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Improving density functional theory one flaw at time

The study identifies a new area where a correction for the self-interaction error breaks down, allowing researchers to pinpoint flaws and develop solutions. By refining DFT, scientists can design better catalysts, leading to improvements in fields such as food production and technology.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 11, 2025

How machine learning can help predict the spectral properties of materials

A new study uses machine learning to reduce time needed for calculating screening parameters in Koopmans functionals, enabling faster predictions of material spectral properties. Researchers trained a simple model using modest data and achieved accurate results, paving the way for studying temperature-dependent spectral properties.

SourceNational Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) MARVEL·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 22, 2024

UCSB materials scientist Chris Van de Walle receives top computational physics award from the American Physical Society

Chris Van de Walle, a distinguished professor at UCSB, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2025 Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics. He was recognized for his development and application of first-principles methods to compute structural, electronic, and optoelectronic properties of point defects and interfaces.

New computational insights using Marcus theory to unlock the potential of photocatalysis

Computational insights from ICIQ researchers apply Marcus theory to estimate free-energy barriers in energy transfer processes, enabling the prediction of EnT barriers and facilitating advances in photocatalysis. The asymmetric variant of the Marcus theory provides more accurate barriers for sensitization of alkenes.

Computational marathon matches the efficiency of the AiiDA platform with the power of Switzerland Alps supercomputer

A team of scientists successfully interfaced AiiDA with the Alps supercomputer, completing over 100,000 calculations in just 16 hours. The run demonstrated the maturity of Swiss-made software tools for computational materials science and showcased the power of Switzerland's main supercomputing facility.

New 'chiral vortex' of light reveals molecular mirror images

A new structure of light has been discovered that can accurately measure chirality in molecules, a property of asymmetry important in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This 'chiral vortex' provides an accurate and robust form of measurement, allowing for the detection of chiral biomarkers.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2024

Breaking open the AI black box, team finds key chemistry for solar energy and beyond

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to understand and improve light-harvesting molecules for solar energy applications. By combining AI with automated chemical synthesis and experimental validation, they were able to produce molecules four times more stable than traditional ones.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2024

New computational methodology to predict the complex formation of interesting nanostructures

Researchers developed a new computational methodology to simulate polyoxometalate (POM) formation, enabling the prediction of key factors and suitable conditions. This enhances the open-source tool POMSimulator, facilitating efficient processing of numerous speciation models.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalChemical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 20, 2024

Scientists uncover a multibillion-year epic written into the chemistry of life

Researchers discovered that just eight new biochemical reactions can bridge the gap between simple geochemistry and biochemistry, indicating a limited loss of biochemistry to time. This finding suggests that even extinct reactions can be rediscovered from clues left behind in modern biochemistry.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 28, 2024

Bridging the gap: From frequent molecular changes to observable phenomena

A Japanese research team has developed a framework that accurately describes how first-order reactions appear depending on the time interval used to measure the reaction. The work uses a 'shutter speed' analogy to simplify complex molecular changes, allowing for precise predictions of reaction outcomes.

SourceInstitute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (ICReDD)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 15, 2024

An AI leap into chemical synthesis

Researchers developed ChemCrow, an AI-powered tool that integrates expertly designed software tools to autonomously perform chemical synthesis tasks. The system enables plan-and-execute approach with reduced hallucinations and practical application, accelerating research and development in pharmaceuticals and materials science.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMay 8, 2024

Computing takes the guesswork out of chemistry

A team of researchers from Osaka University used machine learning to identify a highly effective boron-based catalyst for chemical transformations of amino acids and peptides. The new catalyst generates only water as a coproduct and promotes high-yield reactions with minimal environmental impact. By leveraging computational methods, th...

