Technology

Kanazawa University research: Frequency modulated AFM sheds light on how dipeptides help organize, immobilize and catalyze

Published

1 year ago

March 4, 2025

KANAZAWA, Japan, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, observe the configuration of different dipeptides on graphite electrodes and the subsequent arrangement of catalytic hemin on them to get an idea of the factors affecting its catalytic activity.

Self-assembled peptides have shown great promise for immobilizing and exploiting enzymes in catalytic applications. However, so far little has been known as to the structures of these self-assembled peptides and how this might affect the function of the enzyme immobilized. Now researchers led by Ayhan Yurtsever and Takeshi Fukuma at Kanazawa University, WPI-NanoLSI and Marie Sugiyama and Yuhei Hayamizu at Institute of Science Tokyo have compared the morphology and activity of hemin adsorbed on different dipeptide nanostructures using atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry and H2O2 reduction reactions to see which offers the best performance and why (Figure 1).

The researchers used frequency modulated atomic force microscopy to study the structures that self-assembled from droplets of (XH)4 peptide solution on a graphite electrode, where H is histidine and X is an amino acid – either Y, L or V. Their observations indicated that dipeptides self-assemble into repeating nanostructures resembling 2D crystals, with (YH)4 exhibiting the most ordered and stable configuration (Figure 2).

They then replaced the droplet of peptide solution with a droplet of hemin solution and used AFM to observe the configuration of the hemin as it bound to the peptide structure. They found the hemin aggregated on the dipeptide structures, and further observations with high-speed AFM revealed that the hemin formed wires as well as aggregates, and that while the wires were stationary the aggregates seemed to hop along and between rows of the dipeptide (Figure 3).

The researchers used cyclic voltammetry to measure how densely hemin bound to the dipeptide structures and found that it bound most densely to (YH)4. They attribute this to the tyrosine in (YH)4, which interacts with porphyrin through π-π interactions. However, adding just porphyrin to the dipeptide bound hemin structures had little effect, from which they deduced that “the Fe atom in hemin is critical for its interaction with peptides, and that the binding is not solely driven by π−π stacking interactions,” as they report in ACS Nano. While the density of hemin binding to (LH)4 was close to that for (VH)4, they found it bound slightly more densely to (VH)4, which they attribute to the greater hydrophobicity.

On applying a reduction current to the electrodes, the iron in hemin is reduced to the ferrous (+2) oxidation state. It can then reduce H2O2, thereby recovering its ferric oxidation state. Comparisons of how quickly the hemin bound structures reduce H2O2 revealed that hemin bound to (YH)4 had the highest catalytic activity, although this is unlikely due to the greater density of hemin at this surface since the densities for all three dipeptides were all within the same order of magnitude. Instead, the researchers suggest the greater reducing power of hemin bound to (YH)4 is on account of the more stable scaffold offered by that dipeptide (Figure 4).

“This research highlights the potential of simple peptide designs to create artificial enzymes with robust and durable catalytic interfaces for electrochemical applications,” conclude the researchers in their report. “Furthermore, the peptides’ ability to self-assemble on two-dimensional materials makes them promising candidates for biosensing applications.”
Glossary

Atomic force microscopy

This imaging technique uses a nanosized tip at the end of a cantilever that is scanned over a sample. It can be used to determine the topography of a sample surface from the change in the strength of forces between the tip and the sample with distance, and the resulting deflection of the cantilever. It was first developed in the 1980s but a number of modifications have augmented the functionality of the technique since. It is better suited to imaging biological samples than the scanning tunnelling microscope developed that had been developed because it does not require a conducting sample.

In the 2000s Toshio Ando at Kanazawa University was able to improve the scanning speed to such an extent that moving images could be captured. This allowed people to use the technique to visualize molecular processes for the first time.

Catalysts

Catalysts influence the rate of a reaction without actually being used up in the reaction themselves. They can speed up the rate of all kinds of reactions, including the redox chemistry in the reduction of H2O2, and are prized in industry for improving yield and the profitability of processes.

Redox chemistry describes a host of reactions that involve the gaining (reduction) and losing (oxidation) of electrons by ions in the reaction. It sometimes manifests as the gaining of hydrogen (reduction) or oxygen (oxidation). The generation of water and oxygen from H2O2 is an example of a redox reaction where H2O2 is reduced to H2O and O2.

Porphyrin

Porphyrin is an organic compound made up of a ring of four substituted “pyrrole” ring molecules strung together with methine bridges (=CH-). Pyrrole is a cyclic molecule with the formula C4H4NH but in porphyrin other groups may be substituted in. An important porphyrin for living organisms is heme, which carries oxygen in the blood. Chlorophyl is also a porphyrin derivative

Hemin

Hemin is an iron-containing porphyrin found in the blood. It is the catalytic centre for many different proteins including cytochromes, peroxidases, myoglobins and hemoglobin. The iron in hemin is ferric, that is, it is in the +3 oxidation state (Fe3+).

