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Categories: Chemistry: General, Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published Researchers develop highly efficient and stable photoelectrode for water splitting using organic semiconductors
(via sciencedaily.com) A recent study has unveiled a significant breakthrough in photoelectrode development.
Published Electrifying heavy-duty vehicles could reduce environmental inequalities
(via sciencedaily.com) If the region surrounding Chicago -- North America's largest freight hub -- shifted just 30% of its current on-road heavy-duty vehicles to electric versions, it would substantially reduce pollution and save hundreds of lives per year, with the benefits largely concentrated in disadvantaged communities, according to a new study. The study authors highlight that neighborhoods with predominantly Black, Hispanic and Latinx residents would benefit the most -- potentially reducing disproportionate pollution and health burdens in historically marginalized areas.
Published New ribozyme can make RNA molecules accessible for click chemistry in living cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Important progress for RNA research: A team has discovered a new ribozyme that can label RNA molecules in living cells.
Published Bit by bit, microplastics from tires are polluting our waterways
(via sciencedaily.com) Urban stormwater particles from tire wear were the most prevalent microplastic a new study has found. The study showed that in stormwater runoff during rain approximately 19 out of every 20 microplastics collected were tire wear particles with anywhere from 2 to 59 particles per liter of water. Tire rubber contains up to 2500 chemicals with the contaminants that leach from tires considered more toxic to bacteria and microalgae than other plastic polymers.
Published Novel titanium dioxide catalyst support for electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction
(via sciencedaily.com) Carbon dioxide can be electrocatalytically reduced to useful resources using conventional catalysts such as gold or lead supported on conductive carbon. However, the high pH environment near electrodes often degrades the catalyst support, rendering them ineffective. Now, researchers have developed novel in-liquid plasma-treated titanium dioxide electrode decorated with silver nanoparticles as an alternate catalyst support, facilitating enhanced conversion of carbon dioxide to useful products, such as syngas, a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
Published Efficient and mild: Recycling of used lithium-ion batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) provide our portable devices like tablets and mobiles -- and increasingly also vehicles -- with power. As the share of volatile renewable energy needing electricity storage increases, more and more LIBs are needed, lithium prices rise, resources dwindle, and the amount of depleted batteries that contain toxic substances increases. Researchers introduce a novel approach for the recovery of lithium from used LIBs.
Published 3D-printed 'living material' could clean up contaminated water
(via sciencedaily.com) A 'living material,' made of a natural polymer combined with genetically engineered bacteria, could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to clean pollutants from water. Researchers developed their living material using a seaweed-based polymer and bacteria that have been programmed to produce an enzyme that transforms various organic pollutants into harmless compounds. In tests, heir material decontaminated water solutions tainted with a pollutant from textile manufacturing: indigo carmine, a blue dye that is used to color denim.
Published Striking gold with molecular mystery solution for potential clean energy
(via sciencedaily.com) Hydrogen spillover is exactly what it sounds like. Small metal nanoparticles anchored on a thermally stable oxide, like silica, comprise a major class of catalysts, which are substances used to accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed themselves. The catalytic reaction usually occurs on the reactive -- and expensive -- metal, but on some catalysts, hydrogen atom-like equivalents literally spill from the metal to the oxide. These hydrogen-on-oxide species are called 'hydrogen spillover.'
Published A step closer to digitizing the sense of smell: Model describes odors better than human panelists
(via sciencedaily.com) A main crux of neuroscience is learning how our senses translate light into sight, sound into hearing, food into taste, and texture into touch. Smell is where these sensory relationships get more complex and perplexing. To address this question, a research team are investigating how airborne chemicals connect to odor perception in the brain. They discovered that a machine-learning model has achieved human-level proficiency at describing, in words, what chemicals smell like.
Published Growing triple-decker hybrid crystals for lasers
(via sciencedaily.com) By controlling the arrangement of multiple inorganic and organic layers within crystals using a novel technique, researchers have shown they can control the energy levels of electrons and holes (positive charge carriers) within a class of materials called perovskites. This tuning influences the materials' optoelectronic properties and their ability to emit light of specific energies, demonstrated by their ability to function as a source of lasers.
