For more than a century, a well-known 18-electron rule has guided the field of organometallic chemistry. Now, researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), in collaboration with scientists from Germany, Russia, and Japan, have successfully synthesized a novel organometallic compound that challenges this longstanding principle. They have created a stable 20-electron derivative of […]
When scientists place a single molecule on a surface and move electrons in or out one at a time, quantum mechanics comes to life in vivid detail. A team of researchers used a specialized microscope to study a copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) molecule resting on a thin layer of salt. They discovered that the salt, far from […]
Organic electronics in the form of organic solar cells — thin, flexible, and printable on everyday surfaces — promise a sustainable future in renewable energy. Unlike traditional silicon-based solar panels, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices rely on carbon-based polymers, a class of molecules more commonly associated with plastic bags than power generation. Among these, a family […]
Chemistry • Condensed matter • DIPC Computer Science • DIPC Electronic Properties • Quantum chemistry
Quantum chemistry is a field that dives into the behaviour of atoms and molecules at their most fundamental level, using the principles of quantum mechanics to understand how electrons interact within these systems. For researchers, one of the biggest challenges is studying systems where electrons are strongly correlated—meaning their movements are highly interdependent, like dancers […]
PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a widely used polymer in packaging due to its favourable properties, increases rapidly in global plastic production and waste. Between 2000 and 2019, global plastic production rose from 234 to 460 million tonnes and is projected to reach 1,231 million tonnes by 2060. As a result, plastic waste more than doubled from […]
Chemistry • DIPC Advanced materials • DIPC Interfaces • Materials • Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is like a playground for scientists, where they tinker with materials at the scale of atoms to create new tools and devices with extraordinary properties. One of the most exciting areas in this field involves nanographenes, which are tiny pieces of graphene—a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, known for […]
Biochemistry • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Physiology • Plant biology
The light of someone’s life might not be just another person, but light in the literal sense. According to a recent study , every living system emits light without requiring external excitation due to a biological phenomenon known as ultraweak photon emission (UPE). In mice, UPE was linked to vitality as live mice emitted significantly […]
Glitter is festive and fun – a favourite for decorations, makeup and art projects. But while it may look harmless, beautiful even, glitter’s sparkle hides a darker side. Those shimmering specks often end up far from party tables and greeting cards. You can even spot them glinting on beaches, washed in with the tide. In […]
In the quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, scientists are turning to tiny glowing molecules and powerful microscopes to detect elusive particles. Two groundbreaking studies, one published in ACS Sensors in 2025 and another in Nature Communications in 2024, showcase innovative approaches to detecting barium ions in high-pressure xenon gas. These advancements are […]
Author: Cédric M. John, Professor and Head of Data Science for the Environment and Sustainability, Queen Mary University of London Nearly three fourths of Earth is covered by oceans, making the planet look like a pale blue dot from space. But Japanese researchers have made a compelling case that Earth’s oceans were once green, in […]