Hydrogels have an astonishing ability to swell and take on water. In daily life, they are used in dressings, nappies, and more to lock moisture away. A team of researchers has now found another use: quickly extracting large ...
Materials Science
Feb 28, 2022
0
66
In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers found a way to improve the energy efficiency of part of the process for making carbon fiber—a strong material sometimes used in place of steel to make lighter ...
Polymers
Jan 31, 2022
0
134
In the quest for new materials with excellent properties for specific applications, scientists have developed various synthesis strategies over the years, which have given them increasingly precise control over the process ...
Materials Science
Jan 20, 2022
1
77
Just because you've solved a standing chemistry challenge doesn't mean you can't make it better. Rice University scientists had that in mind when they set out to improve their technique to make a common building block for ...
Materials Science
Oct 5, 2021
0
13
Sawfly larvae protect themselves by secreting cocktails of unpleasant, volatile chemicals intended to repel predators, particularly ants. Researchers can assess the effectiveness of these defenses by staging meetups, so-called ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 23, 2021
0
54
In an ongoing effort to accelerate catalytic reactions, oxidation of metal complexes using light has emerged as a standard method to synthesize aromatic compounds. Now, researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have demonstrated ...
Materials Science
Aug 11, 2021
0
169
Marine ecologists have revealed mangroves might be threatened by a limited number of crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates for each ecological role.
Ecology
Jul 27, 2021
1
316
Chemical reactions don't always go to plan. Unwanted by-products lead to extra costs and waste resources. Selective catalysts can help, but chemists have to test out large numbers before they find the right fit. Researchers ...
Analytical Chemistry
Jun 21, 2021
0
18
Inspired by light-sensing bacteria that thrive near hot oceanic vents, synthetic chemists at Rice University have found a mild method to make valuable hydrocarbons known as olefins, or alkenes.
Materials Science
Dec 9, 2020
0
42
Scientists have broken the rules of enzyme engineering to unlock a new method for creating chemical reactions that could unlock a wide range of new applications—from creating new drugs to food production.
Biochemistry
Dec 1, 2020
0
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