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UCF researcher discovers new technique for photon detection

A new technique for photon detection has been developed by UCF researcher Debashis Chanda, offering ultra-sensitive detection at room temperature. The method uses a phase-change material to modulate the frequency of an oscillating circuit, paving the way for low-cost, high-efficiency uncooled infrared detectors and imaging systems.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2023

North China Electric Power University’s innovative solutions for Fukushima radioactive water crisis

Chinese researchers are exploring advanced porous nanomaterials and technologies to reduce radionuclide discharge into the environment. These materials possess high specific surface area, abundant pore structures, exceptional stability, and design flexibility, making them promising candidates for radionuclide removal.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalEco-Environment & Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 24, 2023

Diamond materials as solar-powered electrodes - spectroscopy shows what's important

Researchers have found that diamond materials can release electrons in water and trigger chemical reactions when excited by light. The team used X-ray spectroscopy to precisely track the processes taking place on the surface of diamond materials, revealing that they are well-suited for use in aqueous solutions.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

New type of visible-light responsive photocatalyst is efficient, stable and very economical

Researchers developed a new type of photocatalyst harnessing the visible portion of sunlight spectrum. The photocatalyst achieved high photo-to-chemical conversation efficiency and was found to be extremely stable under various conditions, including high temperatures and different pH levels.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Science Advanced Materials and Devices·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2023

Fanning the flames

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that wildfires emit dark brown carbon, a potent climate-warming particle that absorbs solar radiation. This finding has broad implications for climate models and highlights the need to revise existing approaches to account for the unexpected effects of brown carbon.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2023

New tumour-selective light treatment could kill breast cancer cells with greater accuracy and improve tumour control

Researchers at NUS developed a new photodynamic therapy that selectively kills breast cancer cells without damaging surrounding tissues. The treatment uses a biocompatible silicone implant loaded with nanoparticles activated by near-infrared light, reducing the risk of toxicity and improving tumour control.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalACS Nano·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 19, 2023

Ultrafast and tunable

A study by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf team demonstrates efficient conversion of high-frequency signals into visible light using graphene-based materials. The mechanism involves a thermal radiation process, and the conversion is ultrafast and tunable.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2023

New recipes for better solar fuel production

A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2023

Innovative endoscopic imaging system can detect multiple fluorescent tracers

Researchers developed a novel endoscopic imaging system with a bioinspired sensor that can detect multiple fluorescent probes, enabling more accurate fluorescence-guided cancer surgery. The system showed improved spatial resolution and sensitivity in detecting tumors, paving the way for the adoption of multi-tracer FGS.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMay 26, 2023

New horizons for organoboron and organosilicon chemistry with triple elementalization

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new synthesis method that allows the introduction of multiple B- and Si-containing groups into aromatic nitrogen heterocycles. This breakthrough unlocks the creation of versatile platforms for organic compounds relevant to medicinal chemistry. The approach enables the production o...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2023

‘Liquid windows’ inspired by squid skin could help buildings react to changing environments, save on energy costs

A multilayered fluidic system inspired by squid skin can optimize the wavelength, intensity, and dispersion of light reaching building interiors. This could lead to significant savings on heating, cooling, and lighting energy costs, with annual reductions of up to 50%.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2023

Researchers shed (laser) light on emerging water treatment technique

A team of researchers from the University of Rhode Island has discovered new details about the chemical reaction that occurs when ferrate is exposed to visible and ultraviolet light. The findings could help optimize the use of ferrate in water treatment applications, making it a promising option for smaller systems.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Solvent study solves solar cell durability puzzle

Researchers at Rice University have created stable and efficient halide perovskite solar cells by finding the right solvent design to apply a 2D top layer on top of a 3D bottom layer. The new method achieves high power conversion efficiencies, comparable to commercially available solar cells, while maintaining stability.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Hydrogel glass: a novel glass design for energy saving in buildings

Researchers have developed a novel hydrogel-glass design that enhances indoor illumination while reducing cooling consumption, demonstrating potential for widespread energy savings in buildings. The study published in Frontiers of Optoelectronics shows significant reductions in energy use ranging from 2.37 to 10.45 MJ·m−2 ·year−1.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2022

New weapon targets antibiotic resistance

A new class of light-activated hemithioindigo molecules developed by Rice University scientists kill specific Gram-positive bacteria and their biofilms. The molecules induce reactive oxygen species that chemically attack and destroy drug-resistant cells, offering a safer alternative to conventional antibiotics.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2022

Demonstration of a highly efficient modulator using the organic electro-optic polymer for visible light

Researchers at NICT developed an organic electro-optic polymer for visible light, significantly improving efficiency and miniaturization. The new modulator has lower absorption loss and higher electro-optic coefficient in visible light compared to conventional optical modulators.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Found: The ‘holy grail of catalysis’ — turning methane into methanol under ambient conditions using light

Researchers have developed a novel process converting methane into liquid methanol at ambient temperature and pressure using visible light. The method uses a continuous flow of methane/oxygen-saturated water over a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst, achieving 100% selectivity with no by-products.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022