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    Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Molecular System for Artificial Photosynthesis

    June 3, 2017, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Biology/Biotechnology, Physics, Technology/Electronics

    Photosystems (PS) I and II are large protein complexes that contain light-absorbing pigment molecules needed for photosynthesis. PS II captures energy from sunlight to extract electrons from water molecules, splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen ions (H+) and producing chemical energy in the form of ATP. PS I uses those electrons and H+ to reduce NADP+ (an electron-carrier molecule) to NADPH. The chemical energy contained in ATP and NADPH is then used in the light-independent reaction of photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide to sugars. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

    Photosystems (PS) I and II are large protein complexes that contain light-absorbing pigment molecules needed for photosynthesis. PS II captures energy from sunlight to extract electrons from water molecules, splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen ions (H+) and producing chemical energy in the form of ATP. PS I uses those electrons and H+ to reduce NADP+ (an electron-carrier molecule) to NADPH. The chemical energy contained in ATP and NADPH is then used in the light-independent reaction of photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide to sugars.
    Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory

    Photosynthesis in green plants converts solar energy to stored chemical energy by transforming atmospheric CO2 and water into sugar molecules that fuel plant growth...

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    ‘Miracle Material’ discovery could End Cracked Smart Devices

    June 2, 2017, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    A new material, may finally bring an end to the misery of cracked devices. Molecular Arrangement and Charge Transfer in C60/Graphene Heterostructures. ACS Nano, 2017; 11 (5): 4686 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00551 Credit: © smspsy / Fotolia

    A new material, may finally bring an end to the misery of cracked devices. Molecular Arrangement and Charge Transfer in C60/Graphene Heterostructures. ACS Nano, 2017; 11 (5): 4686 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00551 Credit: © smspsy / Fotolia

    Currently, most parts of a smart phone are made of silicon and other compounds, which are expensive and break easily, but with almost 1.5 billion smart phones purchased worldwide last year, manufacturers are on the lookout for something more durable and less costly...

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    When Gold turns Invisible: Bioimaging and security inks applications

    May 31, 2017, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    9-anthryl gold(I) isocyanide (3?) turns invisible and emits infrared after it's ground whereas phenyl gold(I) isocyanide (1) turns yellow. Credit: Seki T. et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, May 2, 2017

    9-anthryl gold(I) isocyanide (3?) turns invisible and emits infrared after it’s ground whereas phenyl gold(I) isocyanide (1) turns yellow.
    Credit: Seki T. et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, May 2, 2017

    A gold compound shifts from a visible fluorescence to emitting infrared when ground – a big shift with potential applications in bioimaging and security inks. Some materials luminesce, changing their color and intensity when under mechanical forces such a

    s grinding or rubbing. These luminescent “mechanochromic” materials can produce various emission colors in the visible light spectrum, from blue to red. Their color-shifts under force are well documented, and are caused by changes to the molecules’ crystal structures.

    A research group at Hokkaido University in Japan found a go...

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    Harnessing Energy from Glass Walls

    May 30, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    1.Prototype of a semi-transparent perovskite solar cell with thermal-mirror functionality. Copyright : Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 2. Thermal images are taken by an infrared camera to compare the heat rejection performance of automobile window film, semi-transparent solar cell and glass. Copyright : Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 3. Typical solar cells today are made of crystalline silicon, which is difficult to make translucent. Copyright : Liu Fuyu / 123rf

    1.Prototype of a semi-transparent perovskite solar cell with thermal-mirror functionality.
    Copyright : Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    2. Thermal images are taken by an infrared camera to compare the heat rejection performance of automobile window film, semi-transparent solar cell and glass.
    Copyright : Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    3. Typical solar cells today are made of crystalline silicon, which is difficult to make translucent.
    Copyright : Liu Fuyu / 123rf

    A Korean team has developed semi-transparent perovskite solar cells that could be great candidates for solar windows...

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