Materials Chemistry

First natural enzyme creates azides from scratch

September 30, 2024
A team of researchers reported the discovery of the first natural enzyme capable of creating complex molecules, azides, from simpler molecules, which could lead to safer drug development and biological research.

New process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases to make new, recycled plastics

August 29, 2024
The catalytic process, discovered by researchers at UC Berkeley, efficiently reduces polymers to chemical precursors, bringing a circular economy for plastics one step closer to reality.

An electronic crystal turned flat

February 18, 2022

Illustration of layered charge-density-wave material

Artist rendering of a layered charge-density-wave material. Blue spheres represent lattice ions while sinusoidal curves represent waves of electron density. In this case, the charge density wave possesses long-range order both within a layer and between layers. (Illustration by Alfred Zong)

When we take an ice cube out of the refrigerator, it turns into...

With a little help, new optical material assembles itself

February 4, 2022

Nanocircles

Using 3D STEM (scanning transmission electron microscope) tomography at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry, Ting Xu and her team mapped out the precise placement of nanoparticles in a self-assembling material. (Courtesy of ACS Nano)

A research team led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has demonstrated tiny concentric nanocircles that self-assemble into an...

Print, recycle, repeat: Scientists demonstrate a biodegradable printed circuit

September 1, 2022

A Berkeley Lab-led research team has developed a fully recyclable and biodegradable printed circuit. The research could divert wearable devices and other flexible electronics from landfill, and mitigate the health and environmental hazards posed by heavy metal waste. (Credit: Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab)

According to the United Nations, less than a quarter of all U.S. electronic waste gets recycled. In 2021 alone, global e-waste surged at 57.4 million tons, and only 17.4% of that was...

Scientists grow lead-free solar material with a built-in switch

September 1, 2022

Light microscopy illustration shows nanowires, 100 to 1,000 nanometers in diameter

Light microscopy image of nanowires, 100 to 1,000 nanometers in diameter, grown from cesium germanium tribromide (CGB) on a mica substrate. The CGB nanowires are samples of a new lead-free halide perovskite solar material that is also ferroelectric. (Credit: Peidong Yang and Ye Zhang/Berkeley Lab)

Solar panels, also...

Omar Yaghi wins Solvay Prize for climate, materials breakthroughs

January 19, 2024
Omar Yaghi has been awarded the renowned Science for the Future Ernest Solvay Prize by Syensqo. The award honors chemistry leaders whose discoveries are shaping the future of the field and humanity.

Michael Zuerch among UC Berkeley faculty selected as 2024 Rose Hills Innovators

June 4, 2024
Zuerch's project explores a crucial yet poorly understood aspect of quantum materials.

Berkeley’s ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship combats climate change

May 16, 2024
UC Berkeley faculty are fast-tracking the development of new and creative climate solutions.

Nine young faculty members receive prized Sloan Research Fellowships

February 20, 2024
Kwabena Bediako among the nine young UC Berkeley faculty members to receive the prized 2024 Sloan Research Fellowships.