Chemistry

Elsevier, founded in 1880, is going all in on AI and data. In addition to publishing, Elsevier now offers several databases, learning resources and AI tools all aimed at supporting researchers. The latest release in this vein is a new AI-powered search engine for its chemistry database, Reaxys, which represents a fresh take on its…

Chemists at the Ohio State University developed a new way to synthesize carbenes, essential components of drug synthesis and materials development. They published their findings in Science.  Their new method works by using iron as a metal catalyst with dichloride compounds that easily generate free radicals. These substrates form carbenes with various substituents. Then, the…

Researchers at MIT and the University of California, Santa Barbara, have identified compounds that activate a defense pathway inside cells infected by a virus. They believe these compounds could be used as antiviral drugs that will work against any virus. They published their findings in the journal Cell.  The compounds activate a defense system called…

This week in R&D, we’re watching emerging technologies for how we secure critical assets, treat chronic disease and discover novel materials. Highlights include a new self-driving lab that accelerates materials discovery tenfold and a collaboration between the British and French governments to protect GPS from jamming. In the AI space, Mira Murati, a former OpenAI…

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a method to convert plastic waste into hydrogen, which can be used for clean energy. They published their findings in Engineering.  Using a photocatalyst to oxidize plastic  The researchers engineered a porous tungsten oxide (WO3) photoanode that interacts with polystyrene (PS) plastic. PS…

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh genetically reprogrammed E. coli to convert plastic into paracetamol, which is also known as acetaminophen (Tylenol). They published their findings in Nature Chemistry. The process could cut down on plastic waste while reducing emissions from traditional methods of creating paracetamol. Using bacteria to recycle plastic Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is…

Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a method to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into metal oxalates, which are used in cement production. They published their findings in Advanced Energy Materials.  Methodology: Lead catalyst Previous research has shown that lead can be used as a catalyst to convert carbon dioxide into metal oxalates.…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

[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.…

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…

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…

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…