International Research Chemistry Awards

  A study published in npj Materials Sustainability examined the development of nano-ceramic electrolytes , specifically lithium indium chloride (Li3InCl6designed to improve the performance of solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs). The research highlights the role of advanced materials and methods in progressing battery technology while adhering to the principles of green chemistry. Background Efforts to develop sustainable energy storage solutions have increased. Traditional liquid electrolytes face challenges like flammability and leakage, prompting interest in solid-state alternatives. SSLBs use solid electrolytes , which reduce these risks while offering improved ionic conductivity. Among various solid electrolytes, Li3InCl6 has gained attention due to its favorable electrochemical properties. However, achieving optimal ionic conductivity and compatibility with electrodes remains a challenge. This study builds on prior work, emphasizing the importance of material design and pro...

  In a recent article published in Scientific Reports, researchers from Iran and Germany explore the use of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as delivery systems for medicinal substances, particularly in cancer treatment. By addressing the limitations of individual drug therapies and leveraging the synergistic effects of combined treatments, this study aims to advance the field of targeted drug delivery and improve outcomes for cancer patients. Background Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative treatment strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects. Traditional cancer treatments often use multiple drugs with distinct mechanisms of action to enhance efficacy and overcome drug resistance. However, administering multiple drugs concurrently can lead to increased toxicity and adverse effects, limiting their clinical utility. In this context, the co-delivery of synergistic drug combinations, such as curcumin (CUR) and metho...

  A recent study published in Small explores how nano-phase separation influences analyte binding in aptasensors, using advanced nano-infrared (nano-IR) spectroscopy. Aptasensors, which use aptamers as recognition elements, are gaining traction in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Understanding how these sensors function at the nanoscale can help improve their performance. This research examines the physical and chemical changes that occur when aptasensors interact with target molecules, offering valuable insights for refining biosensing technologies. Why Nano-Phase Separation Matters The effectiveness of an aptasensor comes down to how well its surface materials interact with target molecules. At the nanoscale , phase separation—where different materials naturally separate into distinct regions—can impact how well a sensor detects and binds to an analyte. The study highlights how understanding these small-scale structural changes can help improve sens...

  A recent study published in Nature Communications introduced a new method that combines the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These nanotubes are then used to create advanced 3D-printed carbon nanocomposites. The research highlights how this process could help reduce CO2 emissions while also producing high-performance materials with a wide range of potential applications. Background The increasing levels of CO2 from industrial activities have raised concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability. To address this, new methods for utilizing CO2 are being explored, particularly in producing valuable materials. CNTs are known for their strong mechanical, electrical , and thermal properties, making them useful in enhancing composite materials. Traditional CNT production methods often involve high-energy processes that are not environmentally friendly. This study presents a method that uses CO2 as a fee...

  While nuclear power is a zero-emission energy source, it still presents significant environmental challenges concerning what remains of the spent fuel rods – the nuclear waste generated as a byproduct from the nuclear reactor. Typically, nuclear waste is either buried or stored in spent fuel pools made of reinforced concrete various feet thick, with steel liners. The water in these containers is typically about 40 feet deep and is meant to shield the radiation and cool the rods. Yet, there are still controversies surrounding current methods of disposal, and the potential risk nuclear waste poses to the environment. One of the questions long circulating in the field is, what if there was a way to safely recycle nuclear waste? And what if recycling metal fuels for future advanced nuclear reactors was a real possibility? To try to find an answer to such questions, University of Utah (U of U) engineering researchers will collaborate with a team from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL...

  A recent study published in Science presents a breakthrough in gas sensing technology, leveraging quantum techniques to enhance detection capabilities. Researchers from CU Boulder and Université Laval have successfully used “ quantum squeezing ” to improve the sensitivity and speed of optical frequency comb lasers—ultra-precise sensors that function like fingerprint scanners for gas molecules. These advancements have significant implications for environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and healthcare. Background The study builds on the evolution of frequency comb technology, first developed at JILA, a joint institute of CU Boulder and NIST. Frequency comb lasers emit pulses of light in thousands to millions of colors, allowing scientists to identify gases based on which colors are absorbed. These sensors have already been used to detect methane leaks and analyze breath samples for disease detection. However, gas sensing measurements have intrinsic uncertainties due to the ra...

