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sciencearthub.bsky.social
ScienceArtHub
@sciencearthub.bsky.social
280 followers 220 following 51 posts
All about Intersection of Science & Art | Outreach Project by Alex Kirillov & Research Team at University of Lisbon-IST @MINDlabpt.bsky.social & https://MINDlab.pt | #SciArt & #SciComm for #Science #Education

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sciencearthub.bsky.social
Pumpkin’s Power Time: Happy Halloween!
#sciart #scicomm #chemistry #fluorescencefriday
What gives pumpkins their bright orange color and makes them so healthy?
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November 1, 2025 at 11:49 AM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Terpene Tales: Pathways to Value-Added Products.
Our research featured on a Cover @inorgchemfront.rsc.org
doi.org/10.1039/D5QI...
Inorg. Chem. Front. (rsc.li/frontiers-inorganic) is an interdisciplinary journal of @RSC.org that is dedicated to inorganic chemistry and related fields.
#scicomm #sciart
Terpenes are abundant & renewable biomass-derived hydrocarbons that can be used for generating added-value products with relevance in pharmaceutical and fragrance industries. In this work, we developed new copper-based catalysts and reaction protocols for the mild oxidation of terpenes with molecular oxygen into various value-added products. Research by the MINDlab: Molecular Design & Innovation Laboratory at CQE-IST, University of Lisbon (@MINDlabpt.bsky.social). Funded by the EU ITN project CHAIR: C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal.
August 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Bacterial Communication: The Microbial Conversation. What is the Secret Language of Bacteria?
#sciart #scicomm #bioart
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
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Bacterial communication, also known as quorum sensing, is an important communication mechanism used by bacteria to coordinate group behavior. Bacteria release into their environment the signaling molecules called autoinducers. As the bacterial population grows, the concentration of these signaling molecules increases. When a threshold concentration is reached, bacteria detect the signal and initiate synchronized actions. These can include the formation of biofilms, production of toxins, or regulation of gene expression. Quorum sensing helps bacteria to adapt to changing conditions and enhances their survival and pathogenicity. In particular, quorum sensing is essential for the formation of biofilms – the communities of bacteria embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. This matrix helps bacteria to adhere to surfaces and provides protection from the immune system and antibiotics. Bacterial communication can also contribute to antibiotic resistance. The research on bacterial communication is thus important for understanding the bacterial ecosystems and combating antimicrobial resistance. Bacteria can communicate not only within their own species but also with other species. Besides, quorum sensing has evolutionary significance as it allows bacteria to constantly adapt to changing environments. An abstract representation of two communicating rod-shaped bacteria is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub For our resent research on sustainable antibacterial materials, see: T. A. Fernandes et al. RSC Appl. Interfaces 2024, 1, 98. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LF00123G S. W. Jaros et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2024, 16, 13411. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c15606
August 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Black Rubies: The Science & Art Behind these Timeless Gems.
Why do Rubies have Various Colors? What’s the Difference between Rubies and Sapphires?
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#sciart #scicomm #chemistry #chemsky #science
Rubies are fascinating gemstones that have captivated humans for centuries. Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum. This is an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is colorless or white in its pure form. The most prized color for rubies is a vivid, deep red with a hint of blue. However, rubies can range in color from pinkish-red to purplish-red, and their intensity and hue can vary. The red color of rubies is caused by trace amounts of chromium ions (up to 1%) that replace aluminum ions in the crystal lattice of corundum. And the amount of chromium in rubies is directly associated with the intensity of red color. Rubies are closely related to sapphires, which are a different variety of corundum that contains a mix of metal ions (e.g., iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, magnesium) in trace amounts. These metal ion inclusions are responsible for distinct blue, yellow, purple, or green colors of sapphires. In other words, all non-red varieties of corundum are classified as sapphires. Due to popularity and rarity, rubies are often synthesized in laboratories. Synthetic rubies have the same physical and chemical properties as natural rubies and are indistinguishable without special analytical equipment. However, natural rubies are generally more valuable than synthetic ones. Rubies are also the hardest gemstones after diamonds. Apart from the use in jewelry, rubies have various industrial applications, including in lasers, medical instruments, and cutting tools. An X-pattern of “black rubies” is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub
August 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Shells: The Art Born of Ocean Motion.
