https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Babies are born with the ability to predict rhythm, according to a study published February 5 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Roberta Bianco from the Italian Institute of Technology, and colleagues. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-day-babies-brain-rhythm.html Plants & Animals Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:00:06 EST news689519818 Current electrochemical theory does not adequately describe realistic platinum electrodes. Scientists at Leiden University have now, for the first time, mapped the influence of imperfect platinum surfaces. This provides a more accurate picture of these electrodes, with applications in hydrogen production and sensors. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-realistic-picture-platinum-electrodes.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:53:24 EST news689269981 The origin of life from Earth's primordial chemistry has long fascinated and perplexed us. Generations of scientists have endeavored to understand how complex biochemistry developed from organic compounds. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have recently found that the conditions inside certain, naturally forming droplets promote reduction and oxidation (redox) reactions, which are crucial for life. The results support the idea that these droplets could have acted as proto-enzymes, enabling the formation of more complicated organic molecules. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-rna-droplets-prebiotic-earth-complex.html Biochemistry Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:10:27 EST news688929001 Space agencies are no longer talking about visiting the moon, they're planning on living on it. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-lunar-nights-martian-storms-batteries.html Space Exploration Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:14:34 EST news688385641 The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology behind flexible cell phones, curved monitors, and televisions could one day be used to make on-skin sensors that show changes in temperature, blood flow, and pressure in real time. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-nanomaterial-flex-mxene-electrodes-oled.html Nanophysics Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:12 EST news687520165 Visible light can be used to create electrodes from conductive plastics completely without hazardous chemicals. This is shown in a new study carried out by researchers at Linköping and Lund universities, Sweden. The electrodes can be created on different types of surfaces, which opens up a new type of electronics and medical sensors. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-driven-flexible-electrodes-skin-textiles.html Polymers Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:19:37 EST news685023541 Scientists working to enhance brain-computer interface (BCI) technology—which allows people to control devices with their thoughts—have found they can improve the performance of electrodes implanted in the brain by targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-platelet-nanoparticles-boost-brain-interface.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:10:01 EST news684493200 Researchers at UNIST have unveiled a simple, yet effective method to replace the insulating coating—known as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)—that covers silver nanowires (AgNWs), enabling significantly better electrical conductivity and enhanced durability. This innovation paves the way for the development of flexible, foldable, and rollable electronic devices using AgNW transparent electrodes. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-silver-nanowire-electrodes-surge-coating.html Nanomaterials Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:13:03 EST news681999181 Ethylene is traditionally obtained through steam cracking of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. Recently, the semi-hydrogenation of coal-derived acetylene has emerged as an alternative to produce ethylene. In particular, electrocatalytic acetylene semi-hydrogenation (EASH) is advantageous because it is driven by renewable energy and has low carbon emissions. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-chemists-ethylene-electrosynthesis-acetylene-ampere.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:48:18 EDT news679740491 A research team has developed a composite catalyst using the novel material MXene that suppresses the generation of chloride ions—one of the key challenges in seawater electrolysis. This research outcome is expected to accelerate the practical application of seawater electrolysis technology by enabling stable hydrogen production even in seawater. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-mxene-electrode-material-seawater-corrosion.html Nanomaterials Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:10:04 EDT news677235854 The composition of sweat makes it a valuable diagnostic fluid. While it is mostly water, the small fraction containing electrolytes, metabolic byproducts, and chemical traces can reveal important information about a person's health. Today, commercial sweat-based sensors can already track dehydration, electrolyte loss, and more. One emerging application is the measurement of lactic acid in sweat. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-sugar-based-stabilizer-sensors-acidic.html Biochemistry Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:54:04 EDT news676198441 Infrared imaging helps us see things the human eye cannot. The technology—which can make visible body heat, gas leaks or water content, even through smoke or darkness—is used in military surveillance, search and rescue missions, health care applications and even in autonomous vehicles. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-silver-nanowire-web-transparent-electrode.html Nanophysics Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:40:04 EDT news673260002 Using an inexpensive electrode coated with DNA, MIT researchers have designed disposable diagnostics that could be adapted to detect a variety of diseases, including cancer or infectious diseases such as influenza and HIV. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-polymer-dna-sensors-enable-month.html Biochemistry Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:56:39 EDT news670604193 In order to develop improved electrolyzers for regenerative hydrogen production, the processes on the surfaces of the metal electrodes used must be precisely understood. Researchers from the Theory Department at the Fritz Haber Institute have now been able to show that even the smallest spillover of metal electrons into the aqueous electrolyte environment is sufficient to increase the energy storage capacity more than tenfold. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-electrons-secret-high-electrode-capacities.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:22:57 EDT news670080169 Blue phosphorescent OLEDs can now last as long as the green phosphorescent OLEDs already in devices, University of Michigan researchers have demonstrated, paving the way for further improving the energy efficiency of OLED screens. