Real Clever Science

We're 'green chemists'—why we think this emerging science can transform the way the world uses its resources

Society depends on chemistry far more than we consciously realize, from medicines to energy to electronics. However, chemistry is viewed with as much apprehension as gratitude, because of the pollution and health problems that some chemicals cause. There is a strong desire to have all the benefits of chemistry, but none of the downsides. This has led to terms like "chemical free product" coming into popular usage. Of course it's impossible to have a chemical-free product—the ingredients in these products are still chemicals. But they employ a different approach, using benign ingredients from nature. These innovative products are examples of "green chemistry."

Laser treatment reshapes MOF pores, boosting CO₂ capture by up to 75%

A research team led by Hee-jung Lee, senior researcher at Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), in collaboration with Professor Sunghwan Park of Kyungpook National University and Professor Mingyu Kim of Yeungnam University, has developed a technology that enhances CO₂ adsorption performance in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) by up to 75% through precise laser-based control of their internal structure. The study, published in the journal Small, demonstrates a new approach to improving material performance through laser post-treatment, offering an efficient alternative to conventional complex chemical processing methods. Why better gas separation is crucial The separation of mixed gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) is essential for applications such as natural gas purification and improving energy efficiency, and is considered a key technology for achieving carbon neutrality.

Ugandan entrepreneurs Sandra Namboozo (26) and Samuel Muyita (28) have scooped both the People’s Choice and Community Healers awards at the prestigious 2025 Young Inventors Prize, organised by the European Patent Office (EPO). The duo was recognised for their groundbreaking innovation, Karpolax—a biodegradable sachet that preserves fruit freshness without refrigeration. The invention impressed both the public and an independent jury. The sachet, placed inside fruit packaging, emits a blend of plant-based volatile organic compounds derived from cloves, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and wintergreen. These compounds suppress ethylene emissions to slow ripening and protect against mould, fungi, and bacteria.

In pilot trials conducted with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Karpolax extended the shelf life of mangoes from 11 to 33 days. The technology has also been tested successfully on bananas, apples, and oranges.

The innovation offers a critical solution for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, where cold storage facilities are often unavailable or unaffordable.

Since its launch in 2020, Karpolax has supported over 100 farmers, 20 exporters, and 250 vendors, helping prevent the spoilage of more than one million tonnes of fruit. The sachets are now being adapted for use with pineapples, capsicum, and berries.

Carbon nanotubes are closing the gap on copper conductivity

Carbon nanotubes are one technology that many observers believe hasn't quite lived up to the extreme hype that surrounded them when they first appeared on the scene in the late 1990s. At that time, much was made of their extraordinary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, with predictions that they would revolutionize materials science, electronics, and daily life. But could we be closer to realizing some of that promise? In a paper published in the journal Science, researchers describe a method for adding a chemical to carbon nanotube bundles that brings them closer to copper's ability to conduct electricity.

From the article:

Excerpt from this story from Yale Environment 360:

In a first last month, renewables supplied more power to the U.S. than natural gas, a milestone in the shift to clean energy. However, rising power demand is complicating the transition away from fossil fuels by extending the lives of many aging coal power plants.

Together, renewables — including solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy — were the biggest source of U.S. electricity in March, according to data from the think tank Ember. Along with nuclear power, they supplied more than half of U.S. power.

The new high watermark for renewables is a reflection both of the rapid buildout of wind and solar and the seasonal drop in power demand. Mild spring weather usually blunts the need for both heating and cooling, and as demand for electricity drops, coal and gas power ramp down. Last month, fossil fuels generated less electricity than in any March going back at least 25 years, while renewables generated more, according to Ember.