Moving Single Atoms, Synthetic Species and Cheap Thermal Imaging Lenses

June 22

This week we investigate a new method of moving single atoms to create new molecules. We examine a concrete that can remove dangerous particulates from road tunnels and we discover a new species of synthetic life. Finally we look at a new thermal imaging lens that is cheap enough to be used widely in everyday life.

Moving Single Atoms

A new technique is being developed that allows researchers to remove a single atom from a molecule and replace it with a new atom. The techniques can also delete or add atoms. The technique is called Skeletal Editing. There have been over 100 papers published on various methods of Skeletal Editing over the past two years.

This new field is still developing. Many of the techniques only work on certain atoms or are quite inefficient. There is however a distinct buzz about the progress. Once skeletal editing becomes more effective and efficient it will be a huge boon for researchers in drug discovery.

Currently, when chemists want to develop a particular molecule they start by sketching its’ structure. They then determine which bonds could be forged by reliable known chemical reactions. This is known as Peripheral Editing. The challenge comes when trying to replace atoms that are more difficult to move. Reliable skeletal editing will enable more efficient ways to developing new molecules for testing.

When available skeletal editing may assist in the early stages of drug discovery. Chemists would be able to develop a wider range of molecules to screen for drug like activity. There is an almost infinite number of possible molecules that might be able to used in drugs. A quick and reliable way of developing those molecules for screening libraries will allow a greater range of testing and experimentation in early stages of discovery.

There are likely other applications in the development of polymer based materials. We may be able to develop everyday polymers that are currently made from fossil fuels.

Cleaning the air in Underground Tunnels

All around the world more and more underground road tunnels are being built to move the never ending traffic around our cities. The air quality in these tunnels is worse than in other road environments due to the lack of air circulation.

A team at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) have developed a photocatalytic concrete that in unison with an ultraviolet light can effectively remove the fine particulate matter on roads. A photocatalyst is a semiconducting material that can breakdown pollutants via a photocatalytic reaction when exposed to light. The precursors of the fine particulates (nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide etc.) are converted into harmless substances which are washed away by rain.

In May 2023 the team completed a trial where they applied the photocatalytic concrete on the inner walls of the Banpo Underground Tunnel in Seoul. An average of 18% reduction in nitrogen oxides over a 24 hour period was achieved.

The team has also developed a cost efficient method of mass production of photocatalysts from wastewater. Given the reduction in harmful particulates and the ability to retrofit the product we may see more and more road tunnels start to use the product in old and new tunnels.

Synthetic Species

One of the theories about life on other planets is the it may not be the same type of life form that we have here on earth. What might these different life forms look like?

A team at Harvard has spent the past decade trying to build synthetic living systems without relying on the chemistry that has enabled life on Earth. The team built a non-biochemical system which was capable of executing the essential properties common to all natural living systems. This system was able to do this unaided.

Some time ago the team developed protocells, a non-biochemical but carbon based system. They are made up of self assembling polymer vesicles that emerge from a blend of synthetic chemicals with no reaction to living organisms. These cells are born, metabolize what they need, grow, move, reproduce and perhaps even evolve.

Could these cells compete according to the evolutionary principle of competitive exclusion? Darwin proposed that this struggle to survive caused the species with the greater competitive advantage to edge out other species when vying for resources.

The team created two new species of protocells. One with light sensitivity and the other without. When the team put the two cells into an illuminated environment the light sensitive species survived whereas the other did not.

This lead the team to ask the question could there be chemistries beyond earth capable of developing the fundamental properties of life? It appears possible that there are materials, which when on a planet’s surface could react, self organize and compete for resources. With the right conditions these new materials may evolve from simple chemical structures into more complex living beings. It would be life but not as we know it. Didn’t they say that in the song Star Trekkin (it was not said in the series, only the song).

Thermal Image Cameras

Thermal cameras that make it possible to see heat by converting infrared radiation from heat into an image have been around for a while. They can detect the “heat” given off by animals, vehicles, electrical equipment and people. This equipment however is too expensive for consumer products.

A team at Flinders University in Adelaide has been working on developing a consumer version of thermal cameras. They have developed a low cost thermal imaging lens that can be scaled up and brought into out everyday lives.

Thermal imaging is used in surveillance and security. It can be used in medicine it can be used for the non invasive detection of tumors (which have a higher metabolism and thus temperature than healthy tissue). We also use thermal imaging in space exploration. Infra red light can penetrate dust clouds more easily than visible light.

The costly part of thermal imaging cameras is the lens. Most glasses and plastics will absorb infrared radiation. Expensive materials such as Germanium are used instead. The team developed a new low cost polymer from sulfur and cyclopentadiene (an organic colorless liquid). The raw material cost for the new lens is less than one cent. Some germanium lenses can cost thousands of dollars.

The polymer can be moulded into a variety of complex shapes cheaply and easily. This opens up a variety of new use cases. It may be used for self driving cars to detect pedestrians and animals in fog or low light. There are applications in agriculture to monitor irrigation and crop health. As the lens is lightweight it can be used in drones for aerial imaging. The lens could also be added into consumer electronics, security systems and home automation. Smoke alarms for instance.

Paying it Forward

If you have a start-up or know of a start-up that has a product ready for market please let me know. I would be happy to have a look and feature the startup in this newsletter. Also if any startups need introductions please get in touch and I will help where I can.

If you have any questions or comments please comment below.

I would also appreciate it if you could forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested.

Till next week.