Self-propulsion and directed movement of nanoand micro-particles can in principle provide novel components for applications in microrobotics and MEMS. Our research involves the design of catalytic propulsion systems and the control of colloidal movement based on this principle. We have designed autonomous nanomotors that mimic biological motors by using catalytic reactions to generate forces de...

Graphene-based solid-state catalysis represents a new direction in applications of graphene and has attracted a lot of interests recently. However, the difficulty in fine control and large-scale production of previously proposed graphene catalysts greatly limits their industrial applications. Here we present a novel way to enhance the catalytic activity of graphene, which is highly efficient ye...

The field of active colloids is attracting significant interest to both enable applications and allow investigations of new collective colloidal phenomena. One convenient active colloidal system that has been much studied is spherical Janus particles, where a hemispherical coating of platinum decomposes hydrogen peroxide to produce rapid motion. However, at present producing these active colloi...

ÐModi®ed guanosine monophosphates have been employed to introduce various functional groups onto RNA 50-ends. Applications of modi®ed RNA 50-ends include the generation of functionalized RNA libraries for in vitro selection of catalytic RNAs, the attachment of photoanity-tags for mapping RNA±protein interactions or active sites in catalytic RNAs, or the nonradioactive labeling of RNA molecules...

Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Blounts Court, Sonning Common, Reading RG4 9NH, UK Email: [email protected] Palladium nanoparticles are of great importance as catalytic materials, as well as for a number of other applications such as hydrogen storage and sensing. Their synthesis has been wi dely studied and interest in their properties is growing. Here the synthesis of palladium nanoparticl...

Recent progress in the synthesis and characterization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has opened the door to an increasing number of possible catalytic applications. The great versatility of MOFs creates a large chemical space, whose thorough experimental examination becomes practically impossible. Therefore, computational modeling is a key tool to support, rationalize, and guide experimenta...

β-Glucosidases are diverse group of enzymes with great functional importance to biological systems. These are grouped in multiple glycoside hydrolase families based on their catalytic and sequence characteristics. Most studies carried out on β-glucosidases are focused on their industrial applications rather than their endogenous function in the target organisms. β-Glucosidases performed many fu...

Notice The information in this document has been prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) programunder Contract No. 6% CO-0047. This document has been subjected to EPA peer and administrative reviews and has been approved for publication as an EPA document. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an e...

While precious metals are available to a very limited extent, there is an increasing demand to use them as catalyst. This is also true for palladium (Pd) catalysts and their sustainable recycling and production are required. Since Pd catalysts exist nowadays mostly under the form of nanoparticles, these particles need to be produced in an environment-friendly way. Biological synthesis of Pd nan...

The predicted shortage of fossil fuels and related environmental concerns have recently attracted significant attention to scientific and technological issues concerning the conversion of biomass into fuels. First-generation biodiesel, obtained from vegetable oils and animal fats by transesterification, relies on commercial technology and rich scientific background, though continuous progress i...