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Topic Review
Monounsaturated Fat
In biochemistry and nutrition, monounsaturated fatty acids (abbreviated MUFAs, or more plainly monounsaturated fats) are fatty acids that have one double bond in the fatty acid chain with all of the remainder carbon atoms being single-bonded. By contrast, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have more than one double bond.
  • 2.9K
  • 30 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Cerium Nitrate
Cerium nitrate refers to a family of nitrates of cerium in the three or four oxidation state. Often these compounds contain water, hydroxide, or hydronium ions in addition to cerium and nitrate. Double nitrates of cerium also exist.
  • 2.8K
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Gas Chromatography - Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (GC-VUV)
Gas Chromatography - Vacuum Ultraviolet (GC-VUV) spectroscopy is a universal detection platform for gas chromatography. The first benchtop detector was introduced in 2014 with detection capabilities between 120 - 240 nm. This portion of the ultraviolet spectrum had historically been restricted to bright source synchrotron facilities due to significant background absorption challenges inherent to working within the wavelength range. Further detector platform development has extended the wavelength detection range out from 120 - 430 nm. VUV detection provides both qualitative and quantitative spectral information for most gas phase compounds. GC-VUV spectral data is three dimensional (time, absorbance, wavelength) and specific to chemical structure. Nearly all compounds absorb in the VUV region of the electromagnetic spectrum with the exception of carrier gases hydrogen, helium, and argon. The high energy, short wavelength VUV photons probe electronic transitions in almost all chemical bonds including ground state to excited state. The result is spectral "fingerprints" that are specific to individual compound structure and can be readily identified by the VUV library. Unique VUV spectra enable closely related compounds such as structural isomers to be clearly differentiated. VUV detectors complement mass spectrometry, which struggles with characterizing constitutional isomers and compounds with low mass quantitation ions. VUV spectra can also be used to deconvolve analyte co-elution, resulting in an accurate quantitative representation of individual analyte contribution to the original response. This characteristically lends itself to significantly reducing GC runtimes through flow rate-enhanced chromatographic compression. VUV spectroscopy follows the simple linear relationship between absorbance and concentration described by the Beer-Lambert Law resulting in more accurate retention time-based identification. VUV absorbance spectra also exhibit feature similarity within compound classes, meaning VUV detectors can rapidly compound class characterization in complex samples through compound spectral shape and retention index information. Advances in technology reduces the typical group analysis data processing time from 15-30 minutes to <1 minute per sample.
  • 2.8K
  • 17 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Relaxor Ferroelectrics for Energy Storage
Ferroelectrics (FE) are polar materials with spontaneous polarization that can be reoriented by changing the direction of the external applied electric field.
  • 2.8K
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Additively Manufactured Aluminium Alloys
Metal additive manufacturing (MAM), also known as metal 3D printing, is a rapidly growing industry based on the fabrication of complex metal parts with improved functionalities. During MAM, metal parts are produced in a layer by layer fashion using 3D computer–aided design models. The advantages of using this technology includes the reduction of materials waste, high efficiency for small production runs, near net shape manufacturing, ease of change or revision of versions of a product, support of lattice structures, and rapid prototyping. Numerous metals and alloys can nowadays be processed by additive manufacturing techniques. Among them, Al-based alloys are of great interest for the automotive and aeronautic industry due to their relatively high strength and stiffness to weight ratio, good wear and corrosion resistance, and recycling potential. The special conditions associated with the MAM processes are known to produce in these materials a very fine microstructure with unique directional growth features far from equilibrium. This distinctive microstructure, together with other special features and microstructural defects originating from the additive manufacturing process are known to greatly influence the corrosion behavior of these materials. Several works have already been conducted in this direction. However, a number of issues concerning the corrosion and corrosion protection of these materials are still not well understood. This work reviews the main studies to date investigating the corrosion aspects of additively manufactured aluminium alloys. It also provides a summary and outlook of relevant directions to be explored in future research.
