<p><strong>Light and urea. These are two "basic ingredients" that can be enough for effective and gentle water purification. This has been proven by new research conducted by scientists from CEITEC Brno University of Technology (BUT). Although this is only basic research and scientists will continue to build on it, its results can already be used in practice.</strong></p><p>Urea is an organic substance that is commonly found in nature. Thanks to this, it is widely available.</p><p>The key is its modification, in which scientists obtain a special compound of carbon and nitrogen from it. This can then be used for photocatalysis. <i>"Our compound therefore serves as a catalyst that is activated by incident light. Thanks to this, substances that eliminate impurities present in water begin to be released,</i>" says <strong>Daina Arenas Buelvas</strong> from the <i>Quantum Molecular Magnetism</i> team at CEITEC BUT, who led the research.</p><p>This represents a significant shift compared to current methods. Filters that capture impurities are now used to purify water. These filters then need to be removed and the captured substances disposed of. The carbon and nitrogen compound formed from urea, when hit by the light, both captures and decomposes pollutants. In laboratory tests this is done with an efficiency of up to <strong>97%</strong>.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Cisteni_vody_pomoci_svetla_Laboratorni_testy_prokazaly_ucinnost_az_97_2_719253ff50.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Jakub Rozboud:  Purifying Water Using Light? Laboratory Tests Have Shown 97% Efficiency: Daina Dayana Arenas Buelvas preparing samples." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Cisteni_vody_pomoci_svetla_Laboratorni_testy_prokazaly_ucinnost_az_97_2_719253ff50.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><h3><strong>A unique method that freezes particles</strong></h3><p>The research is also unique thanks to the technology used. The scientists used <strong>EPR spectroscopy</strong>, which can capture free radicals whose lifetime is only a few nanoseconds and “freezes” them, giving scientists the space to examine them.</p><p><i>“This allowed us to describe the entire reaction that took place in the material. We thus obtained information that we and other scientists can use in follow-up research,”</i> points out Daina Arenas Buelvas.</p><blockquote><p>Researchers use a technique called<i> spin trapping</i> to confirm that the material produces reactive oxygen species that break down impurities. Since these molecules are too short-lived to be detected directly, a special 'trap' molecule is added to convert them into a stable, measurable compound, definitively proving that the material generates the active cleaning agents.</p></blockquote><p>The results of the research were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214993726002150?via%3Dihub"><strong>published</strong></a><strong> </strong>in the prestigious scientific magazine <i>Sustainable Materials and Technologies</i>. In addition to the <i>Quantum Molecular Magnetism</i> team of Vinicius Tadeu Santana from CEITEC BUT, the Brazilian scientific teams of Felipe La Porta from the University of Paraná and Débora Quadreli from the University of Londrina, and the team of Christian M. M. Rocha from the University of Barranquilla, Colombia, also participated in it.</p><h3><strong>They will test the use against microplastics</strong></h3><p>The scientists verified the effectiveness of graphitic carbon nitride, which is the name of the used carbon and nitrogen compound, in water contaminated with methylene blue. Thanks to the photocatalytic reaction, the compound removed 97.2% of the impurities.</p><p>The wide availability of urea and the easy treatment required to obtain the key compound allow for rapid implementation in practice. At the same time, other scientific works can follow up on this research.</p><p>Daina Arenas Buelvas also plans to do the same. <i>"I want to find out whether it is possible to use photocatalysis in graphitic carbon nitride to remove microplastics. But we are only at the beginning," </i>adds the scientist, who came to the Czech Republic from Colombia.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Cisteni_vody_pomoci_svetla_Laboratorni_testy_prokazaly_ucinnost_az_97_3_0b9e23b800.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Jakub Rozboud:  Purifying Water Using Light? Laboratory Tests Have Shown 97% Efficiency: EPR laboratory at CEITEC BUT." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Cisteni_vody_pomoci_svetla_Laboratorni_testy_prokazaly_ucinnost_az_97_3_0b9e23b800.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>Article&nbsp;</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214993726002150?via%3Dihub"><strong>Unraveling precursor effects on the cytotoxicity, adsorption and photocatalytic Performance of g-C3N4 materials: Insights from experimental and computational approaches</strong></a></h4><p>Daina D.A. Buelvas, João P.A. de Jesus, Lucie Kotásková, Christian M.M. Rocha, Débora H. Quadreli, Juliana M. Serpeloni, Glaura S.A. Fernandes, Bruno L.S. Vicentin, Vinicius T. Santana, Felipe A. La Porta&nbsp;</p><p><span><strong>Sustain. Mater. Technol.</strong>, 2026, <strong>48</strong>, e02064</span></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e02064"><span>10.1016/j.susmat.2026.e02064</span></a></p></blockquote>

