Category archives: Chemistry

First video of catalysis in action at the atomic level

First video of catalysis in action at the atomic level

CatalysisChemistry

By Mapping Ignorance

An international team of scientists has, for the first time, directly observed catalysis in-action at the atomic level. In mesmerizing new videos, single atoms move and shake during a chemical reaction that removes hydrogen atoms from an alcohol molecule. By viewing the process in real time, the researchers discovered several short-lived intermediate molecules involved in […]

Direct liquid cooling, a game-changer in battery thermal management

Direct liquid cooling, a game-changer in battery thermal management

ChemistryEnergy

By Invited Researcher

The electrification of road transport is no longer just a trend—it is a key step in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. Beyond environmental benefits, it also carries strategic and geopolitical importance, prompting major automotive manufacturers to invest heavily in electric mobility . The success of this transformation depends on a crucial element: the […]

‘Microlightning’ in water droplets, a twist in the Miller-Urey experiment

‘Microlightning’ in water droplets, a twist in the Miller-Urey experiment

BiochemistryBiologyChemistry

By Mapping Ignorance

Life may not have begun with a dramatic lightning strike into the ocean but from many smaller “microlightning” exchanges among water droplets from crashing waterfalls or breaking waves. New research shows that water sprayed into a mixture of gases thought to be present in Earth’s early atmosphere can lead to the formation of organic molecules […]

What lignin can do in cellulose nanofibre hydrogels

What lignin can do in cellulose nanofibre hydrogels

ChemistryDIPC BiochemistryMaterials

By DIPC

Hydrogels are fascinating materials that can absorb and retain large amounts of water, making them useful in various fields such as medicine, environmental science, and engineering. A recent study has explored a new type of hydrogels made from cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) and lignocellulose nanofibres (LCNFs), aiming to enhance their strength and water-absorbing capabilities. Cellulose and […]

Unveiling the thermal secrets of tricalcium aluminate

Unveiling the thermal secrets of tricalcium aluminate

ChemistryDIPC Advanced materialsMaterials

By DIPC

Cement is a fundamental material in modern construction, used in everything from buildings to bridges. One of its key components, tricalcium aluminate (C₃A), plays a crucial role in determining cement’s setting time and durability. A recent study has provided new insights into how C₃A behaves under heat, combining computer simulations with experimental data to deepen […]

Protocells may have formed in the proximity of prebiotic compounds

Protocells may have formed in the proximity of prebiotic compounds

BiochemistryBiologyChemistryDIPC Biochemistry

By DIPC

The origins of life on Earth remain one of the most fascinating and profound questions in science. A new research sheds light on this mystery by exploring how the building blocks of life could have formed under early Earth conditions. In this study, we focused on understanding how simple chemicals might have come together to […]

Machine learning cracked the protein-folding problem and won the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry

Machine learning cracked the protein-folding problem and won the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry

BiochemistryBiologyChemistryComputer science

By Invited Researcher

Author: Marc Zimmer, Professor of Chemistry, Connecticut College The 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry recognized Demis Hassabis, John Jumper and David Baker for using machine learning to tackle one of biology’s biggest challenges: predicting the 3D shape of proteins and designing them from scratch. This year’s award stood out because it honored research that originated […]