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Categories: Chemistry: General, Offbeat: Space
Published Antibacterial material developed for use with internal medical devices such as hip replacements or pacemakers
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed an effective and flexible antimicrobial material that could be used to coat medical devices placed inside the body. The work combines previous research from both universities into metal-organic frameworks -- three-dimensional crystalline materials made of metals and linkers that are porous and remain stable in water.
Published Engineering bacteria to biosynthesize intricate protein complexes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Protein cages found in nature within microbes help weather its contents from the harsh intracellular environment -- an observation with many bioengineering applications. Researchers recently developed an innovative bioengineering approach using genetically modified bacteria; these bacteria can incorporate protein cages around protein crystals. This in-cell biosynthesis method efficiently produces highly customized protein complexes, which could find applications as advanced solid catalysts and functionalized nanomaterials.
Published Water splitting reaction for green hydrogen gas production improved
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Electrochemical catalysts used in water splitting often show poor performance due to low electrical conductance of (oxy)hydroxide species produced in situ. To overcome this challenge, researchers have now designed an electrode with Schottky Junction formed at the interface of metallic Ni-W5N4 and semiconducting NiFeOOH. The proposed electrode shows excellent catalytic activity and can facilitate industrial seawater splitting continuously for 10 days.
Published Climate engineering could slow Antarctic ice loss, study suggests
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A study reports that scattering sunlight-reflecting particles in the atmosphere -- a theoretical form of climate engineering known as 'stratospheric aerosol injection' -- has potential to slow rapid ice melt in Western Antarctica.
Published With unprecedented flares, stellar corpse shows signs of life
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source After a distant star's explosive death, an active stellar corpse was the likely source of repeated energetic flares observed over several months -- a phenomenon astronomers had never seen before, astronomers report.
Published James Webb Space Telescope detects water vapor, sulfur dioxide and sand clouds in the atmosphere of a nearby exoplanet
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Astronomers have used recent observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope to study the atmosphere of the nearby exoplanet WASP-107b. Peering deep into the fluffy atmosphere of WASP-107b they discovered not only water vapor and sulfur dioxide, but even silicate sand clouds. These particles reside within a dynamic atmosphere that exhibits vigorous transport of material.
Published New process for screening old urine samples reveals previously undetected 'designer drugs'
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a more efficient way to find out which new 'designer drugs' are circulating in the community. In a new study, they showed how high-resolution mass spectrometry can be used to analyze urine samples at scale and uncover molecules from emerging designer drugs that have been missed by conventional testing. The approach can support public health and safety by enabling swift identification of new substances, potentially saving lives and guiding timely clinical responses to drug-related emergencies.
Published 'Bouncing' comets could deliver building blocks for life to exoplanets
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source How did the molecular building blocks for life end up on Earth? One long-standing theory is that they could have been delivered by comets. Now, researchers have shown how comets could deposit similar building blocks to other planets in the galaxy.
Published Using cosmetic ingredient for battery protection
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A research team has devised a battery electrode protective film using biopolymers sourced from cosmetic ingredients.
Published Converting PFAS 'forever chemicals' into valuable compounds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have successfully synthesized ligands called fluorinated N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) from environmentally harmful perfluoroalkenes, a type of synthetic chemicals also referred to as PFAS. These NHCs are valuable for stabilizing unstable molecules and enhancing catalytic efficiency. Through further structural modification, these NHCs are expected to find applications in a wide range of substances, including catalysts and light-emitting materials.
Published Using eclipses to calculate the transparency of Saturn's rings
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A student has measured the optical depth of Saturn's rings using a new method based on how much sunlight reached the Cassini spacecraft while it was in the shadow of the rings.
Published New water treatment method can generate green energy
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have designed micromotors that move around on their own to purify wastewater. The process creates ammonia, which can serve as a green energy source. Now, an AI method will be used to tune the motors to achieve the best possible results.
Published Galactic 'lightsabers': Answering longstanding questions about jets from black holes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The one thing everyone knows about black holes is that absolutely everything nearby gets sucked into them. Almost everything, it turns out. Astrophysicists have now determined conclusively that energy close to the event horizon of black hole M87* is pushing outward, not inward. The researchers have also created a way to test the prediction that black holes lose rotational energy and to establish it's that energy that produces the incredibly powerful jets.
Published Scientists uncover aurora-like radio emission above a sunspot
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Astronomers have detailed radio observations of an extraordinary aurora-like display -- occurring 40,000 km above a relatively dark and cold patch on the Sun, known as a sunspot.
Published 'Cooling glass' blasts building heat into space
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers aiming to combat rising global temperatures have developed a new 'cooling glass' that can turn down the heat indoors without electricity by drawing on the cold depths of space. The new technology, a microporous glass coating, can lower the temperature of the material beneath it by 3.5 degrees Celsius at noon, and has the potential to reduce a mid-rise apartment building's yearly carbon emissions by 10 percent.
Published Ammonia fuel offers great benefits but demands careful action
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have identified the potential environmental risks of using ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel in order to develop an engineering roadmap to a sustainable ammonia economy.
Published AI programs spat out known data and hardly learned specific chemical interactions when predicting drug potency
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. Until now, AI applications generally have 'black box' character: How AI arrives at its results remains hidden. A cheminformatics scientist has now developed a method that reveals how certain AI applications work in pharmaceutical research. The results are unexpected: the AI programs largely remembered known data and hardly learned specific chemical interactions when predicting drug potency.
Published Capture or reuse CO2 as a chemical source for the production of sustainable plastics
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Chemists have developed a new polyurethane production technique using CO2 to create new types of easily recyclable plastics that uses more sustainable materials to produce plastics with properties similar to conventional petro-sourced plastics. This new technology is emerging as a potential solution for the development of sustainable plastics with a wide range of properties that can easily meet the needs of most of our everyday applications.
Published Tracking down quantum flickering of the vacuum
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Absolutely empty -- that is how most of us envision the vacuum. Yet, in reality, it is filled with an energetic flickering: the quantum fluctuations. Experts are currently preparing a laser experiment intended to verify these vacuum fluctuations in a novel way, which could potentially provide clues to new laws in physics. A research team has developed a series of proposals designed to help conduct the experiment more effectively -- thus increasing the chances of success.
Published Template for success: Shaping hard carbon electrodes for next-generation batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Sodium- and potassium-ion batteries are promising next-generation alternatives to the ubiquitous lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, their energy density still lags behind that of LIBs. To tackle this issue, researchers explored an innovative strategy to turn hard carbon into an excellent negative electrode material. Using inorganic zinc-based compounds as a template during synthesis, they prepared nanostructured hard carbon, which exhibits excellent performance in both alternative batteries.