Phys.org September 30, 2022 Researchers in Ireland studied the interaction between rare earth element (REE)-rich (La, Pr, Nd, Dy) aqueous solutions, dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2), and aragonite (CaCO3) at low temperature hydrothermal conditions (25–220 °C) to understand the formation of REEs. They found that the newly formed REE-bearing carbonates in La-, Pr-, and Nd-doped systems follow the crystallization sequence: lanthanite [REE2(CO3)3·8H2O] → kozoite [orthorhombic REECO3(OH)] → hydroxylbastnasite [hexagonal REECO3(OH)]. The interaction of Dy-bearing solutions with dolomite results only in the crystallization of kozoite [orthorhombic DyCO3(OH)]. However, experiments with aragonite reveal a two-step crystallization pathway: tengerite [Dy2(CO3)3·2-3(H2O)] → kozoite [orthorhombic DyCO3(OH)]. The temperature, […]
Tag Archives: S&T Ireland
Scientists home in on recipe for entirely renewable energy
EurekAlert July 7, 2021 Researchers in Ireland have developed a technique that would enable the future production of entirely renewable, clean energy from which water would be the only waste product. They used an automated combinatorial approach and advanced quantum chemical modelling and found nine earth-abundant combinations of metals and ligands as highly promising leads for experimental investigation. They found chromium, manganese, iron to be especially promising. Thousands of catalysts based around these key components can now be placed in a melting pot and assessed for their abilities as the hunt for the magic combination continues. They have screened 444 and […]
New biomaterial regrows blood vessels and bone, RCSI research
EurekAlert April 20, 2021 Researchers in Ireland used mechanobiology-informed approach to design a functionalized scaffold for the dose-controlled delivery of PGF which is capable of promoting regeneration of critically sized bone defects. Alginate microparticles and collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds were shown to be effective PGF-delivery platforms. Although this PGF-functionalized scaffold demonstrated only a modest increase in osteogenic capacity in vitro, robust bone regeneration was observed after implantation into rat calvarial defects, indicating that the dose-dependent effect of PGF can be harnessed as an alternative to multi-drug systems for the delivery of both pro-angiogenic and pro-osteogenic cues. The research provides a framework for […]
Contact lenses with built-in biofuel cells as power supply
Nanowerk March 6, 2018 Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) are bioelectronic devices that utilize enzymes as the electrocatalysts to catalyze the oxidation of fuel and/or the reduction of oxygen or peroxide for energy conversion to electricity. Researchers in Ireland placed the electrodes between two commercially available contact lenses to avoid direct contact with the eye and tested them in a solution of artificial tears as well as one containing phosphate buffer solution. Hydrophilic silicon-hydrogel contact lenses contain microchannels that enable the transport of solutions and oxygen to the EBFC. This flexible EBFC holds potential as an autonomous power supply for wearable […]