Chemistry

In recent years, mycelial fibers have gained recognition as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials. Known for their excellent formability, these fibrous cells found in fruiting mushroom bodies have shown great potential for applications such as leather and packaging. As the world grapples with the growing problem of waste, scientists are seeking out eco-friendly materials

For decades, the chemical industry has been plagued by its association with pollution and environmental harm. The image of billowing smokestacks and toxic waste discharges has overshadowed the crucial role that chemicals play in our everyday lives. However, there is hope for a more sustainable future. Caltech’s Karthish Manthiram, a respected professor of chemical engineering

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are making significant strides in their efforts to convert waste into fuels and other valuable products using energy-efficient and renewable processes. Their focus lies specifically in tackling the challenge of converting carbon dioxide (CO2), a prominent greenhouse gas, into useful chemicals through the use of electricity. Converting CO2 into

The field of catalyst discovery plays a crucial role in various industries, from the production of everyday products like yogurt and Post-It notes to the development of sustainable energy sources. Traditionally, scientists have relied on laborious experiments and complex quantum chemistry calculations to identify optimal catalyst materials for specific reactions. However, in recent years, the

As the global shift towards greener power sources gains momentum, the focus on transitioning from gas to electricity extends beyond just vehicles. Powering the vast manufacturing network responsible for producing essential products, from batteries to fertilizers, also needs to embrace sustainability. In a recent study published in Nature Catalysis, UChicago chemists have made significant progress

The synthesis of heterocyclic compounds plays a pivotal role in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry due to their versatility and potent physiological activities. However, current methods for synthesizing these compounds often involve high temperature and pressure conditions, as well as the use of precious metal catalysts. These conditions contribute to the economic and environmental costs

When matter is subjected to extreme pressure, such as deep within the Earth’s surface or the center of a star, significant changes occur on an atomic level. This phenomenon has long fascinated scientists, particularly when it comes to the transformation of metals into nonconducting insulators under high pressure. One such metal is sodium, which has

A research team from UNIST has made an exciting breakthrough in the field of cancer research. Led by Professor Jaeheung Cho of the Department of Chemistry, the team has successfully developed a novel method for producing a selective anticancer precursor substance that targets and eliminates cancer cells. This groundbreaking discovery, which was previously only a

Over the years, there has been a persistent challenge in the field of drug development. Many proteins, which play a vital role in treating various diseases, have remained inaccessible to oral drug therapy. Traditional small molecules have struggled to bind to proteins with flat surfaces, and the requirement for specificity in targeting particular protein homologs

Single-use plastics have long been a topic of environmental concern due to their negative impact on ecosystems. However, recent research conducted by the Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD) at Hokkaido University has revealed a groundbreaking method that could transform the way we view these plastics. Instead of adding to the already staggering

The conversion of light into electricity is a fundamental process that underpins the function of solar cells. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the study of the bulk photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon that involves a single material and has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency of solar cells. A team of

In a groundbreaking development, a team of chemical engineers and materials scientists at Zhejiang University in China has successfully created a new type of aerogel fiber that surpasses the warmth of down when incorporated into a sweater. This remarkable achievement could revolutionize the textile industry and redefine the way we stay warm in cold environments.

Research groups worldwide are dedicated to developing technologies that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable raw materials for industrial applications. While most experiments have been conducted with heterogeneous electrocatalysts, scientists believe that homogeneous catalysts, which are in the same phase as the reactants, might offer higher efficiency and selectivity. However, until recently, no

The study of biological processes and the complex structures of proteins is a crucial field of research. One of the key concepts in this area is chemical diversification of proteins, which involves selectively modifying specific amino acids to create diverse variations of proteins. Cysteine, an amino acid, has been extensively studied and can currently be

In a surprising turn of events, scientists have discovered that a common carbon compound, graphene, when combined with copper in just the right proportion, can significantly enhance the performance of electrical wires. This groundbreaking finding challenges conventional wisdom about metals and their ability to conduct electricity. The implications of this discovery are far-reaching and have