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Domain: Chemistry: Unraveling the Secrets of Matter
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Current affairs articles
Geopolitics
Electrochemist Liu Jiawei moves from Singapore to Hong Kong to start her own lab
South China Morning Post – World
· China
For materials scientist and chemist Liu Jiawei, moving to Hong Kong supported her pivot into launching her own research group.
After a decade immersed in Singa…
Cellarim Labs makes cosmetic ingredients in India without fermentation
Your Story
· India
Cellarim Labs converts renewable bio-waste into cosmetic ingredients and has raised Rs 6 crore to move from laboratory batches to pilot-scale production.
China can turn plastic waste to jet fuel at a low cost: study
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Global plastic production exceeds 460 million tonnes annually, and the material’s resistance to degradation is fuelling growing concern about its environmental…
Award-winning chemist Zhang Wei leaves US to join China’s Great Bay University
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Zhang Wei, former chairman of the chemistry department at the University of Colorado Boulder, has returned to China to join Great Bay University (GBU) as a ful…
China is now world’s No 1 science power, top Russian scientist Artem Oganov says
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Leading Russian chemist and materials scientist Artem Oganov, who received China’s top international science and technology award, said the honour from the wor…
The young Chinese scientist behind an ‘impossible’ breakthrough on sodium batteries
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Scientist Lu Yaxiang, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Physics, has spent a decade working to make sodium-ion batteries commerciall…
Nobel-winning materials scientist Omar Yaghi joins China’s Tsinghua University from the US
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Omar Yaghi, the winner of last year’s Nobel Prize for chemistry, has left the United States to lead a new AI-driven research centre at China’s Tsinghua Univers…
Turning parents into co-therapists; Atomgrid’s big bet on speciality chemicals
Your Story
· India
Mom’s Belief is a for-profit social enterprise focused on children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Its parent-as-co-therapist model trains parents to active…
Why Atomgrid is betting big on specialty chemicals
Your Story
· India
Bengaluru-based Atomgrid is delving deep into agrochemicals, scaling R&D, manufacturing partnerships, and global distribution to carve a place in the trill…
China’s ‘super catalyst’ turns waste water into fertiliser building block, tripling output
South China Morning Post – World
· China
A team in China has designed a catalyst that can transform nitrate pollution from agricultural and industrial waste water into ammonia – the chemical backbone …
Chinese lithium battery electrolyte could double EV range and run in extreme cold
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Chinese scientists have created an all-weather electrolyte that could improve lithium batteries, allowing them to operate more efficiently at room temperature …
From semiconductors to medical tech, Iran war puts helium users on edge
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Beyond oil, the Middle East conflict is fuelling fears of a shortage of helium – a by-product of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production that is critical for se…
Turning coal to medicines: Chinese scientists bring a 160-year-old dream to life
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Chinese scientists have discovered a way to turn cheap coal into valuable ingredients for medicine. This was once a long and difficult process, but now they ha…
Unlimited petrol? Chinese firm claims it can produce fuel from air and water
South China Morning Post – World
· China
A Shanghai-based start-up claims to have mastered a technique for producing synthetic petroleum at low cost from air and water, as China intensifies efforts to…
Scientists turn plastic into vinegar using sunlight at University of Waterloo
Times of India – World
· India
- TOI Science Desk is a team of journalists dedicated to science news, features, and articles for The Times of India readers.
- Covers topics like genetic en…
Science behind the lab-grown diamonds and how centuries of failed experiments led to affordable gems
Times of India – World
· India
- TOI Science Desk is a team of journalists dedicated to covering science news, features, and articles for The Times of India readers.
- They focus on making…
Chinese scientists may have found battery that could double electric vehicles’ range
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Chinese scientists have developed a promising new battery technology that could dramatically increase the driving range of electric vehicles and allow them to …
New Path to Battery-Grade Lithium Uses Electrochemistry
IEEE Spectrum
· Global
As electric vehicles roll off assembly lines, a bottleneck sits upstream: lithium refinement. Turning raw lithium into the compounds needed for batteries is ex…
Tide’s Evo Tiles Are a Fresh, Overengineered Take on the Tide Pod
Wired
· Global
Tide’s Evo Tiles are lightweight, fibrous squares of detergent that simplify the laundry process—and also act as a slightly more eco-friendly alternative to th…
Chinese scientists create new battery with electrolyte as safe as tofu brine
South China Morning Post – World
· China
Chinese scientists have made a long-lasting, eco-friendly battery using organic electrodes and an electrolyte safe enough to be used as tofu brine.
