In this article, the chemical process they use involves adding granulated activated carbon, and superheating to 3000C to break down the forever chemical polyfluroalkyl substances, is not only able to clean certain types of plastic from water sources, but they can chemically convert it to grahene, which can be used in batteries, solar panels, and other electronics, repurposing the matter
Lauren Leffer at ScienceNews wrote about an interesting concept that rechargeable batteries don’t actually last forever like most assume. She revealed through this article that as time goes on, these batteries become useless and just a waste of matter. This is due to leaking hydrogen. Gang Wan, a materials physicist and chemist from Stanford University explains that unwanted hydrogen fills into the positive end of the battery which then results in less room for charged lithium atoms which are key to maintaining charge and reactivity in the battery. The hydrogen comes from the battery’s electrolyte, which instead of hydrogen is supposed to transport the lithium ions but obviously fails. This then causes a ripple effect and ultimately decreases the lifespan of the battery. So even when not in use, it’s still losing energy.
Leffer provides basic information about the anatomy of a lithium-ion battery, showing through visuals how ions move between the anode and cathode ends of the battery to create a reaction that builds a charge. When hydrogen protons leak in the electrons break off and leak into the outer layers of the cathode causing all kinds of problems.
In order to conduct research on this, Wan switched the hydrogen in the electrolyte for deuterium. Deuterium is basically a variant of hydrogen. They tracked its movement with X-ray imaging and mass spectrometry. This is how they found that hydrogen is the main culprit for the cathode losing charge. The results from this research are helpful because it’s able to help come up with ways to alter the chemistry of batteries to reduce the amount of hydrogen reactions or even avoid them completely. More research is always needed but this is a solid first step.
Lastly, the article mentioned that another root of this issue is the desire to stuff an abundant amount of energy into smaller cells (high-voltage batteries) because it appeals to people more. Who wouldn’t want a battery with more energy, it sounds a lot more effective. Well, it’s been determined that higher voltage cathodes are not only more reactive but also tend to pull in hydrogen. So, finding another solution to this desire or just cutting out high voltage batteries altogether can help provide better quality batteries. Additionally, it would reduce the need to mine cobalt and lithium minerals. So overall, less work and better batteries in the end.
Leffer, Lauren. “Scientists may have an explanation for why some batteries don't last.” Science News, posted September 27, 2024. Accessed 15 March 2025.
Posted by Stephanie Park via e-mail to Grandpa Doug
A recent study has uncovered an unexpected benefit of tea leaves: their ability to pull heavy metals, such as lead, from water, significantly reducing the risk of contamination. This is particularly important as many homes worldwide receive water from aging pipes that contain lead, which poses a serious health risk, especially to children. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays and behavioral issues. The study found that tea leaves, through their chemical compounds and surface structure, can absorb heavy metals, potentially lowering the amount of dangerous compounds people may unknowingly ingest through their water. With billions of cups of tea consumed globally each day, this discovery has significant public health implications.
The study, led by Vinayak Dravid, a materials scientist at Northwestern, examined how different types of tea, including black, green, white, oolong, and herbal varieties, performed in removing lead from contaminated water. Tea leaves contain catechins (C15H14O6), which act like “Velcro” to attract and bind to lead molecules. Black tea, with its wrinkled leaves due to roasting, proved to be the most effective in absorbing lead, while white tea, with its smoother leaves, performed less effectively. Interestingly, steeping time also played a crucial role—longer steeping times increased lead absorption but made the tea more bitter.
Despite the positive effects, the researchers noted that no level of lead exposure is considered safe. Even a small reduction in lead, however, could be meaningful, especially in areas with limited access to clean water or water treatment infrastructure. In the study, steeping black tea for five minutes removed around 15% of lead from water, a potentially helpful reduction in contaminated regions. However, steeping tea for longer durations made the tea undrinkable due to increased bitterness, limiting the practical application of this method.
The authors of the study emphasized that they were not aiming to influence policy decisions but to highlight an often overlooked benefit of a global practice. Their findings suggest that in countries where tea consumption is high, the ingestion of lead from drinking water could be reduced by as much as 3%. This research also opens the door to exploring tea as a potential scalable method for water purification, particularly in areas struggling with water contamination.