Historical Science Art from 1904.
Prosobranch Gastropods. Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature.
#sciart #scicomm #bioart
August 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Science & Art of Climate Change: "Politicians Discussing Climate Change".
Street Art by Isaac Cordal, Berlin.
#sciart #scicomm #science #climatechange #globalwarming
streetartutopia.com/2024/06/10/p...
August 4, 2025 at 9:48 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Biomass & Sustainability: From Pines to Fragrances.
Our recent research was featured on a Cover @rscsustainability.rsc.org
doi.org/10.1039/D5SU...
RSC Sustainability (rsc.li/rscsus) is dedicated to sustainable chemistry & technologies for a greener future.
#sciart #scicomm #chemistry #sustainability
Pinene is one of the most abundant and low-cost biomass components that can be used as an attractive and renewable feedstock for generating added-value products with relevance in pharmaceutical, fragrance, and cosmetics industries. In this study, we developed new recyclable catalysts and sustainable protocols for the oxidation of pinene into verbenone and other products. This work is aligned with the goals of reducing waste and using biomass-based raw materials. RSC Sustainability (rsc.li/rscsus) is an interdisciplinary journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (@RoySocChem) that is dedicated to sustainable chemistry & technologies for a greener future. Research by the MINDlab: Molecular Design & Innovation Laboratory at CQE-IST, University of Lisbon (MINDlab.pt), in collaboration with Sorbonne Université (France) & Novartis Pharma (Switzerland). Funded by the EU ITN project CHAIR: C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal.
August 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Red Algae: A Blend of Science, Art & Sustainability.
#sciart #scicomm #bioart #science #education
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Image shows Red Algae (Florideae) - Historical Science Art from 1899-1904. Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature.
Algae is an informal definition of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms, which include unicellular microalgae, diatoms, and multicellular species. Algae produce nearly half of the oxygen we breathe, thanks to photosynthesis, the same process used by plants. Besides, algae combat climate change as they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Algae are also highly promising in the area of renewable energy. Scientists are studying them to create biofuels as a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. For example, a lipid part of algae (algal oil) can be converted to biodiesel, while the carbohydrate content of algae can be fermented into bioethanol fuel. Despite various benefits, the cost efficiency of microalgae-to-fuel technologies should still be improved. In the art world, a variety of shapes and vivid colors of algae make them perfect natural subjects for artworks. Artists are exploring algae in innovative ways, from creating visual pieces to using them as sustainable art materials such as algae-based paints and dyes. In sustainable fashion, designers are using algae-based fabrics and dyes, blending style with environmental consciousness. Finally, algae-based components are commonly used in cosmetics and as food supplements. The next time you see a green (or, more rarely, pink) patch in the water, remember, it's a tiny world of wonder.
July 27, 2025 at 12:42 AM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Salty Ice: A Magic Cooling Mixture.
What is a Simple Way to Decrease the Ice Temperature up to -20 °C? Just add salt.
#salt #ice #chemistry #sciart #scicomm #education
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This phenomenon is known as freezing point depression. When salt (sodium chloride) is added to ice, it dissolves in a thin layer of liquid water on the surface of ice. The presence of salt in liquid water decreases the freezing point of the solution. As more salt dissolves, the freezing point decreases further. This means that the ice becomes even colder to maintain a solid state in the presence of saltwater. Freezing point depression depends on the concentration of solute (salt) in a solvent (water). Ice absorbs heat from the environment when melting. In contrast, water releases energy when solidifying into ice. At the freezing point, these two processes are at equilibrium. When salt is added to water, it also disrupts the formation of the crystal structure of water. This interference makes it more difficult for the water molecules to turn into the solid phase, so they need to be cooled to a lower temperature to solidify. Apart from laboratory and culinary uses (ice cream preparation), this phenomenon of freezing point depression is crucial for winter road maintenance when roads are salted to melt ice and/or prevent its formation. Image shows a color change of salty ice from orange to cyan corresponding to a temperature decrease upon cooling. Image by @ScienceArtHub
July 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Nerve Jewelry: From Nerves to Necklaces. What is the Difference between Nerves and Neurons?
