Jay Schwalbe

Write with pressure, erase with current – In their recent communication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Park, Cho, and colleagues describe a reversible transformation between two polymorphs of a hexacatenar liquid crystal, each exhibiting distinct fluorescence colors. This transformation can be induced by mechanical pressure (mechanochromism) and reversed using an electric field (e-field-chromism). You can read the communication here: https://lnkd.in/d8iSSAEa

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Check out some recent work enabled by the BioPACIFIC MIP team at UC Santa Barbara that opens new pathways to design Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels with customizable properties for a wide range of applications! PEGDA hydrogels are gaining attention due to their biocompatibility and ability to undergo large deformations. Unlike classic polymeric gels, PEGDA hydrogels have a unique microstructure composed of PEG chains interconnected by densely grafted polyacrylate rods (PAs) acting as cross-linkers. This work developed and validated a microstructural model capturing key features, including: entropic elasticity of PEG chains, deformation of PA rods, and PA–PA interactions to highlight how the network's response can be tailored by modifying key microstructural elements. Congrats to Megan Valentine and colleagues at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology! #Hydrogels #Biomaterials #PolymerScience #Biocompatibility

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Congratulations CNM staff and users! In a recent Nature Sustainability publication, researchers have manipulated the chemical composition of materials to make polymers more recyclable. The team developed a strategy to design biodegradable and recyclable luminescent polymers with high light-emitting efficiencies. They did so by incorporating a chemical called tert-butyl ester into the luminescent polymers which can break down when exposed to heat or mild acid. Check out this Argonne Press Release for more information: https://lnkd.in/gbSVDTh2   #nanoscience #materialsscience      Authors: Wei Liu, Yukun Wu, Katerina Vriza, Cheng Zhang, Hyocheol Jung, Shiyu Hu, Yuepeng Zhang, Du Chen, Peijun Guo, Benjamin T. Diroll, Glingna Wang, Richard Schaller, Henry Chan, Jianguo Mei, Sihong Wang, and Jie Xu Affiliations: Argonne National Laboratory, University of Chicago, Purdue University, Yale University

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I've enjoyed learning more about micro- and nano- plastics (MNPs) across the past few years and am glad to be getting the opportunity to present on the topic at NEMC this year. If you have a chance to join us in the Analyzing Microplastics in the Environment session it ought to be worth your while. https://lnkd.in/eYJ2n-MH #nationalenvironmentalmonitoringconference #nemc #environmentalmeasurementsymposium #ems #environmentalmonitoring #gcms #microplastics #environmentalscience #masspectrometry #environmentalhealth

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New Article Alert: “High Voltage Electrolyte Design Mediated by Advanced Solvation Chemistry Toward High Energy Density and Fast Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries” @Advanced Energy Materials. https://lnkd.in/gfSMjiwC Electrolyte is critical for transporting lithium-ion (Li+) in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, there is no universally applicable principle for designing an optimal electrolyte. In most cases, the design process relies on empirical experiences and is often treated as highly confidential proprietary information. In the article, a solvation structure-related model for the quantitative design of electrolytes is introduced, focusing on the principles of coordination chemistry. As a paradigmatic example, a high-voltage electrolyte (i.e., 4.5 V vs anode) aimed at achieving a high energy density and fast charging LIB, which is specifically composed of an emerging, well-constructed hybrid hard carbon-silicon/carbon-based anode, and lithium cobalt oxide cathode, is developed. Not only the functions of each electrolyte component at the molecular scale within the Li+ solvation structure are analyzed but also an interfacial model is introduced to elucidate their relationship with the battery performance. This study represents a pioneering effort in developing a methodology to guide electrolyte design, in which the mutual effects of the Li+ de-solvation process and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the electrode surface are explored concurrently to understand the root cause of superior performance. The innovative approach presented in the paper, establishes a new paradigm in electrolyte design, providing valuable insights at the molecular level. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) #jnu #sps #spsjnu #materialscience #materials #materialtesting #physics #liionbattery #battery #batteries #batterytechnology #highvoltagebattery #highperformance #solvationstructure #fullbattery #highvoltageelectrolyte #liion #rechargeable #highenergydensity #fastcharging #SEI #CEI

