Chemistry

Most people bring a blanket to the beach to soak up the sun — this “blanket” soaks up pollution instead. Researchers at Ohio State University have created a solar-activated “nanomat” that floats on water like a beach mat, but instead of providing comfort, it goes to work cleaning up harmful contaminants. The lightweight, reusable material…

A new player has entered the fragrance industry, aiming to use artificial intelligence in scent creation. Osmo, a company founded by former Google AI researcher Alex Wiltschko, has launched “Generation,” a project that applies machine learning to various aspects of fragrance development, from ingredient design to market analysis. While the potential of AI in this…

For decades, the strength and durability of composite adhesives such as epoxy resins have made them essential in everything from construction to aerospace. However, this exceptional strength presents a frustrating downside: these materials become stubbornly permanent once bonded. Recently, researchers have unveiled a new class of composite materials that are equally robust but feature a…

Ethylene oxide quietly underpins modern life, from the plastics in our homes to the disinfectants we rely on. But its production comes at a cost: millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions and a reliance on toxic chlorine. Researchers have found a way to make this essential chemical cleaner and safer. A research team led…

The R&D World Index saw gains this week, driven partly by a surge in Intel’s value amid significant developments across various sectors. Honda and Nissan have ended their merger talks, citing concerns over autonomy and decision-making, while GlaxoSmithKline consolidates its vaccine R&D in Cambridge, MA. Novartis is set to reacquire rights to a blood clot…

ULVAC, a Tokyo-based vacuum technology company, has developed the EWK-030, a roll-to-roll lithium deposition system designed to create ultra-thin lithium films for next-generation batteries. The company claims this system will significantly improve battery performance, potentially leading to longer-range electric vehicles (EVs) and enhanced energy storage capabilities. The EWK-030 is slated for release in May 2025,…

Picture a high-tech version of Silly Putty that generates electricity. It would be capable of speeding up wound healing, delivering medication through the skin, or even producing clean energy, among other inventive uses. Researchers at the University of Guelph (U of G) have developed a slime-like material that generates electricity when compressed. The material is…

Elevated Materials, a newly established company supported by TPG’s Rise Climate fund and Applied Materials, has entered the battery market. It focuses on producing ultra-thin, uniform lithium films. The company aims to enhance battery performance by leveraging decades of vacuum roll-to-roll processing expertise and hundreds of patents from Applied Materials. Its technology is designed to…

Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) are studying how electric vehicles (EVs) could be charged while in motion, addressing concerns like “range anxiety” and the growing demand for EV infrastructure. Their work, published in the journal IEEE Access, focuses on Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) roadways, which use transmitter pads embedded…

The battery industry is buzzing with activity as researchers explore alternatives like aluminum-ion and solid-state batteries, promising greater safety and sustainability. Toyota is preparing a battery plant in North Carolina for 2025, KORE Power has canceled a $1.2 billion Arizona gigafactory, and Octillion has opened a Nevada facility to meet demand. Nuvvon is advancing solid-state…

Berelex Green eco-friendly paint combines sustainability with improved indoor air quality. Specifically designed for poorly ventilated spaces, this paint from Pinturas Berel S.A. de C.V. promotes healthier environments while reducing carbon emissions. Composed of 29% renewable materials, Berelex Green replaces fossil-based components, significantly lowering its carbon footprint. Its air-purifying formula sets it apart; it converts…

As incidents of dangerous lithium-ion battery fires increase, regulators and manufacturers are scrambling for solutions. However, a common strategy — adding flame retardants to plastic battery casings — may fail to prevent fires and introduce serious health risks. A new Viewpoint published in Environmental Science & Technology argues that flame retardants in battery enclosures offer…

Welcome to our weekly briefing on R&D headlines shaping technology, energy, manufacturing, and more. In this edition, we continue to explore how the Chinese startup DeepSeek is potentially rewriting AI training assumptions, the potential ripple effects on global energy demand, new tariffs upending automotive supply chains, plus highlights from the Idaho National Laboratory, Procter &…

A coalition led by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Hyundai Motor, and Kia has developed “the world’s first engine capable of directly injecting ammonia into the combustion chamber at high pressure.” The coalition reported overcoming longstanding challenges in power stability and emissions. Direct High-Pressure Injection: The engine eliminates the need for gaseous…

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have demonstrated a method for converting plastic waste into higher-value materials. By chemically “editing” polymer chains, they upcycle discarded plastics — such as tire-grade polybutadiene and consumer-grade acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) — into new structures with improved performance. This approach could tackle the nearly…

2024 was the year of spatulageddon. Plastic spatulas were trashed due to reports of dangers lurking within. The journal article that raised concern contained an error, an obvious error. A correction was made but there is more to the story. How a recycling study spawned spatula hysteria The study causing spatulageddon is “From e-waste to…

Every day seems to bring new developments in rechargeable battery research, with teams racing to surpass conventional lithium-ion technology, which has significant room for enhancement. As the adoption of electric vehicles rises and the need for storing renewable energy becomes increasingly important, the search intensifies for safer, lighter, and more sustainable power sources. Recent breakthroughs…

A research team at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has reported progress in addressing longstanding challenges that have hindered the commercialization of lithium-sulfur batteries. Dr. Park Jun-woo led the team, which focused on the “shuttle effect,” lithium polysulfides formed during charging and discharging migrate between the electrodes. This phenomenon has often resulted in performance…

With co-developer Lenzing Plastics, DuPont de Nemours has created Tyvek Trifecta, an inventive new building wrap that improves fire safety and building performance. It combines three key functions — non-combustibility, weather resistance, and vapor permeability — into a single, durable, and reliable solution. Tyvek Trifecta, designed for residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings, is particularly well-suited…

Every year, millions of windshields are replaced worldwide, leaving behind a significant amount of waste in the form of the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer, which keeps shattered glass together. Recycling this material is complex and costly, often resulting in low-quality materials unsuitable for reuse. The sheer volume of PVB waste is substantial — over 175…

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, often seen as a promising alternative to lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology, could offer higher energy densities and lower costs while using Earth-abundant materials like sulfur. However, significant hurdles, including short cycle life, material instability, and safety concerns, limit their commercial adoption. Potential and challenges of Li-S batteries Li-S batteries differ from Li-ion batteries…

Some argue that carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) are critical tools for reducing global carbon emissions, though questions remain about their scalability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term impact. Safe and efficient supercritical or dense-phase carbon dioxide (CO₂) transportation is critical for successfully implementing CCUS projects. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, “Carbon capture, utilization,…

According to a recent study by U.S. and Canadian scientists, the carbon in our bodies may have traveled far beyond our galaxy before becoming part of Earth. Published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the research confirms that carbon and other elements forged in stars do not remain stationary in space but circulate through a vast…

Recent scientific evidence has brought increasing attention to microplastics—plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter—and their pervasive presence in our environment. While their ubiquity raises legitimate concerns, our 2024 analysis “Microplastics are bad—but ignoring science is worse” reveals that commonly cited statistics about human plastic consumption often lack rigorous scientific validation. Emerging research continues…

Batteries have recently come in various configurations: stretchable, as discussed in R&D World’s article “Stretchable batteries and body-conformable electronics poised to advance in 2025,” and batteries using alternative chemistries, including lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and sodium-ion (SIBs), among others. One battery material that might not have been on your bingo card is fungi. Researchers at Empa have…