Like a factory with two functions, some metal-organic cages (MOCs) can either store the pollutant SO2 or turn it into a less harmful form. The key? Different chemical companions, known as counterions. By swapping these companions, scientists can flip the switch between just trapping SO2 or converting it into sulfate. Take Pd6L8 MOCs for instance, which can hold up to...

Electronics are piling up, and so is the waste they create. This waste, known as e-waste, contains precious metals like gold that are often lost. Scientists have come up with a clever solution: a light, spongy material called aerogel. This material is made by combining two types of compounds and has tiny holes that can quickly soak up gold from e-waste. It can hold a...