The team’s …
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Electrochemist Liu Jiawei moves from Singapore to Hong Kong to start her own lab
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Liu moved from Singapore to Hong Kong to stay near family in mainland China while maintaining a high-standard research environment similar to Singapore's.
- Both cities share diverse, internationally connected research settings with strong ties to mainland China and the West.
- Hong Kong's academic system offers principal investigators autonomy in lab management and research direction.
- The city encourages cross-group collaboration through frequent joint research projects among teams.
The Outlaw Chemist Teaching People How to Make Drugs From Scratch
Source: Wired
·
- Willy Myco released a video claiming to show 100% pure LSD synthesis, calling it the "world’s first," despite no lab tests confirming the substance.
- He produces over 120 videos on psychedelic synthesis, sells mushroom genetics, and has platforms like Patreon and YouTube suspended for violating policies.
- Myco argues his work promotes scientific education and harm reduction, but critics question his science and secrecy.
- A former chemist and mycologist, he seeks to democratize psychedelic knowledge, driven by personal experiences with depression and DMT.
Cellarim Labs makes cosmetic ingredients in India without fermentation
Source: Your Story
·
- Cellarim Labs, founded in 2023, uses cell-free biomanufacturing to produce hyaluronic acid, reducing reliance on imported ingredients and improving efficiency.
- Their NeuHyal product offers a wide molecular weight range, enabling tailored formulations, with claimed benefits of 95% yield, 90% less water use, and 95% fewer emissions.
- The company raised Rs 6 crore in December 2025 for scaling production, a pilot plant, and expanding B2B supply to beauty brands.
- Cellarim is developing an AI-driven biofoundry for custom molecule design and production, with a small core team and upcoming pilot plant launch.
From a bag of naphthol to a ₹175 crore global colour business: The Vipul Organics story
Source: Your Story
·
- Vipul Organics, founded in 1968, evolved from dye trading to a global pigment manufacturer with 70% exports, expanding into specialty chemicals and pigments by 2017.
- Achieved ZDHC Level 3 certification, zero liquid discharge plants, and ISO 14001, highlighting its environmental sustainability efforts.
- Diversified into automotive intermediates (Rs 4 crore in 2025) and water treatment membranes (AdiMem), while securing Omya as a European distributor.
- Family-led since 1968, with Mihir Shah (Executive Director) driving growth, reflecting a quiet, long-term entrepreneurial model in India.
China can turn plastic waste to jet fuel at a low cost: study
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- **Global plastic production**: 460 million tonnes annually cause severe environmental harm due to persistent degradation.
- **Chinese research breakthrough**: Hydrogenolysis of polyolefins under mild conditions enables tunable hydrocarbon conversion.
- **Polyolefins as key waste**: Over 60% of plastic waste (polythene, polypropylene) can yield aviation fuel precursors like C8-C16 hydrocarbons.
- **Catalyst challenge**: Metal catalysts face long-standing issues in selectively breaking carbon-carbon bonds for efficient conversion.
Award-winning chemist Zhang Wei leaves US to join China’s Great Bay University
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Zhang appointed deputy dean and chair professor at GBU’s physical sciences school, with a hiring ceremony on July 2 at Songshan Lake campus in Dongguan, Guangdong.
- GBU president Tian Gang praised Zhang’s international reputation, highlighting his role in strengthening the university’s confidence in building a high-level teaching staff.
- Zhang returned to China due to family reasons, including his father’s death in 2020 and pandemic travel restrictions, which influenced his decision.
- He aims to cultivate talent aligned with science, technology, and industrial needs, emphasizing his commitment to China’s academic and research goals.
China is now world’s No 1 science power, top Russian scientist Artem Oganov says
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Oganov, a chemist, received a Chinese award, expressing confidence in China's scientific and industrial rise.
- He predicted China's ascent in 2008, which he now confirms as the country leads globally in science and economy.
- China now accounts for a third of global scientific publications, emphasizing both quantity and quality.
- The 2026 Nature Index ranks China first, with the U.S. in second place, reflecting its scientific dominance.
India’s ethanol rush prompts anger among vehicle owners, questions for gov’t
Source: Al Jazeera – News
·
- India's rapid shift to E20 petrol (20% ethanol) has caused concerns over reduced fuel efficiency, vehicle damage, and political backlash against the Modi government.
- Consumers report 10-15% lower mileage and sluggish performance, with some alleging engine damage from the ethanol blend.
- The policy faces criticism for rushed implementation, potential conflicts of interest, and insufficient warnings about E20 compatibility with older vehicles.
- Experts warn ethanol may accelerate wear on non-compliant vehicles, but government claims focus on energy security and farmer benefits.
