Chemistry

Researchers have developed new means of recycling a common pollutant associated with groundwater and agricultural runoff: nitrate. By developing an electrocatalyst that turns nitrate into ammonia, they have also helped make ammonia production more greener.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo detect the motion of hydrogen atoms in palladium at low temperatures using channeling nuclear reaction analysis

Producing this critical item consumes vast amounts of electricity, with current electrodes relying on noble metals that are costly and limited. However, a research group has used “volcano” modeling to identify new catalyst candidates that do not require scarce metals.

Direct Observation of Energy Transfer in Organic Semiconductor Nanostructures with a Home-Built Femtosecond Microspectroscopy System

Researchers from The University of Osaka and Daikin Industries, Ltd. have discovered a key metric, "electrolyte lithium-ion chemical potential," that governs lithium-ion battery performance. This quantitative indicator shows that efficient charging occurs when lithium ions are sufficiently “unstable” in the electrolyte. This breakthrough replaces trial-and-error methods with a rational design approach, enabling faster development of safer, higher-performance batteries for applications like EVs and renewable energy storage.

Prof. Pi-Tai Chou’s group at National Taiwan University Department of Chemistry has created a catalyst that turns two challenges into one solution: it produces clean hydrogen with remarkable efficiency while breaking down urea with ease. This breakthrough not only lowers the energy cost of hydrogen but also helps eliminate harmful pollutants.

Researchers at Tohoku University used the Digital Hydrogen Platform - which combines data from over five thousand meticulously curated experimental records - as a tool to guide materials design for hydrogen storage.

Untangling cosmic knots, Samurai jellyfish, Controlling rogue antibodies, Search for anti-ulcer vaccine & Metal-recovering yeast. Plus next SciCom coffee talk on experiences in science journalism in the AI era and WHO guide to reporting on non communicable diseases. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), known for their high efficiency and low manufacturing costs, are considered a revolutionary photovoltaic (PV) technology that can further reduce the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), thus promoting the development of green and renewable energy technology in order to reach our carbon reduction goals. However, state-of-the-art PSCs still face serious stability problems, especially during long-term continuous operation at high temperatures, which seriously hinder commercialisation.

Researchers have developed an eco-friendly method to create gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using microalgae. This "green synthesis" avoids harsh chemicals, resulting in nanoparticles that are more stable than conventional ones. When activated by a laser, these AuNPs effectively destroy cancer cells while showing lower toxicity to healthy cells. This breakthrough promises a more sustainable and safer approach to photothermal cancer therapy and other applications in nanomedicine.

New molecular dynamics insights pave the way for stronger, lighter hybrid transportation materials

Researchers may have unlocked a more sustainable and affordable way for producing key ingredients for everyday materials such as plastics, clothing fibers, and insulation foams. The secret: lead dioxide.

Researchers at Tohoku University found that a certain catalyst tends towards different reaction mechanisms at high versus low temperatures. This finding can be used to tailor catalysts with more stability, which ultimately could lead to upgrades for electrochemical devices such as batteries.

Scientists shine a light on the properties of the gemstone ammolite -- a rare type of brightly coloured fossilised ammonite shell.

When you think about it, baran, those little plastic grass dividers found in bentos, save space by allowing bento makers to combine foods without mixing their flavors into a single bento box. Much like baran, researchers from Tohoku University have come up with a way to combine two chemical reactions inside a single electrolytic cell, thereby reducing waste and energy consumption associated with traditional chemical reactions.

The Yabu Laboratory at the Tohoku University Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) has recently demonstrated a novel strategy that yields a highly efficient electrocatalyst.

Structural changes and electronic properties of pyrrole-fused aza-nanographene revealed based on oxidation state

Development of an emissive molecule that distinguishes between chloroform and dichloromethane through solvent-responsive chirality switching

Researchers at The University of Osaka and The University of Tokyo developed a photoactivatable alkyne tag that enables stable, selective visualization of biomolecules inside living cells. The technology would contribute to reveal previously unseen molecular communication, paving the way for advances in cell biology and drug discovery.

Coffee beans harvested from the faeces of the Asian palm civet may have higher levels of fats and other key flavour-enhancing compounds than traditionally harvested beans. according to a new study, helping explain why civet coffee is so prized.

A collaboration team of researchers from the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Graduate School of Science at Nagoya University, and the RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) reports in ACS Nano an integrative modeling workflow to understand with atomistic precision biomolecular dynamics from high-speed atomic force microscopy experiments.

Scientists at Tohoku University have uncovered how electric fields, surface properties, and charge dynamics work together to shape catalytic reactions. The findings reveal why pH so strongly influences reaction efficiency, and how understanding this interplay can guide the design of smarter, more sustainable catalysts.

The University of Osaka researchers developed a world-first sustainable method for synthesizing pharmaceutical-grade NOBIN. By cooperatively utilizing a vanadium catalyst and energy-efficient LED light, the process eliminates byproducts, reduces waste, and allows for ideal raw material ratios, paving the way for greener and more efficient chiral molecule production.

In the marine green alga Codium fragile, unusual carotenoids rapidly dissipate harmful chlorophyll triplet states, protecting the organism from light-induced damage. Using EPR spectroscopy and quantum chemical simulations, the study revealed the structural and electronic principles behind this photoprotection, offering insights for potential bio-inspired solar technologies.

Researchers at Tohoku University synthesized a graphene mesosponge to pinpoint the cause of battery failure, so that we can fix the root cause of their instability.

- Introducing “magnetic properties” into platinum-based alloys, dramatically improving oxygen reduction reaction performance and durability - Exceeding the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2025 targets–expected to contribute to the commercialization of next-generation eco-friendly hydrogen energy

Modified yeast developed to efficiently adsorb targeted elements from solutions

The precise placement of a single silver atom can be enough to make a huge difference. Researchers found that light-emitting properties were 77 times more efficient as a result – paving the way for better optoelectronics and sensing technologies such as OLED lights.

The University of Osaka scientists have developed a safe, efficient “dump-and-stir” method to introduce ortho-carborane into various aromatic compounds using a newly designed lithium–copper reagent. This innovation overcomes the complexity and hazards of previous methods, paving the way for new applications in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), three-dimensional aromatic materials, and bioisosteric drug design.

Researchers at Tohoku University have made a magnesium battery prototype that represents the potential next stage in energy storage - a fast-charging battery made from sustainable materials.