— Artificial leaf could debut new era of 'fast-food energy' — Technology for making an 'artificial leaf' holds the potential for opening an era of 'fast-food energy,' in which people generate their own electricity at home with low-cost equipment…
— Graphene lights up with new possibilities — The future brightened for organic chemistry when researchers at Rice University found a highly controllable way to attach organic molecules to pristine graphene, making the miracle…
— Scientists develop brand new class of small molecules through innovative chemistry — Inspired by natural products, scientists on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have created a new class of small molecules with the potential to serve as a rich foundation…
— New 'smart' material could help tap medical potential of tissue-penetrating light — Scientists are reporting development and successful initial testing of the first practical 'smart' material that may supply the missing link in efforts to use in medicine a form of…
— Formaldehyde: Poison could have set the stage for the origins of life — Formaldehyde, a poison and a common molecule throughout the universe, is likely the source of the solar system's organic carbon solids - abundant in both comets and asteroids. Scientists…
— Exploring the possibilities for zeolites — Some people collect stamps and coins, but when it comes to sheer utility, few collections rival the usefulness of Rice University researcher Michael Deem's collection of 2.6 million…
— Microreactors: Small scale chemistry could lead to big improvements for biodegradable polymers — Using a small block of aluminium with a tiny groove carved in it, a team of researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Polytechnic Institute…
— Small code change, big effect — Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have developed a new method which enables researchers to label any protein of their choice with…
— New imaging technique provides rapid, high-definition chemistry — With intensity a million times brighter than sunlight, a new synchrotron-based imaging technique offers high-resolution pictures of the molecular composition of tissues with unprecedented…
Chemistry makes the natural 'wonder fabric' - wool - more wonderful
Scientists in China are reporting an advance that may improve the natural wonders of wool - already regarded as the 'wonder fabric' for its lightness, softness, warmth even when wet, and other qualities. They say the discovery could give wool a 'brain,' placing it among other 'smart' fabrics that shake off wrinkles, shrinkage and 'breathe' to release perspiration. The study is in ACS' Langmuir, a bi-weekly journal.
Fangqiong Tang, Yi Li and colleagues note that wool is naturally water-repellant, or hydrophobic, a feature that acts as a barrier to enhanced features such as anti-wrinkle, anti-shrinkage finishing and dyeing. Wool's water-repellency also hinders its ability to absorb moisture and makes wool garments feel sweaty. Although scientists have developed treatments that make wool more hydrophilic, or water-absorbing, they may not last long, may damage the fabric, and are not environmentally-friendly.
The scientists describe development of new coating that appears to ease these problems. It is made from silica nanoparticles of 1/50,000th the width of a human hair. The particles absorb excess moisture, and make wool superhydrophilic. The new layer does not affect wool's colour or texture and can withstand dry cleaning, the scientists note.
Or subscribe for our Newsletter, a free e-mail publication. It is published practically every day.
Cells have an appetite for micro-doughnuts
Pumice as a time witness
Researcher discovers natural 'invisible' gold
Coats of cellulose from bacteria yield greener, stronger natural composites