Tim Wogan
After initially planning to study English at university, I decided that, just in case I turned out not to be the next Hillary Mantel, it might be better to devote my life to my other great love – science, where I believed I was sure to make great discoveries. Three years studying physics at Cambridge University disabused me thoroughly of that notion, and, having learned that I was never going to make a notable discovery of my own in a world full of infinitely better scientists than I was, I decided to return to plan A and make my living writing about theirs instead. I studied science communication at Imperial College London and, after a brief internship as a reporter on the European news desk of Science, I’ve been writing freelance. Since 2019, I’ve been living in the US.
Research‘Microlightning’ released by peeling tape can drive chemical reactions
Intense localised electric fields can break bonds
ResearchPath to carbon dioxide-based chemicals smoothed with a dash of acid
Hydrochloric acid dissolves salts that gum-up reaction process
Research‘Landmark paper’ reveals how environment affects individual catalytic atoms’ activity
Research could improve single-atom catalyst design
ResearchMost energetic molecule ever made is stable – in liquid nitrogen
Nitrogen allotrope releases double the energy of the most powerful chemical explosives
ResearchPolymer membrane separates hydrocarbons, offering alternative to distillation
Microporous membrane enables energy efficient chemical separations
ResearchBlown up brain cells’ connections and chemistry traced at incredible molecular resolution
Microscopy on tissue swollen to 16 times its normal size can help unravel neural structures
Research3D printing deep in the body using ultrasound could deliver drugs, heal wounds
Biocompatible inks allowed polymers to be printed in animals without harming them
ResearchMicrowaves’ non-thermal effects on a chemical reaction demonstrated for first time
Molecular beam experiments shift reaction rate by manipulating reactant’s quantum state
ResearchPacemaker the size of a grain of rice could save children’s lives after surgery
Medical device powers itself using bodily fluids and then is simply absorbed by the body
ResearchBall milling breaks PFAS down into industrially useful fluoride source
Mechanochemistry could deal with ‘forever chemicals’
ResearchInorganic mechanism driving mysterious surge of powerful greenhouse gas
Sunlight triggers nitrous oxide production in ocean surface water
ResearchCentre of the Earth could hold large reservoir of iron–helium compounds
Compounds containing helium and iron can be stable at ambient pressures
ResearchAccidental discovery depolymerises commercial plexiglass
Light-triggered process breaks down waste plastic
ResearchCareful catalyst design boosts ethanol to hydrogen production
The reaction also generates acetic acid and its developers believe it can compete economically with current manufacturing processes
ResearchFar more drugs could be taken orally by formulating them with silica nanoparticles
Many more medicines could be made water soluble making taking them easier for patients
ResearchTwo-way polymerisation produces both elastic and rigid recyclable thermoset plastics
One-pot synthesis uses dihydrofuran monomers
ResearchDesigner proteins to treat deadly snake bites could save thousands of lives
Small proteins can help to tackle some of the deadliest components of cobras and mambas
ResearchPhase-changing crystals could cut air-conditioning’s climate impact
Organic ionic plastic crystals show a ’colossal’ entropy change when undergoing a pressure-induced phase transition
ResearchExceptionally flexible diamond film exfoliated using Scotch tape
Ultraflat material could find use in the electronics industry
ResearchAI aids discovery of solar cell materials with near-record efficiency
Machine learning uncovers hidden relationships in materials design