Add BrightSurf on Google Email

KAIST turns once-troublesome protons into an energy storage resource for batteries

A KAIST research team has developed a new electrode material that sequentially stores zinc ions and protons, enabling high storage capacity and fast charging/discharging performance. The material achieved 368.7 mAh g⁻¹ storage capacity and retained 46.9% of its capacity even at 16-fold increased charging/discharging rates.

Researchers discover new proton-coupled triplet energy transfer mechanism

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have identified a novel proton shuttle-assisted triplet energy transfer mechanism, enhancing the rate and efficiency of spin-triplet migration. The discovery has profound implications for modern molecular technologies involving spin-triplet excited states.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 19, 2026

Physicists observe rare nuclear isomer in ytterbium-150 for first time, advancing nuclear structure research

Researchers observe rare nuclear isomer in ytterbium-150, measuring its half-life and establishing its decay scheme. The study reveals an isomeric relay mechanism, shifting the configuration of nuclei within the 10+ isomeric chain, extending its persistence into the proton drip line region.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

Flexible solid electrolyte unlocks high-performance fuel cells across extreme temperatures

Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a flexible solid electrolyte material with exceptional proton conductivity and hydrogen gas barrier properties, making it suitable for low- to mid-temperature fuel cells. The material enables stable operation across a wide temperature range, from -10 °C to 140 °C, and shows promise for ...

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2025

New material may enable next-gen hydrogen energy devices

Researchers from Tohoku University have discovered a new material that can conduct both protons and electrons efficiently at intermediate temperatures. The material, titanium dioxide doped with niobium, enhances proton conductivity by up to 10 times, making it suitable for next-generation fuel cells and hydrogen separation membranes.

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 20, 2025

Protons on the move

The BASE collaboration successfully relocated protons outside an antimatter laboratory using an autonomous Penning trap system. The technology enables low-energy antiprotons to be transported to high-precision laboratories, allowing for stringent matter-antimatter comparisons.

Accelerating the proton transfer among electrolyte-electrode interface via regulating the interfacial hydrogen bond networks induced by extra catalytic centers

Researchers developed a strategy to regulate hydrogen bond networks at electrolyte-electrode interfaces, accelerating proton transfer in CO2 reduction reactions. The approach involves introducing extra catalytic centers, such as cubic phase molybdenum carbide, to enhance water dissociation and facilitate proton generation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2025

Astral alchemy

Scientists successfully synthesized the elusive Λ(1405) particle and measured its complex mass, revealing a temporary bound state of a K- meson and proton. The findings may provide insights into the interior of ultra-dense neutron stars and the early formation of the Universe.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysics Letters B·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Elucidating the mechanism of high proton conduction to develop clean energy materials

Scientists discover a new mechanism of high proton conduction in hexagonal perovskite-related oxides, utilizing oxygen-deficient layers and water uptake to produce superior proton conductors. These materials can be used for renewable energy production and storage devices, promising a more efficient transition to clean power.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Ben-Gurion University scientist resolves one of the holy grails of physical chemistry after 17 years of research

A team of researchers, led by Prof. Ehud Pines, has confirmed his theory that a proton moves through water in trains of three water molecules, contradicting the long-held Grotthuss Mechanism. This breakthrough resolves one of the holy grails of physical chemistry after 17 years of research.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2022

How far can a proton make its presence felt when embedded in water?

Researchers have gained insight into the electronic structure of hydrated proton complexes, revealing that three inner water molecules are drastically modified by the proton. The first hydration shell senses the electric field of the proton through Coulomb interactions.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Laser flashes for cancer research

A research team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf has successfully tested irradiation with laser-accelerated protons on animals, paving the way for optimal radiation therapy. The method could make a decisive contribution to improving proton therapy, which is currently more complex and expensive than X-ray therapy.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022

More is not always better

A research team from the University of Jena has made an important breakthrough in generating high-energy proton radiation using laser-plasma interaction. By precisely adjusting parameters such as foil thickness, laser focusing, and pulse duration, they have achieved a maximum energy yield that could enable the development of smaller an...

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 1, 2022

Proton therapy lowers risk of side effects in cancer compared to traditional radiation

Researchers found proton therapy significantly lowers the risk of severe side effects such as hospitalization, while maintaining similar cure rates and effectiveness compared to traditional photon radiation. The study suggests proton therapy offers a way to reduce serious side effects without sacrificing treatment efficacy.

Two studies show promise, safety of proton therapy in the brain in children with cancer

Two new studies published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer and Acta Oncologica demonstrate the potential benefits of proton therapy for children with brain cancer. Proton therapy shows promising outcomes in improving overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates, particularly in young patients. Additionally, a new technique called p...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPediatric Blood & Cancer·DateSep 12, 2019