal observed for the first time
Researchers have observed giant charge reversal for the first time, where excess counter ions adsorb to oppositely charged surfaces. The study suggests that dielectric response of the solvent enhances correlation of multivalent ions with surface groups, leading to the formation of Bjerrum pairs.