Uranium can perform reactions that previously no one thought possible, which could transform the way industry makes bulk chemicals, polymers, and the precursors to new drugs and plastics, according to new findings from The University of Manchester.
Writing in the journal Nature Communications, the chemists have discovered that uranium can perform reactions that used to be the preserve of transition metals such as rhodium and palladium. And because uranium sits between different types of reactivity of lanthanides and transition metals it might be able to combine the best of both to give new ways of producing materials and chemicals.
This discovery is also profiled in a new video which is part of a series produced by the School of Chemistry. Other videos show how chemists at Manchester have developed the world’s smallest fuel powered motor and identified that Parkinson’s sufferers can have a unique smell identifying the disease – before any medical professional can see symptoms.
The YouTube series attempts to put world class scientific papers into words that anyone can understand.
The CAMERA (Chemistry at Manchester Explains Research Advances) series of films is available to watch and subscribe to here.
The latest discovery means that industry might now be in a position to develop new compounds that can’t be made in any other way.
What’s more, uranium is one of the elements we know the least about and while it is associated with nuclear weapons and nuclear power, the new discovery suggests other uses may be on the horizon.
Steve Liddle, Professor and Head of Inorganic Chemistry, and author of the paper, said: “This discovery will lead to some monumental developments that could change the way we live. Development work like this really could pave the way for new medicines and also the creation of truly biodegradable hard plastic.
“It is comparable to the discovery of liquid crystal displays, which happened 20 years before everyone sat up and realised that they could be used in modern computer displays and TVs.”
Learn more: Uranium to replace plastic? Chemistry breakthrough could pave the way for new materials
The Latest on: Uranium
[google_news title=”” keyword=”uranium” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
- More uranium hits as Trinex Minerals earns its way into Gibbons Creekon April 25, 2024 at 7:14 pm
Trinex Minerals (ASX:TX3) has intersected uranium mineralisation with diamond drilling nearing completion at its Gibbons Creek project.
- Uranium Mining Is Ramping Up In The Grand Canyon Despite Outrage From Native Communitieson April 25, 2024 at 12:33 pm
The Pinyon Plain Mine (aka Canyon Mine) is located near the entrance of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and sits within the boundary of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints. In August of 2023, ...
- The world is going nuclear and ASX juniors are exploding on to Canada’s Athabasca Basin uranium sceneon April 25, 2024 at 12:10 pm
The world needs more uranium supply and Canada's Athabasca Basin is the place to be - especially for this bunch ... Read More The post The world is going nuclear and ASX juniors are exploding on to ...
- ALX Resources Corp. Intersects Additional Uranium Mineralization at the Gibbons Creek Uranium Project, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewanon April 25, 2024 at 4:30 am
ALX Resources Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the 2024 winter drilling program at its 100%-owned Gibbons Creek Uranium ...
- Mining And Refining: Uranium And Plutoniumon April 24, 2024 at 7:00 am
When I was a kid we used to go to a place we just called “The Book Barn.” It was pretty descriptive, as it was just a barn filled with old books. It smelled pretty much like ...
- F3 Uranium to Present at the OTC Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference on April 30thon April 24, 2024 at 5:36 am
F3 Uranium Corp (TSV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) (“F3” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that Mr. Raymond Ashley, President, P.Geo. will be presenting at the OTC virtual conference on April 30, 2024 @ ...
- Uranium miner enCore CEO balances ambitious production goals with workforce challengeson April 23, 2024 at 8:29 pm
AS US-based uranium miner enCore Energy charts its path towards significantly ramping up production, the company faces a dual challenge of aggressive expansion and ensuring the retention of key ...
- Radioactive Leak Threat in Russia as Flood Heads for Uranium Mineson April 22, 2024 at 6:19 am
Andrei Ozharovsky, an expert in the Radioactive Waste Safety program of the Russian Social-Ecological Union, told the investigative site that a leak of uranium from the Dobrovolnoye mine will lead to ...
- Top 10 Uranium-producing Countries (Updated 2024)on April 17, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Australia’s uranium production decreased significantly in 2021 to 4,192 MT, down from 2020’s 6,203 MT; it fell further in 2022 to hit 4,087 MT. The island nation holds 28 percent of the world’s known ...
- Uranium Stocks Poised for Breakout As Nuclear Resurgence Gains Momentumon April 16, 2024 at 8:00 am
The world is finally realizing, after trying to rid itself of nuclear power following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, that the power of the ...
via Google News and Bing News