Chemistry

The process of breaking down esters to produce alcohols and other chemicals has traditionally been costly both financially and environmentally. Conventional methods require excess amounts of highly reactive and difficult to handle metal reductants, making the process inefficient and unsustainable in the long run. Researchers at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) in Japan

Chemists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have made a breakthrough in the field of chemical synthesis by developing hexavalent photocatalytic covalent organic frameworks (COFs). These frameworks have the potential to mimic natural photosynthesis to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a vital industrial chemical. The Need for Innovation Traditionally, the production of H2O2 has been

Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in brain metabolism, affecting memory, learning abilities, and mood. Research has shown that a low level of vitamin B6 is associated with various mental illnesses, including depression and cognitive decline in older individuals. While the importance of vitamin B6 in mental health has been recognized for decades, there is

Stainless steel has long been valued for its durability, rust resistance, and even cooking properties when subjected to heat. The metal chromium, a key component of stainless steel, reacts with oxygen in the air to create a protective layer that shields the steel underneath from environmental damage. This unique characteristic has made stainless steel a

As California transitions rapidly to renewable fuels, it faces the challenge of storing power for the electric grid. Solar power drops at night and declines in winter, while wind power fluctuates. This reliance on natural gas to balance the highs and lows of renewable power highlights the need for new technologies in energy storage. The

The development of hydrogen (H2) as a fuel source is a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gases. One of the key challenges in utilizing hydrogen as a fuel is the production of this element through the splitting of water molecules. The process of breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen is complex and requires catalysts to

Hair damage is a common issue that many people face, with split ends being a particularly frustrating problem. Despite its prevalence, the science behind hair damage, especially split ends, has long been poorly understood. However, a team at Trinity College Dublin, led by Professor David Taylor, is taking steps to unravel this knotty problem. By

The study of halogen bonds has revealed how these interactions can be harnessed to control sequential dynamics in multifunctional crystals, leading to advancements in ultrafast-response times for multilevel optical storage. Halogen bonds, characterized by the attraction between a halogen atom and another electron-rich entity, play a significant role in crystal engineering and the development of

In a groundbreaking development, a team of researchers led by Professor Han Gi Chae and Professor Jong-Beom Baek at UNIST has developed a new technology to address the limitations of current catalyst electrodes. This advancement, reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, enables the production of green hydrogen on a large scale at

The traditional industrial process for converting methane into methanol is known to be energy and resource-intensive. Most of the catalyst systems used are based on rare and expensive transition or noble metals, making the process economically unviable for widespread use. This has been a significant barrier in the waste-to-wealth movement, which aims to convert greenhouse

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of chemical engineering. The team, led by assistant professor Gaurav “Gino” Giri, has found a way to make the fabrication of the miracle material MOF-525 practical for large-scale applications. This development has significant implications for

In a groundbreaking leap in the field of bioelectronics, Prof. Bozhi Tian’s lab has successfully developed what they call “living bioelectronics.” This innovative approach combines living cells, gel, and electronics in a way that seamlessly integrates with living tissue. The research, recently published in Science, showcases the potential of this technology to monitor and treat

Imagine a material that defies common sense – one that becomes wider and fatter when pulled and narrower and thinner when compressed. These materials, known as auxetics, possess a range of extraordinary properties that make them ideal for a variety of applications, from sneaker insoles to bomb-resistant buildings. Despite their immense potential, the introduction of

The field of biocatalysis has made significant strides in optimizing natural enzyme functions for synthetic chemistry. However, UC Santa Barbara researchers, led by chemistry professor Yang Yang, are pushing the boundaries even further by delving into completely new enzymatic reactions that have never been seen before in either chemistry or biology. While most research in

Proteins are essential components of living organisms, acting as molecular machines that carry out various processes vital for cell function. The three-dimensional structure of a protein plays a crucial role in its functionality, and analyzing these structures has become increasingly important in the field of protein research. In a recent study published in Nature Communications,