  • 2.7K
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Flavor
A food flavoring or food flavouring, [lower-alpha 1] in short flavoring or flavouring, or alternatively aroma is a food additive used to improve the taste or smell of food. It changes the perceptual impression of food as determined primarily by the chemical senses of the gustatory and olfactory system. The trigeminal nerves, which detect chemical irritants in the mouth and throat, as well as temperature and texture, are also important to the overall perception of food. Of the three chemical senses, smell is the main determinant of a food item's flavor. Aromas are the volatile components of the food. The aroma of a food is determined by the aroma compounds it contains and the personal ability to detect them. While an aroma primarily acts through te olfactory system, it also affects the taste at the same time. Along with additives, other components like sugars determine the taste of food. Five basic tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami (savory) are universally recognized, although some cultures also include pungency and oleogustus ("fattiness"). The number of food smells is unbounded; a food's flavor, therefore, can be easily altered by changing its smell while keeping its taste similar. This is exemplified in artificially flavored jellies, soft drinks and candies, which, while made of bases with a similar taste, have dramatically different flavors due to the use of different scents or fragrances. The flavorings of commercially produced food products are typically created by flavorists. A flavoring is defined as a substance that gives another substance taste, altering the characteristics of the solute, causing it to become sweet, sour, tangy, etc. Although the term, in common language, denotes the combined chemical sensations of taste and smell, the same term is used in the fragrance and flavors industry to refer to edible chemicals and extracts that alter the flavor of food and food products through the sense of smell. Owing to the high cost, or unavailability of natural flavor extracts, most commercial flavorants are "nature-identical", which means that they are the chemical equivalent of natural flavors, but chemically synthesized rather than being extracted from source materials. Identification of components of natural foods, for example a raspberry, may be done using technology such as headspace techniques, so the flavorist can imitate the flavor by using a few of the same chemicals present. In the EU legislation, the term "natural-identical flavouring" does not exist. The legislation is specified on what is a "flavouring" and a "natural flavouring". A flavor is a quality of something that affects the sense of taste.
  • 2.7K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Fanjul Brothers
The Fanjul brothers — Cuban born Alfonso "Alfy" Fanjul Jr., José "Pepe" Fanjul, Alexander Fanjul, and Andres Fanjul — are owners of Fanjul Corp., a vast sugar and real estate conglomerate in the United States and the Dominican Republic. It comprises the subsidiaries Domino Sugar, Florida Crystals, C&H Sugar, Redpath Sugar, former Tate & Lyle sugar companies, American Sugar Refining, La Romana International Airport, and resorts surrounding La Romana, Dominican Republic.
  • 2.7K
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Potential Energy of Protein
In the context of chemistry and molecular modelling, a force field is a computational method that is used to estimate the forces between atoms within molecules and also between molecules. More precisely, the force field refers to the functional form and parameter sets used to calculate the potential energy of a system of atoms or coarse-grained particles in molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, or Monte Carlo simulations. The parameters for a chosen energy function may be derived from experiments in physics and chemistry, calculations in quantum mechanics, or both. Force fields are interatomic potentials and utilize the same concept as force fields in classical physics, with the difference that the force field parameters in chemistry describe the energy landscape, from which the acting forces on every particle are derived as a gradient of the potential energy with respect to the particle coordinates. All-atom force fields provide parameters for every type of atom in a system, including hydrogen, while united-atom interatomic potentials treat the hydrogen and carbon atoms in methyl groups and methylene bridges as one interaction center. Coarse-grained potentials, which are often used in long-time simulations of macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and multi-component complexes, sacrifice chemical details for higher computing efficiency.
  • 2.7K
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Fundamental Properties of Hempcrete
A bio-fiber composite made up of hemp hurd or shiv and mineral binder, hempcrete is a form of lime-based construction material. The binder that is made by combining water with these ingredients is expected to completely coat all of the hemp shiv particles after sufficient mixing. A chemical reaction between the lime binder and water hardens the binder, cementing the hurd pieces together. The term “bonded cellulose insulation” could be broadly used to describe this mixture. Hempcrete is what is left after the binder has dried and been allowed to build up strength with time. 
