Researchers at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s have developed a new step-by-step chemical process that converts methane, the primary component of natural gas, into valuable chemicals.

Because the catalyst (a substance that speeds up chemical reactions) for this process is made from common, widely available elements instead of costly precious metals like palladium, it could be a more affordable option for large-scale use.

By allowing methane to be converted at lower temperatures, the research opens the door to cleaner and more efficient ways to use one of the world’s most abundant energy resources.

Abundant but difficult

Methane is abundant but difficult to transform because of its strong carbon-hydrogen bonds. In the gas phase, breaking these bonds usually requires temperatures near 1,500 Kelvin (about 2,240°F).

Additionally, most methods rely on oxygen, which can generate unwanted carbon dioxide and reduce overall efficiency. The new pathway overcomes both challenges.

The team developed a way to transform methane at much lower temperatures without using oxygen. Instead of burning the methane, their method links two methane molecules together to form ethylene, a key ingredient used to make everyday products such as plastics and other industrial materials.

Using a catalyst made of titanium, aluminum and boron, the researchers were able to get methane to react at about 800 Kelvin, about 1,260°F lower than what would normally be needed.

As the temperature increased, the process produced more ethylene.

“Our goal was to find a cleaner, more efficient way to use methane,” Department of Chemistry Professor Ralf I. Kaiser said. “By lowering the temperature and avoiding oxygen, we’ve opened a new pathway that could make methane upgrading more practical.”

The UH ����ԴDz� team worked collaboration with the research groups of Musahid Ahmed (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), Professor Anastassia Alexandrova (University of California, Los Angeles) and Albert Epshteyn (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory).

The experiments were performed at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory utilizing a catalytic microreactor coupled to a synchrotron single-photon photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� celebrated the legacy of renowned alumna Alice Augusta Ball at the annual recognition ceremony on February 26. This year’s event was especially meaningful, as her discovery dubbed the “Ball Method” treatment for Hansen’s disease has been designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Spearheaded by the UH Office of the President and the UH ����ԴDz� Office of the Provost with support from various campus and community partners, the ceremony invited the campus community to the chaulmoogra tree on the ma uka side of Bachman Hall, where a plaque honors Ball’s legacy.

The event began with an oli led by the �鶹��ý Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience’s Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Coordinator.

Emcee LaJoya Shelly, a lecturer in ethnic studies and educational administration, led the event. UH President Wendy Hensel was among several distinguished speakers who commemorated Ball.

“She’s a true role model for all of us,” said Hensel, “Every year is exciting because she’s such an incredible trailblazer, and to be able to recognize her repeatedly for those contributions is always really special.”

Hensel also read Gov. Josh Green’s official proclamation declaring February 28, 2026, as Alice Augusta Ball Day.

Long-awaited official recognition

Katrina-Ann Kapā Oliveira, Interim Vice Provost for Student Success, presented the National Historic Chemical Landmark Designation on behalf of ACS President Rigoberto Hernandez.

“This landmark dedication reflects ACS‘s commitment to honoring chemists like Ball whose discoveries have improved countless lives,” read Oliveira. “The National Historic Chemical Landmarks program preserves and promotes these histories so that present and future generations can understand the transformative power of chemistry.”

In 2024, the American Chemical Society approved the nomination—submitted by David Lassner, UH president emeritus, and Paul Wermager, retired department head of science and technology at Hamilton Library—to award the National Historic Chemical Landmark designation to Ball for her technique of isolating ethyl esterification from the fatty acids of chaulmoogra oil so it could be effectively administered to Hansen’s disease patients by injection.

• Related �鶹��ýNews story: Sculpture honors pioneering scientist Alice Ball

This isolation technique, later called the “Ball Method,” was the first successful treatment for Hansen’s disease that was used on thousands of patients around the world until the introduction of sulfone drugs in the mid-1940s.

