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HKU chemists harness light to build 3D molecular structures for drug discovery

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 ...

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2026

CASUS and Microsoft Research join forces

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...

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2026

First convincing demonstration that neutral chalcogen-bond donors can deliver enantioselective catalysis

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a family of tellurium-based catalysts that use chalcogen bonding to control reaction outcomes. The study successfully demonstrated the ability of neutral chalcogen-bond donors to induce asymmetry in chemical reactions, achieving enantiomeric ratios of up to 89:11.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2026

AI and quantum chemistry identify efficient blue OLED materials

Researchers designed an end-to-end workflow to identify new blue OLED materials using AI and quantum chemistry. They developed a virtual library of over 19,000 molecules and used machine learning to select promising candidates, which were then experimentally evaluated and found to have high color purity and efficiency.

SourceNagoya University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2026

Scientists unveil technique to build ultra-thin material stacks that promise quantum breakthrough

Researchers unveiled a technique to build ultra-clean 2D heterostructures using muscovite crystals, eliminating microscopic residues that disrupt electronic device performance. This method enables precise stacking of atomic layers, leading to new properties and potential breakthroughs in quantum computing and nanoelectronics.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Out of order: using AI to decode the bizarre personality of water

Researchers at The University of Osaka used AI to evaluate characterization frameworks for molecular order in liquid water. They found that machine learning models can accurately capture key structural information, shedding light on the relationship between structural fluctuations and thermodynamic states of water.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 6, 2026

Lithium-doped carbon nanorings show promise for next-generation optical devices

Researchers discovered that lithium doping of a 12-benzene-ring molecule creates a material with strong optical responses due to synergistic effects between aromaticity and charge transfer. This finding establishes fundamental design principles for high-performance carbon-based photonic devices.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalChemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 22, 2026

Machine-learning how to overcome antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

A new study uses AI to identify promising chemical compounds that could develop into effective antibiotics against multi-drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The approach has the potential to address the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance in this fast-evolving pathogen.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 17, 2026

New low-cost tool reveals hidden molecular switch points under light

A new quantum chemistry method predicts the behavior of molecules under light with lower computational cost, enabling the study of larger systems and complex reaction pathways. This breakthrough advances the discovery of next-generation materials and deepens understanding of molecular behavior under light.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Chemical Theory and Computation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2026

Computational tools offer new opportunities for understanding catalysis

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä emphasize the importance of multiscale modeling in understanding and developing electrochemical processes. The study highlights the need for a thorough understanding of methods used and reactions studied, as computational tools can reliably model phenomena on different scales.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2026

AI speeds chemists' search for better disinfectants

Researchers used AI to design new molecules for disinfectants, leveraging a dataset of hundreds of existing quaternary ammonium compounds. The approach yielded 11 promising compounds with activity against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, offering a potential solution to the growing threat of 'superbugs'.

SourceEmory University·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2026

Kent computational approach takes the guesswork out of drug development for Chagas disease

A computational protocol has been established by University of Kent researchers to accurately identify reactions that can result in successful drug candidates for Chagas disease. This approach reduces the need for trial-and-error, prioritizing promising compounds earlier and making the drug discovery process faster and more affordable.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalChemistryOpen·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 24, 2026

AI tool streamlines drug synthesis

Researchers developed a machine-learning system that predicts how molecules form, cutting lab work time from months to days and reducing costs. The system uses asymmetric cross-coupling reactions to build complex compounds and can be applied across fields, deepening our understanding of chemistry.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

How a heart medication could unlock a new targeted approach in lymphoma

A team of researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has discovered an innovative way to use a drug already approved in treating irregular heartbeat to selectively target specific functions of enzymes in lymphoma, effectively killing cancer cells and reducing tumor growth with little to no toxicity. The study found that RBF4...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalPharmacological Research·DateFeb 3, 2026

Wiley announces Nanalysis Edition of KnowItAll software

The Nanalysis Edition of KnowItAll combines Wiley's analytical software platform with Nanalysis' specialized NMR database, streamlining spectral interpretation workflows for users. The tailored solution provides immediate access to reference spectra optimized for benchtop NMR instruments, expanding compound identification coverage.