π−π interactions

In aromatic molecules atoms are bound in the ring by π bonds, a type of covalent bond that takes its name from the shape of the electron orbital which forms lobes on either side of the atoms. π−π stacking describes the non-covalent interactions when these rings stack on each other.

Reference

Marie Sugiyama, Ayhan Yurtsever, Nina Uenodan, Yuta Nabae, Takeshi Fukuma, and Yuhei Hayamizu Hierarchical Assembly of Hemin-Peptide Catalytic Systems on Graphite Surfaces ACS NANO 2025.

DOI： 10.1021/acsnano.4c15373

URL: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsnano.4c15373

Funding acknowledgements

Y.H. acknowledges support from the Precise Measurement Technology Promotion Foundation (PMTP-F), JSPS KAKENHI Grants 20H02564, 20H03593, 22H05408 and 24H01124, and JST CREST Grant Number JPMJCR24A4, Japan. T.F. acknowledges support from the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), MEXT, Japan, and JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 21H05251.

Fig: https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Eye-catching-image_ACS-Nano_2025.2.jpg

Caption Peptide self-assembly and subsequent hemin adsorption on graphite substrate. (A) High-resolution AFM image showing the molecular arrangement of (YH)4 peptides, forming 2D crystalline lattices on graphite in water. (B) Initial stage of hemin binding on self-assembled (YH)4 peptide nanostructures, revealing the formation of relatively unstable molecular rows along peptide lattices. (C) At later stages of adsorption, the hemin molecules form more stable and densely packed rows that ultimately cover the underlying peptide lattices completely.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Figure-1_ACS-Nano_2025.2.jpg
Fig. 1 A schematic illustration depicting the catalytic reaction mechanism of the system.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Figure-2_ACS-Nano_2025.2.jpg
Fig. 2: In situ FM-AFM images showing the unit cells of each peptide assemblies on graphite.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Figure-3_ACS-Nano_2025.2.jpg
Fig 3: In situ AFM image showing the immobilization of hemin on self-assembled (YH)4 peptides, revealing the formation of hemin molecular rows along peptide lattices.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Figure-4_ACS-Nano_2025.2.jpg
Fig. 4: Current density at −0.8 V as a function of H2O2 concentration for each peptide, with fitting curves shown as red solid lines. Imax represent the maximal current density.

Contact

Kimie Nishimura (Ms)
Project Planning and Outreach, NanoLSI Administration Office
Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University
Email: nanolsi-office@adm.kanazawa-u.ac.jp

Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan

About Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University

Understanding nanoscale mechanisms of life phenomena by exploring “uncharted nano-realms”.

Cells are the basic units of almost all life forms. We are developing nanoprobe technologies that allow direct imaging, analysis, and manipulation of the behavior and dynamics of important macromolecules in living organisms, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at the surface and interior of cells. We aim at acquiring a fundamental understanding of the various life phenomena at the nanoscale.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal:
https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI

Main WPI program site: www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

About Kanazawa University

As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities.

The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa – a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.
http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

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Technology

Fox ESS Ranks No. 1 Globally in Residential Energy Storage

Published

30 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

WENZHOU, China, April 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Fox ESS, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, has been ranked No. 1 among residential energy storage providers worldwide for 2025, based on MWh shipments in S&P Global Energy’s Residential Energy Storage Market Tracker.

The report also places Fox ESS at No. 1 in Germany and the UK, highlighting the company’s momentum in key markets and expanding distribution footprint.

Compared with 2024, Fox ESS’s global market share rose 50% in 2025, reinforcing its position in a rapidly growing residential storage sector. The company has continued to scale internationally, with global headcount doubling from the end of 2024. As of April 2026, Fox ESS employs more than 5,000 people worldwide, and has added local support through new offices, including in Sydney, Australia.

“We’re thrilled for this remarkable achievement. It reflects our commitment to innovation and product quality, and to making clean, reliable energy practical for households around the world,” said Michael Zhu, CEO of Fox ESS. “We will continue pushing the boundaries to deliver solutions that help homes and businesses move toward energy independence.”

Notably, Fox ESS has launched the Champion’s Choice campaign globally, combining the endorsement of sports champions with recognition from prestigious organizations. With the first stop in Australia, the company signed Ian Thorpe, a five-time Olympic champion last December. The campaign underscores Fox ESS’s ambition to deliver better value for customers and partners.

Fox ESS is committed to building long-term trust with customers and partners. The company delivers reliable, high-quality energy storage systems engineered for consistent performance, supported by rigorous quality-control processes designed to help ensure every product meets the highest standards.

Fox ESS develops solutions that serve both installers and end users. With ongoing investment in R&D, the company stays ahead of evolving market needs, helping installers work more efficiently while enabling homeowners to move toward energy transition and reduce electricity costs.

With a team of more than 400 experts in R&D, Fox ESS continues to refine its product design for easier transportation, installation, and everyday use. The AI-powered FoxCloud app also makes energy management more intuitive, enabling users to monitor and control home energy consumption, manage smart devices, and track detailed generation and usage data in a single streamlined platform, delivering greater peace of mind.