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Last month, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory hosted a workshop focused on measurement and reporting frameworks for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The workshop brought together a passionate group of stakeholders working to advance the foundations necessary to increase transparency and build confidence around the burgeoning CDR sector. The workshop was a huge step forward to aligning industry perspectives across diverse CDR pathways. Participants from industry, National Labs, nonprofits, and government identified where there is agreement and where more work is needed to develop an overarching umbrella CDR measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework. The event was the culmination of a year of work by the DOE-funded cohort of projects and showcased the momentum the group has going into future phases of the projects. This effort is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Technology Commercialization Fund, administered by OTT and supported by Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations | U.S. Department of Energy and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management | U.S. Department of Energy. Learn more about all four CDR MRV projects: https://bit.ly/3U9dk7d See also: ➡️The Livermore team published recently published their framework in the journal One Earth. See the overview here: https://bit.ly/4hb1DH2 ➡️Overview of the mineralization focused project @ Pacific Northwest National Laboratory project: https://bit.ly/4f5cd0i ➡️ More details on National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s two projects: https://bit.ly/4ePTW7E

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Pleased to share the lab's latest work now published in American Chemical Society's Journal of Physical Chemistry B. All of my co-authors are/were University of New England undergraduate researchers. https://lnkd.in/gnJwgi4G ✨  Using dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, we investigated how complex solution environments and specific buffer molecules like HEPES can modulate the stimuli-response behavior of elastin-like polymers, even appearing to toggle their pH- and salt-responsiveness on/off. ✨ a previous version of this paper was deposited in the ChemRxiv at the time of initial submission. This final version of record contains no new results but significantly deeper analysis and comparison to the literature, thanks to the help of some excellent critical peer review.

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As you might infer from the April and May issue covers of Nature Chemical Engineering, we think it's an incredibly exciting time for electrochemical engineering! Advances in electrochemistry remain key to the successful electrification of chemical processes. But translating these discoveries into scalable, efficient, and sustainable technologies will require careful understanding and application of key chemical engineering principles (like thermodynamics, kinetics, transport phenomena, reactor design, process control). We've already touched on aspects of electrochemical engineering in our April and May Editorials, where we highlighted electrochemical separations and electrolyzer design. We'll also return to this space more broadly in an editorial later this year to give a fuller account of the areas within electrochemical engineering that we're particularly excited about here at the journal (like ion solvation and electrolyte thermodynamics, electrical double layer theory, dilute- and concentrated-solution theory). But in the meantime, I'd like to highlight some of our content in this space while we wait for the June issue of Nat Chem Eng to be live in 1 week! ---------------------------------------------------------------- - Article by Feng Jiao & co-workers on "kilowatt-scale tandem CO2 electrolysis for enhanced acetate and ethylene production". Link (free): https://lnkd.in/eybMuvmv - Article by Adam Weber & co-workers on "exploring CO2 reduction and crossover in membrane electrode assemblies". Link (free): https://lnkd.in/eMGCa7w3 - Article by Xiao Su & co-workers on "redox-mediated electrochemical liquid–liquid extraction for selective metal recovery". Link ($): https://lnkd.in/exvQQme7 - Perspective by Alan Hatton & co-workers on "engineering redox-active electrochemically mediated carbon dioxide capture systems". Link (free): https://lnkd.in/ewiJSyu3 - Review by Justin Bui, Adam Weber & co-workers on "multi-scale physics of bipolar membranes in electrochemical processes". Link (free): https://lnkd.in/e-pa36fS - Article by Jingjie Wu, Thomas Senftle, and Shize Yang & co-workers on "directing CO2 electroreduction pathways for selective C2 product formation using single-site doped copper catalysts". Link (free): https://lnkd.in/ePdDCvY3 - Article by Michael Dickey, Xiaolin Wang & co-workers on "liquid-metal transfer from an anode to a cathode without short circuiting". Link ($): https://lnkd.in/eB9xdzie - Comment by Lynden Archer & co-workers on "self-sufficient metal–air batteries for autonomous systems". Link ($): https://lnkd.in/e8pS6B4w #chemicalengineering #electrochemicalengineering #electrochemistry #catalysis #materials #chemistry #sustainability

