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  Methylene Blue (methylthioninium chloride) Methylene Blue (Source: flickr.com) IUPAS Name :  3,7-bis(Dimethylamino)-phenothiazin-5-ium chloride CAS Number :  61-73-4 Formula : C16H18ClN3S Relative molecular mass (anhydrous form): 319.85 Properties  Odorless Drak Green crystals Stable in Air Chemical Structure It is first synthesized in 1876. It is found effective against malaria.  It is used for medication, dye, and as staining agents.  Methylene Blue is approved for methemoglobinemia and unitary tract infections.  Side effects of methylene blue : Diarrhea, Vomiting, Nausea, Headache, Abdominal pain, etc. Is it effective Against Coronavirus? Methylene Blue has properties which makes it useful in medical purpose. It is Anti-Oxidant, Anti-viral, Anti-Fungal, and Anti-bacterial. It normalizes the blood pressure. But there isn’t any scientific research that establishes that methylene blue is helpful in Covid-19 therapy. "When used in sublingual and nebulized form M.B. helps remark

PEDOT   Name :  Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) IUPAC Name :  poly(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxane-5,7-diyl) CAS number : 126213-51-2 Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Chemically polymerized PEDOT was first discovered in 1988. Compare to earlier poly-thiophenes, PEDOT possesses greater advantageous properties.  These polymers have high stability and transparency in their conducting state.  The oxidative polymerization process is used to prepare PEDOT.  Each monomer 3,4 - ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) loses two electrons while oxidized and form conjugate poly-thiophene. It has a moderate bandgap and low redox- potential.  A disadvantage of these polymers is the solubility (very poor). By making composite with PSS (polystyrene sulfonate) or TMA (tetramethcrylate) this disadvantage will overcome. PSS is mostly used for commercial purposes.  There are many preparation methods that are developed according to their use.  Applications : Capacitors Electrochromic Displays Solar cells Prin

Researchers developed smart brick that can store energy, called a supercapacitor.  Image by Washington University/D'arcy Lab Red bricks are readily available and can be converted into energy storage devices once it is treated with polymer coating, said D'arcy assistant professor at Washington University in St Louis. The material used is PEDOT . The chemical name of PEDOT is poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) . It converts brick into a supercapacitor. Iron oxide helped the process, his team said. Image from D'arcy's lab shows, when LED connected to these smart bricks it lightens up.  Regular brick also can be used to make "smart brick", said D'arcy. The research is still in its infancy. The research paper is published in the journal of Nature communications.  

 What is the brain? The brain is the most complex part of the human body.  This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. Source: flickr.com The brain is a master chip of the human body. This 1.5 kg ( approx 3 pounds) organ controls the whole body, interprets input information. It is the most complex part of the human body.  We can't live without a brain. It is made up of 100 billion nerves.  Anatomy and function  The brain has 3 parts : 1) Cerebrum 2) Cerebellum 3) Brain stem 1) Cerebrum The cerebrum is an important part of the brain.  It contains the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and olfactory bulb. Cerebral cortex processes sensory and motor information.  Source: Wikipedia commons It consists of mainly neuron cell bodies,  its rumple surface is due to its folds and fissures (known as gyri and sulci). The cerebral has two hemispheres (left and right). This hemisphere is divided

 Global warming is a serious issue. Emission of carbon dioxide and other global warming gas from industries, vehicles, and air conditioning systems will cause a rise in earth's temperature. To reduce the effect of global warming, scientist and researchers work hard to find alternative technologies.  Recently, Prof. Xiulin Ruan (a Purdue University) and his team, developed a paint, called "ultra-white" paint.  Source: Purdue University Normal white paints possess 75- 85% reflectance.  Two materials were tested, CaCO 3 and BaSO 4 .  Paint containing CaCO3 possesses 95.5% reflectance. The paint could cool up to 1.7 °C below the surrounding temperature. Other paint containing BaSO 4 and acrylic paint can reflect the sunlight at wavelength which enough to pass through the atmosphere. This paint possesses 98.1% reflectance. It lowers the inner temperature by 4.5 degrees  °C.  CaCO 3 absorbs more sunlight  (4.5%) than BaSO 4 (absorbs 1.9% sunlight), because BaSO 4 has a hig

 Corona is at its highest peak in India. The country is suffering from an oxygen shortage.  A new strain of coronavirus causes damage to the respiratory system of the patient. The oxygen level of the patient decreases rapidly. Hundreds of patients are dying due to the unavailability of oxygen cylinders.  Source:  Getty Images The government is trying to provide enough oxygen supplies by diverting the use of oxygen in aluminum and other industries.  In this kind of situation, people are googling "How to make oxygen at home". We Indians know many home remedies, like eating green veggies, kadhas, etc. It will be helpful to know the tips about maintaining oxygen level.  Let discuss few tips : 1. Proning  Proning is a recent technique introduced by AIIMs (Patna). Lying on Belly for half an hour will help maintain oxygen level. The technique is also suggested beneficial by Yog-guru Swami Ramdev.  Position: Lie down on the bed and place one pillow below the neck, one or two more und