Imaging the dynamical hydration sphere of alkali metal ions

Professor Hayamizu and colleagues study the dynamic behaviour of alkali metal ions in aqueous solutions.

Alkali metal ions – lithium ion (Li+), sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (K+), rubidium ion (Rb+), and caesium ion (Cs+) – play crucial roles in a variety of solution processes, but so far tracking their diffusive motion in water has been problematic. Professor Kikuko Hayamizu and her collaborators at Tsukuba University, Japan, have applied a technique based on nuclear magnetic […]

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Monitoring electrolyte stability in lithium-air batteries for electric aircraft

Monitoring electrolyte stability in lithium-air batteries for electric aircraft

Switching to electric powered transport is one way of reducing CO2 emissions and their negative effects on the climate. Lithium-air batteries could play an important role in this transition, as they have the potential to provide the highest known theoretical energy density (3,400 Wh/kg). Development of lithium-air batteries requires highly stable electrolytes that are resistant to decomposition under operating conditions. […]

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Seeing the structures of molecules: insights from NMR and industry

Professor Anthony Serianni's work centres around identifying the structure of molecules, which remains a key challenge within modern chemistry.

Many of the essential chemical constituents of life, including carbohydrates, are made up of complex atomic arrangements. Knowing the particular structure of a compound is important not only for identification purposes, but also for understanding how biologically relevant compounds react. Through this knowledge, their biological functions can ultimately be deciphered. Professor Anthony Serianni at the University of Notre Dame has […]

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