ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MAY/JUNE 2025 9 framework influences the geometry of molecular adsorbates, catalytic activity, and shape and size selectivity. However, accurately locating these aluminum atoms and understanding their impact on the catalytic behavior of zeolites has posed challenges for decades. In their study, the team focused on both lab-synthesized and commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolites to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical application, optimizing H-ZSM-5 for advanced catalytic processes. The researchers used an innovative approach that integrates synchrotron resonant soft x-ray diffraction with probe-assisted solidstate nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular adsorption methods. This combination revealed the interactions of molecules at the active sites of aluminum atoms, achieving a breakthrough in locating single atoms and pairs of aluminum atoms in a commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolite. www.polyu.edu.hk. OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE MODELS SOFT MATERIALS Scientists at Tufts University, Medford, Mass., led by physics professor Tim Atherton, created an open-source programmable environment called Morpho that helps researchers and engineers solve shape optimization problems for soft materials. Predicting how soft and fluidic materials respond to forces is more challenging than predicting the behavior of hard materials. For example, applications of soft materials include artificial hearts and heart valves as well as robot materials that mimic flesh. The Morpho software is designed to be easy to use, free, and applicable to a broad range of scenarios. Soft materials have an inherent complexity in their response to their environment. The Morpho program models the soft materials using a finite elements approach, mathematically dividing them into small, A chiral liquid crystal membrane is simulated with Morpho so ware. Courtesy of Chaitanya Joshi and Tim Atherton. simple shapes, while equations that model materials properties, forces, and boundary constraints are generated for each node around the shapes. Then the whole system of equations is solved to predict the optimal shape of the system. “Morpho provides a set of tools to help anyone conveniently solve these problems,” says Atherton. tufts.edu. Fibercraft™ Heating Elements Offer Superior Performance in High-Temperature Applications. • Temp Range up to 1200°C (2200°F) • Exceptional Durability • Versatile Application • Customizable Design TC 8.375X5.5625_031025.indd 1 3/11/25 2:10 PM
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