The Ball Method was used to treat patients in Kalaupapa, permitting them to return to their families after being banished to isolation facilities on the remote Molokaʻi peninsula. This treatment was the difference between a life of discomfort and isolation, and a life of fulfillment and connection with family and community.

Inspiring future generations of scientists

Ball was the first woman and first African-American to graduate from the College of �鶹��ý—now known as the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�—with a master’s degree in chemistry. Ball had also become the first African American female chemistry instructor and department head.

“What inspires me really, especially during Black History Month, is her being a black woman in STEM,” said Raven Kelley, the student speaker for the Black Student Association, “When we look at U.S. history, women in STEM, in general, rarely ever get the recognition that they truly deserve.”

Ball died on December 31, 1916, at the age of 24, before publishing her groundbreaking work. More than a century later, the university remains committed to honoring her legacy.

“As a black woman in STEM myself, it gives me a sense of pride and honor to see her truly recognized for her work,” said Kelley.

Other program speakers included Phillip Williams, interim dean and professor of chemistry at the UH ����ԴDz� College of Natural Sciences; Diana Felton, chief of the Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division at the �鶹��ý State Department of Health; and DeGray Vanderbilt of Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa.

The ceremony was followed by the annual Alice Augusta Ball Remembrance Walk, led by Sister Circle at ����ԴDz� and Native Hawaiian Student Services, which included a trip to Hamilton Library to see the life-sized bronze bust of Alice Ball. The walk ended at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services for a screening of The Ball Method film.

—by Josslyn Rose

Five subject areas were placed in the world’s top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world’s top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () UH Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that UH Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make UH Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All UH Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

A new chemical method that could speed up the creation of medicines, materials and products people rely on every day has been developed by University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa researchers. The work, , a journal of the German Chemical Society, shows how common ingredients called aldehydes can be transformed into more complex molecules using visible light and a specialized catalyst.

Lighting the way

Aldehydes are simple, widely available starting materials used across many chemical processes. Traditionally, turning them into useful advanced compounds requires multiple steps, harsh conditions or costly materials. The UH Mānoa team introduced a light-powered, energy-efficient approach that guides aldehydes through a controlled reaction, producing valuable molecular structures used in drug development, natural product research and chemical manufacturing.

The process relies on light and a specialized palladium catalyst to drive the chemical changes. It enables chemists to quickly and reliably make two useful types of molecules. The approach is also flexible, working on a wide range of starting materials, including complex molecules found in pharmaceuticals.

Making a big impact

For the general public, the importance lies in what this advancement could make possible. Faster and more efficient ways to build complex molecules can shorten the development timeline for new medicines, reduce costs in chemical manufacturing and improve access to products ranging from therapeutics to advanced materials. By enabling more sustainable and streamlined chemistry, the study offers a step toward innovations that could benefit health, technology and everyday life.

“We’re always looking for ways to make complex chemistry feel less like a barrier and more like an opportunity,” said Assistant Professor and co-author Zuxiao Zhang. “What excites us most is how this platform opens a new creative space for scientists—giving them tools to build molecules in ways that simply weren’t practical before. Discoveries like this help lay the groundwork for future breakthroughs we can’t yet imagine.”

The Department of Chemistry is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

Studying safer, cheaper rocket and missile fuels that could reduce health and environmental risks is the focus of a new $800,000 grant awarded to the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The project will be led by principal investigator Professor Rui Sun with co-principal investigator Professor Ralf I. Kaiser.

The grant falls under a broader push toward green chemistry—designing chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate hazardous substances. Current propellants can be expensive and toxic, creating risks during manufacture, storage and transport. The research seeks to help lower costs for space exploration while reducing risks to workers and communities.

The work will focus on ethaline-based Deep Eutectic Propellants (DeEPs), which are mixtures made from relatively nontoxic, low-cost components. DeEPs have low vapor pressure (they are less likely to evaporate), tunable physical and chemical properties, and can be formulated to ignite reliably in liquid rocket engines—traits that make them a promising, safer and cheaper alternative to the current propellants used in space missions and national defense.

