https://phys.org/chemistry-news/materials-science/ en-us The latest news on chemistry and materials science Biomaterials engineers have created a "superstructure" hydrogel that could be an eco-friendly tool used in medical technologies and as a recovery aid for surgical procedures. The research is published in the journal Macromolecular Rapid Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-gamma-brittle-bioplastic-superstructure-hydrogel.html Polymers Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:40:01 EST news713540702 Water is not usually thought of as a magnetic material. But a new study led by researchers at Tohoku University's Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, in collaboration with National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), has found that tiny shifts in the orientation of water molecules can flip on magnetic partnerships between metal ions that are not even directly bonded to each other. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-molecules-secret-messengers-magnetism.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:10:01 EST news713547001 University of Missouri researchers have created a single solid material that responds differently depending on what it's exposed to. Shine light on it, and it changes from yellow to white, an indication of a chemical reaction. Heat it, and it undergoes a different chemical reaction. Scratch the surface, and it flashes blue. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-molecules-scientists-material-physical.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 10 Nov 2026 17:10:06 EST news713545621 Most of us spend much of our day staring at organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, which convert electricity into light to produce the colorful displays on smartphones, computer monitors and televisions. Although metal-free light-emitting materials that produce all colors are in demand, it has been difficult to make ones that efficiently emit orange-to-red light. Now, researchers led by the University of Osaka have shown that such materials do not need to be held in a rigid shape to work well: flexible molecules that can change shape can also emit orange-to-red light. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-team-molecules-efficiently-generate-orange.html Materials Science Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:00:08 EST news713525570 Cobalt phosphide (CoP) is a promising alternative to platinum for producing hydrogen from water. However, scientists have struggled to explain why it performs so well. Computer models have suggested that CoP should become unstable under the conditions used to produce hydrogen, yet experiments show that it remains active and durable in acidic, neutral and alkaline environments. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-catalyst-hydrogen.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 10 Nov 2026 09:40:08 EST news713524441 As demand grows for safer and more capable rechargeable batteries, scientists are looking beyond the familiar metal-centered chemistry of conventional cathodes. A promising route is to draw additional charge from anions—the negatively charged atoms in a material—rather than relying on transition metals alone. Oxygen and sulfur have attracted substantial attention in this area. Whether chlorine can play a comparable role in chloride-based battery cathodes has been less clear. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-role-chlorine-uncovering-anion-redox.html Materials Science Tue, 10 Nov 2026 09:20:01 EST news713524515 An international research team led by the University of Sydney has found a way to formulate microemulsions without traditional surfactants, which are often toxic and hard to separate from end products. The findings have important implications for pharmaceutical applications and food additives. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-alternative-approach-reliance-potentially-toxic.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 09 Nov 2026 16:50:01 EST news713464321 A research team led by professor Seong Sik Shin of the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), in international collaboration with the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), the University of California, San Diego, and Princeton University, has developed a next-generation perovskite semiconductor thin film with dramatically reduced defects. Using the same material platform, the researchers demonstrated both high-performance solar cells and LEDs. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-liquid-crystal-growth-perovskite-defects.html Materials Science Sun, 08 Nov 2026 17:00:01 EST news713095674 A battery material can look perfect in the lab and still fail in a real battery. That is the puzzle facing researchers working on solid electrolytes, the materials seen as key to safer, longer-lasting batteries. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-trial-error-framework-ai-driven.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:40:07 EST news713184692 Food spoilage causes chemical changes that are not always easy to detect by appearance alone. To provide a clearer indication of freshness and quality, researchers at Kyushu University have developed a smart packaging film that changes color and glows under ultraviolet (UV) light as meat loses freshness. Tested with refrigerated mutton, the film responds to compounds released during spoilage, offering two ways to track changes in food quality. The findings are published in the Chemical Engineering Journal. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-smart-packaging-uv-meat-freshness.html Biochemistry Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:40:01 EST news713192043 It would greatly benefit the environment and climate if nylon—chemically known as polyamide—could be produced on a large scale from plastic waste in the future, rather than from petroleum, as has been the norm until now. At LIKAT in Rostock, chemists pursuing this approach have succeeded in selectively converting polyethylene—the main component of all plastic waste—into dicarboxylic acids, which can serve as chemical precursors for nylon. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-method-upcycling-polyethylene-suitable-mass.html Materials Science Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:20:09 EST news713180937 Around 450 million metric tons of plastics are produced worldwide each year. The major share of this sheer volume is used only once and then winds up in an incinerator or in landfills. This also applies to so-called polyolefins, which include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). As packaging materials and films, they account for approximately half of our plastic consumption. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-plastic-bags-bottles-industrial-strength.html Polymers Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:20:05 EST news713115721 A research team led by Professor Yang Dong from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Dalian Jiaotong University, has developed a synergistic additive strategy for large-area slot-die coating of methylammonium-free (MA-free) perovskite films. The study is published in Advanced Materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-synergistic-additives-scalable-slot-die.html Materials Science Thu, 05 Nov 2026 14:20:01 EST news713091501 Hair dyes help people express style and cover gray hair but often contain skin-irritating chemicals. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-based-hair-dye-cinnamon.html Biochemistry Thu, 05 Nov 2026 14:00:28 EST news713090244 The lining in traditional disposable coffee cups can release plastic particles and be difficult to recycle, but a new plant-based coating can eliminate these issues with your morning brew. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-coating-renewable-based-materials-recycling.html Biochemistry Thu, 05 Nov 2026 13:00:02 EST news713100142 Researchers Dr. Shayma El-Atawneh and professor Amiram Goldblum at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new computational framework that identified 92 promising candidates for future sugar substitutes from more than 50 million chemical compounds. The study, published in the journal Food Chemistry, demonstrates how artificial intelligence and molecular modeling could accelerate the discovery of new sweeteners while helping overcome one of the industry's persistent challenges: unwanted bitter aftertastes. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-sweeter-future-ai-scientists-sugar.html Analytical Chemistry Thu, 05 Nov 2026 12:40:10 EST news713099550 Adding phenanthrene as a co-guest let the second-generation crystalline sponge (2G-CS) method determine X-ray structures for 24 of 30 small, low-polarity C₁₅ molecules, mostly sesquiterpenoids. Under standard conditions, none of the 30 gave guest-containing crystals. Eleven of the 24 structures had not been reported before, including that of the liquid hydrocarbon longifolene. A chiral version of the cage gave the absolute configurations of five compounds. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-phenanthrene-guest-crystalline-sponges-reveal.html Materials Science Thu, 05 Nov 2026 08:20:01 EST news713077939 University of Sydney researchers have made a breakthrough by directly observing hydrogen in the tiny spaces between the atoms in metal alloys. The world-first observation of hydrogen dissolving in these 'metal crystal lattices' offers fresh insights into why hydrogen can weaken metals and how more hydrogen-resistant materials might be developed. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-reveal-hydrogen-dissolved-tiny-gaps.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:20:06 EST news713034421 Wearable health-monitoring devices are becoming increasingly important for personalized health care, but conventional patches often rely on substrates that restrict airflow, trap sweat and cause skin discomfort during prolonged use. These limitations can also interfere with the reliable collection and analysis of sweat, highlighting the need for breathable materials that support both comfortable wear and accurate sensing. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-traditional-korean-paper-breathable-patch.html Biochemistry Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:00:09 EST news713032021 Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed a carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor that combines high sensitivity with a wider measurement range. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-sensor-combines-high-sensitivity-wider.html Materials Science Wed, 04 Nov 2026 14:40:01 EST news713010520 Natural materials, ranging from butterfly wings to mother-of-pearl, can exhibit an array of optical effects. In trying to reproduce these effects, scientists have found it challenging to use biodegradable, sustainable raw ingredients while also achieving the high levels of reflectivity required for certain applications. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-nature-glass-crafting-mirrors.html Biochemistry Wed, 04 Nov 2026 12:20:01 EST news713010421 Electron spin is a quantum property that makes electrons behave like tiny magnets. It can influence how electrons interact with each other and how chemical reactions take place. But what does this have to do with producing fertilizers, making cleaner fuels or improving energy technologies? What connects all these processes is the use of catalysts, materials that help chemical reactions happen faster and more efficiently. By controlling electron spin, scientists may be able to improve how these catalysts work, opening up new possibilities for more efficient chemical processes. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-catalysts-roadmap-smarter-chemical-reactions.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 04 Nov 2026 10:20:06 EST news713004303 Chinese researchers have developed a new way to improve sodium–sulfur battery performance by changing the atomic structure of a catalyst. Led by professors Wang Hui and Zheng Fangcai from the High Magnetic Field Laboratory at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the study is published in Angewandte Chemie. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-asymmetric-atomic-sodiumsulfur-battery.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 03 Nov 2026 18:40:05 EST news712925338 Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as "forever chemicals" because of the impact they make on the environment and human bodies. Much of modern manufacturing relies on these substances for safe packaging, fire protection and waterproof coatings. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-natural-coatings-chemicals.html Biochemistry Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:20:04 EST news712930921 Dialing up the power on electricity-driven chemical reactions doesn't guarantee that they'll be more efficient, suggests a new study, a finding that gets researchers closer to creating the ideal conditions for sustainable chemical manufacturing. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-power-payoff-reveals-bottleneck-cleaner.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:00:01 EST news712930741 While ammonia (NH₃) is best known for its role in fertilizer production, it is attracting attention as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, potentially offering a practical way to store and transport clean fuel. Despite this promise, NH₃ synthesis still depends on high-temperature, high-pressure processes that are difficult to scale up sustainably. The reason behind this is the extremely strong bond between nitrogen atoms in nitrogen gas (N₂), which requires a lot of energy to break. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-molecular-dinitrogen-anions-pave-temperature.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:20:08 EST news712846992 Ruthenium (Ru) is a valuable metal used in catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in many industrial processes. It can help improve efficiency and reduce the energy needed for chemical production. However, because it is rare and expensive, scientists are looking for ways to make better use of it. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-ruthenium-atom-catalysts.html Materials Science Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:40:08 EST news712842460 More than just a precious gemstone for jewelry, diamond has properties that make it attractive for several next-generation, high-performance technologies. Its high thermal conductivity can help move heat away from semiconductor devices, while its wide bandgap is promising for high-power electronics. Moreover, its transparency in the visible light range makes diamond useful for demanding optical applications. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-ultrashort-laser-pulses-slice-lab.html Materials Science Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:20:10 EST news712835000 A research team has designed and synthesized a molecular cage with an internal cavity by connecting two curved π-conjugated molecules face-to-face at three points. https://phys.org/news/2026-10-molecular-armor-planar-molecules.html Analytical Chemistry Sat, 31 Oct 2026 08:00:01 EDT news712244725 How handy would it be if you could make your tattoos invisible for a job interview in the morning, and reveal them again for a party in the evening? This sounds like science fiction, but it may soon be reality. https://phys.org/news/2026-10-chemists-tattoos-science.html Materials Science Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:00:04 EDT news712584140