The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized by their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. It provides a systematic way to categorize and understand the behavior of elements based on their shared characteristics. Dmitri Mendeleev is credited with developing the first periodic table in 1869, arranging elements by their … Read more
Batteries are usually studied via electrical properties like voltage and current, but new research suggests that observing how heat flows in conjunction with electricity can give important insights into battery chemistry. A team of researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has demonstrated how to study the chemical properties of lithium-ion battery cells by exploiting … Read more
Around 11 to 16 million years ago, during the middle of the Miocene period, McGraths Flat in central New South Wales became the final resting place for over 100 caddisflies, among other creatures, in a remarkable fossil site known as a Konservat-Lagerstätte. These fossilized caddisflies, small moth-like insects belonging to the Trichoptera order, offer a … Read more
A sodium battery developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin significantly reduces fire risks from the technology, while also relying on inexpensive, abundant materials to serve as its building blocks. Though battery fires are rare, increased battery usage means these incidents are on the rise. The secret ingredient to this sodium battery … Read more
For a long time, it was thought that amorphous solids do not selectively absorb light because of their disordered atomic structure. However, a new uOttawa study disproves this theory and shows that amorphous solids actually exhibit dichroism, meaning that they selectively absorb light of different polarizations. Researchers at the University of Ottawa have found that … Read more
Early hunter–gatherers from the Middle Stone Age in southern Africa were selecting the most suitable material available for stone tools and spearheads more than 60,000 years ago, according to a study by Dr. Patrick Schmidt from the University of Tübingen’s Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology section. Researchers involved in the study used a specially developed … Read more
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have shown for the first time that expensive aberration-corrected microscopes are no longer required to achieve record-breaking microscopic resolution.. The field of microscopy is in the middle of a great revolution. Since the 1800s and the invention of the compound light microscope, there have only been a … Read more
The downscaling of electronic devices, such as transistors, has reached a plateau, posing challenges for semiconductor fabrication. However, a research team led by materials scientists from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) recently discovered a new strategy for developing highly versatile electronics with outstanding performance using transistors made of mixed-dimensional nanowires and nanoflakes. This innovation … Read more
A new class of metallic materials with potential applications in airplane turbines, nuclear reactors and equipment for space exploration can withstand extreme temperatures and resist fractures, but scientists haven’t understood why until now. According to a new study co-led by Penn State researchers, the answer could relate to the material’s short-range order, or the local … Read more
Researchers from Bochum and Dortmund have created an artificial cell environment that could promote the regeneration of nerves. Usually, injuries to the brain or spinal cord don’t heal easily due to the formation of fluid-filled cavities and scars that prevent tissue regeneration. One starting point for medical research is therefore to fill the cavities with … Read more
In supramolecular chemistry, the self-assembly state of molecules plays a significant role in determining their tangible properties. Controlling the self-assembled state has garnered significant attention as it can be exploited to design materials with desired properties like charge transport capability and fluorescence wavelength. For years, scientists have been trying to decipher how molecular organization impacts … Read more
California’s Silicon Valley and Utah’s Silicon Slopes are named for the element most associated with semiconductors, the backbone of the computer revolution. Anything computerized or electronic depends on semiconductors, a substance with properties that conduct electrical current under certain conditions. Traditional semiconductors are made from inorganic materials—like silicon—that require vast amounts of water and energy … Read more
Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Harvard Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, and Utrecht University have reported on a previously elusive way to improve the selectivity of catalytic reactions, adding a new method of increasing the efficacy of catalysts for a potentially wide range of applications … Read more
Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is a rapidly growing field that focuses on designing chemical products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances. It aims to reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing and promote the efficient use of resources, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly … Read more
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds. It is a vast and diverse field with applications ranging from pharmaceuticals and materials science to agriculture and environmental science. The study of organic chemistry dates back centuries, with significant advancements made in understanding the structure, properties, and reactions of … Read more
Scientists have combined laser 3D printing technology and an alternate soaking process to construct complex 3D structures that mimic bone microstructure. This is the first demonstration of this fabrication method, and it will lead to the development of 3D cell culture systems that can support bone grafts or create artificial bone marrow. Their research is … Read more
The ever-growing demand for high-performance batteries across various industries underscores the importance of advancing electrochemical energy storage systems. Research and development efforts in materials science are increasingly focused on enhancing the capabilities of batteries, particularly for applications like electromobility. Factors such as charging capacities, speeds, lifespan, safety, raw material availability, and CO2 balance are all … Read more
Quantum computing, a cutting-edge field in the realm of information processing, has been gaining momentum in recent years. As researchers delve deeper into the principles of quantum mechanics to harness their power for computation, the impact on traditional computing methods is becoming increasingly apparent. In this exploration, we will delve into the fundamental differences between … Read more
In the quest for active ingredients in pharmaceutical research, molecules featuring a central ring system are pivotal, and the precise size of these rings is crucial for efficient manufacturing of desired products. Addressing this challenge, an international team of chemists, led by Prof. Frank Glorius (University of Münster) and Prof. Osvaldo Gutierrez (Texas A&M University, … Read more
Allotropy is a fascinating concept within the realm of chemistry, referring to the existence of different structural forms of the same element in the same physical state. These different forms, known as allotropes, exhibit distinct physical and chemical properties while consisting of the same atoms. The study of allotropy provides valuable insights into the behavior … Read more