Chemistry

Alchemy, a practice that captivated minds for centuries, bestowed upon the world many unsolved mysteries. One such enigma was the production of purple smoke upon detonation of fulminating gold, the world’s first known high explosive. After centuries of speculation, scientists at the University of Bristol have finally provided an answer to this 400-year-old puzzle. In

The field of vaccine design and immunotherapy has been revolutionized by the discovery of small molecules called immunomodulators. These molecules have the potential to enhance immune response and create more effective vaccines and treatments for diseases like cancer. However, the challenge lies in identifying the right molecules from a vast chemical space consisting of an

Crystalline materials play a crucial role in various industries, ranging from semiconductors to pharmaceuticals. However, identifying the structure of crystalline materials can often be a complex and time-consuming task, especially when dealing with multiphase samples containing different types of crystals. In recent years, machine learning has emerged as a powerful tool for data analysis and

A team of pioneering researchers from the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) has made remarkable progress in the complex field of molecular chemistry. Their groundbreaking focus lies on azaarenes, a type of unique molecular puzzle pieces that hold great importance in various everyday products, ranging from eco-friendly agrochemicals to essential medicines. By

Spectroscopy, a scientific field that studies the interaction between light and matter, heavily relies on the understanding of absorption and fluorescence properties of molecules and materials. An absorption band signifies the range of wavelengths at which a material absorbs light, leading to the transition of electrons to higher energy states. Conversely, fluorescence bands correspond to

In a groundbreaking new study, chemists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have made significant strides in understanding the development of semiconductor materials that harness the power of chirality. Chirality, a non-superimposable mirror image, is a natural phenomenon that plays a crucial role in building complex structures. For example, the iconic double helix structure of

Chemical reactions play a critical role in drug development, and one atom that has gained a reputation as a “magic bullet” in this process is fluorine. Fluorine has the unique ability to increase a drug’s absorption and prolong its lifetime, making it a highly sought-after component in pharmaceuticals. However, traditional methods of incorporating fluorine into

The pharmaceutical industry heavily relies on the physical properties of pharmaceutical and functional materials to determine their performance. These properties, such as stability and solubility, are known to depend on factors like the solid-state form and environmental conditions. Late appearing, more stable forms can lead to the disappearance of polymorphs and potentially the withdrawal of

In today’s society, synthetic polymers play a critical role in various aspects of our lives, from the clothes we wear to the products we use. These materials are composed of long chains of monomers, and their molecular composition greatly influences their functionality and properties. However, until now, scientists have lacked an effective method for sequencing

Fungal infections pose a significant threat to public health, and their prevalence is only increasing. These infections have the potential to cause widespread harm, much like the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to address this growing crisis, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made strides in the development

The quest for sustainable and efficient technologies in the field of hydrocarbon valorization has brought about a groundbreaking development. Natural gas, composed of potent greenhouse gases such as methane and ethane, poses significant challenges in terms of storage and conversion. Conventional large-scale facilities for transforming natural gas are costly and impractical for smaller natural gas

Plastics have undoubtedly revolutionized various industries due to their unique properties. However, their durability has presented a significant challenge when it comes to recycling. The recycling process is hindered by the lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms involved in biocatalysis. Fortunately, a recent research project led by a team from Universitat Jaume I has

The development of catalysts for hydrogen production through water electrolysis has been a challenging endeavor that researchers have been actively pursuing. However, the reliance on precious metal catalysts such as iridium has proven to be economically unfeasible, limiting the scalability of this environmentally friendly technology. In order to overcome this challenge, scientists have been exploring

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has long been recognized for its unique and interesting effects on the human brain. But what about its distinctive smell? A team of chemists at terpene distributor Abstrax Tech sought to unravel the molecules responsible for the aromatic properties of cannabis. Through an extensive study utilizing various scientific techniques, they

Creating new pharmaceutical drugs has always presented challenges for scientists, particularly when it comes to replacing a carbon atom with a nitrogen atom in a molecule. However, recent studies conducted by chemists at the University of Chicago have unveiled two groundbreaking methods that could revolutionize the process of drug development. Published in prestigious journals Science