Science and Fun

Chemistry News

• Researchers Discover Proton Diode
  Biophysicists in Bochum have discovered a diode for protons: just like the electronic component determines the direction of flow of electric current, the �proton diode� ensures that protons can only pass through a cell membrane in one direction. Water molecules play an important role here as active components of the diode.
• Robust, Renewable, Nanoporous Metal Organic Frameworks

  Robust, Renewable, Nanoporous Metal Organic Frameworks Edible nanostructures: Compounds made from renewable materials could be used for gas storage, food technologies. Sugar, salt, alcohol and a little serendipity led a Northwestern University research team to discover a new class of nanostructures that could be used for gas storage and food and medical technologies.And the compounds are edible. [Credit: Angewandte Chemie, DOI 10.1002/anie.201002343]

• The Perfect Nanocube
  Precise control of size, shape and composition.
• Ultrafast Chemical Reactions

  Ultrafast Chemical Reactions Listen up! U-M experiment records ultrafast chemical reaction with vibrational echoes. Image: The molecules shown here in yellow are first-hand observers to an ultrafast chemical reaction. As the reaction proceeds, the vibrational frequencies of the yellow molecules change ... [Credit: Kevin Kubarych and Carlos Baiz]

• New Light Switch Chloride Binder

  New Light Switch Chloride Binder Chemists at Indiana University Bloomington have designed a molecule that binds chloride ions - but can be conveniently compelled to release the ions in the presence of ultraviolet light. Image: When azobenzene units (blue) at the ends of the receptor are struck with UV light, the receptor unfolds the helix and releases the chloride ion (green) [Credit: Amar Flood].