Surfaces play a key role in numerous chemical reactions, including catalysis and corrosion. Understanding the atomic structure of the surface of a functional material is essential for both engineers and chemists. Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan used atomic-resolution secondary electron (SE) imaging to capture the atomic structure of the very top layer of materials to better understand the differences from its lower layers.

Dr. Tova Holmes from the University of Tennessee has been honored with the prestigious Cottrell Scholar Award. This accolade recognizes her outstanding research in experimental particle physics and her dedication to innovative teaching methods, highlighting her significant contributions to both scientific advancement and education.

In a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Chemistry, Mn-doped-Cu catalyst was synthesized and employed for electrochemical NO₃^--to-NH₃ conversion. the Mn dopant enhanced the kinetic rate of NO₂^--to-NH₃ and induced a distinct configuration of *NO. This alteration decreased the energy barrier of *NO-to-*NOH, consequently promoting the conversion of NO₃^--to-NH₃.

This work successfully prepared an oxygen-doped porous g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst modified with atomically dispersed Fe (Fe₁/OPCN) with significant superiority in removing refractory sulfonic azo contaminants. The modified Fe acted as the electron acceptors, triggered the self-Fenton reaction, and accelerated the mass transfer. The advanced catalyst-contaminant interaction produced abundant multiple active species for mineralizing sulfonic azo contaminants into small molecules.

A new method streamlines the design and effectiveness of ligands used in chemical reactions in catalysis and drug delivery.

Danielle Speller is the 2024 winner of the Joseph A Johnson award for her research on neutrinoless double beta decay and dark matter research, and for mentoring the next generation of aspiring physicists. Jessica Esquivel receives an Honorable Mention her work at Fermilab and for fostering equity, education, and community through the #BlackInPhysics social movement and Oyanova Enterprises.