"E-nose" sniffs out mixtures of volatile organic compounds
As paint thinner, ink and adhesives dry, they can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively impact health. Typically, one of those VOCs is xylene, which exists as three isomers with the same elements but slightly different arran.....»»
AI accelerates discovery of next-gen polymers
Nylon, Teflon, Kevlar. These are just a few familiar polymers—large-molecule chemical compounds—that have changed the world. From Teflon-coated frying pans to 3D printing, polymers are vital to creating the systems that make the world function be.....»»
New software tool aims to reduce reliance on animal testing
In recent years, machine learning models have become increasingly popular for risk assessment of chemical compounds. However, they are often considered "black boxes" due to their lack of transparency, leading to skepticism among toxicologists and reg.....»»
A new reaction to enhance aromatic ketone use in chemical synthesis
Aromatic ketones have long been valuable intermediates in chemical synthesis, particularly in cross-coupling reactions where different chemical entities are combined to form new compounds. For instance, a process called deacylative cross-coupling rem.....»»
Small molecule organic eutectics show potential for replacing plastics
Plastics have long been a mainstay in modern manufacturing, but their environmental impact has increased demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Researchers at The University of Warwick have made significant progress in the search for sustainable alter.....»»
New analytical tools identify distinct components of dissolved organic matter within the ocean water column
Large quantities of carbon are stored across the environment as naturally-occurring dissolved organic matter. In the ocean, this organic carbon has an average age of thousands of years, but seasonal fluctuations in dissolved organic matter concentrat.....»»
Massachusetts governor signs law phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighters" gear
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed into law Thursday a bill that would phase out the use of PFAS, a group of toxic industrial compounds, in firefighters' protective gear......»»
A hopper could explore more than 150 km of Triton"s surface in two years
Neptune's largest moon, Triton, is one of the most biologically interesting places in the solar system. Despite being hard to reach, it appears to have active volcanoes, a thin atmosphere, and even some organic molecules called tholins on its surface.....»»
New surfactant from cashew nut shell liquid boosts industrial reactions
Industries and chemical labs synthesize a wide variety of organic molecules every day. Most of these chemical reactions happen in the liquid phase to allow the substrates to interact easily. However, many substrates and catalysts are sensitive to wat.....»»
Organic farms certified by peers display higher product diversity
In Brazil, a study compared two systems of organic product certification implemented in São Paulo state. One system involves conventional certification by auditors accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Metrology, Qu.....»»
From fungi to pharmaceuticals: A milestone for the production of eutyscoparol A and violaceoid C
The natural world is rich in chemical compounds with remarkable medicinal properties. A notable example is penicillin, discovered by chance from the Penicillium mold. This discovery revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections and highlighted.....»»
High nitrogen input promotes the redistribution of new organic carbon to deeper soil layers
Exogenous reactive nitrogen input has a profound effect on the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. Most current research on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in relation to nitrogen input has focused predominantly on the surface soil layers. How.....»»
Scientists use carbon isotopes to track "forever chemicals"
Organofluorine compounds—sometimes called "forever chemicals"—are increasingly turning up in our drinking water, oceans and even human blood, posing a potential threat to the environment and human health......»»
Ancient poppy seeds and willow wood offer clues to the Greenland ice sheet"s last meltdown
As we focused our microscope on the soil sample for the first time, bits of organic material came into view: a tiny poppy seed, the compound eye of an insect, broken willow twigs and spikemoss spores. Dark-colored spheres produced by soil fungi domin.....»»
EVs are holding strong, but U.S. elections may rock the boat, report finds
The midyear Market Outlook Report from Dave Cantin Group and Kaiser Associates found that EV sales are starting to drive steady growth. Meanwhile, a volatile political landscape and Supreme Court decisions complicate auto industry plans......»»
Mobileye slashes annual forecasts on uncertain demand; shares fall
Mobileye Global cut its annual revenue and profit forecasts on Thursday, slammed by volatile demand for its driver-assistance chips in China, even as it recovered from a sales slump brought on by a global auto inventory glut......»»
New study reviews progress in ternary hydrogen-rich superconductors
Room-temperature superconductivity has been a century-long-held dream of scientists. Hydrogen-rich compounds at high pressures are predicted to be potential high-temperature and even room-temperature superconductors and have become one of the superco.....»»
A nose for earthy notes: Human odorant receptor for geosmin identified for the first time
Geosmin is a volatile compound of microbial origin with a distinct "earthy" to "musty" odor that can affect the quality of water and food. It is responsible for the typical odor that occurs when rain falls on dry soil. This odorant is produced by mic.....»»
Organic nanozymes have broad applications from food and agriculture to biomedicine
Nanozymes are tiny, engineered substances that mimic the catalytic properties of natural enzymes, and they serve a variety of purposes in biomedicine, chemical engineering, and environmental applications. They are typically made from inorganic materi.....»»
Breakthrough in Z-alkene synthesis: Scientists develop efficient and sustainable method
Z-alkenes are organic compounds with a double bond between two carbon atoms and two substituents attached to the carbon atoms on the same side of the double bond. They are ubiquitous structural components of organic compounds in chemistry and biology.....»»
Ce-doped yttria transparent ceramic: A new ultraviolet-shielding material for extreme conditions
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can break most of the chemical bonds in organic matter, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can cause significant harm to humans and objects. In response, UV-shielding materials have been developed to fulfill variou.....»»