Darren Broom
@darrenbroom.bsky.social
Product Manager @hidenisochema.bsky.social. Hydrogen storage, gas adsorption & reproducibility enthusiast. Salford University alumni, ex-neutron scatterer & adopted Mancunian.
Associate Editor, Adsorption. Editorial Board Member, Green Carbon.
Associate Editor, Adsorption. Editorial Board Member, Green Carbon.
Pinned
Darren Broom
@darrenbroom.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Challenges in characterizing adsorbents for gas storage and separation - Adsorption
Porous adsorbents, including activated carbons, zeolites, silicas, and newer materials such as metal–organic frameworks, have been investigated extensively for gas storage and separation applications....
link.springer.com
Hello BlueSky!
I'm a Product Manager @hidenisochema.bsky.social, a leading manufacturer of gas & vapor sorption instruments. In my spare time, amongst other things, I write articles like this, on gas #adsorption, #hydrogen storage & #reproducibility:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
I'm a Product Manager @hidenisochema.bsky.social, a leading manufacturer of gas & vapor sorption instruments. In my spare time, amongst other things, I write articles like this, on gas #adsorption, #hydrogen storage & #reproducibility:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Darren Broom
Scientists have successfully captured the sound of two helium atoms laughing.
HeHe
HeHe
February 16, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Scientists have successfully captured the sound of two helium atoms laughing.
HeHe
HeHe
Reposted by Darren Broom
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Reposted by Darren Broom
Hello everyone. We heard there's a great materials science community on bluesky, so we've entered the arena. We'll be primarily posting educational content on X-ray scattering, synchrotron access, and about measurement opportunities and releases of data analysis tools for the community.
February 13, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Hello everyone. We heard there's a great materials science community on bluesky, so we've entered the arena. We'll be primarily posting educational content on X-ray scattering, synchrotron access, and about measurement opportunities and releases of data analysis tools for the community.
Reposted by Darren Broom
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
February 12, 2026 at 7:38 AM
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
Fancy some light (hydrogen storage) reading?
This new review on hydrogen sorption in rocks (for geological #hydrogen storage) looks interesting.
Some of the data seem to be all over the place, so it appears there is much work to be done in this area.
This new review on hydrogen sorption in rocks (for geological #hydrogen storage) looks interesting.
Some of the data seem to be all over the place, so it appears there is much work to be done in this area.
Revisiting Hydrogen Sorption–Desorption in Natural Rocks
Hydrogen sorption and desorption in natural rocks are increasingly referenced across subsurface energy and environmental applications, including underground hydrogen storage, natural hydrogen exploration, geological hydrogen generation, and radioactive waste containment. However, the extent to which these physical interactions influence hydrogen behavior in geological materials remains poorly understood. This review examines current experimental and theoretical studies (atomistic simulation and isotherm modeling) of hydrogen sorption and desorption in natural rocks. We evaluated reported sorption capacities and their variability across different lithologies alongside the influencing parameters and the occurrence of hysteresis. Additionally, we modeled all available data using multiple isotherm models to identify the best-fitting formulations. By synthesizing results across diverse methods and geological settings, we identify where physical sorption–desorption is likely to matter, where it is negligible, and what this means for understanding hydrogen transport and retention in the subsurface. Additionally, we provided practical implications of adsorption–desorption, identified critical data gaps, and proposed future research directions to advance the understanding of hydrogen behavior in geological formations.
pubs.acs.org
February 7, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Fancy some light (hydrogen storage) reading?
This new review on hydrogen sorption in rocks (for geological #hydrogen storage) looks interesting.
Some of the data seem to be all over the place, so it appears there is much work to be done in this area.
This new review on hydrogen sorption in rocks (for geological #hydrogen storage) looks interesting.
Some of the data seem to be all over the place, so it appears there is much work to be done in this area.