Originally published by the New York Times on February 28th 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/science/tea-leaves-lead.html
In early February 2023 a Norfolk southern 50 car train derailed in East Palestine Ohio. The train was transporting multiple tanker cars of vinyl chloride. It is a gas a room temperature but cooled to a liquid at, -13.9 C or 6.98 F, for transportation. Vinyl chloride is the monomer subunit of the polymer PVC. The chemical is found in plastic PVC pipes often used for plumbing, as well as vinyl siding, packaging and a range of consumer goods, including furniture, car parts, shower curtains and toys used by children and pets.
Inhalation of vinyl chloride has been linked to liver cancer and other health problems, according to the National Cancer Institute, and its use has long been banned in cosmetics, hair spray and other personal products. PVC plastic is not a known or suspected carcinogen, the agency said. The Vinyl Institute, a trade group that represents manufacturers, called the effort to ban vinyl chloride misguided. As shown by the polymerization reaction if no termination step is undergone then free radical chain reactions would be prevalent in the local ecosystem of East Palestine, Ohio. The EPA did soil removal to remove residual vinyl chloride from the area. However the damage done to the environment was essentially irreversible. This episode is a reminder of the dangers of living near rail lines, ports, airports, and highways. It also highlights the wide ranging effects accidents can have on the surrounding areas.
https://apnews.com/article/vinyl-chloride-ohio-train-derailment-toxic-chemicals-54bb0a943f4f4af0e4f68cc60ce4edb4
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tandfonline.com%2Fdoi%2Ffull%2F10.1016%2Fj.jtusci.2014.09.007&psig=AOvVaw2BZ0eyGd1tSGb3XXisZXwQ&ust=1742349886703000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBcQjhxqFwoTCICulabFkowDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAr
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vaia.com%2Fen-us%2Ftextbooks%2Fchemistry%2Forganic-chemistry-5th%2Fradical-reactions%2Fq27-question-draw-the-steps-of-the-mechanism-that-converts-v%2F&psig=AOvVaw2BZ0eyGd1tSGb3XXisZXwQ&ust=1742349886703000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBcQjhxqFwoTCICulabFkowDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
Every year, millions of tons of clothing are discarded, nearly three quarters of which end up being incinerated or dumped into landfills which end up as microplastics polluting our oceans. The solution to this is a newly developed chemical-processing technique that can break down fabrics into reusable materials. A recent Nature article highlights the discovery.
Recycling is a tricky process; Much of it involves physically separating waste into raw materials. Recycling of textiles becomes even trickier. Many fabrics are made of a mixture of materials such as cotton and polyester which mechanical recycling methods often struggle to separate into products that can be used again. When separation is possible, the quality of the product is often low and not worth reusing.
A newly developed chemical process called microwave assisted glycolysis can break up large chains of molecules called polymers into their smaller, monomer units, with the help of heat and a zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst. For pure polyester fabrics, the reaction converts the polyester into BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate) with 90% yield. The main advantage of this technique though, is its ability to process textiles that have mixed composition. The researchers tested fabrics containing a blend of cotton, polyester, nylon or spandex. Like polyester, spandex was broken down into its monomer units called MDA (4,4′-methylenedianiline). Both MDA and BHET products of the reaction can be used directly to make new clothing. Cotton and nylon on the other hand, were found to not be affected by the treatment and could thus be recovered intact.
Another significant advantage of microwave assisted glycolysis is its relatively low reaction time. The reaction takes only 15 minutes which is significantly lower than other processing techniques which can take days to break down the same materials. Dionisios Vlachos, co-author of the study and professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, states that he believes reaction conditions can be further optimized to bring reaction times down to the order of seconds. With further developments, the researchers estimate that 88% of clothing worldwide could be recycled.
Andini, Erha, et al. “Chemical recycling of mixed textile waste.” Science Advances, vol. 10, no. 27, 5 July 2024, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado6827.
Kudiabor, Helena. “‘Chemical Recycling’: 15-Minute Reaction Turns Old Clothes into Useful Molecules.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 4 July 2024, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02210-1.
A “miracle” drug has been gaining widespread popularity online among those trying to lose weight. This drug, known as Ozempic, is FDA-approved for treating Type 2 diabetes, but has not been approved for weight loss. Despite this, many people are turning to the drug in hopes of losing some weight, a trend that has raised concern about its safety. An article published in the New York Times, “What is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting So Much Attention?” discusses the debate over this drug and its uses.
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| Image showing the injectable drug "Ozempic" |
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which works by imitating a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is produced in the intestines. GLP-1 works by regulating blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon release, making it an effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes. This signals to the body that the stomach is full, reducing appetite and helping individuals feel satisfied more quickly, leading them to consume less and ultimately lose weight. Although Ozempic is only approved for people with Type 2 diabetes, another drug, Wegovy, has been approved by the FDA for weight loss in adults with obesity, particularly those who also suffer from high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or other related conditions.
