Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

A new crystal that ‘breathes’ oxygen expands possibilities for clean energy and electronics

Scientists discover a new crystal that breathes oxygen
A schematic illustration of the oxygen-breathing in the new crystal, SrFe0.5Co0.5O2.5. The scientists have developed a special type of crystal with oxygen-breathing abilities, which could be used in clean energy technologies and next-generation electronics. Credit: Prof. Hyoungjeen Jeen from Pusan National University, Korea

A team of scientists from Korea and Japan has discovered a new type of crystal that can “breathe”—releasing and absorbing oxygen repeatedly at relatively low temperatures. This unique ability could transform the way we develop clean energy technologies, including fuel cells, energy-saving windows, and smart thermal devices.

The newly developed material is a special kind of metal oxide made of strontium, iron, and cobalt...

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One Fruit, 1600 Compounds, Countless Health Benefits

Fresh grapes contain a potent mix of over 1,600 compounds that benefit heart, brain, skin, and gut health. New evidence suggests they deserve official superfood recognition, with benefits even at the genetic level.

A new article appearing in the current issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry explores the concept of “superfoods” and makes a case that fresh grapes have earned what should be a prominent position in the superfood family. The author, leading resveratrol and cancer researcher John M. Pezzuto, Ph.D., D.Sc., Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University, brings forth an array of evidence to support his perspective on this issue.

As noted in the article, the term “superfood” is a common word without an...

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Early-life to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may fuel food preferences

sweets
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in early life, including during gestation and infancy, results in a higher preference for sugary and fatty foods later in life, according to an animal study being presented Sunday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances in the environment (air, soil or water supply), food sources, personal care products and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of the body’s endocrine system...

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From 0 to 100 in 12 minutes—roadmap for lithium–sulfur batteries

From 0 to 100 in 12 minutes—roadmap for lithium-sulfur batteries
Key challenges (red background) and potential solutions (green background) for fast-charging LSBs. Credit: Advanced Energy Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202404383

Grab a coffee and your car is fully charged—this is how many people envision the future of mobility. But today’s batteries still fall short of this ideal. While modern lithium–ion batteries can charge from 20% to 80% in about 20 to 30 minutes, a full charge takes considerably longer—and fast charging puts significant stress on the cells.

A new international review study published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials now shows how lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) could overcome these limitations.

Researchers from Germany, India, and Taiwan—coordinated by Dr...

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