Reposted by Darren Broom
it's unbelievable to me that someone could actually be a trillionaire. i think most of us have trouble internalizing how much money that truly is. let me put it in simple terms for you: a trillion dollars is three million dollars
February 5, 2026 at 8:27 PM
it's unbelievable to me that someone could actually be a trillionaire. i think most of us have trouble internalizing how much money that truly is. let me put it in simple terms for you: a trillion dollars is three million dollars
Reposted by Darren Broom
Our paper on the instrument, beautifully named Wombat, is now published doi.org/10.1107/S160... @japplcryst.iucr.org - We're currently also open for experiment submissions - deadline 16th March neutron.ansto.gov.au
Wombat, the high-intensity diffractometer in operation at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
We describe the Wombat neutron diffraction instrument, which has been operational for the past 17 years at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering.
doi.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Our paper on the instrument, beautifully named Wombat, is now published doi.org/10.1107/S160... @japplcryst.iucr.org - We're currently also open for experiment submissions - deadline 16th March neutron.ansto.gov.au
Reposted by Darren Broom
'Liquid hydrogen carriers are being built not because they offer universally superior economics to ammonia, but because they serve specific market segments where purity requirements, reconversion costs, or application constraints make ammonia technically or economically unsuitable.'
#hydrogen
#hydrogen
The Future of Liquid Hydrogen Carriers: Economics vs Ammonia
In‑depth analysis of liquid hydrogen carriers versus ammonia: Kawasaki’s 40,000 m³ LH2 vessel, Japan’s 3M tonne import target, and detailed TCO comparison showing when LH2 beats ammonia on delivered h...
timharper.net
February 4, 2026 at 7:14 AM
'Liquid hydrogen carriers are being built not because they offer universally superior economics to ammonia, but because they serve specific market segments where purity requirements, reconversion costs, or application constraints make ammonia technically or economically unsuitable.'
#hydrogen
#hydrogen
Reposted by Darren Broom
AstraZeneca is hiring in Predictive Science, Digital, and Automation and you even get my face on your screen. Being real, this is an awesome department to work in though #chemjobs #UKchemjobs #EUchemjobs www.linkedin.com/posts/nessac...
Not 100% sure whether becoming *my* new colleague is a win or a threat, 😂 but the amazing PSDA group at AstraZeneca is looking for new faces to join a clever, fun, and interdisciplinary team! I… | Nes...
Not 100% sure whether becoming *my* new colleague is a win or a threat, 😂 but the amazing PSDA group at AstraZeneca is looking for new faces to join a clever, fun, and interdisciplinary team! I believ...
www.linkedin.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:10 AM
AstraZeneca is hiring in Predictive Science, Digital, and Automation and you even get my face on your screen. Being real, this is an awesome department to work in though #chemjobs #UKchemjobs #EUchemjobs www.linkedin.com/posts/nessac...
Reposted by Darren Broom
Reposted by Darren Broom
'Our comparative assessment reveals that GCC solar installations achieve 1800–2000 hours of annual full-load operation versus 950–1400 hours in European and Asian markets, enabling projected green hydrogen production costs of $0.80–$1.60/kg by 2030, significantly below global competitors'
#hydrogen
#hydrogen
From hydrocarbons to hydrogen: how GCC oil giants are reinventing energy leadership - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - From hydrocarbons to hydrogen: how GCC oil giants are reinventing energy leadership
www.nature.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 PM
'Our comparative assessment reveals that GCC solar installations achieve 1800–2000 hours of annual full-load operation versus 950–1400 hours in European and Asian markets, enabling projected green hydrogen production costs of $0.80–$1.60/kg by 2030, significantly below global competitors'
#hydrogen
#hydrogen
Reposted by Darren Broom
'Swedish green steel startup Stegra said on Monday that it has secured Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing as its first customer for non-prime steel from a hydrogen-based plant it is building in northern Sweden that is due to start operations next year.'
Swedish green steel startup Stegra signs deal to supply Thyssenkrupp Materials
Swedish green steel startup Stegra said on Monday that it has secured Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing as its first customer for non-prime steel from a hydrogen-based plant it is building in northern...
www.reuters.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:06 PM
'Swedish green steel startup Stegra said on Monday that it has secured Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing as its first customer for non-prime steel from a hydrogen-based plant it is building in northern Sweden that is due to start operations next year.'
