Researchers from Google DeepMind in Berlin, BIFOLD, and the Technical University of Berlin have introduced a new machine learning method—Euclidean Fast Attention (EFA)—that enables global atomic interactions in chemical systems to be represented more efficiently. This could allow chemical and materials science processes to be simulated more accurately in the future, potentially accelerating the development of new drugs, more efficient batteries, and more sustainable materials.
Chemistry involves the fundamental interplay between the structures and properties of molecules. Notably, subtle changes in molecular structure and crystal packing can be amplified into macroscopic phenomena such as optical responses. Zn(II) is an earth-abundant and low-toxicity metal, and paddlewheel-type Zn(II) dimers are well-established structural motifs. They are traditionally regarded as electronically silent structural units. Recently, a study hypothesized that combining this flexible metal-carboxylate scaffold with π-extended emissive ligands and aromatic fluorination could unlock new, adaptive excited-state behavior under external stimuli.
Floatable beads made from chitosan and cellulose acetate and enhanced with bentonite have been engineered to effectively clean oil from water. The beads showed good oil adsorption capacity while remaining easy to collect from the water surface.
Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a global burden in human health and food production, so affordable new materials are needed to overcome this growing problem. To answer the call, a multidisciplinary research team led by Flinders University with U.K. experts has discovered a novel solution for safe and effective use in antimicrobial and antifungal applications.
About 30% of plastics consumed are made to last forever but are discarded after a single use. Researchers at Virginia Tech are working to change that with a new approach that could make environmentally responsible packaging more practical at scale.
Scientists from the Laboratory of Dermatological Photobiology of the University of Malaga, in collaboration with Cantabria Labs España, have carried out a study in which, for the first time, they have demonstrated how a natural extract—the Aspalathus linearis, the rooibos plant—could improve the effectiveness of traditional sunscreens, enhancing their absorption capacity, increasing their antioxidant levels, and providing longer-lasting protection against the risks of radiation.
Scientists from Skoltech have presented a review on the use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in metal-ion batteries. The work, published in Progress in Materials Science, systematizes over a decade of research and opens new directions for creating environmentally friendly, safe, and low-cost next-generation batteries.
Beer is one of the oldest and most consumed beverages on Earth, typically associated with social and celebratory settings. But researchers are curious about what vitamins and minerals are present in the beverage. A study of 65 brews published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that many conventional and alcohol-free options, including lagers and bocks, provide substantial levels of vitamin B6.
A new study sheds light on how hydrogen can be stored and released more effectively using magnesium hydride (MgH₂), offering fresh direction for clean energy technologies.
Discovering and characterizing new materials is important for unlocking advances in fields like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and improved infrastructure. Researchers use machine learning and other computational tools to help them, but the trial-and-error nature of the process creates specific challenges.
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have discovered a new class of polymers as part of the work carried out within the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1357 Microplastics. These polymers are characterized by biodegradable and recyclable properties and can also be processed in a more sustainable way. The researchers report their findings in the journal Small.
A new North Carolina State University study examining the proteins found in fermented foods like yogurt, cheese and bread found that a surprisingly large number, and percentage, of microbial proteins contribute to their overall protein content. These microbes have long been used in traditional fermentation processes and are widely associated with the beneficial or probiotic nature of these fermented foods.
With the aim to precisely understand its function, researchers from the Inorganic Chemistry Department and Interface Science Department of the Fritz Haber Institute, together with colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, investigated the Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst system used for industrial methanol production during reaction conditions. They found that the dynamic, temperature-sensitive nature of the Cu-ZnO interaction is the key to its function—opening up new avenues for rationally improving this process. Their findings are published in Nature Catalysis.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a catalyst that uses vibrational energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO), an important industrial feedstock. The work, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, demonstrates a new piezocatalytic route for CO2 conversion under mild conditions—at low temperature and ambient pressure, offering a potential path toward future low-energy carbon recycling technologies.
Biodegradable plastics are usually sought after for their ability to break down quickly. However, this does not tell us how safely a product can be used before it degrades. A research team has developed a strong, biodegradable material made from bamboo sheets and a plant-based plastic called PHBH. The material's strength can also be used to predict how it breaks down in seawater, offering a simple way to estimate biodegradation. The study is published in the journal Polymer Degradation and Stability.
---- End of list of PHYS ORG Chemistry Articles on this page 1 of 2 total pages ----