The García-López group developed a new molecular switch based on rotaxanes that uses light to control the structure and dynamics of lipid membranes. Their recent paper presents a rotaxane with azobenzene photoswitches used to control the release of small molecules from lipid vesicles and to contract and expand giant vesicles of 30 µm.
Chemistry
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Research Highlights
Featured on the cover of Inorganic Chemistry, the Baranets group reveals two new quaternary oxyarsenides with potential for thermoelectric applications. The study discusses synthetic challenges, complex structures, transport and magnetic properties.
The Pojman research team explores a trithiol-triacrylate gel system for frontal polymerization with a relatively long shelf life, and support for complex geometries. The system potentially enables the study of mechanical forces on front kinetics.
The Baranets research group examines the crystal structure and electronic properties of β-Yb₂CdSb₂, revealing how the structural disorder affects charge balance and semiconducting behavior. The publication sheds light on polymorphism in intermetallics and its potential in thermoelectric materials.
The García-López group investigates thiourea-based rotaxanes, their ability to transport Cl− anions across synthetic lipid bilayers, and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The study highlights the potential of rotaxanes as molecular transporters to disrupt ion homeostasis, offering a potential new approach to combating antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus.
In a recent Chemical Communications publication featured in the 2024 Emerging Investigators collection, the Elgrishi research group describes the use of a recyclable metal-organic cage (MOC) that efficiently removes up to 12 PFOS per MOC, offering a sustainable solution for water purification.
The Haber research group investigated the synthesis and characterization of Ag@Au CS nanoparticles using in situ SHG spectroscopy, extinction spectroscopy, and Mie theory simulations. The holistic study allows for a comprehensive analysis of the complex growth dynamics occurring at the nanoscale, aiding in the development of optimized plasmonic nanomaterial properties.
Cover art from a recent publication by the Rivas research group is showcased on the cover of ACS Omega. The paper highlights ergosterol peroxide (EP) metabolic stability, lack of toxicity in vivo, and the development of EP derivatives with improved aqueous solubility and enhanced biological activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells while sparing noncancerous tissues.
The Baranets' research group, in collaboration with LSU Physics and the University of Delaware Chemistry and Biochemistry Departments, discovered a novel n-type semiconducting material with potential for thermoelectric applications.
A recent publication by the Chambers group, recognized in the "2024 Emerging Investigators" and "Chemical Communications HOT Articles 2024," provides key insights into developing sustainable methods using light for hydrocarbon conversion.