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*****New Publication Alert ***** New paper in American Chemical Society’s #ACSNano journal.   “Thermodynamic and Kinetic Behaviors of Electrolytes Mediated by Intermolecular Interactions Enabling High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries”. Electrolyte solvation chemistry regulated by lithium salts, solvents, and additives has garnered significant attention since it is the most effective strategy for designing high-performance electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, achieving a delicate balance is a persistent challenge, given that excessively strong or weak Li+-solvent coordination markedly undermines electrolyte properties, including thermodynamic redox stability and Li+-desolvation kinetics, limiting the practical applications. Herein, we elucidate the crucial influence of solvent–solvent interactions in modulating the Li+-solvation structure to enhance electrolyte thermodynamic and kinetic properties. As a paradigm, by combining strongly coordinated propylene carbonate (PC) with weakly coordinated cyclopentylmethyl ether (CPME), we identified intermolecular interactions between PC and CPME using 1H–1H correlation spectroscopy. Experimental and computational findings underscore the crucial role of solvent–solvent interactions in regulating Li+-solvent/anion interactions, which can enhance both the thermodynamic (i.e., antireduction capability) and kinetic (i.e., Li+-desolvation process) aspects of electrolytes. Additionally, we introduced an interfacial model to reveal the intricate relationship between solvent–solvent interactions, electrolyte properties, and electrode interfacial behaviors at a molecular scale. This study provides valuable insights into the critical impact of solvent–solvent interactions on electrolyte properties, which are pivotal for guiding future efforts in functionalized electrolyte engineering for metal-ion batteries. https://lnkd.in/gzshmv6J Stay tuned for more exciting news from the School of Physical Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.    #JNU, #SPS #SPSJNU #LiIonBattery #Cathode #Anode #Electrolyte #graphiteanode #ElectrolyteAdditives #ElectrolyteMicrostructures #InterMolecularInteraction #EnergyStorage #Batteries #1H1Hcorrelationspectroscopy #desolvationkinetics #solventsolventinteractions #Lisolventanioninteractions #ElectrolyteSolvationChemistry #InterfacialModel #ACS #AmericanChemicalSociety #ACSNano Jawaharlal Nehru University Dr. Prashant Tripathi Avinash Rundla Divya Rani Raghuvanshi Shivani Bharti Rajkamal Arya Manjusha Shelke

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Excited to share our latest study on aerosol nucleation and growth!

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In San Francisco for Climate Week? Come to a broad discussion on building confidence in carbon dioxide removal, hosted by NIST. I'll be on a panel discussing challenges and opportunities in the CDR space, and ways to address the need for confidence in what we claim to be doing when we say we're improving the atmosphere. Register here - almost full up, but there's a few spots left. https://lu.ma/18qew8s8

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Researchers in the University of Washington Chemical Engineering Bergsman Research Group are advancing microelectronics at the atomic level. ⚛️ Led by Chemical Engineering Professor David Bergsman, the research group is tackling emerging challenges in technology and sustainability through nanomaterials and interfacial engineering. Through processes like atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD), researchers can develop thin films just a few atoms thick with unparalleled precision. The group designed a multi-chamber reactor that can run simultaneous ALD and MLD experiments to develop new photoresists, which have many applications in technology, energy, sustainability and more. Learn more about the research: https://bit.ly/3Xbvabo

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You may have heard of microplastics, but what are they and what risks do they pose? Department of Chemistry at Colorado State University Assistant Professor Megan Hill works with polymeric materials with applications in sustainability, catalysis and soft materials. She recently sat down with Colorado State University Source to answer some common questions about microplastics. 🐏 CSU Source: What are microplastics? 👩‍🔬 Dr. Megan Hill: Plastic that has broken down into micro-sized bits. Nanoplastics are even smaller - as small as a grain of rice in diameter. 🐏: What do we know about how microplastics affect us? 👩‍🔬: We still have a lot to learn about how microplastics affect our health. Initially, it was thought that it wouldn’t be that big of an issue because particles have to be really small to pass through your esophagus or digestive tract, so we assumed microplastics would not persist in the body. But as these particles have become smaller and smaller, now they’re accumulating in tissues and throughout our bodies. We still have a lot to learn about how microplastics affect our health. 🐏: What are some positive developments? 👩‍🔬: Scientists have teamed up and come up with some really promising solutions. They have developed new recycling methods, they have engineered enzymes that are more efficient at breaking down plastics, they have developed catalysts that can convert plastics into useful chemicals, etc. To read the full article, visit: https://lnkd.in/gUfm7qjf #microplastics #chemistry #sustainability

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*****New Publication Alert ***** New paper in American Chemical Society's Nano Letters journal. This work is an attempt to realize lithium metal batteries utilizing a lithium metal anode to achieve greater energy density. However, improving low-temperature performance and fast-charging features remains challenging. In this study, we introduce an electrolyte solvation chemistry strategy to regulate the properties of ethylene carbonate (EC)-based electrolytes through intermolecular interactions. Specifically, we use weakly solvated fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to replace EC and incorporate the low-melting-point solvent 1,2-difluorobenzene (2FB) as a diluent. We identified that the intermolecular interaction between 2FB and the solvent can facilitate Li+ desolvation and effectively lower the freezing point of the electrolyte. The resulting electrolyte enables the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2||Li cell to operate at −30 °C for more than 100 cycles while delivering a high capacity of 154 mAh g−1 at 5.0C. Furthermore, a solvation structure and interfacial model were presented to analyze the behavior of the formulated electrolyte composition, establishing a relationship with cell performance and providing insights for electrolyte design under extreme conditions. https://lnkd.in/gSrCzWYh Stay tuned for more exciting news from the School of Physical Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) #JNU, #SPS #SPSJNU #LiIonBattery #LowTemperatureOperation #Cathode #Anode #LithiumMetalAnode #Electrolyte #LowTemperatureElectrolyte #LNMO #Li #InterMoliecularInteraction #LiMetalBatteries #EnergyStorage #Batteries #ElectrolyteSolvationChemistry #InterfacialModel

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Our work in rigid electrolytes for structural batteries led us to also explore the realm of bicontinuous/rigid gel systems apart from solid composite electrolytes. Though 'gels', these bicontinuous electrolytes are typically characterised by their dry/non-leaky and rigid appearence which helps maintain structural integrity in a structural power devices. Another good work by the team- Sheau Wei Chien Dorsa Safanama Shermin Goh Ning Ding Ming Yan Tan and Angeline

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It's #FreePaperFriday, and I'd like to share a paper about finding materials to make hydrogen via water splitting. Hydrogen can be a carbon-free way to provide energy (either combustion or in fuel cells), but where the H comes from is the key to that "can be". Splitting H from water using solar energy (photocatalytic processes) is an exciting opportunity to create H2 as a carrier, but there hasn't been a material that has "won" yet and splits water efficiently. At Purdue University School of Materials Engineering Prof. Arun Mannodi Kanakkithodi and his graduate students Maitreyo Biswas and Rushik Desai used a machine learning approach to screen bazillions (ok, I made that up, more like 150,000) of dopant combinations in halide perovskites that could create a material with the right band gap for water splitting. The rapid screening methods they present were then checked using DFT in more detail, materials with efficiencies of almost 25% were predicted, and I hope researchers will be working on fabricating these for experimental testing in the future. https://lnkd.in/g4MGz_2F

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📢 Publication Alert! Exciting developments in energy storage are here! I am thrilled to announce my latest book chapter, Rechargable Li-S Batteries Using Bio-Based Carbon in the book titled “Bio-Based Polymers: Farm to Industry. Volume 3: Emerging Trends and Applications”, where this chapter explore the game-changing potential of biomass-derived carbons for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. With their high energy density and cost-effectiveness, Li-S batteries are gaining traction in the energy storage market. However, significant challenges remain, such as the cycling instability of sulfur cathodes and the shuttle effect. This chapter dives into innovative solutions using biomass-based materials, which offer numerous benefits including sustainability and enhanced Performance. By utilizing these bio-carbons, we can help overcome key obstacles in Li-S batteries, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions. Our findings contribute to a growing field poised to expand the capabilities of renewable energy technologies. 🔍 Read more to discover how biomass-derived materials could power the future! #EnergyStorage #LithiumSulfurBatteries #Biomass #SustainableTech #BioBasedPolymers #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #Energy

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Can pyrolysis or bioremediation stop PFAS in their tracks? Diana Aga explores how analytical scientists are working to fix this "forever problem." #PFASChallenge #EnvironmentalTech https://ow.ly/ysja50TWaXj

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Researchers in the labs of WashU Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering's Joshua Yuan and Susie Dai at the University of Missouri-Columbia developed an innovative process that uses electrocatalysis to convert carbon dioxide into intermediates. These intermediates are then transformed by microbes into lipids (fatty acids), ultimately serving as biodiesel feedstock. This process is significantly more efficient than traditional photosynthesis and requires far less land compared to soybean-based biodiesel. #WashUEngineers #WashUEECE

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