 Purifying Water Using Light? Laboratory Tests Have Shown 97% Efficiency 

<p><strong>Olomouc – The new REEactor technology platform addresses the growing demand for rare earth elements and the challenges associated with their extraction. Alexander Dömling from CATRIN at Palacký University has received a prestigious European Research Council grant in the Proof of Concept category to develop this platform. Together with his team, the renowned chemist aims to use automated chemistry, artificial intelligence and molecular research to speed up and streamline the separation of these raw materials, while reducing both chemical consumption and the volume of toxic waste generated during their extraction. The project was officially launched yesterday in the presence of academics and representatives from the public sector.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_2_648397508e.jpg" alt="CATRIN: The REEactor project has been launched. It will simplify the separation of rare earth elements" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_2_648397508e.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1440"></p><p><i>“Securing an ERC Proof of Concept grant is an important validation of our vision that autonomous chemistry, automation and artificial intelligence can help address one of Europe’s most pressing challenges in the field of critical raw materials. For decades, China has been building up expertise in the separation of rare-earth elements, specialised academic capacity and industrial know-how.</i></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_3_049bc5af73.jpg" alt="CATRIN: The REEactor project has been launched. It will simplify the separation of rare earth elements" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_3_049bc5af73.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1440"></p><p>Rare earth elements comprise <strong>17 chemical elements</strong> that are essential, for example, in the manufacture of batteries, electric vehicles, aeroplanes, drones, wind turbines, mobile phones, medical diagnostic equipment, semiconductors and high-performance magnets. The industrial separation of rare-earth elements is currently largely concentrated in China and is associated with a number of problems. REEactor will focus on finding the molecular key to one of the most difficult problems in the processing of critical raw materials: how to separate rare-earth elements that are nearly identical. Instead of slowly testing individual compounds, it will use automation to prepare and test tens of thousands of molecular variants, with artificial intelligence helping to identify the most successful ones.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_4_8418d66c05.jpg" alt="CATRIN: The REEactor project has been launched. It will simplify the separation of rare earth elements" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_4_8418d66c05.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1703" height="1277"></p><p><i>“The main aim of the project is to demonstrate that rare-earth elements can be separated more easily, using fewer chemicals and less energy, and producing less waste. In the longer term, REEactor could help replace large, resource-intensive industrial separation plants with smaller, modular facilities that are more efficient, flexible and environmentally friendly. The transfer of the technology into industrial practice shall be carried out by the newly established spin-off company REEactor, the development of which is another objective of the project,”&nbsp;</i>said&nbsp;<strong>Imma&nbsp;Capriello</strong>, CEO and Co-Founder&nbsp;of&nbsp;REEactor Tech and a member&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;research team at CATRIN.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_5_db1bfe4fea.jpg" alt="CATRIN: The REEactor project has been launched. It will simplify the separation of rare earth elements" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Projekt_RE_Eactor_odstartoval_Zjednodusi_separaci_prvku_vzacnych_zemin_5_db1bfe4fea.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1440"></p><blockquote><p>In the first round of the 2026 call for proposals, the European Research Council (ERC) awarded a total of <strong>27.3 million euros to 182 researchers</strong>; only <strong>one project in the Czech Republic </strong>received funding. Each grant is worth €150,000 and is intended for current and recent ERC grant holders to enable them to validate the commercial or societal potential of their research results. This grant programme forms part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation.</p></blockquote>

The REEactor project has been launched. It will simplify the separation of rare earth elements