The young Chinese scientist behind an ‘impossible’ breakthrough on sodium batteries
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Lu Yaxiang and her team aim to commercialize sodium-ion batteries, leveraging abundant, low-cost sodium for China’s energy security.
- She received the China Youth May Fourth Medal, recognizing her decade-long work on energy storage innovation.
- Sodium-ion batteries offer a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion, which faces scarcity and environmental extraction challenges.
- Focus on materials innovation to enhance sodium-ion batteries’ energy density and commercial viability.
Nobel-winning materials scientist Omar Yaghi joins China’s Tsinghua University from the US
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
Here are the four clear bullet points summarizing the news article:
• Omar Yaghi, Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, joins Tsinghua University to lead an AI-driven research center.
• The team will use AI to design and synthesize new materials, reducing development time by "orders of magnitude".
• Yaghi aims to develop materials to address global challenges like carbon neutrality, water shortages, and sustainable development.
• He also wants to train young scientists in AI-driven chemistry and has already mentored nearly 200 researchers, including many Chinese researchers.
Turning parents into co-therapists; Atomgrid’s big bet on speciality chemicals
Source: Your Story
·
Here are four clear bullet points summarizing the news article:
• Delhi's new EV Policy 2026 offers subsidies for electric two-wheelers, tax breaks on eligible EVs, and a roadmap to phase out new petrol and CNG two-wheelers over the next two years, boosting India's electric mobility ambitions.
• Digital payments continue to grow rapidly, with UPI transactions processing nearly Rs 29 lakh crore in June, a 20% year-on-year increase, solidifying India's cashless economy.
• The government is scrutinizing WhatsApp's planned username feature due to concerns over impersonation, fraud, and public safety risks, highlighting the need for tighter regulation of new tech features.
• Vinton Cerf, widely regarded as one of the "fathers of the internet," is retiring from Google after 20 years as its chief internet evangelist, marking the end of a decades-long career that helped shape the modern internet.
Why Atomgrid is betting big on specialty chemicals
Source: Your Story
·
Here are four clear bullet points summarizing the article:
• Siddharth Gupta and Lakshit Bansal founded Atomgrid in 2023, an R&D-focused chemical manufacturing platform dedicated to speciality chemicals, with a focus on agrochemicals.
• The company has already achieved significant growth, with revenue growing 3X from FY25 to FY26 and FY27 on track for similar compound growth, thanks to its focus on building the full value chain in one category.
• Atomgrid operates mainly in the B2B space, manufacturing and selling raw materials or finished products in bulk, but plans to launch its own branded products directly to customers over time.
• The company's vision is to first unlock agrochemicals fully, then move into adjacent categories like pharma, while building three core strengths: asset-light manufacturing, strong in-house R&D, and global distribution capabilities.
China’s ‘super catalyst’ turns waste water into fertiliser building block, tripling output
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
Here are four clear bullet points summarizing the article:
• Researchers have developed a way to transform nitrate pollution into ammonia, a plant food essential for fertilizers.
• The innovation relies on dual-atom catalysts (DACs), which can drive complex reactions, unlike single-atom catalysts.
• DACs were difficult to make until researchers used deep learning and AI models to identify high-pairing metal atoms that readily lock together.
• This breakthrough could strengthen China's fertiliser supply chain by providing a new source of ammonia for plant food production.
Chemical leak at U.S. plant kills two, sends 19 more to hospital: Officials
Source: The Hindu – World
·
Here are four clear bullet points summarizing the article:
• A chemical leak at a West Virginia silver recovery business, Catalyst Refiners, killed two people and sent 19 others to the hospital, including one in critical condition.
• The leak occurred when workers were preparing to shut down part of the facility, causing a violent reaction involving nitric acid and another substance.
• Seven ambulance workers responding to the leak were among those injured, along with others taken to hospitals in private cars or even a garbage truck.
• A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area, but it was later lifted after a large-scale decontamination operation was conducted.
Chinese lithium battery electrolyte could double EV range and run in extreme cold
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- New hydrofluorocarbon electrolyte doubles battery energy density at room temperature, surpassing traditional electrolytes.
- Batteries operate efficiently at -70°C, expanding temperature tolerance for extreme conditions.
- Study published in *Nature* highlights potential to break battery power and energy density limits.
- Could triple EV range to 1,000km (621 miles) for the same battery mass, per researcher Li Yong.
From semiconductors to medical tech, Iran war puts helium users on edge
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Helium prices have doubled since the Middle East conflict, impacting semiconductors, aerospace, and medical equipment.
- Medical sector fears shortages as MRI machines rely on liquid helium, with Qatar’s shutdown threatening diagnostics.
