C3-Symmetric Photoresponsive Chiral Dopants Based on Tribenzotriquinacene Doping cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with photoresponsive chiral molecules is an effective strategy for devising responsive soft materials, as it allows for the phototuning of the noncovalent interactions in the CLCs, and hence, their helical pitch and optical properties. Here we describe the use of tribenzotriquinacene-based (TBTQ) hydrazone and azobenzene chiral dopants in the modulation of the helical pitch of the LC host, 5CB. The unique C3-symmetry of the TBTQ scaffold enhances the noncovalent interactions with the host and thus the chiral information transfer, resulting in helical twisting power (β) values as high as 147 μm–1. Notably, the TBTQ hydrazone exhibits an unusual deviation from trends observed so far in previous studies, resulting in larger β values for the Z isomer rather than the E one. Moreover, the overall β values for the hydrazone-based dopants are unexpectedly higher than those of the azobenzene dopants. These results indicate that the host/guest interactions are better when the photoswitchable chiral dopant is more rigid, as is the case with the H-bonded Z state of the hydrazone. The large β values and excellent miscibility of the hydrazone-based dopants in 5CB allowed us to design films that reflect visible structural color. The properties of the azobenzene-based dopants precluded their use in such applications. By codoping 5CB with hydrazone and azobenzene derivatives of opposite chirality, we demonstrated reversible handedness inversion upon photoswitching, providing a versatile soft material platform for reconfigurable photonic materials and colorimetric display technologies.

Latest @jacs.acspublications.org a collab with Mastalerz grp @uniheidelberg.bsky.social showing how C3-symmetric TBTQ core affects chiral induction in LCs. Hydrazone > azobenzene with this core. Mixing these two with opposite chirality allows handedness inversion bit.ly/4qAtvYE #openaccess #chemsky

The Schrödinger equation, together with the associated wave function often denoted by the Greek letter Ψ, is at the core of quantum mechanics. Over the past century, quantum mechanics has served as the foundation for modern physics theories, including quantum field theory. The theoretical groundwork is now being transformed into new disciplines, such as quantum information science and technology, and quantum materials.

Over the past century, quantum mechanics has served as the foundation for modern physics theories, including quantum field theory. The theoretical groundwork is now being transformed into new disciplines.

Learn more in a new special issue of Science: https://scim.ag/4oz1y2a

A team of Japanese and US scientists have discovered the bio-essential sugars ribose and glucose in samples of asteroid Bennu that were collected by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. This finding builds on the earlier discovery of nucleobases (the genetic components of DNA and RNA), phosphate, and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) in the Bennu samples, showing that the molecular ingredients of life could have been delivered to early Earth by meteorites.

Samples of Bennu, a primitive asteroid orbiting near Earth, contain some surprising ingredients: natural sugars, gummy polymers, and specks of stardust that are even older than our solar system.

There's a lot of complex chemistry brewing in space! 🧪🔭

www.nasa.gov/missions/osi...

#SMUlove

Quantum computing on the verge: a look at the quantum marketplace of today – Physics World Philip Ball dives into the latest developments in the quantum-computing industry

After the Royal Society meeting on the future of quantum computing at the start of the year, I took a deep dive for @physicsworld.bsky.social into the state of the industry. The piece sat for a long time in the pipeline, but here now is the first part.
physicsworld.com/a/quantum-co...

Quantum Information | Royal Society Royal Society conference on the future of quantum-based computing, networks and sensing systems.

Here's the link to the RS meeting (video now online). It was nominally about quantum information generally, but the focus was very much on quantum computing.
royalsociety.org/science-even...

Bambusuril Small-Molecule Ionic Isolation Lattices for Exciton Coupled Dimers and Dicationic Fluorophores Ionic self-assembly of molecular fluorophores is a promising avenue to program properties into optical materials. Controllable optical energies, lifetimes, exciton hopping and energy transfer have bee...

Get double out of your dye! Learn how we add bambusuril receptors as an alternative to cyanostar to bring two cyanine dyes into bright orange dimers! pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

#fluorescence #crystals #supramolecularchemistry

Scientists crafted glow-in-the-dark #succulents that recharge in sunlight. Injected with light-emitting phosphor, the plants can shine as bright as a small night light. cell.com/matter/fullt...

@cp-matter.bsky.social
#SCAU Shuting Liu & colleagues

No suffering, no death, no limits: the nanobots pipe dream | Aeon Essays Thirty years ago, nanotech was about to change everything. Let’s not get tricked again by Silicon Valley’s magical thinking

In this piece for Aeon, I argue that, while nanotechnology is now a very real and mature field, a popular early vision of it was an example of what I am calling an "oneiric technology": a fantasy of the sort that Silicon Valley loves.
aeon.co/essays/no-su...

Winning team of chem trivia at ACS chem social:) loving the ACS and C&EN swag:) #ACSFALL2025

Introduction: Molecular Motors

Introduction: Molecular Motors | Chemical Reviews pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Summary figure for study of psilocybin's effect on cortical network connectivity.

New preprint + thread 🧵

#Psychedelics induce the formation of new synapses, but where do they connect?

