Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Dissecting the mechanism of protein unfolding by SDS
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have used molecular dynamics simulations to understand how sodium dodecyl sulfate causes protein unfolding. SDS is commonly used in labs to separate...
Researchers uncover the art of printing extremely hard steels flawlessly
For millennia, metallurgists have been meticulously tweaking the ingredients of steel to enhance its properties. As a result, several variants of steel exist today; but one type, called martensitic steel,...
Willie Nelson to host 'Come and Toke It' variety show on 4/20
Willie Nelson will present "Come and Toke It," a live stream special in honor of 4/20, an annual unofficial holiday celebrating marijuana.
Willie Nelson to host 'Come and Toke It' variety show April 20
Willie Nelson will present "Come and Toke It," a live stream special in honor of 4/20, an annual unofficial holiday celebrating marijuana.
Buildings have their own microbiomes—we're striving to make them healthy places
Architects and building engineers strive to create safe, productive places where humans can live and work. We have developed complex codes, regulations and guidelines to achieve goals such as structural...
A magnetic cork for the removal of water pollution
The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), together with the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas and the University of Porto, has patented a magnetic cork that could remove polluting particles from...
A robust, sensitive thin-film X-ray detector using 2-D layered perovskite diodes
In a new report on Science Advances, Hsinhan Tsai and a research team in materials, nanotechnology, nuclear engineering and X-ray science at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Argonne...
Using light to extend the scope of carbonylation reactions
A team of researchers at McGill University has found that light can be used to extend the scope of carbonylation reactions. In their paper published in the journal Science, the...
Researchers discover novel optical sensing technology
Researchers at Northumbria University have developed a new optical sensing technology which can light up areas of an object or material by creating microscopic wrinkles and folds within its surface.
Rad revelations: Future fuel designs from noble metals
Researchers at PNNL are removing a shroud of mystery surrounding the behavior of certain metal particles in nuclear fuel. The team's findings could improve future fuel designs for more efficient...
Chamber measurement standards established for fine particles
What effects do global warming and the formation of fine particles have on each other? Since the entire atmosphere cannot be heated for experimental purposes, a part of it is...
Seeing 'under the hood' in batteries
A high-sensitivity X-ray technique is attracting a growing group of scientists because it provides a deep, precise dive into battery chemistry.
How to develop a new generation of faster, cheaper and greener optical networks
A team of scientists has developed a novel circuit architecture for high-speed optical transceivers to facilitate full automation, agility and efficiency in future data centres.
Gas storage method could help next-generation clean energy vehicles
A Northwestern University research team has designed and synthesized new materials with ultrahigh porosity and surface area for the storage of hydrogen and methane for fuel cell-powered vehicles. The materials,...
Video tripods to lock down your perfect shot
For the steadiest of shots. (Marcos Paulo Prado via Unsplash/)Lights, camera… tripods! Camera operators wouldn’t get very far without a way to hold their cameras steady, and the humble tripod has been doing...
Olive oil leads to discovery of new universal law of phase transitions
A simple drop of olive oil in a system of photons bouncing between two mirrors has revealed universal aspects of phase transitions in physics. Researchers at AMOLF used an oil-filled...
Flatter graphene, faster electrons: Technique flattens corrugations in graphene layers to improve samples
The sample quality of graphene has been improved significantly since its discovery. One factor that limited further improvements has not been investigated directly so far, namely corrugations in the graphene...
High-efficiency catalyst enhances the electric reduction performance of carbon dioxide
Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels and value-added feedstocks, ideally if powered by renewable electricity, provides a route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously close the carbon...
New electrode material developed to increase charge capacity of lithium batteries
Lithium batteries hold a lot of promise for the future of many applications, including electric vehicles, but tend to be prohibitively expensive, according to a team of researchers based in...
Water heaters' methane leaks are high, but fixable
Natural gas escapes from water heating systems through leaks and because some is not combusted by the burner. These tiny inefficiencies can add up: The resulting emissions of methane—a powerful...
Advance could enable remote control of soft robots
Soft materials, such as rubber or polymers that can endure drastic changes to their shape, are promising for applications where flexibility and shapeshifting abilities are paramount.
'It's heartbreaking': Homeless during pandemic left out in the cold — figuratively and literally
With most shelters full and operating at a lowered capacity to adhere to physical distancing rules, some cities including Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto, are putting up the homeless in hotels. But advocates say there...
Will it really take 'weeks' to ease physical distancing? Maybe not
With increasing evidence that Canada has succeeded in flattening the COVID-19 curve, the next challenge is when and how to begin easing Canada's physical distancing rules. Take it slow and...
See-through Skin
Baptised in artificial waters, connective tissues rejoice in pre-set harmony; their purpose reborn as receptive intercessors that ache to vicariously denounce the darkness. Transplanted behind shaded spots of vacant eyes...
Scientific machine learning paves way for rapid rocket engine design
Researchers are developing a faster modeling technique for rocket engine designers to test performance in different conditions.
Importance of mitochondrial small proteins in energy production
A small mitochondrial protein is necessary for energy production and its malfunction could be behind a range of degenerative diseases, according to new study.
How to add a carbonyl to a molecule using carbon monoxide and light
Palladium-catalyzed reaction makes acid chlorides, amides, esters, and ketones from both alkyl and aryl halides
7 Midwest governors to look at 4 factors in reopening economy
Seven Midwest governors unveiled a plan Thursday to analyze four factors in determining whether to reopen their economies.