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| Image showing the mechanisms of GLP-1 |
Despite FDA instructions, some doctors have been prescribing Ozempic for off-label use as a weight-loss aid. However, there is disagreement among medical professionals. Some argue that the evidence is insufficient to support prescribing the drug to people who do not meet the FDA-approved criteria, while others believe it could be an effective solution for weight loss.
The potential side effects of Ozempic include nausea, dehydration, fatigue, malaise, and bowel issues, making it important for doctors to carefully monitor patients on the medication. Another concern is the cost—without insurance, Ozempic can cost around $900 a month, making it unaffordable for many. Additionally, there has been a shortage of the drug due to its increasing popularity, which has made it difficult for people with diabetes to access it and receive the crucial help they need from the medication.
In summary, Ozempic and similar drugs are at the center of a heated debate. The long-term effects of these drugs for people without diabetes remain uncertain, which raises concerns. However, given the seriousness of obesity as a health issue, some doctors see it as a promising weight-loss treatment. The debate continues, with key questions still to be answered: Is it safe for non-diabetics? Does the obesity crisis justify broader use? Should these drugs be reserved only for those with diabetes? Hopefully, future research will provide clearer answers to these important questions.
Liquified natural gas, energy transition friend or foe?
As we push towards renewable energy, we need more and more batteries to hold onto excess energy for when the wind stops blowing into windmills and the sun sets on solar panels. The most popular, but also infamous type of battery are lithium ion batteries, which are known for holding a lot of energy for their size, and charging quickly. But they are also infamous for overheating, catching fire, and even exploding. But as it turns out, the main reason for this danger is manufacturing defects, including chemical impurities in the lithium inside the battery. But thanks to scanning electron microscopy and special software, the process of purifying the lithium used in lithium ion batteries, which not only speeds up the process, making them cheaper, but also improving the quality of the lithium, making them safer.
The article relates to chemistry by explaining why Lithium batteries ignite by looking at the chemical flaws, and how this advancement works to rectify that. It acknowledges the controversy of lithium batteries, and eases the worries a little bit as it explains how this technology works to solve that problem. I think it actually fights chemophobia by explaining how chemists are using a technology to perfect these batteries.
https://assets.thermofisher.com/TFS-Assets/MSD/Methods-&-Protocols/battery-perception.pdf
to become polluted. Engineers, Nusrat Jung and Brandon Boor, talk about how people should
really not be breathing in these volatile chemicals due to the fact that the scents are chemically
manufactured. They conduct an experiment with a tiny house that has built-in monitors to look at
the air quality and detect unhealthy particles in the air. With this system they were able to see the
magnitude of harm different household products emit from their fragrance. For example, wax
melts emit terpenes which is the chemical that reacts with ozone which forms nanoparticles. This
goes with any product that is used to make your home smell a certain way. Even if these products
claim they are “nontoxic” they still contribute greatly to indoor pollution. The article mentions
multiple comparisons that help people look at the situation from a different perspective. Such as
that cooking fuel emits ten quadrillion particles that are smaller than three nanometers, leading to
people inhaling ten to one hundred times more of these particles from cooking than car exhaust.
Or the fact that scented products, candles, do even more damage than cooking and car exhaust.
In order to move the experiment forward the two engineers tested a particle size magnifier which
is an instrument that can detect the size of a single nanometer indoors and outdoors. This led to
Jung and Boor to compare the environments and bring light to indoor air pollution. This machine
also helped them determine that specifically cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes are also floating in
the air due to hair products. This type of research is important because it can damage the
condition of our respiratory system and spread to other organs. Overall, this tiny house lab they
have created has been able to create awareness and discover toxic chemicals in our houses that
most, if not all, were aware of.
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/2025/Q1/air-inside-your-home-may-be-more-polluted-than-o
utside-due-to-everyday-chemical-products/
Posted by Stephanie Park
The goal of studying different types of venoms and the compounds they contain to develop anti-venom and medicines. Since these venoms have been in nature for millions of years the compounds that are found in these venoms are specifically ment to target biological functions and processes. The venom that is being researched is the Lonomia venom, this poses a public health risk in certain parts of the world and an anti-venom currently dosent exist.
