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Earth’s water was around before Earth

Researchers found two gas reservoirs, one containing solar gas and the other with terrestrial water signature, in the earliest stages of our solar system. This discovery suggests that Earth's water was present before the accretion of its constituent blocks.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 3, 2022

Study probes Earth’s turbulent past to explain where oceans came from

A recent study suggests that a chemical compound called magnesium hydrosilicate, stable at high pressures and temperatures, could have stored water deep within the Earth's mantle during its violent early days. This finding has significant implications for understanding the origin of water on Earth and potentially habitable exoplanets.

Atropisomeric N-aryl quinazoline-4-thiones with isotopic differences at the ortho position

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology synthesized atropisomeric N-aryl quinazoline-4-thiones, showing unprecedented isotopic atropisomerism due to rotational restriction around an N-Ar bond. The findings support the formation of diastereomers and have potential applications in pharmaceuticals.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalOrganic Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Heavily enriched: An energy-efficient way of enriching hydrogen isotopes in silicon

Researchers at Nagoya City University find a fourfold increase in surface deuterium atoms on nanocrystalline silicon, paving the way for sustainable deuterium enrichment protocols. The efficient exchange reaction could lead to more durable semiconductor technology and potentially purify tritium contaminated water.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalPhysical Review Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2021

At last: Separated and freshly bound

Researchers have successfully broken carbon-hydrogen bonds in light alkanes using a novel amidation process, enabling the synthesis of complex organic molecules such as pharmaceuticals. The method has significant implications for recycling plastic waste and utilizing natural gas as a synthetic building block.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 19, 2021

Bringing order to hydrogen energy devices

Scientists have developed a new approach to improve hydrogen transport in solids, enabling faster movement of negatively charged hydrogen 'anions' at lower temperatures. The breakthrough could lead to more sustainable sources of energy and practical applications in electrochemical devices.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 2, 2021

New crystalline ice form

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have elucidated the crystal structure of exotic ice XIX, a new ordered variant of high-pressure ice VI. This breakthrough discovery reveals new insights into the electrical properties of these unusual ice forms and paves the way for further experimentation to study their properties.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 18, 2021

Characterising cold fusion in 2D models

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding cold fusion through a new 2D modelling approach. By directly calculating the probabilities of fusion reactions involving muonic pairs of tritium atoms, the team found that these processes are 1 billion times more likely to occur than in 3D systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 16, 2020

Curtin collision models impact the future of energy

A new database of electron-molecule reactions has been created by Curtin University researchers, allowing for accurate modeling of plasmas containing molecular hydrogen. This development is crucial for the global push to develop fusion technology for electricity production on Earth.

SourceCurtin University·JournalAtomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables·DateDec 1, 2020

Tips for making nanographene

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new and efficient way to create nanographene, a material that is expected to revolutionize technology. The method uses an atomic force microscope (AFM) to precisely control the fabrication process, allowing for the creation of tailored nanographene formations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 11, 2020

Trapping of acetylene

Researchers developed a Ni-MOF that can capture acetylene with extraordinary efficiency and selectively from ethylene streams. The material has a synergistic combination of tailor-made pore sizes and chemical docking sites, making it especially efficient.

SourceWiley·DateAug 27, 2020

Red light for stress

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have introduced a novel color-changing organic crystal that displays superelastochromism, returning to its original shape and hue after being stressed. This property has potential applications in sensors for shear forces, particularly in industries like heavy manufacturing and shipping.

It takes a neutron beam to find a proton

A team of researchers has used neutron crystallography to determine the structure of a large oxidase protein with high-resolution structural details. They found unusual proton behavior between a cofactor and an amino acid residue, and established a complete picture of topa quinone 30 years after its discovery.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

Proton-hydrogen collision model could impact fusion research

A new theoretical model predicts how protons will collide with hydrogen atoms in high-energy collisions, validating some previous conclusions while revealing discrepancies. The model has the potential to advance our understanding of plasma behavior and its application in realizing clean energy sources.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 9, 2019

Researchers develop method to improve skeleton of common chemicals

A research team at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a new method for constructing seven- and eight-membered carbocycles, overcoming previous difficulties due to instability. The process uses an internal redox reaction, allowing for the creation of medium-sized carbocycles with favorable formation rates.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalChemical Communications·DateDec 4, 2019

Toward a better battery

Sodium-ion batteries have shorter lifetimes than lithium-based batteries due to the unintended presence of hydrogen. Hydrogen leads to degradation of the battery electrode. The study reveals that measures can be taken during fabrication and encapsulation to suppress incorporation of hydrogen, leading to better performance.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateJul 17, 2019