- Fitch Ratings notes helium’s storage challenges due to rapid boil-off and short 45-day transport window.
- Johnson warns of severe supply cuts, highlighting unexpected global helium supply disruption risks.
Turning coal to medicines: Chinese scientists bring a 160-year-old dream to life
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Peking University's team solved a 160-year-old chemical puzzle, converting cheap olefins to high-value alkynes under mild conditions.
- Breakthrough could reshape medicine production and address oil shortages, enabling China's coal industry to create high-value chemicals.
- Olefins and alkynes, fundamental to organic chemistry, are now efficiently transformed, advancing molecular synthesis.
- Study opens new pathways for sustainable chemical production, revolutionizing industrial processes and resource utilization.
Unlimited petrol? Chinese firm claims it can produce fuel from air and water
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Shanghai-based Carbonology claims to produce synthetic fuel from air, water, and CO₂ using solar/wind energy, aiming for market-competitive prices.
- The start-up plans large-scale production in China, citing cost reductions achieved through its innovative process.
- Direct air capture (DAC) has advanced but remains mostly for carbon storage, not fuel, despite recent technological progress.
- Carbonology’s method could challenge fossil fuels, though commercial viability faces skepticism amid global energy transitions.
Beyond fragrance: Inside Kannauj’s attar and rose water distillation trade
Source: Your Story
·
- Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, is India’s "perfume capital," famed for traditional distillation of rose and jasmine into attar and rose water under the ODOP program.
- Sapna Gupta Enterprises, supported by ₹5 lakh ODOP aid, uses copper degs and bhapka systems to produce fragrances, expanding market reach via a website.
- Products include rose attar, jasmine attar, and kewda attar, used in religious, cosmetic, and food applications, sustaining seasonal production.
- Distillation units in Kannauj thrive on diverse demand, linking traditional practices to modern markets while preserving cultural heritage.
Scientists turn plastic into vinegar using sunlight at University of Waterloo
Source: Times of India – World
·
- TOI Science Desk is a team of journalists dedicated to science news, features, and articles for The Times of India readers.
- Covers topics like genetic engineering, space exploration, and AI to keep readers updated on scientific advancements.
- Aims to demystify complex science, making it accessible and engaging for all backgrounds.
- Presents scientific narratives as stories, blending precision with passion to connect readers with the universe's mysteries.
Science behind the lab-grown diamonds and how centuries of failed experiments led to affordable gems
Source: Times of India – World
·
- TOI Science Desk is a team of journalists dedicated to covering science news, features, and articles for The Times of India readers.
- They focus on making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging for all audiences.
- Coverage spans genetics, space exploration, AI, and other cutting-edge scientific fields.
- The team blends storytelling with precision to demystify science and deliver daily insights.
Chinese scientists may have found battery that could double electric vehicles’ range
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- New lithium battery tech by Chinese scientists could boost EV range and cold-weather reliability.
- Study suggests this tech addresses performance limits in current EV batteries.
- Could significantly enhance electric vehicle efficiency and durability.
- Potential to revolutionize EV performance and expand market adoption.
New Path to Battery-Grade Lithium Uses Electrochemistry
Source: IEEE Spectrum
·
- Mangrove Lithium’s electrochemical process replaces reagent-heavy lithium refining with electricity, water, and oxygen, reducing waste and energy use.
- Demo plant in BC will produce 1,000 tonnes/year of lithium hydroxide by 2026, aiming to reshape battery supply chains.
- The process uses ion exchange membranes and an oxygen-based cathode, enhancing efficiency and lowering electricity demands.
- Technology could adapt to other battery materials like nickel and cobalt, addressing purification bottlenecks and supply chain issues.
Tide’s Evo Tiles Are a Fresh, Overengineered Take on the Tide Pod
Source: Wired
·
- Tide Evo Tiles are single-use, dry detergent tiles dissolving in cold water, designed for simplicity and eco-friendliness.
- Engineered with layered fibers to release stain fighters and brighteners separately, avoiding plastic casings.
- PVA plastics used for structure raise environmental concerns, though packaging is recyclable and aims to reduce energy use.
- Tide aims to diversify beyond pods amid potential regulations, but user reports highlight dissolution issues and clumping.
Chinese scientists create new battery with electrolyte as safe as tofu brine
Source: South China Morning Post – World
·
- Chinese scientists developed a long-lasting, non-toxic battery using organic electrodes and tofu-brine-like electrolyte.
- Water-based electrolyte eliminates flammability risks and offers safer alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.
- The eco-friendly design reduces production costs and environmental hazards.
- Suitable for electric vehicles and large-scale grid storage applications.
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