The BBC reports that since the research into caterpillar venoms are still limited no new drugs have been developed so far. However research on other venoms have resulted in positive therapies and medicines. Other examples include the medicine Ozempic which comes from the Gila monster.
Resources
Holmes, Bob. “How Venomous Caterpillars Could Help Humans Design Life-Saving Drugs.” Bbc.com, BBC, 20 Jan. 2025, www.bbc.com/future/article/20250117-how-venomous-caterpillars-could-help-humans-design-life-saving-drugs.
The Prometheus story is about the titular Prometheus stealing fire from the gods, and teaching humanity how to create fire and civilization. For this, Zeus punished him, even though Prometheus’s intentions were benevolent. With that said, is it similar enough to Mary Shelley’s novel for Frankenstein’s subtitle to reference it? And are there similarities to Serizawa’s story in Godzilla? In Frankenstein, Victor was motivated to create the monster by pure ambition, wanting to make the discovery without thinking about the potential consequences, and ultimately, his actions directly backfire on him as his neglect of his creation due to its unsettling appearance lead it to kill his brother, his fiancée/adopted sister, and because of Victor chasing after him in the arctic, Victor himself, followed by the monster burning himself alive to eliminate his remains so nobody like Victor can try and recreate the experiment with zero foresight. The similarities between Victor and Prometheus are limited to going against God and being punished for it, but while Prometheus wanted the best for humanity, but Victor wasn’t thinking about the outcome, he only thought about himself, and ran from consequences. Prometheus’s story is actually more like Serizawa’s. Serizawa created the oxygen destroyer, but he knew that humanity wasn’t ready for it yet, so he worked on it in secret, so that one day, when humanity isn’t itching to destroy itself, he can reveal it, and use it to generate energy to power the world, but when he was forced to reveal it to stop Godzilla, he knew the world would force him to make weapons out of the oxygen destroyer, so he destroyed his research and died with the king of the monsters. He created something that could benefit humanity, but circumstances lead to his punishment for his knowledge. Much more analogous to Prometheus in my opinion.
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| Image showing the stages of PDT |
A recent article by the New York Times poses an interesting solution to global warming called alkalinity enhancement. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere warms the earth through the greenhouse effect. In the presence of water, carbon dioxide can dissolve forming stable bicarbonate and removing its contribution to atmospheric heating. It is through this process that one-third of the 1.7 trillion tons of carbon dioxide that humans have pumped into the atmosphere since the industrial age has been naturally removed by the oceans. Alkalinity enhancement involves adding limestone, magnesium oxide or other alkaline substances to rivers, oceans, or other bodies of water to enhance the water’s ability to “soak up” CO2. Could alkalinity enhancement be the solution to the global warming crisis?
Alkalinity enhancement has already been used for purposes other than carbon capture and with definitive success. Acid rain resulting from industrial pollution in the 1970s and ‘80s poisoned lakes and streams around the world, severely harming fish populations. Some of the hardest hit countries such as Norway, Sweden and Canada began adding limestone to their waterways to restore the pH balance. The project worked and enabled fish populations to recover.
Proving the effectiveness of alkalinity enhancement on a larger scale does however present significant challenges. While studies have shown that alkalinity enhancement does work in relatively small bodies of water, it is much harder to prove the same techniques work in the vast oceans where the added alkalinity becomes quickly diluted and/or forever lost in the watery depths. Oceanographer, Jaime Palter at the University of Rhode Island states that “the biggest barrier to ocean alkalinity enhancement is proving that it works.” Despite the massive hurdle, researchers like Dr. Atamanchuk from Dalhousie University remain optimistic.
Beyond questions of effectiveness, many experts and environmental groups raise serious concerns about the potential ecological impacts of alkalinity enhancement on marine life. Marine ecologist Lisa Levin cautions that certain types of ocean geoengineering, if tried at scale, are bound to affect deep-sea life. Others share concern over the type of chemicals and their concentrations when being released into the oceans. Sodium hydroxide, for example, is caustic at high concentrations but common soaps and cleaners at lower concentrations. Dr. Subhas, researcher at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, proposes to use lye or 100% sodium hydroxide, but dilute it in freshwater before unloading into the ocean to limit ecological consequences. Marine biologist James Kerry disagrees with the use of sodium hydroxide, comparing the release of 50% sodium hydroxide into the ocean to a “chemical spillage”.
Sources
Plumer, Brad, and Raymond Zhong. “They’ve Got a Plan to Fight Global Warming. It Could Alter the Oceans.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Sept. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/climate/oceans-rivers-carbon-removal.html.