#sciart #scicomm #scienceart #nerves #neurons #cells #education #bioart
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Both nerves and neurons are the fundamental components of the nervous system. While neurons refer to individual cells, nerves are considered as a group of neurons interlinked by cord-like nerve fibers (axons) that transmit electric and chemical signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body. Nerves can be categorized as cranial (connected to the brain) or spinal (connected to the spinal cord). In terms of signal transmission, nerves serve as the communication channels for transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain (sensory nerves) and carrying motor signals from the brain to muscles and glands (motor nerves). The human nervous system is composed of billions of interconnected neurons forming a sort of “body’s electrical wiring”. It is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The latter plays a crucial role in connecting CNS to various body parts. The signals can be transmitted by the nervous system at a speed of up to 100 meters per second. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve that runs from the spinal cord to the toes on each side of the human body. As neurons do not divide or replace themselves, the damage of nervous system can be permanent. Nerve Jewelry: Where Nerves Meet Art. Neurons and nerves are often represented in various art objects including jewelry. An arrangement of nerves into necklaces is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub
July 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Historical Science Art from 1679: The Moon Art Before Photography.
Map of the Moon engraved on a large copper plate (Jean Dominique Cassini I, 1679).
#SciArt #SciComm #Moon
July 16, 2025 at 11:33 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Polyhedral Flowers: From Invisible to Visible NanoArt.
#sciart #scicomm #science
NanoArt is an emerging field at the intersection of art and science where artistic beauty of different objects is revealed at the nanoscale.
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Art and Science in a Grain of Sand.
#sciart #Scicomm #Science #outreach
nautil.us/art-and-scie...
July 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
The Art of Jellyfish.
Historical Science Art from 1899-1904.
Discomedusae, Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature.
#sciart #scicomm #bioart
July 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
The Art of Plant Pitching.
Historical Science Art from 1899-1904.
#sciart #scicomm #bioart #plants
Nepenthaceae (Nepenthes), tropical pitcher plants.
Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature.
July 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
The Best Science Images of 2024 - Nature’s Picks
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
#sciart #scicomm #bioart #nature
Bacterial Blossoms. These crinkly blooms of 0.2 mm wide are groups of bacteriophages - viruses that infect bacteria.
July 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
3D Nylon: The Art of 3D Printing
#sciart #scicomm #chemistry #science #outreach
Nylon is a versatile synthetic polymer used as a filament in 3D printing. Nylon belongs to a broad class of polymers called polyamides which can be naturally occurring (food proteins & silk) or synthetic (nylon).
While food proteins originate from amino acids and can be water-soluble and easily degradable, silk and nylon are not soluble and thus can be used as fibers. All polyamides feature repeating amide linkages but may have distinct chemical structures. Nylon is a generic name used for a family of different synthetic polymers with a high strength and durability. Nylon production was launched by DuPont in the 1930s, representing the first synthetic and commercially successful thermoplastic derived from petroleum. Nylons can be melted and processed into fibers, shapes, films, and composites, thus resulting in a wide range of applications in everyday products. Nylon is one of the most versatile synthetic materials in terms of applications. Two most common types of nylon include nylon-6,6 formed from adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine as monomers, and nylon-6 obtained via polymerization of caprolactam. A 3D nylon fiber pattern is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub Our research team investigates new catalytic systems for the mild oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, which are intermediates in the production of nylon-6. For further details, see: Inorg. Chem. 2025, 64, 8668. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c00461
July 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Cold Plasma: The Art of Motion. Can Plasma be Touchable?