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-enables-blue-oleds-green-efficiency.html Optics & Photonics Fri, 23 May 2025 13:15:03 EDT news667224901 Electrolyzers are devices that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity and via a process known as electrolysis. In the future, these devices could help to produce hydrogen gas from water, which is valuable for a wide range of applications and could also be used to power fuel cells and decarbonize energy systems. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-molecular-approach-boost-hydrogen-evolution.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:10:01 EDT news665153268 A fiber sensor inspired by the shape of DNA, developed by researchers at Shinshu University, introduces a new design for more durable, flexible fiber sensors in wearables. Traditional fiber sensors have electrodes at both ends, which often fail under repeated movement when placed on body joints. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-dna-flexible-fiber-sensors-wearables.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:08:04 EDT news665060881 Charged surfaces in contact with liquids—such as biological cell walls or battery electrodes—attract oppositely charged ions from the liquid. This creates two distinct charged regions: the surface itself and a counter-charged region in the liquid: the so-called electrical double layer. While pivotal to energy storage devices, the speed of its formation has remained elusive. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-ultrafast-optical-technique-reveals-electrical.html Optics & Photonics Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:05:10 EDT news664819498 Scientists from Skoltech, the Institute of Nanotechnology of Microelectronics, RAS, and other research centers have refined the understanding of how plasma treatment of carbon-based electrodes affects the key characteristics of supercapacitors. These are energy storage devices that complement batteries in electric cars, trains, port cranes, and elsewhere. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-nitrogen-argon-plasma-boosts-carbon.html Nanophysics Thu, 03 Apr 2025 11:19:04 EDT news662897941 Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a toxic and corrosive byproduct of fossil fuel extraction, poses significant environmental and industrial challenges. While the conventional Claus process converts H2S into elemental sulfur, it fails to recover hydrogen gas, missing an opportunity for sustainable energy production. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-chainmail-electrode-highly-efficient-hydrogen.html Analytical Chemistry Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:14:17 EDT news661698845 Electrochemical devices like batteries and fuel cells help power our modern lives. These devices traditionally contain a liquid electrolyte sandwiched between solid electrodes, and can generate electricity through chemical reactions, or alternatively, can undergo chemical reactions when subjected to an electrical current. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-cations-culprit-degraded-platinum-electrodes.html Materials Science Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:20:06 EDT news661603796 A new study has revealed significant insights into the intermolecular mechanisms involved in the dissolution of organic electrode materials (OEMs) within electrolytes during battery cycling tests. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-unveiling-intermolecular-mechanisms-oem-dissolution.html Nanomaterials Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:17:02 EDT news661000618 Next-generation imaging technology is rapidly expanding beyond smartphones into intelligent devices, robotics, extended reality (XR) devices, health care, CCTV, and various other industries. At the core of these technological advances are highly efficient, ultra-compact image sensors that convert light signals into electrical signals. Image sensors capture and process visual information from objects and environments, enabling precise reconstruction of their shape, size, and spatial position. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-2d-semiconductor-sensor-gold-nanoparticles.html Nanophysics Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:40:02 EDT news660832492 Microbial electrochemical systems (MES) are gaining significant attention for their potential to tackle pressing environmental challenges. By harnessing microorganisms to transfer electrons, MES can simultaneously degrade pollutants and generate electricity, presenting a promising solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and energy production. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-3d-microbial-electrochemistry-power-cleaner.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:37:03 EST news660235021 Using an approach called DNA origami, scientists at Caltech have developed a technique that could lead to cheaper, reusable biomarker sensors for quickly detecting proteins in bodily fluids, eliminating the need to send samples out to lab centers for testing. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-dna-origami-route-reusable-multifunctional.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:34:04 EST news659640841 A research team has utilized metal corrosion to prepare high-performance electrodes, enabling efficient and cost-effective upgrading of bio-based 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Their study is published in Chem Catalysis. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-corrosion-electrodes-biomass-conversion-efficiency.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:51:36 EST news658425092 Researchers have developed a sustainable catalyst that increases its activity during use while converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable products. This discovery offers a blueprint for designing next-generation electrocatalysts. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-nanoscale-tin-catalyst-discovery-paves.html Nanomaterials Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:00:05 EST news658146781 Ammonia (NH3) is traditionally produced through the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process which converts nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) into NH3 at high temperatures (400–500℃) and pressures (10–30 MPa). This process consumes 1%–2% of global energy and contributes about 1% of global CO2 emissions. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-high-stable-ammonia-electrosynthesis-nitrate.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:24:02 EST news657206641 A researcher's team at Chungnam National University has unlocked new potential for copper-zinc (CuZn) electrodes in electrochemical CO₂ reduction (EC CO₂R). This research, led by Professor Youngku Sohn, explores the performance and recyclability of CuZn electrodes, comparing them with single-metal alternatives like copper and zinc, and highlighting their superior catalytic properties. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-recyclable-cuzn-electrodes-reshape-reduction.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:49:03 EST news653071741 Since the 1960s, scientists who study X-rays, lightning and similar phenomena have observed something curious: In lab experiments replicating these occurrences, electrons accelerated between two electrodes can be of a higher energy than the voltage applied. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-ray-vision-mystery-emissions-mechanism.html General Physics Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:25:04 EST news652469102