  • 2.7K
  • 21 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Aerogel-Based Plasters
Aerogel has entered the construction field in the last two decades as a component of many insulation products, due to its high thermal performance. Aerogel-based plasters allow the matching of high thermal performance and limited thickness. This makes them suitable when retrofitting an existing building and also when restoring a heritage building. This entry presents the state of the art of the research on aerogel-based plasters as a part of the aerogel-products for the building sector.
  • 2.6K
  • 08 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Conjugate Acid
A conjugate acid, within the Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory, is a chemical compound formed when an acid donates a proton (H+) to a base—in other words, it is a base with a hydrogen ion added to it, as in the reverse reaction it loses a hydrogen ion. On the other hand, a conjugate base is what is left over after an acid has donated a proton during a chemical reaction. Hence, a conjugate base is a species formed by the removal of a proton from an acid, as in the reverse reaction it is able to gain a hydrogen ion. Because some acids are capable of releasing multiple protons, the conjugate base of an acid may itself be acidic. In summary, this can be represented as the following chemical reaction: Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted and Martin Lowry introduced the Brønsted–Lowry theory, which proposed that any compound that can transfer a proton to any other compound is an acid, and the compound that accepts the proton is a base. A proton is a nuclear particle with a unit positive electrical charge; it is represented by the symbol H+ because it constitutes the nucleus of a hydrogen atom, that is, a hydrogen cation. A cation can be a conjugate acid, and an anion can be a conjugate base, depending on which substance is involved and which acid–base theory is the viewpoint. The simplest anion which can be a conjugate base is the solvated electron whose conjugate acid is the atomic hydrogen.
  • 2.6K
  • 28 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Opal
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·nH2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Because of its amorphous character, it is classed as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline forms of silica, which are classed as minerals. It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl, and basalt. The name opal is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word upala (उपल), which means 'jewel', and later the Greek derivative opállios (ὀπάλλιος), which means 'to see a change in color'. There are two broad classes of opal: precious and common. Precious opal displays play-of-color (iridescence); common opal does not. Play-of-color is defined as "a pseudo chromatic optical effect resulting in flashes of colored light from certain minerals, as they are turned in white light." The internal structure of precious opal causes it to diffract light, resulting in play-of-color. Depending on the conditions in which it formed, opal may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and the background color may be white, black, or nearly any color of the visual spectrum. Black opal is considered the rarest, while white, gray, and green opals are the most common.
  • 2.6K
  • 24 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Dielectric Materials
Owing to their insulating properties, dielectric materials are known as electrically insulating materials. According to the different dielectric materials, traditional dielectric capacitors can be divided into three categories. Firstly, there are polymer-based dielectric capacitors. The dielectric materials of this type of capacitors are mainly polymer materials. Second, there are ceramic-based dielectric capacitors. The dielectric materials of such capacitors include multi-phase ceramics, glass ceramics, ceramic films, etc. Third is the polymer ceramic composite dielectric capacitors, using a variety of polymer and ceramic composite materials as storage medium.
  • 2.6K
  • 19 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Compounds of Aluminium
Aluminium (or aluminum) combines characteristics of pre- and post-transition metals. Since it has few available electrons for metallic bonding, like its heavier group 13 congeners, it has the characteristic physical properties of a post-transition metal, with longer-than-expected interatomic distances. Furthermore, as Al3+ is a small and highly charged cation, it is strongly polarizing and aluminium compounds tend towards covalency; this behaviour is similar to that of beryllium (Be2+), an example of a diagonal relationship. However, unlike all other post-transition metals, the underlying core under aluminium's valence shell is that of the preceding noble gas, whereas for gallium and indium it is that of the preceding noble gas plus a filled d-subshell, and for thallium and nihonium it is that of the preceding noble gas plus filled d- and f-subshells. Hence, aluminium does not suffer the effects of incomplete shielding of valence electrons by inner electrons from the nucleus that its heavier congeners do. Aluminium's electropositive behavior, high affinity for oxygen, and highly negative standard electrode potential are all more similar to those of scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, and actinium, which have ds2 configurations of three valence electrons outside a noble gas core: aluminium is the most electropositive metal in its group. Aluminium also bears minor similarities to the metalloid boron in the same group; AlX3 compounds are valence isoelectronic to BX3 compounds (they have the same valence electronic structure), and both behave as Lewis acids and readily form adducts. Additionally, one of the main motifs of boron chemistry is regular icosahedral structures, and aluminium forms an important part of many icosahedral quasicrystal alloys, including the Al–Zn–Mg class.
