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Helonium... the first molecule of the Universe!

What is Helonium? Credit: Mondolithic studios Helonium or Helium hydride is a molecular ion consisting of a helium atom and a hydrogen ion (HeH + ) and it is considered to be the first molecule of the universe. It is viewed as a protonated helium and it is the lightest heteronuclear ion. Discovery Helonium was first produced in the laboratory in Berkeley in 1925, under vacuum conditions with the aid of electricity by injecting protons of known energy into a rarefied mixture of hydrogen and helium. Although it is stable in isolation, it cannot be prepared in bulk because it is extremely reactive. Properties It is the strongest known acid with pKa -63 (for comparison hydrochloric acid pKa is -6.3) It is isoelectronic with molecular hydrogen H2 Its covalent bond is dative with a length of 0.772 A 80% of the electron charge is closer to the helium nucleus than to the hydrogen nucleus Unlike the helium hydride ion, the neutral helium hydride molecule HeH is not stable in the ground state De
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Screen-Printed Magnetic Electrode

What is it? It is a graphite screen-printed electrode coupled with a screen-printed bonded magnet (NdFeB particles dispersed in a thixotropic carbon ink) with 3 mm ∅, 56 ± 6 μm thickness. Scope The magnetic screen-printed electrode is a compact, portable, cheap, and disposable alternative to various accessories have been developed aiming to attract MNPs on the electrode surface, such as magnetic electrode shafts, electrochemical cells integrating (electro)magnets, magnetic stickers, etc. Investigation In the study parameters as the composition of the NdFeB/ink blend, the thickness and the pattern (compact or hole-engraved) of the printed magnet, and the thickness of the substrate were investigated by both experimental and theoretical studies. Results The performance is enhanced if a void round area is created in the center of the magnet to introduce a further area of strong field gradient. This pattern allows the development of stronger attracting forces to MNPs, higher MNPs loading, a

Riboflavin the essential yellow!

What is it? Riboflavin is the well known Vitamin B2, it can be found in food and used as a dietary supplement. It is a water-soluble yellow compound that used to be called lactochrome or Vitamin G. It was discovered in 1920, isolated un 1933 and first made in 1935. It can be synthesized by plants, yeasts, and procaryotic cells, while mammals can obtain it by consuming plant-based foods. Chemical Structure The name "Riboflavin" comes from ribose (the sugar whose reduced form, ribitol, appears in structure) and flavus which means yellow in Latin, because of the ring-moiety (Isoalloxazine ring) which imparts the yellow color to the oxidized molecule. The isoalloxazine ring is a focal point for electron transfers, which allow riboflavin to take its three redox forms (fully oxidized/quinone, one-electron reduced/semi-quinone and two electrons reduced/hydroquinone). Additionally, riboflavin is the precursor of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleot

Niobium can turn into a colorful delight!

What is Niobium? A lump of gray shining crystals with hexagonal facetting Niobium is the chemical element with atomic number 41, it belongs in the d-block at the fisth group of periodic table. It is a soft, grey, crystalline, ductile transition metal. About the name It was formerly known as columbium because it was discovered by English chemist Charles Hatchett in 1801, in a mineral. So he named the mineral columbite and the element columbium, after Columbia. But the columbium discovered by Hatchett was probably a mixture of the new element with tantalum. When scientist studied columbiun were confused over the difference between columbium (niobium) and the closely related tantalum. So they decided to name every new substance they found in columbite or tantalite after Tantalus childen and family. The claimed new elements niobium, pelopium, ilmenium, and dianium were in fact identical to each other or mixtures of the new element with tantalum. So they kept the name Niobiu

Quercetin...the Queen of Antioxidants!

What is Quercetin? Quercetin is a plant polyphenol from group of flavonoids, specifically is a flavonol. Its name has been used since 1857, and is derived from quercetum (oak forest). It has a bitter flavor and it's used for supplement, beveraged or foods. Properties Quercetin it is well known for its antioxidant activity due to its ability to scavenge free radicals. It consider to be the most potent scavenger of ROS. These properties make quercetin a good lipid peroxidation inhibitor, this type of peroxidation can create deleterious effects throughout the body, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, quercetin does not only stop the propagation of lipid peroxidation, but also increases glutathione levels. By scavenging free radicals quercetin can also reduce inflammation, and protect cells suffering oxidative stress. What is so special about it? According to Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) three structural features are essent

Apricot seeds...healing or killing vol2

What is it? Apricot seeds called otherwise apricot kernels look similar in appearance to a small almond. Fresh apricot kernels are white and their skin becomes light brown when dried out. They contain protein, fiber, and a high percentage of oil, which can be extracted from them. Oil pressed from the sweet kernel can be used for cooking in the same way as sweet almond oil. The kernels themselves are used in processed foods such as amaretto biscuits, almond finger biscuits, and apricot jams. Oil and kernels from the bitter variety of apricot kernel are often used in cosmetics in body oil, face cream, lip balm, and essential oil. Nutritions: 50% Oil   ~   25% Protein   ~   8% Carbohydrates Apricot kernel oil is high in essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential to human health, but the human body is unable to produce them, so they must be taken in through diet. There are two main types of essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic a

When casein gets company...milk turn into plastic!

"Plastic made from milk" —that certainly sounds like something made-up. If you agree, you may be surprised to learn that in the early 20th century, milk was used to make many different plastic ornaments —including jewelry for Queen Mary of England!         Plastic from milk    ~    Casein Plastic    ~    Galalith What is it Galalith? Galalith (Erinoid in the United Kingdom) is a synthetic plastic material manufactured by the interaction of casein and formaldehyde. Given a commercial name derived from the Greek words gala (milk) and lithos (stone), it is odourless, insoluble in water, biodegradable, antiallergenic, antistatic and virtually nonflammable. What is Casein? Casein is the name for a family of related phosphoproteins. These proteins are commonly found in mammalian milk, making up 80% of the proteins in cow's milk and between 20% and 45% of the proteins in human milk. Casein has a wide variety of uses, from being a major compon