Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Elucidating how asymmetry confers chemical properties
New research categorizes the causes of structural asymmetry, some surprising, which underpin useful properties of crystals, including ferroelectricity, photoluminescence, and photovoltaic ability.
Crystal wars: Research may lead to more efficient crystal engineering methods
A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo and Fudan University has studied the process of crystallization when more than one structural arrangement is possible. By reducing the noise...
Elucidating how asymmetry confers chemical properties
You've heard the expression 'form follows function'? In materials science, function follows form.
Quantum fluctuations can jiggle objects on the human scale
The universe, as seen through the lens of quantum mechanics, is a noisy, crackling space where particles blink constantly in and out of existence, creating a background of quantum noise whose effects are...
New plastic biomaterials could lead to tougher, more versatile medical implants
A new thermoplastic biomaterial, which is tough and strong but also easy to process and shape has been developed by researchers at the University of Birmingham.
Sustainable biomedical device for use in regenerative medicine
UPV/EHU researchers have developed a biomedical device consisting of byproducts from the food industry and which displays excellent properties for use in regenerative medicine. The novel device comprises soy protein...
Las Vegas: What's open and closed over 4th of July
Las Vegas is planning a quieter Fourth of July celebration.
Laser takes pictures of electrons in crystals
Microscopes of visible light allow scientists to see tiny objects such living cells. Yet, they cannot discern how electrons are distributed among atoms in solids. Now, researchers with Prof. Eleftherios...
Quantum fluctuations can jiggle objects on the human scale
The universe, as seen through the lens of quantum mechanics, is a noisy, crackling space where particles blink constantly in and out of existence, creating a background of quantum noise...
Materials scientists drill down to vulnerabilities involved in human tooth decay
Northwestern University researchers have cracked one of the secrets of tooth decay. In a new study of human enamel, the materials scientists are the first to identify a small number...
Hydrated eutectic electrolytes help improve performance of aqueous zinc batteries
Zinc (Zn) batteries have attracted increasing attention due to their large volumetric capacity, their Earth-abundance, and environmental friendliness. Zn batteries provide a promising solution to safety hazards and economic challenges...
Artificial photosynthesis can convert useless carbon dioxide into formic acid used in industry
With energy from the sun, a special enzyme can convert CO2 molecules into formic acid. This can both remove CO2 and provide us with something more useful.
New chemistry for ultra-thin gas sensors
The application of zinc oxide layers in industry is manifold and ranges from the protection of degradable goods to the detection of toxic nitrogen oxide gas. Such layers can be...
Biomolecule metal-organic hybrids with high bioactivity
Biomacromolecules incorporated into tailored metal–organic frameworks using peptide modulators are well shielded but highly active thanks to carefully tuned nanoarchitecture. As scientists report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, this strategy...
Investigating the interplay between axions and dark photons in the early universe
Axions and dark photons are two of the most promising types of particles for unveiling new physics. The axion scalar field explains the absence of an electric dipole moment for...
How racism functions and shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic
Imagine putting on a pair of kaleidoscope glasses: now look through them to see the myriad and fractured ways racism is playing out in Canada today.
Programming van der Waals interactions with complex symmetries into microparticles using liquid crystallinity
Versatile approaches to engineer asymmetric van der Waals interactions can expand the palette of materials development through bottom-up engineering processes. In a new study, H.A. Fuster and a research team...
Scientists propose redox mechanism for water-gas shift reaction
The water-gas shift (WGS) reaction (CO+H2O→CO2+H2) is critical for producing high-purity hydrogen for ammonia and methanol synthesis, as well as in fuel cell applications.
Scientists reveal void-confinement effects of hollow nanoreactors
Hollow nanoreactors have attracted attention in catalysis research due to their unique catalytic properties, especially their void-confinement effects. Many factors affect catalytic performance, especially in the liquid phase hydrogenation reaction,...
Multi-focal Fibonacci sieve advances single-shot multi-planar wavefront measurement
Wavefront measurement has various applications in high power amplifiers, adaptive optical system, and phase microscopy. Among methods for high-precision wavefront measurement, the coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) is a technique that...
Holographic beam shaping to deliver a boost to metallic 3-D printing
Cambridge engineers have begun a three-year research program to help speed up the manufacture of metallic 3-D printed parts and products, by using computer-generated holography.
Scientists use a Teflon pipe to make a cheap, simple reactor for silica particle synthesis
Researchers in Australia and China have proposed an innovative and cost-effective new method for creating silica beads, which have a number of key uses, ranging from nanomedicine and bioimaging to...
Building better electron sources with graphene
Photocathodes that produce electron beams for electron microscopes and advanced accelerators can be refreshed and rebuilt repeatedly without opening the devices that rely on them, provided the electron emitting materials...
New materials of perovskite challenge traditional notions of high pressure chemistry
High-pressure materials science has taken off over the last couple of decades, with advances in previously difficult experimental techniques and from technologies such as diamond anvils, which squeeze samples of...
Researchers building a harder diamond, called pentadiamonds
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba used computer calculations to design a new carbon-based material even harder than diamond. This structure, dubbed "pentadiamond" by its creators, may be useful for...
Shrimp shells to produce electrodes for large storage batteries
A project by Spanish researchers and other collaborators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests the use of chitin from shrimp shells to produce electrodes for vanadium flow batteries....
Exotic never before seen particle discovered at CERN
The Large Hadron Collider Beauty (LHCb) project has observed an exotic particle made up of four charm quarks for the first time.
Famous birthdays for July 1: Debbie Harry, Missy Elliott
Singer Debbie Harry turns 75 and rapper Missy Elliott turns 49, among the famous birthdays for July 1.