Chemistry

Plastic waste has become a global crisis, with the majority of consumer plastics ending up in landfills or being incinerated, causing negative environmental impacts. Conventional recycling methods have struggled to effectively recycle mixed plastics due to the complexity of separating the different polymers. However, a team of scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of California San Diego have developed soft and durable materials that have the extraordinary ability to glow when subjected to mechanical stress. Inspired by the mesmerizing bioluminescent waves observed during red tide events at San Diego’s beaches, this study brings forth new possibilities in the field of

Ceramics have long been admired for their unique properties, including resistance to high temperatures, corrosion, and surface wear. However, their inherent brittleness has limited their practical applications. Fortunately, a breakthrough study led by engineers at the University of California San Diego has discovered a way to make ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. By

During the Battle of Flanders in July 1917, a shocking event took place. German soldiers unleashed sulfur mustard-containing artillery shells on unsuspecting British and Canadian troops, which marked the first instance of “mustard gas” being used as a chemical warfare agent in war. This devastating incident set a precedent, as sulfur mustard has since been

The DNA double helix, with its intricate structure and complementary sequences, has long fascinated scientists. Researchers at the University of Vienna have now taken this fascination to a whole new level, by creating fluorescent duplexes that can generate an astounding 16 million colors. This breakthrough not only surpasses the previous limitation of 256 colors, but

Cellulose, a versatile and abundant material, holds great potential for various applications, including hydrogel production for drug delivery, wound care, and contact lenses. However, the conventional methods of creating cellulose hydrogels often involve toxic or unstable solvents, making it challenging to develop eco-friendly and non-toxic processes. Inspired by the nest-building techniques of swift birds, researchers

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, encodes various proteins, with one of them being an ion channel called E. This ion channel, known to transport protons and calcium ions, triggers an inflammatory response within infected cells, leading to tissue damage and the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms. In an effort to understand the mechanism

For chemists, developing new synthesis methods to obtain novel products is essential to meet society’s ever-growing needs. This involves creating complex organic chemical compounds from simpler reagents through a series of precise reactions. However, achieving better control and simpler operation of these reactions remains a significant research challenge. In a groundbreaking study, a research group

Fine chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes have long been criticized for their significant negative environmental impacts. In fact, recent studies have shown that the carbon footprint of the pharmaceutical industry surpasses that of the automotive industry, making it a major contributor to air pollution. Furthermore, these industries are responsible for water pollution caused by the

Wastewater treatment is a critical process that aims to remove harmful pollutants and chemicals from water sources, ensuring clean and safe water for consumption and environmental protection. However, the removal of dyes, such as those discharged by textile, cosmetic, ink, and paper manufacturers, has posed a significant challenge for traditional treatment methods. These dyes, known

Fluorinated gases, known for their hazardous nature and ozone-depleting effects, have long posed a challenge in terms of safe handling and storage. However, a recent study conducted by chemists from Cornell University, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and Southern Methodist University has discovered a groundbreaking solution. By utilizing metal organic frameworks (MOFs), the

In the battle against cancer, scientists face the daunting task of identifying effective drug targets amidst the vast complexity of tumor cells. These cells rely on thousands of proteins to function, but only a fraction of them can be specifically targeted by drugs to treat cancer safely and efficiently. However, a groundbreaking study led by

In the pursuit of sustainable materials development and reducing our carbon footprint, the recycling of plastic waste plays a crucial role. Dissolving polymers with organic solvents is an essential process in various applications such as polymer synthesis, refining, painting, and coating. However, determining the miscibility of polymers with solvent candidates has always been a challenge

The presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the human body has raised concerns due to its potential health risks. A team of scientists from the A*STAR’s Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) and the A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL) has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the processing of PFOA in the human

The field of material science constantly seeks new ways to design structures with precise control and tailor-made properties. In the realm of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a groundbreaking technique has been developed inspired by the ancient art of constructing arched stone windows. This innovative method employs a molecular version of an architectural arch-forming template to shape