A nanomaterial made of molecules twisted simultaneously in opposite directions. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Nanomaterial of molecules twisted simultaneously in opposite directions

21.09.2019

Many biomolecules have such a property as chirality: two molecules with exactly the same structure are mirror images of each other. The most striking example of chirality is our hands: the left mirrors the right and vice versa. Another example that we see in nature is the spiral of a shell, which can be twisted to the right or to the left. "Mirror" molecules with the same structure can have completely different properties. Conventionally, a molecule twisted in one direction smells like lemons, and when it rotates in the other direction, it smells like oranges.

The detection of these distortions is especially important in some industries such as pharmaceuticals, perfumes, food additives and pesticides. Recently, a new class of nanomaterials, plasmonic nanomaterials, has been developed that can help distinguish between the chirality of molecules. These nanomaterials enhance the chiral properties of molecules when exposed to light. They are usually made up of tiny twisted metal "wires" that are themselves chiral. However, the researchers ran into a difficulty: it became very difficult to distinguish between the twist of the nanomaterial itself and the swirl of the molecules whose properties were to be studied.

To solve this problem, a team from the Department of Physics at the University of Bath created a nanomaterial that twists in one direction and the other at the same time. This nanomaterial has the same number of molecules twisted in opposite directions, which means that they cancel each other out. Therefore, when interacting with laser beams, this material remains in its usual state, without showing the properties of chirality.

The team used a mathematical analysis of the material's symmetry properties and found several special cases that could reveal a "hidden" twist and allow detection of chirality in molecules with great precision.

<< Back: The world is facing a shortage of helium 21.09.2019

>> Forward: Global warming will provoke a record number of migrants 20.09.2019

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Global warming asymmetry 07.10.2020

New research shows that stronger nighttime warming is more common worldwide than stronger daytime warming. Scientists at the University of Exeter studied warming from 1983 to 2017 and found a difference in average annual temperature of more than 0,25°C between daytime and nighttime warming over more than half of the land surface.

Days warmed faster in some places and nights warmed faster in others, but the total area of disproportionate warming at night was twice that.

The "warming asymmetry" was mainly due to changes in cloud levels. Increased cloud cover cools the surface during the day and retains heat at night, resulting in even more warming at night.

"Warming asymmetries could have major implications for the natural world," said lead author Dr Daniel Cox of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability at Exeter's Penryn campus in Cornwall.

Stronger nighttime warming is associated with a wetter climate, and this has been shown to have important implications for plant growth and how species such as insects and mammals interact.

Greater diurnal warming is associated with drier conditions coupled with higher levels of overall warming, which increases species vulnerability to heat stress and dehydration.

"Species that are active only at night or during the day will be especially affected," the scientists say.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews