Debunking the Myth of the Empty Atom
Searching the Internet to bring you the latest Chemistry News!
Here are 10 recent discoveries.
1. Debunking the Myth of the Empty Atom
The widely held belief that atoms are mostly empty space is a common misconception perpetuated by popular science media.
While this notion has been popularized, notably by Carl Sagan, it does not accurately represent the true nature of atoms and molecules.
In reality, quantum theory describes the behavior of subatomic particles in a manner that contradicts the notion of empty space within atoms.
These particles, including electrons and nuclei, can be described as both waves and particles.
When not observed, they exist as delocalized clouds, unlike classical particles that vibrate or orbit.
Electrons, for instance, do not simply orbit the nucleus in defined shells; they are delocalized clouds themselves.
These quantum clouds play a crucial role in chemical bonding, stabilizing molecules and allowing them to exist.
Furthermore, the idea that atoms are empty because their mass is concentrated in the nucleus is flawed.
Even in the macroscopic world, objects are separated not by mass but by the electric repulsion between electrons.
In the quantum world, electrons permeate the entire molecular volume, filling it with matter.
In summary, atoms and molecules are not empty; they are filled with quantum clouds of particles that behave both as waves and particles, challenging our intuitive understanding of matter.
Understanding these quantum concepts is essential for a more accurate depiction of the subatomic world.
Source - https://aeon.co/essays/why-the-empty-atom-picture-misunderstands-quantum-theory
2. Surprising Discovery Improves Electrochemical Devices
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have made an unexpected breakthrough in the field of electrochemical devices, offering potential advancements in areas like energy storage, bioelectronics, and neuromorphic computing.
Electrochemical devices rely on the movement of charged particles, including ions and electrons.
In bioelectronics, soft conductive materials called conjugated polymers are used for creating medical devices like wearable sensors and implantable devices.
These materials seamlessly connect ions responsible for biological signals with electrons used in electronic devices.
The study, published in Nature Materials, challenged the conventional belief that ions move slower than electrons due to their weight.
Surprisingly, researchers found that in conjugated polymer electrodes, the movement of "holes" (empty spaces for electrons) can be the limiting factor in charging speed, especially at low levels of charging.
This discovery allows scientists to manipulate the material's microscopic structure to regulate hole movement, potentially leading to improved performance and faster charging processes.
The implications of this finding are significant, offering opportunities for the development of cutting-edge medical devices, real-time health monitoring wearables, and more efficient energy storage solutions.
This research sheds light on the fundamental steps in electrochemical doping of conjugated polymers and their potential in various applications.
3. Graphene's Permeability to Protons Solves Decade-Long Mystery
Researchers from the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester have resolved a long-standing puzzle surrounding graphene's unexpected permeability to protons, which are hydrogen nuclei.
A decade ago, scientists discovered that graphene allowed protons to pass through, contrary to theoretical predictions.
Initially, it was proposed that protons might pass through tiny holes in the graphene structure, rather than the crystal lattice itself.
However, a recent study published in Nature, led by Prof. Patrick Unwin, Dr. Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo, and Prof. Andre Geim, utilized ultra-high spatial resolution measurements and found that perfect graphene crystals do indeed enable proton transport.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that protons are accelerated around nanoscale wrinkles and ripples in the graphene.
This revelation has significant implications for the hydrogen economy, potentially replacing costly catalysts and membranes with sustainable 2D crystals like graphene for green hydrogen production, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to a Net Zero carbon environment.
The study's innovative use of scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) allowed the visualization of proton currents through graphene membranes, providing microscopic proof of graphene's intrinsic permeability to protons.
The discovery opens up possibilities for the development of low-cost catalysts for hydrogen-related technologies.
4. "Eco-Friendly" Paper Straws Found to Contain Potentially Toxic Chemicals
A study conducted in Belgium has revealed that many "eco-friendly" paper drinking straws contain synthetic chemicals called poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are potentially harmful to health and the environment.
PFAS are used to make products resistant to water, heat, and stains but are known as "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly and can persist for thousands of years.
In this study, 39 brands of straws made from various materials, including paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic, were tested for PFAS.
The majority of the brands (69%) contained PFAS, with paper straws being the most likely to contain these chemicals (90% of brands tested).
Other materials like bamboo, plastic, and glass straws also had varying levels of PFAS.
Although the concentrations of PFAS in the straws were low and pose a limited risk to human health when used occasionally, these chemicals can accumulate in the body over time.
It is unclear whether PFAS were intentionally added to the straws or a result of contamination from the manufacturing process or materials used.
The presence of PFAS in supposedly eco-friendly straws highlights the need for consumers to be cautious when choosing sustainable alternatives.
Stainless steel straws were found to be free of PFAS and are recommended as a safer choice, or individuals can opt to avoid using straws altogether.
Source - https://phys.org/news/2023-08-paper-straws-environment-plastic-versions.html
5. Why Wet Paper Tears Easily - The Chemistry Behind It
When paper gets wet, it becomes much easier to tear due to changes in its chemical structure.
Paper is primarily composed of cellulose fibers, which are interlocked and bonded together by hydrogen bonds.
These hydrogen bonds are crucial for the paper's strength.
Water disrupts these hydrogen bonds in the cellulose fibers.
Since water contains oxygen-hydrogen bonds, it begins to form its own hydrogen bonds with the cellulose, blocking the original bonds between the fibers.
This disruption weakens the intermolecular forces and friction that hold the paper together.
Consequently, the fibers start to detach and the paper loses strength, making it easier to tear.
Different types of paper products, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and cardboard, respond differently to water.
The variations in how they react are due to the additives included during the papermaking process.
Manufacturers can enhance paper's strength by adding dry strength additives like potato starch, which forms a toughened barrier around the cellulose fibers when dried.
However, even strengthened paper can lose its added strength when exposed to moisture because starch dissolves in water.
In conclusion, the ease with which wet paper tears is a result of water disrupting the hydrogen bonds that hold cellulose fibers together, weakening the paper's structure.
Source - https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/why-does-paper-tear-more-easily-when-its-wet
6. Quantum Computer Slows Down Chemical Reaction Process 100 Billion Times
Researchers at the University of Sydney have achieved a groundbreaking feat by using a quantum computer to engineer and observe a critical chemical process, slowing it down by a factor of 100 billion times.
This achievement marks the first time scientists have directly witnessed a process known as a "conical intersection," a common geometric structure in chemistry.
Conical intersections play a crucial role in rapid photochemical processes, such as those involved in human vision and photosynthesis.
Traditionally, observing such rapid processes was impossible due to their femtosecond timescales (a billionth of a millionth of a second).
However, the research team devised an innovative experiment using a trapped-ion quantum computer, allowing them to map and slow down this complex process, making meaningful observations.
This achievement has profound implications for materials science, drug design, solar energy harvesting, and understanding processes involving molecules interacting with light, such as smog formation or ozone layer damage.
The ability to directly observe and manipulate these processes at a quantum level opens up new possibilities for scientific advancements and technological applications.
The collaboration between chemistry theorists and experimental quantum physicists demonstrates the potential of quantum technologies in addressing long-standing challenges in chemistry and materials science.
Source - https://phys.org/news/2023-08-scientists-quantum-device-simulated-chemical.html
7. Scientists Confirm Non-Uniform Electron Density in Molecules - Unlocking Nanomaterial Potential
A team of scientists from various Czech research institutions has successfully confirmed a decades-old theory regarding the non-uniform distribution of electron density in aromatic molecules.
This phenomenon, known as the "π-hole," has a significant impact on the physicochemical properties of molecules and their interactions.
The researchers used advanced scanning electron microscopy with subatomic resolution to observe the electron shell structure of atoms in molecules.
The π-hole arises when electronegative atoms or groups replace peripheral hydrogens in aromatic hydrocarbons, transforming negatively charged electron clouds into positively charged regions.
This discovery builds upon their previous research, where they confirmed the existence of a "σ-hole" around halogen atoms.
The findings validate long-standing predictions from quantum chemistry and enhance our understanding of how electron charge is distributed within molecules.
