https://phys.org/chemistry-news/ en-us The latest news stories on chemistry, biochemistry, polymers, materials science from Phys.org Our food and our bodies are full of tiny protein fragments called peptides. These small chains of amino acids act as biological messengers, influencing processes ranging from sensory perception to physiological functions. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-method-enables-accurate-sequencing-short.html Biochemistry Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:00:07 EDT news700834139 A research team has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that proposes suitable molecular structures from the raw data of spectroscopic measurements and assesses their plausibility. The system is openly accessible and has been published in the journal Nature Communications by researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy, the Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications Jena and the Swiss software company Zakodium Sárl. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-ai-chemical-spectra-minutes.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:20:03 EDT news700832882 In an effort to open the door to new and useful products, chemistry researchers are on the continual lookout for processes that unlock important molecules and the bonds that can put them together. Such is the case for UC Santa Barbara chemistry professor Yang Yang, who builds his research around discovering novel biocatalytic methods, processes that facilitate chemical reactions with biocatalysts from evolved natural proteins. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-chemists-uncover-metal-carbene-radical.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:50:01 EDT news700844582 Researchers at the University of Notre Dame and collaborators have discovered a key process in how the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria attaches to the cell wall, advancing the understanding of how these bacteria frequently develop resistance to antibiotics. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-bacteria-reveal-protein-antibiotic-resistant.html Biochemistry Mon, 15 Jun 2026 19:20:04 EDT news700759981 Advances in structural biology have allowed scientists to determine molecular structures with atomic-level detail, sometimes yielding static snapshots that do not reflect the dynamism of proteins. However, these motions are often crucial for biological function. Researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), together with international collaborators, have now combined several methods to shed light on how proteins "breathe" and how some experimental techniques freeze their motion. The findings—which could boost protein design approaches and improve AI-based structural prediction tools—are published in Nature Chemistry. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-frozen-snapshots-protein-view-combined.html Biochemistry Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:20:08 EDT news700759022 For more than a century, chemists have been building complex molecules step by step—bond by bond, atom by atom. But what if, instead of painstakingly reassembling molecules, they could be directly "rewritten"? This is exactly what a research team led by organic chemist Nuno Maulide from the University of Vienna has now achieved. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-chemists-reveal-alkyl-swap-rewrites.html Biochemistry Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:40:04 EDT news700735977 A method to interpret artificial intelligence (AI) models used in materials discovery by analyzing their learned features has been developed by researchers from Japan. The method extracts key features from an AI model trained on atomic structural data and optical absorption spectra, and then groups materials with similar structural and spectral characteristics. This approach can be extended to reveal how atomic arrangements influence other material properties, paving the way for more efficient materials design. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-ai-materials-discovery-uncovering.html Analytical Chemistry Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:30:01 EDT news700482481 Steel and metal production are among the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 10% of global CO2 emissions. At the same time, modern technology relies on tailored steels and metals for applications in fields such as mobility, energy, infrastructure, safety and medicine. Hydrogen-based metal production offers a promising CO2-free alternative and goes even further by integrating reduction, alloying and microstructure design into a single production step. However, hydrogen-based metal production still faces a number of challenges on its path to widespread adoption, one of which is the relatively slow reduction kinetics of metal ores at temperatures below 800°C (1,472°F). https://phys.org/news/2026-06-hydrogen-based-steelmaking-2x-boost.html Biochemistry Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:00:01 EDT news700414341 Most people have seen nylon listed as a material on their clothing tags, but nylon is used in an array of other products, too, including automotive parts, wire insulation and medical supplies. Unfortunately, one of the building blocks of nylon, adipic acid, is produced from petroleum-derived benzene through energy-intensive processes and has a rather high carbon footprint. However, there may be a better way to produce this ubiquitous polymer. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-years-overlooked-material-poised-reshape.html Biochemistry Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:40:01 EDT news700402907 Mechanoluminescent materials convert mechanical energy such as stress, strain and vibration directly into light, making them attractive as self-powered sensors that require no batteries or wiring. From biomedical sensors to self-powered infrastructure monitoring sensors, mechanoluminescent materials have a wide range of potential applications. However, high-performance mechanoluminescent materials have traditionally relied on expensive rare-earth materials or complex material compositions. