Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Nitrogen’s Solid Phase

Unprecedented insights into the gradual molecular-to-polymeric transformation of nitrogen and the formation of amorphous nitrogen

13-Oct-2023 - In a ground-breaking study led by the University of Bayreuth researchers, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Edinburgh, UK, and the University of Linköping, Sweden, the mysteries of nitrogen’s solid phases were solved, shedding light on its complex behaviour. Their findings, ...

Can diamonds originate methane?

“It is well known that the decomposition of methane may bring to diamond formation. What was less known until now is that the opposite process is also possible”

14-Dec-2021 - Turning one of the world's finest gems - diamonds – into one of the worst greenhouse gases – methane - does not seem a great idea. Yet this happened through the work of a group of researchers from the Universities of Bologna and Edinburgh (UK), the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ...

Bacteria serves tasty solution to global plastic crisis

Scientists have devised a novel way of tackling the mounting issue of plastic pollution -- by using bacteria to transform plastic waste into vanilla flavoring

14-Jun-2021 - Researchers have discovered that the common bacteria E. coli can be deployed as a sustainable way to convert post-consumer plastic into vanillin, a new study reveals. Vanillin is the primary component of extracted vanilla beans and is responsible for the characteristic taste and smell of ...

Nano-scale process may speed arrival of cheaper hi-tech products

12-Nov-2018 - An inexpensive way to make products incorporating nanoparticles - such as high-performance energy devices or sophisticated diagnostic tests - has been developed by researchers. The process could speed the commercial development of devices, materials and technologies that exploit the physical ...

Intense tests reveal elusive, complex form of common element

12-Nov-2018 - An unusually complex form of one of the most abundant chemical elements on Earth has been revealed in the lab for the first time. Researchers created a crystallised version of nitrogen - which at normal conditions is the main constituent of air - by subjecting it to extreme pressures and ...

Oil and water may combine if conditions are right

30-Aug-2017 - They say that oil and water do not mix ... but now scientists have discovered that - under certain circumstances - it may be possible. A new study suggests that some oily molecules - which normally repel water - can be forced to dissolve in water when the two substances are squeezed together ...

Pinball at the atomic level

30-Mar-2017 - Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) at CFEL (Center for Free-Electron Laser Science) in Hamburg and of the University of Edinburgh have currently discovered a new intermediate state for the photodissociation of triiodide anion, a classic ...

Gold from old phones is real prospect thanks to chemical advance

02-Sep-2016 - Vast quantities of gold could be salvaged from old mobile phones using a simple chemical method, a study shows. Current methods for extracting gold from old gadgets are inefficient and can be hazardous to health, as they often use toxic chemicals such as cyanide, researchers say. Electrical waste ...

Ambitious experiments cast light on far reaches of periodic table

24-May-2016 - A study of newly made chemical compounds is giving scientists a fresh understanding of an elusive element. Researchers made compounds of neptunium -- which is difficult to work with owing to its high radioactivity -- and examined them to learn more about its properties and behaviour. These ...

Test aims to identify shale gas hazard in groundwater

25-Apr-2016 - A test has been developed to check for contamination of shallow groundwater from unconventional gas extraction techniques, such as fracking. The development could help monitor the safety of shale gas and coal bed methane extraction, which has sparked debate because of the perceived risks of water ...