A recent paper published in Nature Materials notes that warm rolling, the same core process that turns aluminum ingots into beverage-can stock, can strengthen silver and copper chalcogenides. It notes, for instance, that “narrow-gap semiconductor Ag2Se can be plastically manufactured by warm metalworking.” Yield and tensile strengths climb significantly in Ag₂Se, Cu₂Se, AgCuSe and AgCuS…
SLAC–Stanford team captures protein‑free RNA megastructures in bacteria
Cryogenic electron microscopy at resolutions of 2.9 to 3.1 Å has revealed that three bacterial non-coding RNAs can fold into large, symmetric multistrand assemblies without any protein assistance, researchers report in an article preview in Nature. Using cryogenic electron microscopy at resolutions of 2.9 Å (OLE), 3.1 Å (ROOL), and 3.0 Å (GOLLD), the researchers…
Visible‑light photoenzymes craft drug‑relevant β‑lactams and cyclobutanes in ordinary air
Scientists have engineered molecular catalysts that harvest readily available blue LED light (405 nm) to stitch together four‑membered ring structures, such as β‑lactams, the core of many antibiotics, and cyclobutanes, common components in agrochemicals, while working openly in air. One of the photoenzymes (VEnT1.3) achieved turnover numbers exceeding 1,300, while another (SpEnT1.3) demonstrated over 300 turnovers,…
SOCMA poll: 59% of specialty chemical firms skip stockpiling despite tariff threat, leaving R&D supply questions
Even with tariffs on the horizon, nearly six in ten specialty chemical suppliers aren’t padding inventories, Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) found in its April survey. One-third (33%) of companies have taken action to frontload inventory; this includes 26% adding one to three months’ supply and 7% stockpiling four months or more. The…
ARPA-H funds $29M Ginkgo-led project to reshore pharma supply chains using wheat germ tech
In a bid to decentralize and secure pharma supply chains, Ginkgo Bioworks and a consortium of partners have been awarded a $29 million contract by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The two-year project, WHEAT, aims to develop a novel manufacturing platform using wheat germ cell-free expression systems (CFPS). The goal is to…
Recursion and Enamine launch targeted chemical libraries
Navigating chemical libraries containing tens of billions of potential drug molecules presents a significant challenge for drug hunters. Seeking to streamline this process, Recursion (NASDAQ: RXRX), a clinical-stage TechBio company, and Enamine, an integrated discovery Contract Research Organisation (CRO), have announced a new collaboration. The partnership hinges on applying machine learning predictions from its Recursion…
Tariff shock: Auto R&D projected down 30%+ at one year, semi faces double-digit drop
[Updated on April 10 with new facts and a more robust model with essentially identical results to the prior version.] After the trade conflict dramatically escalated on April 9, new U.S. tariffs pushed cumulative rates on many Chinese goods toward 104%. Separate “reciprocal” tariffs targeting the EU and other trading partners were set to follow.…
Replacing animal models? Silk sponge 3D cell culture system shows high potential for cancer diagnostics and drug screening
Historically, animal testing has been something of a necessary evil in drug discovery, but a growing number of efforts are underway to do without them. The latest case in point is a newly patented system that integrates 3D cell cultures. These cultures grow human cells on supportive silk scaffolds. This setup better mimics real body…
Berkeley Lab’s 48-Hour race against time with new molecule berkelocene: A step toward safer nuclear waste management?
With just two days to work before their microscopic sample of ultra-rare berkelium degraded, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory created “berkelocene”—a brand-new molecule that could offer insights for safely managing nuclear waste. While berkelocene itself won’t be directly used in nuclear waste management, the research holds clues for safer approaches. Nuclear waste contains problematic…
Floating solar mats clean polluted water — and generate power
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…
Ex-Google AI team launches “Generation,” an AI-driven fragrance venture
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…
Scientists develop reversible adhesive that could transform composites
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…
Researchers develop a cleaner method for producing key industrial chemical
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…
7 major R&D moves this week: Honda and Nissan end merger talks, Baidu to launch driver-less taxis in UAE, Chevron is moving
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 announces lithium coating system aiming to boost battery performance
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,…
Researchers create electricity-generating “slime” for medical, energy, and robotics uses
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 launches with focus on advanced lithium films for batteries
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…
UTEP engineers model electric grid demand for in-motion EV charging
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…
This week in battery research: Plant openings, closures, new tech, and US funding freeze
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…
R&D 100 winner of the day: Berelex Green eco-friendly, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial paint
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…
Flame retardants in battery enclosures may pose health risks without fire safety benefits
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…
8 major R&D moves this week: Honda invests $1B in EVs, China’s DeepSeek continues to stun the AI world, and more
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 &…
KIMM and Hyundai reveal high-pressure ammonia engine
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…
Polymer editing offers new life for discarded plastics, though challenges remain
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…
Pull those black plastic spatulas out of the trash
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…