SourceWiley·DateJan 5, 2026

From light to logic

McMaster and Pittsburgh researchers have developed a soft material that can perform a NAND logic operation using only three beams of visible light. The breakthrough paves the way for autonomous systems with computation capabilities without traditional electronics.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateNov 20, 2025

Computationally accelerated organic synthesis – Optimal ligand prediction for generating reactive alkyl ketone radicals

Researchers from Hokkaido University developed a computational method to predict the optimal ligand for generating reactive alkyl ketone radicals. The Virtual Ligand-Assisted Screening (VLAS) method successfully identified L4 as the optimal ligand, enabling the generation of ketyl radicals with high yield.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2025

AI models for drug design fail in physics

Researchers found that AI models predict protein structures despite modifications in amino acid sequences or ligands, indicating a lack of understanding of physical chemistry. The models only recognize patterns they've seen before and struggle with unknown proteins.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 29, 2025

Hitting a nerve

Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a soft material with a nerve net that mimics how simple living systems coordinate motion. The material responds to chemical reactions, producing mechanical movement without electronics or motors.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 20, 2025

From quantum mechanics to quantum microbes: A Yale scientist’s journey of discovery

Bacteria breathe deep underground without oxygen using nanowires to dispose of excess electrons. Yale scientists found that electrons move rapidly through the wires via a wave-like behavior rather than hopping, defying classical Newtonian laws. This discovery has significant implications for quantum sensing and computation.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 9, 2025

Muscle-like gel polymer gets stronger with a new recipe

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a new recipe for muscle-like gel polymers, which exhibit rapid self-strengthening due to mechanophores with weak bonds. The innovative design enables the creation of thermostable materials with improved stability and potential applications in biological fields.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2025

Facile method for carboxylic acid activation using inexpensive commercial organic photocatalysts

Researchers developed a facile hydrogen atom transfer method using xanthone as a promising ketone photocatalyst for activating carboxylic acids. The method generates minimal reaction waste and has broad applicability with over 40 examples. It also reveals a novel photocatalysis of ketones.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2025

USC technology may reduce shipping emissions by half

A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 26, 2025

Modeling electric response of materials, a million atoms at a time

Researchers developed a machine learning framework that can predict how materials respond to electric fields up to a million atoms, accelerating simulations beyond quantum mechanical methods. This allows for accurate, large-scale simulations of material responses to various external stimuli.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 9, 2025

The era of human-guided epoxide selection in CO₂ cycloadditions is over—AI tools now take the lead

A study combines DFT and machine learning to analyze a wide range of epoxides in CO₂ cycloaddition, identifying key molecular descriptors and predicting reactivity trends. The research aims to develop predictive catalyst and substrate design for optimized CO₂ fixation, contributing to greener chemical processes.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2025

Simulating the fluid dynamics of moving cells to map its location

Kyushu University researchers have successfully recreated the fluid dynamics of flowing biological cells using numerical simulations. The study reveals that capsule position depends on deformation and pulsation frequency, enabling precise cell manipulation in research and potential applications in artificial heart development.

SourceKyushu University·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 9, 2025

Chatbot opens computational chemistry to nonexperts

A new web platform, AutoSolvateWeb, developed at Emory University enables chemists of all levels to configure and execute complex quantum mechanical simulations through chatting. The free platform uses cloud infrastructure and automates software processes on the backend.

SourceEmory University·JournalChemical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 7, 2025

How can science benefit from AI?

Researchers warn of misunderstandings in handling AI models, highlighting conditions for confidence in predictions. Explainability methods are crucial to understand algorithmic decisions, but interpreting results requires caution due to AI limitations.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 4, 2025

New sensor could help prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions

Researchers have developed a new sensor to detect hazardous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries, which could prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the reliability of battery-powered technologies. The sensor detects trace amounts of ethylene carbonate vapour, targeting potential battery failures before they escalate into disasters.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025