Experts in ecological chemistry at the CSIC have participated in a study that unveils, in aphids, the first case of aggressive mimicry against ants. The scientists have found out that the aphid mimics the cuticular chemicals -and therefore the smell- of the ant larvae in order to be transported to the nest, where it will feed on the hemolymphs of ant larvae.

Scientists at the Instituto de Tecnología Química have made a big step towards the gas separation through membrane technology. It enables the adaptation of the membranes to separate different gases and can have applications in several industrial sectors.

A methodology to produce polymeric membranes, which are biodegradable, resorbable and especially suited for facilitating guided bone regeneration, has been developed and patented. The methodology includes an activation process for altering in a controlled way the chemical composition and the roughness of the first layers of the film, according to specific needs.

Scientists at CSIC's Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA) have obtained a customizable unit which can be selectively modified in the presence of natural amino acids and other convertible units, affording optically pure products. It can be transformed into a wide variety of derivatives and offers the possibility of obtaining products “à la carte”.

El Centro de Química Coloidal e Interfacial (Centro QCI) del Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC) abre sus puertas el próximo 26 de noviembre con la jornada “Innovar para resolver retos en la formulación de productos”, dirigida a empresas de todos los sectores que estén interesadas en la formulación de productos y en la obtención de materiales avanzados. El programa de la jornada, totalmente gratuita, consta de presentaciones para mostrar las líneas de investigación del centro, así como de una visita guiada a sus laboratorios.

The CSIC has developed a catalytic procedure which enables a highly selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, using minimum amounts of Palladium catalysts. In contrast with the current methodologies, additives are not needed which means significant economic and environmental advantages. Industrial partners are sought.

Scientists at the CSIC and at the IRB Barcelona have obtained a nanosensor based on small DNA fragments, using an advanced technique known as DNA origami. It has the size of 100 nanometres: it is a thousand times smaller than a bacteria and it would be necessary millions of sensors like this to fill the hole in a sewing needle.

Scientists at the CSIC are involved in a European Life project aimed at developing a dry wool scouring cycle, eco-efficient and with no waste. This cycle will totally recover the by-products that are commercially valuable.