This knowledge has broad implications, particularly in chemistry and materials science, where it can lead to the design of new nanomaterials with improved properties.
It also holds promise for better comprehending chemical and biological processes, paving the way for advancements in various scientific and practical applications.
The successful experiments at the subatomic and submolecular levels illustrate the power of theoretical predictions and experimental confirmation, akin to the discovery of cosmic black holes, which were also theorized for decades before being observed.
This research opens doors to innovative materials and enhanced scientific understanding.
Source - https://phys.org/news/2023-08-scientists-decades-old-theory-non-uniform-electron.html
8. 3D-Printed Super-Slippery Toilet Could Save Water and Cleaning Efforts
Researchers have developed a 3D-printed toilet prototype that is incredibly slippery and resistant to soiling.
This innovative toilet, known as an "abrasion-resistant super-slippery flush toilet" (ARSFT), promises to address two significant challenges associated with traditional toilets: excessive water usage and the need for thorough cleaning.
The ARSFT's surface is inspired by tropical pitcher plants and is coated with a greasy oil that repels contaminants, including milk, muddy water, and synthetic feces.
This hydrophobic surface prevents waste from adhering to the toilet bowl, ensuring a cleaner experience and potentially reducing the need for cleaning agents.
The 3D printing technique used to create the toilet involves fusing plastic grains and hydrophobic sand to produce a solid, porous shell.
The lubricating oil that gives the toilet its slipperiness is stored within the porous structure, allowing the material to quickly self-heal if scratched or abraded.
Despite its promising features, the prototype is currently small in size and 3D printing can be expensive.
Researchers are working on scaling up the design and addressing cost challenges.
Additionally, integrating the sintering step into the manufacturing process is a necessary development.
While this toilet innovation has the potential to revolutionize water-saving and hygiene efforts, it may also find applications beyond the bathroom in various nonstick surface applications.
9. Environmentally Friendly Electrochemical Method to Produce Polyamide Building Blocks
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Evonik have developed an environmentally friendly method to produce dicarboxylic acids, essential building blocks for polyamides used in various products, including mountaineering ropes, nylon parachutes, and 3D printing materials.
Traditional methods of generating dicarboxylic acids involve multiple steps, heavy metals, strong acids, and often result in the release of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The innovative technique employs electrochemistry, allowing the conversion of petrochemical compounds and unsaturated fatty acids into dicarboxylic acids using a more sustainable approach.
In this electrochemical process, hydrocarbons with double or triple bonds are introduced into an electrolysis cell filled with a solvent, and oxygen is added.
The interaction between oxidative radicals at the anode and superoxide anions at the cathode leads to the formation of carboxylic acids.
This method eliminates the need for heavy metals, strong acids, and the generation of NOx emissions.
It relies solely on readily available resources: oxygen, electricity, and hydrocarbons with double bonds.
The process is cost-effective, generates no harmful byproducts, and allows for solvent recovery and recycling.
The researchers are working on scaling up the laboratory process to make it suitable for commercial production, offering a greener alternative for manufacturing polyamide building blocks.
Source - https://phys.org/news/2023-08-carboxylic-acids-environmentally-friendly-technique.html
10. AI Predicts Smell of Chemicals
Scientists have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that can predict the smell of chemicals based on their structure.
The system was trained on a dataset of over 5,000 odorants and their corresponding smells.
The AI was able to predict the smell of new molecules with high accuracy.
This research could have implications for the design of new synthetic scents and for understanding how the human brain interprets smell.
For example, the AI could be used to design new perfumes or to create more realistic food flavorings.
It could also be used to develop new diagnostic tools for diseases that are associated with smell loss.
Source - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02714-2
Back to other Chemistry News.
Found this Chemistry video useful?
Please LIKE this video and SHARE it with your friends!
Join my 10,000+ subscribers on my YouTube Channel for new Chemistry videos every week.
Check out other A Level Chemistry Video Lessons here!
Need an experienced tutor to make Chemistry simpler for you?
Do consider signing up for my JC Chemistry Tuition classes at Bishan, weekly LIVE webinars or on-demand video lessons!
