Water is one of the most familiar substances on Earth, yet its behavior under extreme confinement remains poorly understood. In a recent study, researchers from Japan revealed how water confined within nanopores can transition into a unique ‘premelting’ state, behaving partly like ice and partly like liquid water. Using static solid-state deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the researchers identified hierarchical molecular structure and uncovered dynamic properties with potential applications in energy storage and materials science.

Researchers at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Chemical Energy Conversion and Clariant have unveiled new insights into the complex catalyst systems used in industrial ammonia production. By examining the structural evolution of these catalysts, the study highlights the critical role of promoters in enhancing performance and stability.

Ice can dissolve iron minerals more effectively than liquid water, according to a new study from Umeå University. The discovery could help explain why many Arctic rivers are now turning rusty orange as permafrost thaws in a warming climate.