Our rabies tracing study reveals that #psilocybin shifts connectivity across specific cortical networks.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

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Chiral Induction and Memory via Supramolecular Deracemization The helical chirality of a dynamic crown-ether switch can, by light- or redox-switching to a prochiral state, be erased and subsequently stereoselectively re-formed by relaxation in the presence of a...

🔥Hot of the press: Chiral induction and chiral memory via host-guest binding now published in
@angewandtechemie.bsky.social! One of my favourite projects and a super rewarding collaboration with @sidlereric.bsky.social, Yohan and @feringalab.bsky.social!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

This illustration shows consecutive stages during operation of a molecular catenating machine.

This week in Science, researchers report an artificial molecular motor that can twist a molecular thread to form a mechanically interlocked molecule. The approach creates opportunities to fabricate mechanically interlocked molecules with precise structural control.

Learn more: scim.ag/40FboGP

Dispatch: The Neurobiology of Psychedelics Gordon Research Conference — Circuitry, Consciousness, and Clinical Horizons (Part 2) - Psychedelic Alpha In this second Dispatch from the inaugural Neurobiology of Psychedelics Gordon Research Conference, Dr. Alaina Jaster recaps Days 2 through 4, highlighting cutting-edge research on neuroplasticity…

Dispatch: The Neurobiology of Psychedelics Gordon Research Conference — Circuitry, Consciousness, and Clinical Horizons (Part 2)

Reporting by @jasteralaina.bsky.social.

The entire Dispatch is now free to read.

psychedelicalpha.com/news/dispatc...

My opinion on animal models of psychedelic drug actions It's complicated

My take on the head-twitch response to test #psychedelic drugs in animals:
open.substack.com/pub/zendudes...

Curved molecule bottles sunlight and releases it as heat Liquid anthracene morphs into high-energy isomer to store solar heat for use on demand hours later

Comment on @gracegdhan.bsky.social recent work on energy storage molecules in @cenmag.bsky.social

cen.acs.org/energy/solar...

Effects of a Single Atom Substitution on the Physical Properties, Excited State Dynamics, and Iodine Capture Performance of Emissive Covalent Organic Frameworks Emissive urea/thiourea-based covalent organic frameworks: A single-atom alteration causes distinct variations in charge transfer characteristics and I2 adsorption kinetics.

A long time in the making but finally delighted to share our efforts to understand how slight differences in the monomers can affect the properties of resulting COFs.. chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

My department at Colgate University is hiring a tenure-stream assistant professor in Organic Chemistry this fall. Please feel free to reach out with questions, and please repost. We're an undergraduate university with a strong focus on research. @chemjobber.bsky.social

apply.interfolio.com/170152

See fireballs and meteors crisscross the night sky over the next month - The Weather Network The Perseid and delta Aquariid meteor showers are both ramping up towards the end of July.

The delta Aquariid and Perseid meteor showers are ramping up towards the end of July, producing overlapping displays in the sky.
#astronomy #space #meteorshower

www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/scie...

Very grateful I had the opportunity to attend the first #GRCPsychedelics and connect with others in the field!

Had several great discussions at my poster #GRCPsychedelics

Looking forward to building future collaborations :)

Excited to attend Neurobiology of Psychedelics GRC this week! Looking forward to deep dives into the mechanism of action of psychedelics and how they modulate neuroplasticity, cognitive flexibility, and adaptive decision-making—across behavior and neural dynamics. 🧠🍄
#GRCPsychedelics

So happy the first #GRCPsychedelics was such a success. It was great to see everyone and share all the amazing science and community. Thank you to all the speakers and congratulations to the travel awardees!!

Had a blast at the first ever #GRCPsychedelics - thanks so much to Chairs @alexkwan.bsky.social @vyazovskiy.bsky.social & Vice Chairs @melissaherman.bsky.social @viditavaidya.bsky.social for bringing our community together 🫶

Per usual, I took no pics - but luckily Missy had it covered for me 😂

The polypharmacology of psychedelics reveals multiple targets for potential therapeutics Jain et al. profiled 41 classical psychedelics across 318 GPCRs, revealing activity at serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic receptors. All compounds activated multiple 5-HT2AR signal transduction pathw...

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT #PSYCHEDELICS AND THINGS YOU NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT!
www.cell.com/neuron/abstr...

Attending the first psychedelic GRC organized by @alexkwan.bsky.social & @vyazovskiy.bsky.social was surreal. The internationally representative panels ensure we are collectively/efficiently advancing our understanding of psychedelics. Special thanks to
@mayoonthebrain.bsky.social for bringing me ❤️

So happy I got to attend the first #GRCPsychedelics conference. Such an amazing opportunity to connect with other researchers & learn about the newest findings in the field.

The inaugural #GRCPsychedelics was a success! I am honored to have been one of a few chosen to receive a travel award and be able to share the stage with the leaders in the field. 🙏 to the organizers! @alexkwan.bsky.social @vyazovskiy.bsky.social @melissaherman.bsky.social @viditavaidya.bsky.social

Somehow we got almost all the students and postdocs in one photo!!

Until next time #GRCPsychedelics 🫡