Chemistry

As California shifts towards renewable energy sources, the need for effective energy storage technologies becomes increasingly apparent. Solar power generation decreases at night and during winter, while wind power is intermittent. This variability in renewable energy sources necessitates the use of natural gas to stabilize the electric grid. However, this dependency on natural gas is

Stainless steel has long been a favorite material for chefs and cooks due to its durability, resistance to rust, and even cooking characteristics. One of the secrets behind the popularity of stainless steel lies in the presence of chromium, which reacts with oxygen to create a protective coating. This thin layer shields the steel beneath

Hydrogen (H2) has long been considered a promising fuel for reducing greenhouse gases, especially when produced by splitting water molecules (H2O) using renewable energy sources. However, the process of breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen is not as simple as it may seem. Two simultaneous electrochemical reactions take place, each requiring specific catalysts to facilitate

In a groundbreaking study conducted by a team at Trinity College Dublin, the phenomenon of split ends in hair is being dissected like never before. Led by Professor David Taylor, the team has developed a machine specifically designed to recreate the process of combing tangled hair to better understand the science behind split ends. This

A groundbreaking technology has emerged to tackle the limitations of current catalyst electrodes, revolutionizing the production of green hydrogen on a large scale and at a significantly lower cost. The pioneering development, detailed in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, is the result of a collaborative effort led by Professor Han Gi Chae from

Halogen bonds have recently been identified as key contributors to directing sequential dynamics in multifunctional crystals, providing valuable insights for the advancement of ultrafast-response times in multilevel optical storage. These intermolecular interactions are characterized by the attraction between a halogen atom and another atom with lone pairs, typically a molecular entity with high electron density.

The waste-to-wealth movement has sparked a wave of innovation in the field of technology aimed at converting greenhouse gases into valuable materials. One technology that has garnered significant attention is the catalytic conversion of methane into methanol, a versatile industrial solvent and raw material for chemical synthesis. The traditional industrial process for this conversion is

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have revolutionized the way we look at carbon capture and its potential implications for the environment. By developing a method to fabricate a miracle material known as MOF-525 on a large scale, the team has opened up new possibilities

Auxetic materials, with their ability to defy common sense by expanding when stretched and narrowing when compressed, hold tremendous promise for a wide range of applications. From bomb-resilient buildings to comfortable clothing, the possibilities seem endless. However, despite their unique properties, auxetic products have faced challenges in reaching the market. Researchers at the National Institute

Prof. Bozhi Tian’s lab has embarked on a groundbreaking journey to merge the realms of electronics and biology. Their latest innovation, dubbed “living bioelectronics,” combines living cells, gel, and electronics to seamlessly integrate with living tissue. In a study published in Science, the researchers unveiled patches consisting of sensors, bacterial cells, and a gel made

The field of biocatalysis has long been focused on optimizing natural enzyme functions for synthetic chemistry purposes. However, a recent study by UC Santa Barbara researchers, led by chemistry professor Yang Yang, has taken a groundbreaking approach by exploring entirely new enzymatic reactions through the use of photobiocatalysis. This innovative method leverages the power of

Protein structure prediction has been a critical area of research for decades, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of human health and disease. Recently, researchers from Cleveland Clinic and IBM have made significant strides in this field by exploring the application of quantum computing methods to predict protein structures. This new approach could pave

Proteins are fundamental components of cells, responsible for a wide range of crucial functions. Understanding their three-dimensional structures is essential for unraveling their roles in biological processes. In a groundbreaking development, the HUN-REN-ELTE Protein Modeling Research Group has introduced a novel mathematical method, known as LoCoHD (Local Composition Hellinger Distance), for comparing protein structures with

In the biorefining industry, there is a common belief that “You can make anything from lignin, except money.” This bio-based compound, abundant in wood biomass, has long been considered a challenge to commercialize. However, a group of chemists from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has introduced an