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-rare-earth-free-zinc-oxide.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:20:08 EDT news700486981 Oxidation reactions are indispensable to the chemical industry, but from a process safety perspective, they are among the most challenging transformations. A research team at the University of Bayreuth, working in collaboration with international partners, has now introduced a fundamentally new approach to oxidation reactions in which carbon dioxide is used as the oxygen source for chemical synthesis. This makes the reaction both safer and more sustainable. The researchers report on this new approach in Science. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-carbon-dioxide-safer-oxidation-chemistry.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:40:10 EDT news700479241 Artificial intelligence is often used to generate images. In research, specialized AI models are used for scientific applications—for example, to predict the positions of atoms in materials. The MatterGen model developed by Microsoft can generate complex crystal structures from just a few pieces of information—which atoms should be present and in what proportions—and researchers can then use these structures for computer simulations of new materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-ai-tracks-hydrogen-atoms-crystals.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:20:04 EDT news700477952 Researchers have developed a solar-driven catalyst material that harnesses the energy of a single photon to reduce carbon dioxide and oxidize organic waste at the same time, producing valuable chemicals in both reactions. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-photon-reactions-catalyst-biowaste-simultaneously.html Biochemistry Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:03 EDT news700385161 One September day, it started to snow inside MIT's Pierce Laboratory. Researchers depressurized a tank of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), instantly freezing it and releasing solid flakes. These were blended into cement paste and pressed into disks roughly the size of a dime, each sealed with a thin layer of vegetable oil to keep water in and air out. The team trained lasers on each one, observing for the first time the transient chemical reaction that might explain why CO2-injected cement paste gains strength faster. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-reveals-hidden-cement-chemistry-stronger.html Materials Science Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:20:05 EDT news700413588 Building the complex 3D molecules needed for new medicines has always been a bit like assembling a puzzle with pieces that keep trying to flip over. Now, chemists at Scripps Research have found a way to snap two such molecular pieces together while keeping their original 3D shapes intact, even when using some of the most reactive molecules in chemistry: free radicals. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-chemists-snap-complex-3d-molecules.html Analytical Chemistry Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:00:03 EDT news700400641 Sunlight, water, air and metal-organic catalysts—that could be all it takes. TU Wien has shown how catalyst design can be advanced for solar-driven NH3 synthesis. Without this chemical technology, feeding the world as we know it would be nearly impossible. The Haber-Bosch process, developed more than a century ago, converts nitrogen from the air into ammonia—the key ingredient in most synthetic fertilizers. Today, roughly half of the world's food production depends on fertilizers derived from ammonia, making the Haber-Bosch process one of the most important industrial innovations in human history. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-catalyst-boosts-solar-driven-ammonia.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:20:04 EDT news700321981 Electrolysers produce hydrogen. Fuel cells, in turn, generate electricity from hydrogen. Both technologies are considered key building blocks of the energy transition, offering well-established solutions for storing, transporting and producing renewable energy. However, there is a challenge: The platinum catalysts often used in these systems gradually lose performance under high operating loads. In a sense, they "wear out" too quickly, increasing the costs of hydrogen technologies. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-rays-reveal-platinum-oxidizes-real.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:10:07 EDT news700327021 Scientists have long known that sunlight helps break down plastic. So, why do plastic products linger for decades and even centuries in rivers, lakes, and oceans—even when bathed in direct sunlight? Northwestern University engineers have uncovered an unexpected answer. The surprising culprit is the water itself. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-plastic-lingers-chemistry-nature-cleanup.html Polymers Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:06 EDT news700217521 Could wound healing dressings adhere better, and could drug delivery patches become more sophisticated? A KAIST research team has developed a technology that leverages natural ingredients derived from plants to increase the strength of a seaweed-based hydrogel (a gel material that contains a large amount of water while maintaining its shape) by more than fivefold, while also controlling its adhesiveness and degradation rate. