Phys.org Chemistry

• Catalytic system turns biomass waste to renewable chemical stock

  Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden, in collaboration with scientists from Finland, Vietnam, India, and Italy, have developed a catalytic system to convert lignin structures into highly valuable chemicals. This innovative technology offers promising solutions to pressing environmental and energy challenges.

• Frontier molecular orbital theory aids single-atom catalyst design

  Single-atom catalysts (SACs), with their excellent metal atom utilization and unique physicochemical properties, hold promise for broad applications, especially in heterogeneous catalysis and energy conversions. Essentially, the activity and stability of SACs are governed by the pair of metal-adsorbate and metal-support interactions. However, the rationale of these interactions with their catalytic performance of SACs in nature and a unified theoretical model to describe both activity and stability remain elusive.

• Novel nuclear rocket fuel test could accelerate NASA's Mars mission

  A team from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, joined by university students, recently traveled to The Ohio State University Research Reactor to conduct a novel experiment on nuclear thermal rocket fuel coatings—one that could help propel NASA's astronauts to Mars faster and more efficiently.

• 3D-printing formula may transform future of foam

  From seat cushions to mattresses to insulation, foam is everywhere—even if we don't always see it. Now, researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas have fused chemistry with technology to create a 3D-printed foam that is more durable and more recyclable than the polymer foam found in many everyday products.

• Quantum computing predicts proton affinity with superior accuracy

  Kenneth Merz, Ph.D., of Cleveland Clinic's Center for Computational Life Sciences, and a research team are testing quantum computing's abilities in chemistry through integrating machine learning and quantum circuits.

• Organogold(III) complex accumulates in mitochondria of lung cancer cells, opening up new treatment avenues

  Precious metals are not merely ornaments; they are also important components of pharmaceuticals, like the antitumor drug cisplatin. Recently, the search for alternatives with improved activity has begun to focus on gold.

• X-ray spectroscopy reveals unexpected proton attraction

  Proton transfer in aqueous systems is a fundamental process occurring constantly around us. It involves a molecule losing a proton, which then associates with another molecule. Given its significance in fields such as electrochemistry, energy conversion, and biology, scientists have been rigorously investigating its mechanisms for more than 200 years since the first model was proposed.

• Illuminating single atoms for sustainable propylene production

  More than 150 million metric tons of propylene are produced annually, making it one of the most widespread chemicals used in the chemical industry.

• Conductive polymers: First successful synthesis of polyaniline with golden luster

  Researchers at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, have developed a method for synthesizing polyaniline—a conductive polymer exhibiting golden luster—marking the first successful attempt globally. The reflection spectrum of this polyaniline resembles that of metallic gold.

• Binding to surface sugars enhances omicron variant's cell attachment, researchers discover

  Researchers at Umeå University have discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 variant omicron has developed a stronger binding to human lung cells through optimized interaction with heparan sulfate, a sugar molecule on the cell surface. This discovery is significant for understanding the spread of the virus and the course of the disease.

• Sustainable biomanufacturing: Key to India's green transition

  In the battle against climate change, the role of chemistry and the chemical industry is often overlooked. As India accelerates its industrial growth, it must embrace sustainable biomanufacturing and green chemistry not just to meet environmental commitments but to reinforce economic competitiveness.

• Purification method removes PFAS from water while transforming waste into high-value graphene

  Rice University researchers have developed an innovative solution to a pressing environmental challenge: removing and destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called "forever chemicals."

• Real-time monitoring of advanced nuclear fuel now possible with new test bed

  To meet energy demands and reestablish the nation's energy dominance, U.S. companies are developing several types of advanced reactors.

• 3D printing method creates color-changing materials for smart textiles

  In a leap forward for materials science, a multi-institutional team of researchers has developed a pioneering method of 3D printing cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), enabling complex, color-changing responsive materials and paving the way for novel applications like smart textiles and advanced robotics.

• Evaluating the health effects of bioactive compounds obtained from plants

  Fruits and plant extracts contain bioactive compounds that can help treat or prevent diseases. To characterize and understand their mechanism of action, researchers from universities and research institutions in Brazil and Germany have conducted independent but complementary studies.

• Chance discovery improves stability of bioelectronic material used in medical implants, computing and biosensors

  A chance discovery led a team of scientists from Rice University, University of Cambridge and Stanford University to streamline the production of a material widely used in medical research and computing applications.

• Palladium-liquid gallium catalyst transforms chemical manufacturing, boosting speed, safety and sustainability

  A major breakthrough in liquid catalysis is transforming how essential products are made, making the chemical manufacturing process faster, safer and more sustainable than ever before.

• Active compounds in Piper longum fruits show potential for functional foods and medicine

  Mature or nearly mature fruits of Piper longum are used as a spice, valued for their commercial and industrial applications, as well as in traditional Chinese medicine for their multiple effects, such as dispelling cold and relieving pain.

• Solar-powered system converts waste to ammonia and glycolic acid

  A team of researchers from UNIST has developed a new technology that uses solar energy to produce ammonia and glycolic acid—an essential component in cosmetics—while eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.

• Nanofiltration system separates valuable industrial chemicals from cattle manure

  A collaboration between chemical engineers and animal scientists has created a system for recovering valuable industrial chemicals from animal waste, representing a major step towards circularity and environmental sustainability.

• AI model transforms material design by predicting and explaining synthesizability

  A research team has successfully developed a technology that utilizes Large Language Models (LLMs) to predict the synthesizability of novel materials and interpret the basis for such predictions. The team was led by Seoul National University's Professor Yousung Jung and conducted in collaboration with Fordham University in the United States.

• Biomimetic adsorbent efficiently extracts uranium from seawater

  The oceans hold an enormous amount of very diluted uranium that could potentially serve as a sustainable fuel source for nuclear power. But how can uranium be extracted quickly and efficiently from seawater?

• Cleaner fuels, greener industries: New approach synthesizes zeolites with diverse aluminum contents

  A novel "zeolite blending" method has successfully produced CON-type zeolites with unprecedentedly high aluminum content, report researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo. By combining multiple zeolite precursors to guide the synthesis process, this innovative strategy overcomes long-standing limitations in controlling aluminum content in zeolite frameworks. The proposed approach will open new possibilities for catalyst development across various industrial applications, including petrochemical processing, fine chemicals production, and environmental remediation.

• Novel enzyme can extract valuable compounds from plant waste using a green chemistry approach

  About 98% of lignin created as a forestry by-product from plants is discarded, but a new enzyme could be the key to extracting high-value molecules from this waste using a green chemistry approach.

• How calcium may have unlocked the origins of life's molecular asymmetry

  A new study led by researchers at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at the Institute of Science, Tokyo, has uncovered a surprising role for calcium in shaping life's earliest molecular structures. Their findings suggest that calcium ions can selectively influence how primitive polymers form, shedding light on a long-standing mystery: how life's molecules came to prefer a single "handedness" (chirality).