Taking inspiration from nature to create nanostructural colour
A group in Ireland has copied nature to generate structural colours. Colm Delaney and his colleagues at Trinity College Dublin aim to develop cheap sensors to detect changes in colour when a compound in the body or environment is present.
More delays for UK REACH
The decision by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to consult on an extension to UK REACH deadlines has increased concerns about the Government’s support for the chemicals industry.
Making light of photochemistry
An international team is challenging a long-held assumption in photochemistry with potential implications for fields ranging from medicine to manufacturing. They suggest that the effectiveness of light in triggering chemical reactions is not solely determined by how strongly a molecule absorbs it.
Antimicrobial graphene coating developed using silver ions
A group in Manchester has developed an antimicrobial coating by including silver ions inside layers of graphene oxide. The new coating boasts a slow and long-release of silver ions, providing a sustained antimicrobial barrier for at least ten days.
Pharma tariff uncertainty continues
The outlook for tariffs on pharmaceuticals exported to the US remains uncertain, even as some trade deals are being agreed.
NIH Foundation pushes for end of animal testing
A new drive to replace animal testing with alternative methods has been launched by the US Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). The Validation and Qualification Network (VQN) brings together regulators, like the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission, with pharmaceutical companies and contract research organisations (CROs).
BASF looks at options for its coatings business
BASF has confirmed that it is looking at options for its Coatings business including joint ventures or a sale.
PFAS degraded using sunlight
Researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, have developed a sunlight-activated material that can degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water, breaking down the pollutant into harmless components, including fluoride. Their discovery is a promising low-energy solution for PFAS remediation, with potential applications in water treatment and environmental cleanup.