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-tea-compound-boosts-seaweed-hydrogel.html Polymers Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:00:03 EDT news700229281 Plants are undeniably one of nature's most promising sources of new medicines, with monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) being a great example. Some intricate compounds are built from multiple-linked chemical units that form highly complex three-dimensional structures. Because of their size and shape, scientists believe such oligomeric MIAs may be able to interfere with specific protein–protein interactions inside cells—a biological target that conventional small-molecule drugs often struggle to reach. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-chemists-total-synthesis-rare-alkaloid.html Biochemistry Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:30:03 EDT news700157041 A research group has developed a new method for selectively synthesizing three-dimensional macrocycles,⁽¹⁾ in which four panels are arranged in a square, by connecting planar π-conjugated molecules⁽²⁾ at right angles. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-strategy-conjugated-panels-square-molecules.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:40:04 EDT news699875636 For many of us, a warm cup of coffee is how we start our day. For Texas A&M Health researchers, it may also offer a new way to control engineered cells in future medicines. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-ai-brews-caffeine-powered-safety.html Biochemistry Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:40:02 EDT news699880081 Metal cluster molecules are discrete compounds containing multiple metal atoms held together by metal–metal and metal–ligand bonding. They serve as excellent candidates for catalysts, biosensors, and even for drug development. Developing atomic-level molecular editing methods for such metal clusters remains an important challenge and represents a promising strategy for expanding their structural and functional diversity. Such approaches can enable structure-specific properties, high near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence quantum yields, and unique reactivities and electronic structures. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-asymmetric-alloying-generation-luminescent-materials.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:00:04 EDT news699791041 Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a computation-guided strategy to produce urea more efficiently from carbon dioxide and nitrate. By combining large language models, density functional theory calculations and experiments, the approach identified a cadmium-modified iron oxide catalyst that maintains high urea selectivity at practical current densities. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-ai-catalyst-fertilizer-industrially-relevant.html Materials Science Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:40:05 EDT news699792661 The building‐block chemicals behind everyday products—like shampoo bottles, food containers, and kitchen spatulas—are largely derived from oil. Researchers are now working to replace those fossil‐fuel‐based inputs with materials sourced from renewable biological systems, a shift with implications for health, economic resilience, and national security. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-gold-palladium-catalysis-mechanism-advance.html Biochemistry Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:05 EDT news699717002 In the aftermath of suspected chemical attacks, investigators from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) step in to collect chemical, environmental, and biomedical samples. Thorough forensic laboratory analysis of these samples is essential for proving what—if any—chemical agents were used and verifying their identities. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-capability-chemical-weapons-involves-methods.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:10:06 EDT news699726181 Though decaf fans might disagree, caffeine is a critical component of a cup of joe. This compound is incredibly bitter on its own, but regular coffee itself is not. A team reporting in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has investigated why and explains that the answer may lie within interactions between caffeine and other coffee molecules called melanoidins that are produced during the roasting process. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-doesnt-coffee-caffeine.html Biochemistry Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:50:01 EDT news699723901 Potent drugs like chemotherapy can be life-saving, but often with life-threatening side effects. Notably, they can be indiscriminate, killing both cancer cells and healthy cells in one swoop. Increasing a drug's on-target efficiency can reduce side effects and enable healthier outcomes for patients. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-programmable-chemistry-drugs-cells-aiming.html Biochemistry Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:40:02 EDT news699718108 Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a new method to recycle mixed plastic packaging without using harmful chemical solvents—an approach that could make one of the world's most difficult waste streams significantly easier to handle. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-cleaner-recycling-method-reusable-plastics.html Polymers Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:20:07 EDT news699711488 With help from a novel cross-linking molecule, MIT chemists have shown they can substantially improve the ballistic impact resistance of common polymers, including polystyrene and a type of rubber used to make shoe soles. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-common-plastics-ballistic-impacts-linking.html Polymers Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:00:12 EDT news699694921