science wire

Millions of different organic compounds are found in the soil and in bodies of water. New methods are making it possible to analyse these molecules more accurately than ever before - and to decipher their role in the functioning of ecosystems and species communities. In a scientific journal, a research team from Eawag and University of Zurich therefore calls for a new "ecology of molecules".

An international research project, led by The University of Warwick and University of Lille, has used nanotube compression to transform the underlying chemistry and physics of a compound, creating a promising new one-dimensional material.

Scientists have developed a hydrogen sensor that could accelerate the transition to clean hydrogen energy.

Upcycling as a climate game-changer: A nanocatalyst has been produced at TU Wien based on spent batteries and aluminium foil residues, converting CO2 into valuable methane.

People all'over the world largely agree on what the colour blue looks like or what the shape of a ball feels like.

PhD candidate Mike Pols studied perovskites, a promising material for use in solar cells. Its unique crystal structure and special properties make perovskite a promising candidate for the solar cell of the future.

By combining organic and inorganic chemistry, scientists at TU Wien developed the innovative lubricant COK-47 - with remarkable capabilities.

Researchers have developed a reactor that pulls carbon dioxide directly from the air and converts it into sustainable fuel, using sunlight as the power source.

A new way of creating hydrogen, which eliminates direct CO2 emissions at source, has been developed by an international team of scientists.

A new atmospheric monitoring station has been established at The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory to improve the accuracy of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions estimates.

A new form of energy-efficient artificial vision system inspired by the human brain and made in part using honey could help reduce the impact of electronic waste.

University of Bath chemical engineers create new nanofiltration membrane They are used in cleaning our drinking water, treating sewage, processing foods and keeping pharmaceuticals safe - membranes are a crucial part of everyday life.

Three scientists report on their research into the energy transition Using catalysis to conserve resources Chemistry plays an important role in the development of modern products, but it faces the challenge of having to become more sustainable.

On January 9, approximately a full day after the Eaton fire devastated the foothill area of Altadena, north of the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California, several specialized scientific instruments in

Starting with a single frame in a simulation, a new system uses generative AI to emulate the dynamics of molecules, connecting static molecular structures and developing blurry pictures into videos.

New process grows PEDOT nanofibers with superior electrical conductivity and more surface area to store charge Key takeaways A type of plastic called PEDOT that can conduct electricity is currently used to protect the internal components of electronic devices from static electricity and in organic solar cells and electrochromic devices, but it also has the ability to store electric charge somewhat like a battery.

Using the Earth itself as a chemical reactor could reduce the need for fossil-fuel-powered chemical plants.

Our 'Spotlight on' series highlights how our researchers are leading their field and transforming lives.

Cutting acid and base treatments from conventional desalination plants could save billions of dollars globally, making seawater a more affordable option for drinking water Study: A highly selective a

An interdisciplinary research group at TU Graz is working on constructing logic circuits through the targeted arrangement of individual molecules.

Johns Hopkins researchers found that women of reproductive age are the most vulnerable to the negative health effects caused by chemicals in hair relaxers, dyes, and other salon products Hairstylists, especially those providing services to Black and Latina women, are exposed to high concentrations of harmful airborne chemicals in their workplace, a team of Johns Hopkins researchers has found.

Professor Carla Figueira De Morisson Faria (UCL Physics & Astronomy) writes in The Conversation about how research into incredibly short laser pulses can have wide ranging impacts across a range of technologies.

DNA sequencing was revolutionized after scientists discovered a new bacterium in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, and today it's a common research technique.

With their recently-developed neural network architecture, MIT researchers can wring more information out of electronic structure calculations.

Some carbon-based solar cells already show no drop in performance after three years' worth of radiation, and the cause of degradation in others could be preventable Study: Radiation hardness of organic photovoltaics (DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.

MIT engineers designed a nanofiltration process that could make aluminum production more efficient while reducing hazardous waste. Used in everything from soda cans and foil wrap to circuit boards and rocket boosters, aluminum is the second-most-produced metal in the world after steel. By the end of this decade, demand is projected to drive up aluminum production by 40 percent worldwide.

This is how we continued push the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI), breaking new ground in fields ranging from healthcare to climate science Here are six ways AI research at Imperial made an impact in 2024.

UCLA physicists have developed a new film that requires much less of the rare thorium-229 and is significantly less radioactive Key takeaways Atomic clocks that excite the nucleus of thorium-229 embed

The technique provides researchers with a powerful tool for controlling magnetism, and could help in designing faster, smaller, more energy-efficient memory chips.

Layering an organic material on top of 2D materials achieves stable, fast phosphorescent light emission without using expensive and hazardous heavy metals Study: Microsecond triplet emission from organic chromophore-transition metal dichalcogenide hybrids via through-space spin orbit proximity effect (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51501-8) Screens for TVs, smartphones or other displays could be made with a new kind of organic LED material developed by an international team, co-led by University of Michigan engineers.

The material transports oxygen ions rather than electrons, creating heat-resistant voltages for both digital memory and in-memory computing Study: Nonvolatile electrochemical memory at 600 ºC enabled by composition phase separation (DOI: 10.1016/j.device.

Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From our Maths Homework club nominated for an award, to improving solar panel efficiency and a curious discovery reducing asthma attacks, here is some quick-read news from across Imperial. Maths Homework Club nominated An Imperial-run Maths Homework Club for young people in White City has been nominated for a Helping students make informed decisions (HELOA) Award for Best Small or Low Budget Initiative.

University of Waterloo researchers have made a key breakthrough in developing next-generation batteries that are made using magnesium instead of lithium.