<div><div><div><p><strong>Molecules are never still. Driven by thermal energy, they are constantly moving through space, while their individual parts also rotate relative to one another. Scientists at IOCB Prague have now shown that random motion within a molecule can be dramatically suppressed. Using light, they can slow down the relative rotation of two different parts of a single molecule by up to five orders of magnitude, paving the way for more complex molecular machines.</strong></p></div></div><div><p>Driven by thermal energy, individual parts of molecules are constantly vibrating, rotating, and changing their positions – a phenomenon known as Brownian motion. Unlike conventional engineers, scientists building molecular machines therefore work with components that are constantly in motion. To assemble them into a functioning mechanism, they need to be able to control this motion. This is precisely what the<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kaleta.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>team of Jiří Kaleta</strong></a><strong> </strong>at IOCB Prague has achieved.</p><p>The scientists created a molecular system incorporating two key components: a light-controlled molecular motor and a rotor that randomly rotates around its axis because of thermal motion. <i>“When we shine light on the molecule, the motor changes its spatial arrangement, which in turn affects the motion of the rotor. In the ‘unbraked’ state, the rotor can rotate easily, while in the ‘braked’ state, the motor physically obstructs its motion and significantly increases the energy barrier the rotor must overcome to turn,”</i> explains <strong>Lukáš Severa, first author of the study</strong>.</p><p>The principle can be pictured as a hand freely mounted on an axis and constantly jostled by tiny vibrations. If nothing stands in its way, it can rotate easily. But when an obstacle is placed in its path, its rotation slows dramatically. In the molecule, this obstacle is created by the moving part of the molecular motor.</p></div><blockquote><h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gTTUUdyekQ"><strong>Video</strong></a></h5></blockquote><div><h3><strong>Up to a 300,000-Fold Slowdown</strong></h3><div><p>The difference between the two states is striking. <i>“In previous similar systems, it was possible to change the rotation rate by no more than a factor of one hundred. With our approach, we have achieved a slowdown of approximately 300,000-fold, which represents a major breakthrough,”</i> says Jiří Kaleta.</p><p>The difference between the two states becomes even more dramatic as the temperature decreases. If, at a very low temperature, the unbraked rotor completed one rotation per second, under the same conditions the braked rotor would take approximately 350 billion years to complete a single rotation – about twenty-five times the current age of the universe.</p><p>The ability to control the motion of individual components is essential for constructing more complex molecular machines.<i> “If you want to build a more complex mechanism, having a motor alone is not enough. You also need elements that can regulate and coordinate the motion of individual components. We are demonstrating one principle for achieving this at the molecular level,”</i> concludes Jiří Kaleta.</p></div><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Jak_zkrotit_nahodny_pohyb_uvnitr_molekuly_Vedci_to_umi_svetlem_1624400c8f.webp" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: How to tame random motion inside a molecule? Scientists can do it with light: Lukáš Severa and Jiří Kaleta" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Jak_zkrotit_nahodny_pohyb_uvnitr_molekuly_Vedci_to_umi_svetlem_1624400c8f.webp 234w," sizes="100vw" width="810" height="540"></p></div><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.7061287"><strong>Light-Gated Control of Brownian Rotation by a Molecular Motor</strong></a></h4><p>Severa, L., Bezděková, K., Majerová Varga, K., Bastien, G., Stroka, M., Císařová, I., Dračínský, M., &amp; Kaleta, J.&nbsp;</p><p><span><strong>Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.</strong>, 2026, <strong>65</strong>, e7061287</span></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.7061287">https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.7061287</a></p><h6>Licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote></div>

How to tame random motion inside a molecule? Scientists can do it with light

Article

Video

Water

Science and research

Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

CATRIN

Linde REDLINE Pressure Regulators C 200/1 & C 200/2

REDLINE C 200 pressure regulators provide precise and stable gas control up to 6.0 purity, ideal for laboratory, analytical, and research applications.

<p><strong>The REDLINE C 200 series pressure regulators (models C 200/1 single-stage and C 200/2 dual-stage) are designed for precise control of non-corrosive gases with purity levels up to 6.0 (99.9999%), as well as gas mixtures containing low concentrations of corrosive components.</strong></p><p>These regulators ensure excellent pressure stability, high accuracy, and preservation of gas purity, making them ideal for demanding laboratory, analytical, and research applications.</p><p>The C 200/1 single-stage version is suitable for applications with stable inlet pressure, such as gases supplied in liquid phase. The C 200/2 dual-stage version is specifically designed for systems where inlet pressure fluctuates, ensuring highly stable outlet pressure even under changing conditions.</p><h4><span><strong>Key Features</strong></span></h4><ul><li>High precision pressure regulation for analytical applications</li><li>Suitable for high-purity gases up to grade 6.0 (99.9999%)</li><li>Excellent outlet pressure stability (especially dual-stage version)</li><li>Designed to maintain gas purity and minimize contamination</li><li>Wide range of configurable outlet pressure ranges</li><li>Flexible configuration with multiple valve and purging options</li><li>Robust and reliable design for laboratory and R&amp;D environments</li></ul><h4><span><strong>Technical Specifications</strong></span></h4><ul><li><strong>Inlet pressure:</strong> up to 230 bar</li><li><strong>Outlet pressure ranges:</strong><ul><li><i>C 200/1 (single-stage):</i> 3 / 6 / 10 / 14 / 16 / 28 / 35 / 50 / 100 / 200 bar</li><li><i>C 200/2 (dual-stage):</i> 1 / 3 / 6 / 10 / 14 bar</li></ul></li><li><strong>Gas compatibility:</strong><ul><li>Non-corrosive gases up to purity 6.0</li><li>Gas mixtures with low corrosive content</li></ul></li><li><strong>Inlet connections:</strong><ul><li>According to DIN 477 and gas specification</li></ul></li><li><strong>Outlet connections:</strong><ul><li>Compression fittings</li><li>Hose nozzles</li></ul></li></ul><h4><span><strong>Available Configurations</strong></span></h4><h5><span><strong>Models</strong></span></h5><ul><li><strong>C 200/1 (Single-stage)</strong><br>Designed for applications with stable inlet pressure</li><li><strong>C 200/2 (Dual-stage)</strong><br>Designed for fluctuating inlet pressure with maximum outlet stability</li></ul><h4><span><strong>Optional Equipment</strong></span></h4><ul><li>Shut-off valve (Type A)</li><li>Needle valve (Type B)</li><li>High-pressure side purge (Type P)</li><li>Inert/external gas purge (Type TP)</li><li>Purge manifold (Type EP)</li><li>Post-purge (Type DP – available only for C 200/2)</li></ul><h4><span><strong>Applications</strong></span></h4><ul><li>Laboratory gas supply systems</li><li>Analytical instrumentation (e.g., GC, LC, MS workflows)</li><li>Research and development environments</li><li>High-purity gas distribution systems</li><li>Any application requiring stable pressure and contamination-free gas delivery</li></ul>