“This project lets us assemble a multidisciplinary team of chemists, computational scientists and students to tackle a long-neglected area of chemistry,” Sun said. “It will create hands-on training opportunities for �鶹��ý students and postdocs and build partnerships with Department of Defense laboratories and industry so promising findings can move quickly from the bench into real-world testing.”

Researchers plan to combine lab experiments utilizing novel droplet merging techniques with advanced computer modeling and machine learning to understand how these propellants ignite and break down. The study aims to reveal the basic chemical steps (the reaction mechanisms) and the speed at which they happen (reaction kinetics). That basic information will play a key role in developing the next generation fuels for space missions and national defense.

The Department of Chemistry is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� researchers in the have created a molecule once thought too unstable to exist called methanetetrol using extreme, space-like conditions. The discovery could reshape our understanding of chemistry in the universe and shed light on the complex reactions happening in deep space.

Methanetetrol is the only alcohol which has four hydroxyl groups (OH) at a single carbon atom. Scientists have theorized its existence for more than a century, but no one had ever observed it, until now. Using ultra-cold temperatures, near-perfect vacuum and high-energy radiation to simulate the environment inside interstellar clouds, researchers produced this elusive molecule.

Complex compounds, building blocks of life

This finding shows that outer space may host a far more diverse and unexpected set of chemical reactions than previously believed. These reactions are critical to understanding the formation of organic molecules (building blocks of life) across the galaxy. By proving that methanetetrol can form under cosmic conditions, the team has revealed a surprising pathway for how complex compounds might evolve in the icy dust clouds where stars and planets form.

The team used powerful vacuum ultraviolet light to detect tiny amounts of methanetetrol made from water and carbon dioxide. They found that high-energy particles mimicking high energy cosmic rays triggered a series of chemical reactions leading to the creation of methanetetrol and related compounds.

“In collaborations with scientists from Mississippi, Samara University and Shanghai, this work pushes the boundaries of what we know about chemistry in space,” said Department of Chemistry Professor Ralf I. Kaiser.

While this alcohol does not occur naturally on Earth due to its instability in everyday conditions, its formation in space demonstrates that the universe is far more chemically dynamic than previously imagined. The findings push the boundaries of both chemistry and astronomy, and open the door to further discoveries and astronomical observations about how life’s ingredients can emerge in the coldest, darkest corners of space.

The study was . The Department of Chemistry is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� is helping spark the next generation of chemists through its support of the (USNCO), a nationwide competition for high school students.

This year, about 60 students from five �鶹��ý high schools took part in the local round of the competition, coordinated by UH ����ԴDz� Associate Professor Jakub Hyvl. The top 10 performers advanced to the national exam, which was hosted in the chemistry department’s teaching labs in April.

“UH ����ԴDz� is proud to provide a platform where young students can challenge themselves and explore their passion for chemistry,” said Hyvl, who coordinated the local competition for the past two years. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the enthusiasm and talent these students bring.”

The national exam is part of a multi-tiered process that identifies the top 20 chemistry students across the country. Those students are invited to a study camp at the University of Maryland, College Park, where four are selected to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Hyvl said the competition not only highlights academic excellence but also builds community among students and mentors.

“Some of these students may go on to become researchers, educators or industry leaders,” he said. “This experience gives them a glimpse into what’s possible—and UH ����ԴDz� is honored to be part of that journey.”

By hosting the national exam and connecting with local schools, UH ����ԴDz� continues to foster STEM education and inspire �鶹��ý’s youth to pursue scientific careers.

The Department of Chemistry is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

The University of �鶹��ý Maui College has become the first UH campus to sign the national (GCC), boosting its role as a leader in sustainable science education.

GCC connects colleges and universities across the globe in a shared mission to integrate green chemistry principles into teaching and research. It gives UH Maui College access to a wide network of like-minded educators and scientists, and provides valuable tools and resources to further sustainability goals.