Scientists have developed new light-sensitive chemicals that can radically improve the treatment of aggressive cancers with minimal side effects. In mouse tests, the new therapy completely eradicated metastatic breast cancer tumors. The novel chemicals, called cyanine-carborane salts, and their role in the next-generation of cancer treatments, are described in a new article published in Angewandte Chemie, a journal of the German Chemical Society. Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, has been used for decades to treat forms of skin and bladder cancers. It works by flooding a patient's body with light-sensitive chemicals that accumulate in cancer cells. Shining a light on the patient activates the chemicals and kills the diseased cells. The light causes the chemicals to generate highly reactive oxygen molecules – like tiny biochemical firecrackers – that break down cancer cells from the inside while leaving healthy cells unharmed. It is a useful therapy with several drawbacks that limit ...

  Firefighters may have an increased risk of prostate cancer due to on-the-job chemical exposures, according to new research from the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and University of Michigan in collaboration with fire service partners and researchers around the country through the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study. Prostate cancer is the leading incident cancer among U.S. males. Firefighters are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate 1.21 times higher than the general population, possibly because of chemical exposures including smoke and firefighting foam during firefighting. Some of those chemicals can affect how genes are expressed through a process called epigenetic modification, and certain epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation , contribute to cancer development. Researchers found evidence that experienced firefighters had different epigenetic modifications than new firefighters in regions linked to prostate cancer. The ...

  A new study shows how an anticancer drug triggers an "outside in" signal that gets it sucked into a cancer cell. The work, published Jan. 29 in Nature Communications, reveals a new signaling mechanism that could be exploited for delivering other drugs. Many malignant cancers overexpress a protein called P-cadherin, which is embedded in the cell membrane. Because cancer cells have a lot of P-cadherin sticking out of their surface, the protein has been targeted for drug development. Monoclonal antibodies against P-cadherin can carry a drug payload to the cancer cells. It has not been clear, though, exactly how the antibodies attach to P-cadherin or how they get inside the cancer cell once attached. Bin Xie and Shipeng Xu, graduate students in biophysics and biomedical engineering at the University of California, Davis, with Professor Sanjeevi Sivasankar, carried out a series of experiments to study binding of antibody CQY684 to P-cadherin in detail. P-cadherin is embedded ...

  In a recent study published in the journal Genome Medicine, researchers in the United States of America developed a neoantigen deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine platform and conducted a phase 1 clinical trial to assess its safety and immune response in patients with a high risk of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). They found that the vaccine was well tolerated, induced neoantigen-specific T-cell responses in 78% of patients, and showed a promising recurrence-free survival rate of 87.5% over 36 months, compared to 49% in historical controls. Background Tumor-expressed mutant proteins that can be recognized by the immune system, called cancer neoantigens, are promising targets for immunotherapy . Advances in cancer sequencing and bioinformatics have enabled the identification of these neoantigens, leading to the development of vaccines that stimulate neoantigen-specific T-cell responses and antitumor immunity. Initial studies demonstrated the efficacy of neoantigen vaccine...

  In a recent study published in the journal Nature, researchers demonstrated that a neoantigen-targeting personalized cancer vaccine (PCV) generates anti-tumor immunity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) . Neoantigens are derived from tumor-specific mutations and are vital targets of anti-tumor immunity. PCVs against neoantigens could potentially induce immune responses to cancer cell -specific epitopes. However, the optimal selection of neoantigen targets and their effectiveness in different cancer types remain areas of active research. PCVs are safe and feasible, capable of eliciting long-term, antigen-specific memory responses in melanoma, which has a high tumor mutational burden and, therefore, many neoantigen targets. However, PCVs face substantial challenges in terms of manufacturing and the induction of immune responses for tumors with a low mutational burden. RCC is a prevalent disease with a low tumor mutational burden and defined cancer driver mutations. Immune-based therapy...