In today’s world, where waste generation has become a significant concern, finding sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials is of utmost importance. Plastic and petroleum-based materials contribute to a large portion of the waste that ends up in landfills, as they cannot decompose or degrade over time. This problem has led scientists to search for materials
Chemistry
The chemical industry has long been associated with harmful environmental impacts and toxic waste. However, researchers at Caltech, led by Professor Karthish Manthiram, are working towards changing this narrative. In a recent publication in the journal Science, Manthiram’s lab describes the development of a catalyst that enables the production of propylene oxide without the use
As the global climate crisis intensifies, researchers at Case Western Reserve University have embarked on a vital mission to develop sustainable and efficient methods to convert waste into valuable products and fuels. Their groundbreaking research focuses on the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas, into valuable chemicals using renewable energy sources. While
Catalysts play an integral role in various processes, from converting milk into yogurt to producing Post-It notes. The search for optimal catalyst materials often involves time-consuming experiments and complex quantum chemistry calculations. To simplify this process, scientists have turned to graph neural networks (GNNs) to predict the structural intricacies of atomic systems. However, researchers at
In a world increasingly concerned about reducing carbon emissions, the shift towards electricity as a greener power source is well underway. However, this transition extends beyond just cars and into the vast global manufacturing network that produces a wide range of products, from batteries to fertilizers. To make this shift sustainable, researchers from the University
Organic chemistry plays a pivotal role in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and chemicals. One class of organic compounds that holds great significance is heterocyclic compounds. These compounds consist of ring structures containing carbon atoms and other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Due to their versatility and excellent physiological activities, heterocyclic compounds have become
Deep within the Earth or the center of the sun, matter undergoes a fundamental change on an atomic level. Researchers have discovered that high pressure can transform metals into nonconducting insulators. For example, sodium, a shiny gray-colored metal, can become a transparent, glass-like insulator under extreme pressure. A recent study led by the University at
In a groundbreaking development, a research team at UNIST has successfully proven a previously theoretical method for producing a specific anticancer precursor substance. This discovery opens up new avenues for the development of innovative drugs and paves the way for extensive research on the effects of anticancer precursors on the human body. Led by Professor
The development of drugs that can be administered orally has always been a challenge in the pharmaceutical industry. Many proteins vital for treating various diseases have remained elusive to oral drug therapy, limiting patient convenience and accessibility. However, in a recent study published in Nature Chemical Biology, scientists from the laboratory of Professor Christian Heinis
Single-use plastics are a pressing environmental concern, but researchers at the Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD) at Hokkaido University have discovered a groundbreaking method to repurpose plastic bags from grocery stores. Instead of ending up in landfills, these used plastic bags can be utilized to initiate chemical reactions that detoxify hazardous chemicals.
The conversion of light into electricity, known as the photovoltaic effect, is a phenomenon that plays a crucial role in the functioning of solar cells. Traditionally, solar cells have consisted of two semiconductors with contrasting electron properties, resulting in high conversion efficiency. However, recent research has shed light on another photovoltaic effect – the bulk
In a groundbreaking study, a team of chemical engineers and materials scientists at Zhejiang University in China has made a remarkable discovery – a new type of aerogel fiber that surpasses the warmth of traditional down when woven into a sweater. Published in the prestigious journal Science, their research outlines the inspiration behind their groundbreaking