Development of highly active and reusable solid catalysts based on precious metals, such as palladium (Pd), is crucial not only for organic syntheses but also for chemical and pharmaceutical processes. These rare and expensive catalytic materials are widely used in industry, so it is of great importance to find ways to minimize their consumption. Researchers… »
A research done in collaboration between researches at the RIKEN Institute and the University of Tokyo has revealed a way for structural control of tiny magnetic vortex structures known as skyrmions. The discovery could lead to a compact, low-power alternative to conventional magnetic data storage – a solution vital to dealing with constantly growing volume… »
Collaboration between researchers at the RIKEN Institute, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science, and University of Tokyo resulted in development of a robust robotic system that uses natural hydrothermal vents on the sea floor to generate electricity. This novel system is simple and corrosion-resistant, and it could be used to revolutionize ocean exploration and improve our… »
Being high in protein, vitamin A, and calcium, unagi found its way to become culinary delicacy in Japan. This sea-going Japanese freshwater eel seen a worldwide decrease in population, and its research could contribute to its conservation as well as lead to unexpected ways to help save human lives by increasing sensitivity, accuracy and speed… »
While some groups search for ways to lower and store carbon dioxide (CO2) gas emissions, there are efforts worldwide to convert this molecule into a chemical feedstock. Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute in Wako, Japan, developed the first protocol for attaching both CO2 and boron atoms to unsaturated carbon–carbon triple bonds. This protocol uses… »
Unlike various visions of hologram application described in sci-fi tales, currently used technology used to show holograms usually allows projection of a red or blue stereoscopic. Notable progress in nanotechnology in recent years led to advances research on surface plasmons which allowed a group of researchers from RIKEN institute to develop a novel holography principle… »
Animals and plants living in snow and sub-zero areas have evolved all sorts of chemical tricks that allow them to live in these cold environments. There are various natural antifreeze compounds from such organisms, but researchers from RIKEN Advanced Science Institute at Wako focused on one called xylomannan – a natural antifreeze produced by the… »
Humans have always wondered how water beads roll off flowers, as well off caterpillars and some other insects, and how insects like water striders are able to walk on water. It’s a property called super hydrophobia. Self-cleaning counter tops, fabrics, walls, even micro-robots that can walk on water – all those things and more could… »