Published Breathe! The shape-shifting ball that supports mental health
(via sciencedaily.com) A soft ball designed to support mental health by 'personifying' breath has been invented by a computer science student.
Published Taking photoclick chemistry to the next level
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have been able to substantially improve photoclick chemistry. They were able to boost the reactivity of the photoclick compound in the popular PQ-ERA reaction through strategic molecular substitution. They now report a superb photoreaction quantum yield, high reaction rates and notable oxygen tolerance.
Published Surpassing the human eye: Machine learning image analysis rapidly determines chemical mixture composition
(via sciencedaily.com) Machine learning model provides quick method for determining the composition of solid chemical mixtures using only photographs of the sample.
Published Direct formation of sulfuric acid in the atmosphere
(via sciencedaily.com) In the atmosphere, gaseous sulfuric acid can form particles that influence the physical properties of clouds. Thus, the formation of sulfuric acid in the gas phase directly affects the radiative forcing and Earth's climate. In addition to the known formation from sulfur dioxide, researchers have now been able to demonstrate through experiments that there is another formation pathway that has been speculated about for decades. Sulfuric acid in the atmosphere can also be formed directly by the oxidation of organic sulfur compounds. This new production pathway can be responsible for up to half of the gaseous sulfuric acid formation over the oceans and is thus of high importance for climate projections -- especially over the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere.
Published Tiny, shape-shifting robot can squish itself into tight spaces
(via sciencedaily.com) Imagine a robot that can wedge itself through the cracks in rubble to search for survivors trapped in the wreckage of a collapsed building. Engineers are working toward to that goal with CLARI, short for Compliant Legged Articulated Robotic Insect.
Published New 'droplet battery' could pave the way for miniature bio-integrated devices
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed a miniature battery that could be used to power tiny devices integrated into human tissues. The design uses an ionic gradient across a chain of droplets -- inspired by how electric eels generate electricity. The device was able to regulate the biological activity of human neurons. This could open the way to the development of tiny bio-integrated devices, with a range of applications in biology and medicine.
Published Paving the way for advanced quantum sensors
(via sciencedaily.com) Quantum physics has allowed for the creation of sensors far surpassing the precision of classical devices. Now, several new studies show that the precision of these quantum sensors can be significantly improved using entanglement produced by finite-range interactions. Researchers were able to demonstrate this enhancement using entangled ion-chains with up to 51 particles.
Published Overcoming the challenges to synthesising iron--sulfur proteins outside the glovebox
(via sciencedaily.com) Iron--sulfur (Fe--S) proteins, essential to all life forms, are difficult to synthesise due to the complicated molecular machinery involved and sensitivity of Fe--S clusters to oxygen. In a new study, a team of researchers devised an innovative protocol for synthesising mature Fe--S proteins, by bringing together a recombinant sulfur assimilation (SUF) system and an oxygen-scavenging system, thereby, paving the way for new technologies and a better understanding of the evolution of life.
Published A first for ferrocene: Organometallic capsule with unusual charge-transfer interactions
(via sciencedaily.com) An organometallic capsule that can reversibly assemble and disassemble in response to chemical stimuli was recently developed by chemists. Comprising ferrocene-based bent amphiphiles, this new capsule can act as a host for various types of guest molecules, such as electron acceptors and dyes. Thanks to the controllable release of its cargo, the capsule would find applications in catalysis, medicine, and biotechnology.
Published Direct power generation from methylcyclohexane using solid oxide fuel cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Methylcyclohexane is very promising as a hydrogen carrier that can safely and efficiently transport and store hydrogen. However, the dehydrogenation process using catalysts has issues due to its durability and large energy loss. Recently, researchers have succeeded in using solid oxide fuel cells to generate electricity directly from methylcyclohexane and recover toluene for reuse. This research is expected to not only reduce energy requirements but also explore new chemical synthesis by fuel cells.