Direct capture and separation of CO_(2) from air

Direct air capture(DAC)has attracted increasing interest and investment over the past few years.There are a fast-growing number of companies that entered the field and demonstrated DAC carbon removal setups and potential.However,current DAC methods are still based on solid absorbents or alkali solutions approaches which have low capture efficiency and low energy efficiency.This highlight proposed a promising CO_(2) capture technology,an electric energy driven closed-loop system for the direct removal of CO_(2) from ambient air which are based on two individual technologies:Polyam-N-Cu hybrid system promoted CO_(2) capture with ocean as anthropogenic CO_(2) sink and a chloride-mediated electrochemical pH swing system to remove CO_(2) from oceanwater.

Structural engineering of antimicrobials for optimal broad-spectrum activity

Antimicrobial materials are a crucial component in eradicating and managing the spread of infectious diseases.They are expected to act on a broad-spectrum of microbes,including emerging pathogens which could cause the next Disease X.Herein,we reassessed a series of antimicrobial imidazolium polymers on our shelves and uncovered extended functionality through dual modes of action.By redesigning their structures,a truly broadspectrum antimicrobial material with optimized activity against bacteria(G+ve,G-ve)and fungi,as well as enveloped and non-enveloped viruses was developed.We demonstrated that the imidazolium polymer exhibits dual modes of function against microbes:targeting the microbial membrane and binding DNA.The latter DNA binding affinity was found to be key against non-enveloped viruses.With this insight,we designed small molecule compounds that exhibited optimum broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and excellent efficacy against ESKAPE group of pathogens that are responsible for some of the deadliest nosocomial infections worldwide.Our results could also shed light on the design of broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds against Disease X.

Calcium carbide and its recent advances in biomass conversion

Calcium carbide(CaC_(2))is a sustainable source of acetylene which plays an important role in organic synthesis due to its active triple bonds and terminal protons.Solid CaC_(2) has several advantages over acetylene gas such as easy handling,convenient storage and transportation.The CaC_(2) is considered as a safer and more convenient source of acetylene.The chemistry of the CaC_(2) is not confined to its use as a source of acetylene and its applications are not limited to the known reactions of acetylene.With the CaC_(2) chemistry being actively developing recently,it may eventually lead to the development of new transformations of alkyne chemistry.Herein,this mini review is focused on the synthesis and application of the CaC_(2) in biomass transformations.