  • 2.6K
  • 07 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Valence
In chemistry, the valence (US spelling) or valency (British spelling) of an element is the measure of its combining capacity with other atoms when it forms chemical compounds or molecules.
  • 2.5K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Methyl Iodide
Methyl iodide, also called iodomethane, and commonly abbreviated "MeI", is the chemical compound with the formula CH3I. It is a dense, colorless, volatile liquid. In terms of chemical structure, it is related to methane by replacement of one hydrogen atom by an atom of iodine. It is naturally emitted by rice plantations in small amounts. It is also produced in vast quantities estimated to be greater than 214,000 tons annually by algae and kelp in the world's temperate oceans, and in lesser amounts on land by terrestrial fungi and bacteria. It is used in organic synthesis as a source of methyl groups.
  • 2.5K
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Earwax
Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a brown, orange, red, yellowish or gray waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and other mammals. It protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and provides protection against bacteria, fungi, and water. Earwax consists of dead skin cells, hair, and the secretions of cerumen by the ceruminous and sebaceous glands of the outer ear canal. Major components of earwax are long chain fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, alcohols, squalene, and cholesterol. Excess or compacted cerumen is the buildup of ear wax causing a blockage in the ear canal and it can press against the eardrum or block the outside ear canal or hearing aids, potentially causing hearing loss.
  • 2.5K
  • 07 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Corroles and Hexaphyrins
Recent developments in the synthesis of corroles and hexaphyrins are reviewed, highlighting their potential application in photodynamic therapy.
  • 2.5K
  • 24 Aug 2020
Topic Review
BPA Controversy
Bisphenol A controversy centers on concerns and debates about the biomedical significance of bisphenol A (BPA), which is a precursor to polymers that are used in some consumer products, including some food containers. The concerns began with the hypothesis that BPA is an endocrine disruptor, i.e. it mimics endocrine hormones and thus has the unintended and possibly far-reaching effects on people in physical contact with the chemical. Since 2008, several governments have investigated its safety, which prompted some retailers to withdraw polycarbonate products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ended its authorization of the use of BPA in baby bottles and infant formula packaging, based on market abandonment, not safety. The European Union and Canada have banned BPA use in baby bottles. The U.S. FDA states "BPA is safe at the current levels occurring in foods" based on extensive research, including two more studies issued by the agency in early 2014. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed new scientific information on BPA in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015: EFSA's experts concluded on each occasion that they could not identify any new evidence which would lead them to revise their opinion that the known level of exposure to BPA is safe; however, the EFSA does recognize some uncertainties, and will continue to investigate them. In February 2016, France announced that it intends to propose BPA as a REACH Regulation candidate substance of very high concern (SVHC). The European Chemicals Agency agreed to the proposal in June 2017.
  • 2.5K
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
SO2 Poisoning Mechanism
The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) has been widely used in industrial denitrification owing to its high denitrification efficiency, low operating costs, and simple operating procedures. However, coal containing a large amount of sulfur will produce SO2 during combustion, which makes the catalyst easy to be deactivated, thus limiting the application of this technology. This review summarizes the latest NH3-SCR reaction mechanisms and the deactivation mechanism of catalyst in SO2-containing flue gas. Some strategies are summarized for enhancing the poison-resistance through modification, improvement of support, the preparation of complex oxide catalyst, optimizing the preparation methods, and acidification. The mechanism of improving sulfur resistance of catalysts at low temperatures is summarized, and the further development of the catalyst is also prospected. This paper could provide a reference and guidance for the development of SO2 resistance of the catalyst at low temperatures.
  • 2.5K
  • 09 Nov 2020
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