Linde REDLINE Pressure Regulators C 300/1 & C 300/2

REDLINE C 300 pressure regulators provide precise and stable gas control up to 6.0 purity, ensuring reliability for laboratory, analytical, and research applications.

<p><strong>The REDLINE C 300 series pressure regulators (models C 300/1 single-stage and C 300/2 dual-stage) are designed for precise control of non-corrosive gases with purity levels up to 6.0 (99.9999%), as well as gas mixtures containing low concentrations of corrosive components.</strong></p><p>Thanks to their robust design and high-quality manufacturing, these regulators provide excellent pressure stability, accuracy, and long-term reliability. They are particularly well suited for demanding laboratory, analytical, and research applications where maintaining gas purity and consistent pressure is critical.</p><p>The C 300/1 single-stage regulator is recommended for applications with relatively stable inlet pressure, such as gases supplied in liquid phase. The C 300/2 dual-stage version is intended for systems with fluctuating inlet pressure, ensuring highly stable outlet pressure and improved control under varying operating conditions.</p><h4><span><strong>Key Features</strong></span></h4><ul><li>Precise and stable pressure regulation for analytical workflows</li><li>Compatible with high-purity gases up to grade 6.0 (99.9999%)</li><li>Dual-stage version provides superior outlet pressure stability</li><li>Designed to maintain gas purity and minimize contamination risks</li><li>Wide range of adjustable outlet pressure settings</li><li>Modular design with multiple optional valve and purge configurations</li><li>High reliability for continuous laboratory and R&amp;D operation</li></ul><h4><span><strong>Technical Specifications</strong></span></h4><ul><li><strong>Inlet pressure:</strong> up to 300 bar</li><li><strong>Outlet pressure ranges:</strong><ul><li><i>C 300/1 (single-stage):</i> 3 / 6 / 10 / 14 / 16 / 28 / 35 / 50 / 100 / 200 bar</li><li><i>C 300/2 (dual-stage):</i> 1 / 3 / 6 / 10 / 14 bar</li></ul></li><li><strong>Gas compatibility:</strong><ul><li>Non-corrosive gases up to purity 6.0</li><li>Gas mixtures with low corrosive content</li></ul></li><li><strong>Inlet connections:</strong><ul><li>According to DIN 477 and gas specification</li></ul></li><li><strong>Outlet connections:</strong><ul><li>Compression fittings</li><li>Hose nozzles</li></ul></li></ul><h4><span><strong>Available Configurations</strong></span></h4><h5><span><strong>Models</strong></span></h5><ul><li><strong>C 300/1 (Single-stage)</strong><br>Designed for applications with stable inlet pressure</li><li><strong>C 300/2 (Dual-stage)</strong><br>Designed for fluctuating inlet pressure with maximum outlet pressure stability</li></ul><h4><span><strong>Optional Equipment</strong></span></h4><ul><li>Shut-off valve (Type A)</li><li>Needle valve (Type B)</li><li>High-pressure side purge (Type P)</li><li>Inert gas purge (Type TP)</li><li>Purge manifold (Type EP)</li><li>Post-purge (Type DP – available only for C 300/2)</li></ul><h4><span><strong>Applications</strong></span></h4><ul><li>Analytical instrumentation (e.g., GC, LC, MS systems)</li><li>Laboratory gas supply systems</li><li>Research and development environments</li><li>High-purity gas distribution systems</li><li>Applications requiring precise pressure control and contamination-free gas delivery</li></ul>

Products from category Cylinder pressure regulators from Linde - page 1

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