Reposted by Darren Broom
Fascinating obituary of Edith Flanigen, a Union Carbide research chemist: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/s... #chemsky
Edith Flanigen, Award-Winning Research Chemist, Dies at 96
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Fascinating obituary of Edith Flanigen, a Union Carbide research chemist: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/s... #chemsky
Reposted by Darren Broom
We're currently attending the 2026 AFA (Association Française de l’Adsorption) Annual Meeting at the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (UPPA), in Anglet, France.
Come and say hi to Michelle Mercer if you're there!
#ChemSky #Adsorption
Come and say hi to Michelle Mercer if you're there!
#ChemSky #Adsorption
January 28, 2026 at 11:53 AM
We're currently attending the 2026 AFA (Association Française de l’Adsorption) Annual Meeting at the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (UPPA), in Anglet, France.
Come and say hi to Michelle Mercer if you're there!
#ChemSky #Adsorption
Come and say hi to Michelle Mercer if you're there!
#ChemSky #Adsorption
Reposted by Darren Broom
Sales of new cars in the European Union rose by 1.8% last year, with electric cars making up a bigger share of the market, while Tesla sales plummeted as it lost ground to China’s BYD.
Nearly 1.9m battery-electric cars were registered which made up 17.4% of sales, up from 13.6% a year earlier.
/1
Nearly 1.9m battery-electric cars were registered which made up 17.4% of sales, up from 13.6% a year earlier.
/1
EU car sales grow 1.8% in 2025 with electric cars surging but Tesla loses market share – business live
Sales at Elon Musk’s carmaker plummet nearly 38% in 2025 as it loses ground to China’s BYD; gold continues to rise
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Sales of new cars in the European Union rose by 1.8% last year, with electric cars making up a bigger share of the market, while Tesla sales plummeted as it lost ground to China’s BYD.
Nearly 1.9m battery-electric cars were registered which made up 17.4% of sales, up from 13.6% a year earlier.
/1
Nearly 1.9m battery-electric cars were registered which made up 17.4% of sales, up from 13.6% a year earlier.
/1
Reposted by Darren Broom
📢 Just a few days left to send your oral abstracts for #UKPorMat2026, deadline on the 31st January 📢
With Sanjit Nayak we are looking forward to welcoming you in the beautiful city of Bristol 🌉 on the 9-10th June 2026 for what promises to be another excellent and fun porous materials conference.
With Sanjit Nayak we are looking forward to welcoming you in the beautiful city of Bristol 🌉 on the 9-10th June 2026 for what promises to be another excellent and fun porous materials conference.
UK Porous Materials Conference (UKPorMat)
The UK Porous Materials Group annual meeting and conference, covering all porous materials from MOFs, COFs, POCs, POPs, PCPs, PIMs & zeolites. UKPorMat.
www.ukpormat.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:38 PM
📢 Just a few days left to send your oral abstracts for #UKPorMat2026, deadline on the 31st January 📢
With Sanjit Nayak we are looking forward to welcoming you in the beautiful city of Bristol 🌉 on the 9-10th June 2026 for what promises to be another excellent and fun porous materials conference.
With Sanjit Nayak we are looking forward to welcoming you in the beautiful city of Bristol 🌉 on the 9-10th June 2026 for what promises to be another excellent and fun porous materials conference.
Reposted by Darren Broom
Extremely important and well researched text
The Geopolitics of Hydrogen
Volume 1: European Strategies in Global Perspective
Open access
The Geopolitics of Hydrogen
Volume 1: European Strategies in Global Perspective
Open access
The Geopolitics of Hydrogen
This open access book is a comprehensive exploration of European hydrogen policy, examining its development at both the EU level and in key Member States
link.springer.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Extremely important and well researched text
The Geopolitics of Hydrogen
Volume 1: European Strategies in Global Perspective
Open access
The Geopolitics of Hydrogen
Volume 1: European Strategies in Global Perspective
Open access
Reposted by Darren Broom
Matt Goodwin was my university tutor. I’ll have a few things to say about him over the coming weeks.