#sciart #scicomm #science #outreach
Apart from solid, liquid and gas, there is also plasma as the fourth state of matter.
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July 1, 2025 at 6:21 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Mercury: The Art of Motion
#sciart #spaceart #mercury
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest in our solar system. Mercury rotates very slowly. One day on Mercury (sunrise to sunrise) lasts about 176 Earth days, while it completes an orbit around the Sun in just 88 Earth days.
June 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Photosynthesis: From Light to Life.
How do plants get energy?
#sciart #scicomm #chemistry #science #education
Using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, plants produce their own chemical energy (sugars like glucose) and release oxygen. This process is known as photosynthesis.
Using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, plants produce their own chemical energy (sugars like glucose) and release oxygen. This process is known as photosynthesis and happens inside chloroplasts - plastids in green plant cells packed with chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a magnesium-containing pigment responsible for the green color of leaves and plants. It absorbs light in the blue, red, or orange regions of the electromagnetic spectrum while reflecting the green light. Photosynthesis is a highly efficient process despite using only a small fraction of solar energy (1-2% of the sunlight received by plants). By absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen, plants help to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and combat global warming. A pattern made from avocado leaf images is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub
June 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Ancient Glass: Historical Science Art
Guess how old is this glass jar?
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#sciart #scicomm #glass
Ancient Science Art: Roman Glass from the First Century AD. Murano Glass Museum, Venice, Italy. Image by @ScienceArtHub
June 19, 2025 at 5:57 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Leaf Art & Science: Capturing Leaf Beauty.
#sciart #scicomm #bioart #leaves #chemistry
Why do leaves change color?(check out image description).
Leaves can be used in various ways to produce art, including leaf collage, printing, painting, or carving. The most common green color of leaves is explained by the presence of a pigment called chlorophyll that is vital for photosynthesis (conversion of light, carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen). In the fall, the levels of chlorophyll decline due to changes in temperature, daylight length, and other factors, causing a gradual disappearance of green color. Other colors of leaves become visible, which vary from yellow & orange to red & purple. These colors are caused by different quantities of residual chlorophyll and other pigments that are present in leaves. In particular, purple colors in leaves originate from the pigments called anthocyanins. These are also responsible for the intense colors of many purple, blue, and red flowers and fruits. Anthocyanins are also known for their antioxidant properties. Image shows an abstract leaf art pattern. Image by @ScienceArtHub
June 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Honey Crystals: The Art of Crystallization.
Why Does Honey Crystallize?
#sciart #scicomm #chemistry #science #education
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Crystallization or solidification of honey is a natural process that occurs in all types of honey. Honey is a supersaturated solution containing more than 80% of sugars (mainly glucose and fructose) and less than 20% of water. When crystallization of honey occurs, it becomes thicker and cloudy, and gets a coarse sugar texture. The crystallization of sugars in honey can be caused by temperature decrease, change of humidity, agitation, and presence of undissolved microcrystals of sugar or remains of polen that can act as centers of crystallization. Despite not having a golden liquid appearance, crystallized honey is perfectly good for consumption and can also be a sign of honey quality. Sugar crystallization in a processed (industrial) honey is generally less common. Placing crystallized honey in a warm water bath for 15-30 min may result in its liquefaction. A honey crystallization pattern is shown herein. Image by @ScienceArtHub
June 10, 2025 at 12:33 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Ancient Science Art: Roman Glass from the First Century AD.
Murano Glass Museum, Venice, Italy.
Image by @ScienceArtHub
#sciart #scicomm #glass #chemistry #fluorescencefriday
Image by @ScienceArtHub
June 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
sciencearthub.bsky.social
Hard Rock Art: Highlighting the Beauty of Nature.
What do you see here?
Is it a bird’s-eye view of an island?
A meteorite?
A beach rock?
Or perhaps a shimmering metallic mineral?
#sciart #scicomm #science #naturebeauty
Image by @ScienceArtHub.
June 3, 2025 at 10:20 PM