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2024

Toxic chemicals can be detected with new AI method

A new AI method developed by Swedish researchers can identify toxic substances based on their chemical structure, potentially replacing animal testing. The method has been shown to be more accurate and broadly applicable than existing computational tools, offering a promising alternative for environmental research and authorities.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2024

How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automation

A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2024

Self-emergence of stational periodic arrangement of dual microdroplets through quasi one-dimensional confinement

A research team from Doshisha University discovered a novel phenomenon for generating self-organized characteristic patterns through phase separation of polymer solutions in glass capillary tubes. They created uniform microdroplets containing DNA and medicines, which maintained their alignment for eight hours, offering insights into bi...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalACS Macro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2024

Novel molecules from generative AI to phase II

Researchers used generative AI to design a lead molecule for treating fibrosis, a biological process associated with aging. The compound, INS018_055, demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical studies and showed promising results in clinical trials, accelerating drug discovery and providing new therapeutic options.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 11, 2024

Carnegie Mellon researchers develop new machine learning method for modeling of chemical reactions

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a new machine learning model that can simulate reactive processes in diverse organic materials and conditions. The model, called ANI-1xnr, performs simulations with significantly less computing power and time than traditional quantum mechanics models.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 7, 2024

Nosy chemistry

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a small-scale system that forms three-dimensional patterns, which serve as chemical fingerprints that allow chemicals in solutions to be identified. The system utilizes fluid flows and flexible posts coated with enzymes to generate distinct visual patterns.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 5, 2024

Can it take just a few minutes to calculate how proteins interact with drugs?

Scientists from IOCB Prague have developed a universal and accurate new computational method to predict how proteins interact with drugs. The SQM2.20 scoring function yields DFT-quality predictions in minutes, significantly accelerating drug discovery.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2024

How to shift gears in a molecular motor

Scientists at Linköping University have successfully developed molecular gears with controlled rotary motion, overcoming previous challenges of single bond rotation. This breakthrough paves the way for future applications in medical drug delivery and solar energy storage.

SourceLinköping University·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 25, 2024

The first domino falls for redox reactions

Researchers have successfully transmitted a domino effect in redox reactions for the first time. The new mechanism involves a two-part molecule that undergoes structural changes upon oxidation, triggering further oxidation in neighboring groups. This discovery has potential applications in nanoscale computing and energy systems.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2024

Chemists develop new approach to inserting single carbon atoms

Researchers have developed a precise and efficient tool using 'single atom skeletal editing' to insert single carbon atoms into cyclic compounds, enabling ring size adjustment from five to six-membered rings. This approach opens up the way for designing and modifying complex molecular structures with potential industrial applications i...

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2024

Revolutionary breakthrough in nitrile activation unveils promising pathway for anticancer precursor synthesis

Researchers have developed a novel method to produce a selective anticancer precursor substance. The synthesis involves the reaction of metal-active oxygen species with nitrile, utilizing cost-effective metals at lower temperatures. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities in developing innovative drugs against cancer.

A mysterious blue molecule will help make better use of light energy

Researchers at IOCB Prague have described the causes of azulene's blue color and its unusual properties, which can help capture and utilize light energy. The team used a simple concept to explain the molecule's behavior, opening up new possibilities for organic chemistry.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2023

Growing triple-decker hybrid crystals for lasers

By controlling the arrangement of multiple layers within crystals, researchers can tune the materials' optoelectronic properties and emit light of specific energies. This technique has significant implications for applications such as LEDs, solar cells, and lasers.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2023

Much ado about nothing: Insights into designing advanced stimuli-responsive materials

Researchers from Japan have solved a long-standing puzzle of porous soft materials, revealing the importance of elastic heterogeneity in tuning molecular adsorption/desorption properties. The study provides physicochemical insight into the origin of elastic heterogeneity within MOFs, with applications to imparting targeted properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2023

Virtual exploration of chemical reactions

Researchers from Hokkaido University developed a centralized, interactive platform to explore and analyze chemical reaction pathways. The Searching Chemical Action and Network (SCAN) platform utilizes AFIR calculations to provide an interactive reaction pathway map that can be searched and viewed.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalDigital Discovery·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 3, 2023

Decrypting integrins by mixed-solvent molecular dynamics simulation

A team of researchers developed a novel computational approach to identify allosteric sites in integrins, revealing previously inaccessible druggable pockets. This breakthrough has the potential to overcome limitations in integrin-targeting medication and open new avenues for drug discovery.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 28, 2023