CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics converts biomass fatty acids to long-chain alanes under mild conditions
Researchers around WANG Feng from the Bioenergy Chemicals Research Group have developed a photocatalytic decarboxylation procedure to convert long-chain fatty acids to alkanes under mild conditions. They used low-value long-chain fatty acids from a bio-oil refining process and paper industry production. Through catalytic deoxygenation, long-chain alkanes where obtained, which were used to produce diesel and aviation kerosene. At room temperature, low hydrogen pressure (≤0.2 MPa) and UV light, the yield was > 90%.
CAS news release, February 20, 2020
Hi-Tech zones are the backbone of China’s innovation, but still lag behind Silicon Valley
According to a report of the CAS Institutes of Science and Development and a speech by science minister WANG Zhigang, 52.000 high-tech enterprises in China’s national high-tech zones – now 169 in total – contribute 11.5 % to the national GDP and export goods and...
Shale gas production in Southern Sichuan reaches 4.2 billion cubic meters in 2018
The main production area is located in the southeastern part of the Sichuan Basin around the five cities of Zigong, Zhangzhou, Leshan, Neijiang and Yibin. China’s shale gas reserves are ranked # 1 in the world, but geological conditions render exploitation difficult....
CAS Shanxi Institute of Coal Chemistry reports progress on methanol-to-propylene synthesis
China at present commands a total production capacity of 1.46 million tons of methanol-to-propylene production equipment, but process performance is poor. In a national program implemented in 2011, considerable progress was achieved: a largely improved catalyst could...
Modified copper valence state allows for selective hydrogenation: CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Phsics
A team around Jian SUN has used high-energy plasma to prepare a copper catalyst sputted on silica which reacts during hydrogenation as Cuo (zero-valence or noble metal state). The catalyst reduced dimethyloxalate with 87% selectivity to the primary hydrogenation...
CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics proposes “quantum cutting solar concentrators”
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are large-area sunlight collectors. Efficient LSCs can significantly reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) technologies. WU Kaifeng and colleagues at CAS DICP have used ytterbium doped perovskite nanocrystals and shown that...
CAS QIBEBT: filamentous Tribonema microalgae are useful for biodiesel production
The group of LIU Tianzhong from CAS Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) has investigated yellow-green microalga Tribonema sp., a filamentous oleaginous microalgae, for biodiesel production. It has advantages over other unicellular oily...
China’s AI-based mobile phones expected to hold 80 % market share in 2022
According to the "2018 Chinese artificial intelligence mobile phone industry research report", AI smartphones held only 10 % market share in 2017 but will rise to 80 % in 2022, with sales of over 1.3 billion units. The most important functions are face authentication,...
Cathelicidin-BF-30 clinically approved as new drug
BF-30 is a single chain polypeptide which contains 30 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 3637. First isolated by CAS Institute of Zoology in Kunming which has specialized in antimicrobial peptides derived from snakes and amphibians, the peptide has been...
China discovers 100 billion cubic meter gas reservoir in Tarim oilfied, Xinjiang Uygur Region
The “Zhongqiu 1 Well” in the Kucha depression at the intersection of the Tarim Basin and the South Tianshan orogenic belt has become the main area for the construction of the 30 million-ton oil and gas field in the Tarim Oilfield. According to China Economic...
“Rainbow fish” dives 10.918m and 10.899 m in the Mariana trench
The manned submarine developed by Shanghai Ocean University and West Lake University has reportedly exceeded twice a depth of 10.000 m during diving tests. Japan JST China news release, December 13, 2018
Chang’e lunar probe enters lunar orbit
The lunar probe launched on Dec. 8 was decelerated to orbit the moon and choose an appropriate time for landing at the distant side of the moon. The scientific tasks, apport from surveying terrain and landforms, will be on low-frequency radio astronomical observation....
Chinese company builds satellite system Hongyan to allow 10 cm precise location
According to a statement of China Great Wall Industry Co., the company will start construction of a satellite system Hongyan which will allow users access to their exact position accurate to about 10 centimeters in less than one minute, no matter where they are, The...