“I’m thrilled that our department has taken on the Green Chemistry Commitment,” said Sean Calder, UH Maui College STEM division chair. “This will enable the college to lower our chemical waste generation and help us become better stewards of the environment, creating a more sustainable future for Maui.”

Modern, industry-relevant skills

UH Maui College has long embedded sustainability into its curriculum, driven by a dedicated team of faculty. GCC now provides a framework to equip students with modern, industry-relevant skills in sustainable chemistry.

Students enrolled in courses such as Chemistry and Society, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry will benefit from learning how to design safer, more sustainable chemical processes. These skills not only increase their career readiness but also cultivate a deeper understanding of the environmental and health impacts of chemistry.

GCC underscores UH Maui College’s commitment to sustainability on campus and in the community.

Learn more information about , or contact Sean Calder at (808) 984-3220.

Prebiotic molecules central to life’s earliest metabolic processes—chemical reactions in cells that change food into energy—may have been born in deep space long before Earth existed, according to new research from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� .

Scientists in the have recreated the extreme conditions found in dense interstellar clouds and discovered a way for the complete set of complex carboxylic acids—critical ingredients in modern metabolism—to form without life on timescales equivalent to a few million years.

The study focused on molecules such as those in the Krebs cycle, a fundamental metabolic pathway used by nearly all living organisms. These molecules, which help break down nutrients to release energy, may have cosmic origins, forming in the icy, low-temperature environments of interstellar space.

In their lab, researchers simulated those conditions by freezing simple gases to near absolute zero and exposed them to ubiquitous galactic cosmic ray proxies, then slowly warming them to mimic the heating that occurs as new stars form. Under these conditions, a complete suite of organic acids, including mono-, di- and tricarboxylic acids, of the Krebs cycle was formed. These are the same compounds found in carbon-rich asteroids and meteorites such as Ryugu and Murchison, which have been linked to the early chemistry of life on Earth.

The findings support the idea that early Earth may have inherited a “starter kit” of life’s building blocks from space. As planets form from the dust and gas around newborn stars, these prebiotic molecules could be delivered by comets or asteroids—jumpstarting chemical processes that eventually lead to life.

“This work shows that the basic ingredients for life’s chemistry could have been made in space, long before Earth even formed,” said UH ����ԴDz� Department of Chemistry Professor Ralf I. Kaiser. “By simulating these deep space environments right here in �鶹��ý, UH scientists are helping uncover how life might start not just on Earth, but anywhere in the universe.”

Mason Mcanally, Department of Chemistry graduate student and lead author of the study added, “The unique research happening in the islands puts �鶹��ý at the forefront of astrobiology and space chemistry.”

The study was published in the in April 2025.

Associate Professor from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� organized an international workshop on machine learning in molecular and multiscale simulations in Mesilla, New Mexico. This research helps scientists understand how molecules behave, much like predicting how ingredients mix in a recipe—but on a microscopic scale, shaping everything from new medicines to sustainable materials.

The workshop, held March 9–12 in Mesilla, New Mexico, brought together scientists from around the world, including experts from the U.S., Asia and Europe, to explore groundbreaking applications of artificial intelligence in chemistry. The workshop featured a diverse range of topics, from reaction dynamics of a few atoms to large-scale biophysical simulations involving millions of atoms. Discussions focused on how machine learning can advance the understanding of complex molecular interactions and revolutionize chemical research.

“This workshop brought together brilliant minds from around the world to push the boundaries of machine learning in chemistry,” said Sun. “The discussions and collaborations here will drive the next wave of breakthroughs in the field.”

Under Sun’s leadership, this year’s workshop upheld the tradition of excellence of Mesilla Chemistry Workshop—an annual, international gathering of leading scientists, founded by William L. Hase in 1997, focused on discussing a different topic at the frontiers of chemistry each year. Sun’s involvement in the workshop reinforces UH ����ԴDz�’s role as a leader in computational chemistry and AI-driven scientific research.

The Department of Chemistry is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .