iron
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Chemistry
Iron oxide “oxygen sponge” doubles the efficiency of hydrogen production in green by targeting active sites at atomic level
Thermochemical cycle of Fe-depleted ferrites for hydrogen production via phase conversion mechanisms. Credit:Postech As the world shifted to sustainable energy sources, “green hydrogen” of hydrogen produced without carbon has emerged as a major candidate for clean power. In an important step, the researchers have developed a new iron-based catalyst that more than doubles the conversion efficiency of thermochemical green water…
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Space & Cosmos
Ancient metabolic processes have been replicated: the iron and sulfur reactions of simulated black smokers shine light in childhood
Iron sulfide particles are magnetic. Credit: Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025). doi:10.1038/s41559-025-02676-w The first cells acquired energy from the geochemical reaction. LMU researchers are now able to replicate this ancient metabolic process in the laboratory. Most of the time, the early ancestors of all life on Earth liked the warm state, separated from hydrogen and produced methane. LMU researchers have…
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Nanotechnology
Small magnetic silk iron particles can directly direct drugs to disease sites that are less likely to erode drugs
SEM images of MPS prepared using the salting method. Credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025). doi: 10.1021/acsami.4C17536 What if a doctor could use only magnets to guide life-saving treatment to the body? The interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering brings that concept closer to reality with the development of Silk Iron Particles (SIMPS), designed…
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Chemistry
Iron and blue light allow for rapid and low toxic production of carbohydrates for new antibiotics
Credit: University of Oklahoma Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have found that could potentially revolutionize the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections, cancer and other challenging Gram-negative pathogens without relying on precious metals. Currently, precious metals such as platinum and rhodium are used to create synthetic carbohydrates. It is an important ingredient in many approved antibiotics used to combat Gram-negative pathogens,…
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Physics
The magnetoelastic properties of iron nitride indicate the potential for flexible spintronics
Schematic diagram of the crystal structure of Fe4n. Iron nitride systems were found to exhibit both large magnetoresistance and adjustable magnetoresistive properties. Credit: Keita Ito et al. The field of Spintronics, which integrates electron charge and spin properties to develop electronic devices that increase functionality and energy efficiency, has expanded into new applications. Beyond current technologies such as hard disk…
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Other Sciences
Melsonby’s Reservoir: Iron Age Yorkshire Discovery reveals ancient British connections to Europe
Credit: Durham University Melsonby’s Reservoir is an astonishing collection of over 800 Iron Age metal artifacts discovered in December 2021 in a field near Melsonby, North Yorkshire. The discovery represents the victory of cross-sector cooperation in British archaeology. This extraordinary discovery, excavated from Yorkshire soil, is not only a collection of ancient objects, but also shows the need for important…
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Earth
Iron oxide acts as a natural catalyst for unlocking phosphorus, which is fueled by plant growth
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers at Northwestern University are actively overturning the traditional view of iron oxide as merely phosphorus. A lifelong important nutrient, most phosphorus in the soil, is organic matter from plants, microorganisms, or animal debris. However, plants need inorganic phosphorus, a type found in fertilizers, for food. Researchers traditionally thought that only enzymes from microorganisms and plants…
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Nanotechnology
First-of-Its-cind Nanosensor enables real-time iron detection in plants
DISTAP researchers develop sensors for rapid iron detection and monitoring in plants, enabling precise agriculture and sustainable crop management. Credit: Smart Distap Researchers have developed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor that can simultaneously detect and distinguish iron forms (Fe(II) and Fe(III)) in living plants. The title “The Nanosensor for Fe(II) and Fe(III) Nanosensor for Fe(II) enables spatio-temporal sensing in Planta”…
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Chemistry
Improvement of ammonia synthesis: The new iron -based catalyst exceeds the century benchmark
Powerful electronic donation from aluminum hydrogen to iron surface promotes decomposed nitrogen molecules and continues ammonia synthesis even at 50 ° C. Credit: Tokyo Science Research Institute NH3 is one of the most important chemicals in the world today because it is used to produce fertilizers to increase agricultural yield and maintain a growing world group. For more than 100…
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Earth
Iron melting temperature and phase stability under nuclear-like conditions shed light on Earth’s geodynamics
Laser-driven impact phenomena in iron at high-power laser facilities (HPLF). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to determine the melting temperature and microstructure of iron at pressures relevant to geosciences. Credit: Jean-Alexis Hernandez, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Iron is one of the major elements found in the Earth’s inner core, which is characterized by extremely high temperatures and pressures. Therefore,…
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