It was not only the philosophers in antiquity who laid down theories that would reappear in the Early Modern Period, as that which we now term physics began to be created, several Ancient Greek mathematicians made contributions that would go on to play a significant role in that creation; most notable are Eudoxus of Cnidus […]

Designer ligands have promoted what the team behind the work believes is the first alcohol-directed activation of unreactive sp3 C-H bonds. Incorporating hydrogen-bonding interactions into the design strengthened and organised the reactive complex, an approach which could be applied to other catalytic systems. C-H functionalisation is one of the most versatile reactions in organic synthesis but […]

Designer ligands have promoted the first alcohol-directed activation of unreactive C-H bonds. Incorporating hydrogen-bonding interactions into the design strengthened and organised the reactive complex, an approach which could be applied to other catalytic systems. C-H functionalisation is one of the most versatile reactions in organic synthesis but the ubiquity and inertness of these bonds make […]

A new inorganic membrane for separating molecules under high temperatures could reduce the energy requirements of industrial processes. The membrane can be used under harsh conditions that would cause many commercial polymer-based membranes to fail. Separation and purification processes in industry often use considerable amounts of energy and can be expensive. Now, a team of […]

Construction of large-scale hydrogen storage facilities needs to begin immediately if the UK government is to have any chance of meeting its net zero targets, a report by the Royal Society has concluded. Storing hydrogen in closed salt mines would be the best way to meet the country‘s long-term storage needs as it has the […]

Most industrial labs, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, are not routinely using biocatalysis. That is the top take-home message from a survey of senior leaders at fine chemicals companies. It identified a lack of appropriate education at university level and a lack of available infrastructure as the main barriers to companies using biocatalysis and chemoezymatic […]

The molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol (CBD) has been discovered that suggests that the compound not only inhibits inflammation but also helps to resolve it. The researchers say the insights gained could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating inflammatory diseases. Cannabis and cannabinoids, especially CBD, are well-recognised anti-inflammatory agents that are […]

The upgrade of the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Oxfordshire is to receive a funding boost of over £500 million from the UK government and Wellcome Trust. The announcement was made on 6 September by science and technology secretary, Michelle Donelan, during a visit to Diamond which is based at the Science and Technology Facilities […]

For the first time the gap between manmade electricity and the biochemical energy that powers life, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), has been directly bridged using a new to nature metabolic pathway. This discovery discards the need for complex membranes and the roughly 3000 reactions used by cells to generate ATP in nature and consists of just […]

A US government programme that helps ensure the safety of about 3300 high-risk chemical facilities has expired, prompting warnings from security experts and industry that the lapse leaves sensitive facilities vulnerable to terrorist, cyber, and physical attacks. The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) programme was authorised 17 years ago, and was due to expire on […]