Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Advanced Synthesis of Trimethylene Carbonate: a High-yield Green Route
Prof. Wei Du's team at Tsinghua University developed an enzymatic process for trimethylene carbonate synthesis from 1,3-propanediol and dimethyl carbonate. The green method achieves 88% yield, the highest reported to date, offering industrial potential with mild conditions.
High-temperature ferrimagnetic order triggered metal-to-insulator transition in CaCu₃Ni₂Os₂O₁₂
A spin-driven Lifshitz transition in CaCu₃Ni₂Os₂O₁₂ leads to a rare high-temperature ferrimagnetic semiconductor. This dual spin–charge transition enables metal–insulator switching above 393 K, beyond conventional Mott or Slater mechanisms.