NEW: Former academic Matt Goodwin has been announced as Reform UK's candidate for the Gorton & Denton byelection.
January 27, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Matt Goodwin was my university tutor. I’ll have a few things to say about him over the coming weeks.
Reposted by Darren Broom
This sucks
These should be taxed to oblivion
These should be taxed to oblivion
Number of US-style pickup trucks on UK roads up 92% in a decade, data shows
Number of US-style pickup trucks on UK roads up 92% in a decade, data shows
Exclusive: Campaigners say ‘menacing vehicles’ are putting children at risk owing to their large front blind zones
The number of US-style pickup trucks on UK roads has almost doubled in the past 10 years, data shows.
The vehicles are more environmentally damaging than ordinary cars, and more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Campaigners have said the extra-large vehicles, which are often too big for UK streets and parking spaces, are built like “battering rams”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:12 AM
This sucks
These should be taxed to oblivion
These should be taxed to oblivion
Reposted by Darren Broom
A Transferable Force Field for Simulating Adsorption in Metal–Organic Frameworks with Open Metal Sites Based on the 12–6–4 Lennard-Jones Potential http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jcim.5c02893
January 25, 2026 at 2:12 PM
A Transferable Force Field for Simulating Adsorption in Metal–Organic Frameworks with Open Metal Sites Based on the 12–6–4 Lennard-Jones Potential http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jcim.5c02893
Reposted by Darren Broom
Are you a #Crystallographer and thinking about going to @iucr2026.bsky.social? Do you have a project/idea/discussion point about Crystallography outreach? Then submit an abstract by 15th Feb to MS15 'Engaging all with crystallography' event.fourwaves.com/iucr-2026/sc...
Twenty-Seventh Congress and General Assembly of the International Union of Crystallography
Join Twenty-Seventh Congress and General Assembly of the International Union of Crystallography, August 11, 2026. Learn more on Fourwaves.
event.fourwaves.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Are you a #Crystallographer and thinking about going to @iucr2026.bsky.social? Do you have a project/idea/discussion point about Crystallography outreach? Then submit an abstract by 15th Feb to MS15 'Engaging all with crystallography' event.fourwaves.com/iucr-2026/sc...
Reposted by Darren Broom
I've been proposing my solution for a decade now: if you publish one paper as corresponding or first author, you bring cake. I'll leave you predictions on what would happen, but certainly the number of publications would drop like a step function. #ChemSky #AcademicSky
Yesterday, I thought I'd single-handedly solved most of the problems in academic publishing, using a simple idea. I posted it on LinkedIn, but it's since gained a disappointingly small amount of traction.
January 22, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I've been proposing my solution for a decade now: if you publish one paper as corresponding or first author, you bring cake. I'll leave you predictions on what would happen, but certainly the number of publications would drop like a step function. #ChemSky #AcademicSky
Reposted by Darren Broom
This is an excellent analogy, because my recollection from grade school is that the pen on the right looks fun and exciting, and then you play with it for a few minutes and realize it's not actually useful for anything and in fact makes some tasks more cumbersome, and never think about it again.
yeah, just out of interest, how many people choose the pen on the right for real work or art? See a lot of them in professional workplaces, do you?
January 22, 2026 at 12:21 PM
This is an excellent analogy, because my recollection from grade school is that the pen on the right looks fun and exciting, and then you play with it for a few minutes and realize it's not actually useful for anything and in fact makes some tasks more cumbersome, and never think about it again.
Yesterday, I thought I'd single-handedly solved most of the problems in academic publishing, using a simple idea. I posted it on LinkedIn, but it's since gained a disappointingly small amount of traction.
January 22, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Yesterday, I thought I'd single-handedly solved most of the problems in academic publishing, using a simple idea. I posted it on LinkedIn, but it's since gained a disappointingly small amount of traction.