Hierarchically porous carbon networks embedded with single iron sites for efficient oxygen reduction
Currently, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) suffers from sluggish kinetics and high overpotential, which usually requires costly platinum (Pt)-based materials. Transition metal single-atom catalysts (M–N–C), such as Fe–N4 and Co–N4 with high O.....»»
Another building block of life can handle Venus" sulfuric acid
Venus is often described as a hellscape. The surface temperature breaches the melting point of lead, and though its atmosphere is dominated by carbon dioxide, it contains enough sulfuric acid to satisfy the comparison with Hades......»»
From branches to loops: The physics of transport networks in nature
An international team of researchers described how loops, crucial for the stability of such networks, occur in transport networks found in nature. The researchers observed that when one branch of the network reaches the system's boundary, the interac.....»»
Affordable iron catalysts offer a sustainable route to prized Z-alkenes
Chemists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed an iron-catalyzed method that overcomes a significant challenge in the sustainable synthesis of trisubstituted Z-alkenes by inserting two alkyl chemical groups into a type of com.....»»
Orbital angular momentum monopoles discovery propels orbitronics forward in energy-efficient tech
Orbital angular momentum monopoles have been the subject of great theoretical interest as they offer major practical advantages for the emerging field of orbitronics, a potential energy-efficient alternative to traditional electronics. Now, through a.....»»
Simultaneous detection of uranium isotopes and fluorine advances nuclear nonproliferation monitoring
Combining two techniques, analytical chemists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have become the first to detect fluorine and different isotopes of uranium in a single particle at the same time. Because fluorine is essential.....»»
New research could extend the lifetime of key carbon-capture materials
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the stability of amine-functionalized.....»»
Ultrasound technology accelerates drying of renewable cellulose nanocrystals
The global transition towards sustainability has sparked significant interest in bio-based materials and energy-efficient technologies. Among these, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from renewable resources, have shown great potential for use i.....»»
Advancing green chemistry: A tandem catalyst for efficient biomass conversion
The global demand for sustainable energy sources has intensified the search for environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. Biomass waste, a byproduct of various industrial processes, presents an untapped potential for the production of bi.....»»
The 1963 Ford Cardinal—too radical for America at the time
Here's what happened when Ford tried to react to the Volkswagen Beetle. Enlarge / This was supposed to be Ford's answer to the VW Beetle, a small, light, efficient, front-wheel drive car called Cardinal. (credit: Ford).....»»
Xbox Game Pass’ next Blizzard additions are StarCraft’s single-player campaigns
Xbox announced at the Tokyo Game Show that StarCraft and StarCraft 2's solo campaigns are the next Blizzard games for Game Pass......»»
Active Directory compromise: Cybersecurity agencies provde guidance
Active Directory (AD), Microsoft’s on-premises directory service for Windows domain networks, is so widely used for enterprise identity and access management that compromising it has become almost a standard step in cyber intrusions. “Act.....»»
Why the gender gap in physics has been stable for more than a century
As a physicist and data scientist with a keen interest in gender inequality, Fariba Karimi was amazed to discover that the gender gap in physics has remained almost unchanged since 1900. As the citation and coauthorship networks in physics expand, wo.....»»
How social structure influences the way people share money
People around the globe often depend on informal financial arrangements, borrowing and lending money through social networks. Understanding this sheds light on local economies and helps fight poverty......»»
Key negotiator Norway sees "positive signals" ahead of plastic talks
In the single week that world leaders convened for high-level UN talks in New York, nearly 100,000 water bottles' worth of microplastics swirled through the city's air, posing known and still unknown risks to human health......»»
World"s first CO₂ storage service soon ready in Norway
Norway is set to inaugurate Thursday the gateway to a massive undersea vault for carbon dioxide, a crucial step before opening what its operator calls the first commercial service offering CO2 transport and storage......»»
Researchers explore novel approach to map forest dieback in satellite images
Forests and woodlands cover one third of Earth's surface and play a critical role in carbon sequestration, water regulation, timber production, soil protection, and biodiversity conservation. Accelerated by climate change, the decline of these and ot.....»»
Improving industrial scale lactoferrin production with synthetic biological systems
Lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional glycoprotein of the transferrin family, is naturally expressed in human and cow milk. The name "LF" is derived from its ability to bind to iron (ferrin, a suffix indicating iron-binding protein)......»»
How a nearby supernova left its mark on Earth life
When a massive star explodes as a supernova, it does more than release an extraordinary amount of energy. Supernovae explosions are responsible for creating some of the heavy elements, including iron, which is blasted out into space by the explosion......»»
Bacterial "flipping" allows genes to assume different forms
Imagine being one cartwheel away from changing your appearance. One flip, and your brunette locks are platinum blond. That's not too far from what happens in some prokaryotes, or single-cell organisms, such as bacteria, that undergo something called.....»»
Morphology study paves the way for spider fang-inspired cutting tools
When we think of spiders, the first thing that comes to mind is their ability to weave intricate and robust webs. But their ability to cut their own silk—the toughest natural material—and strong or tough synthetic fibers such as carbon or Kevlar,.....»»