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SOURCE Fox ESS

Technology

Deepvein Mining Tech Wins NY Product Design Gold for Exploration Robotics

Published

30 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

SHANGHAI, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Deepvein Mining Tech, a developer of robotic systems for mining operations, has received Gold at the 2026 NY Product Design Awards for its Intelligent Geological Mapping and Geochemical Sampling Quadrupedal Robots, a robotics series developed for mineral exploration in remote and high-risk field environments.

The NY Product Design Awards, organized by the International Awards Associate (IAA), recognize achievements in product design and industrial innovation worldwide.

Mining exploration has become increasingly costly and technically challenging as easily accessible deposits are depleted, particularly in remote and geologically complex regions where fieldwork can be slow, labor-intensive and operationally demanding.

Deepvein’s award-winning robotics series was developed to address those constraints through a combination of quadrupedal robotic hardware and integrated software systems. The solution supports route planning, equipment coordination, sample logging and geological data management, helping standardize field operations and reduce manual workloads.

Designed for geological mapping and geochemical sampling, the robotic units can autonomously perform targeted collection tasks while reducing repeated manual fieldwork. A single operating cycle can gather approximately 30 to 50 samples.

According to deployment data from company-operated mining assets in Africa, exploration data collection cycles were reduced from around 12 months to one week, while overall workflow costs fell by approximately 40%.

Beyond efficiency gains, the use of robotic systems in steep, high-temperature or hard-to-access areas can help reduce personnel exposure to hazardous conditions. Improved targeting and digital workflow management can also limit unnecessary surface disturbance during early-stage exploration.

Deepvein is developing a broader portfolio of mining robotics covering the industry lifecycle, with future applications expected in transport support, inspection, maintenance and site rehabilitation, alongside continued iteration of its exploration-stage systems.

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SOURCE Deepvein Mining Tech

Technology

SK Group Establishes Foundation for AI Collaboration with Vietnam

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2026

SK Telecom and SK Innovation sign separate MOUs with Vietnam’s Nghe An Province and the National Innovation Center (NIC) to foster artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem development.From AI data center (AIDC) construction to stable power supply, Korea’s full-stack AI is poised for its first overseas expansion.SK Chairman Chey Tae-won: “SK Group will contribute to the advancement of Vietnam’s AI industry through its comprehensive AI portfolio.”

SEOUL, South Korea, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SK Group announced it will collaborate with Vietnam to build the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry ecosystem and develop core AI infrastructure.

At the Korea–Vietnam Business Forum held in Hanoi on April 23, SK Group signed separate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Nghe An Provincial Government and Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC) to foster AI ecosystem development.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources of Korea, and Ngo Van Tuan, Minister of Finance of Vietnam.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee and SK Group was signed by Vo Trong Hai, Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee; Choo Hyeong-wook, President & CEO of SK Innovation; and Jung Jai-hun, President & CEO of SK Telecom.

Another MOU between the National Innovation Center (NIC) and SK Group was signed by Vu Quoc Huy, Director General of NIC; Choo Hyeong-wook, President & CEO of SK Innovation; and Jung Jai-hun, President & CEO of SK Telecom.

Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group and Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), also attended the ceremony.

Earlier, at the Korea–Vietnam Summit, the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in future growth sectors such as AI, semiconductors, and energy. SK Group’s MOUs with Vietnam represent this bilateral cooperation being put into action by the private sector.

Through these partnerships, SK Group plans to support Vietnam’s growth as a key partner in its national AI strategy. In addition, building on AI data center development and stable power supply, SK Group is expected to lay the groundwork for the first overseas expansion of its “Korean-style AI full-stack” model, linking AI model development and validation with the rollout of industry-specific AI services.

Joint AIDC feasibility study in Nghe An linked to the Quynh Lap LNG Power Project

SK Innovation and SK Telecom signed an MOU with the Nghe An provincial government to jointly explore developing an AIDC and related infrastructure projects in the region. Nghe An is a major economic hub in north-central Vietnam and has emerged as a fast-growing region for manufacturing, energy and advanced industries, supported by its port and logistics infrastructure.

SK Innovation will explore broad cooperation opportunities in energy solutions, including supplying electricity to the data center and building dedicated generation facilities connected to the Quynh Lap LNG Power Project, for which it was recently selected as the developer.

SK Telecom plans to review options for developing, building, and operating the AIDC while also seeking to secure global demand. The Nghe An provincial government agreed to discuss support measures to help advance the partnership, including permits, administrative procedures, inter-ministerial coordination and incentive programs.

In February, SK Innovation was selected as a developer for the Quynh Lap LNG power project in Nghe An Province, together with PV Power, a power generation subsidiary of Vietnam’s state-owned oil and gas group PVN, and local company NASU. The project is a large-scale energy infrastructure initiative that includes the development of a 1,500-MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant, an LNG terminal, and a dedicated port, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and completion targeted for 2030. From the proposal stage, SK Innovation also presented a model to foster high value-added industries by integrating SK Group’s AI and semiconductor capabilities in areas near the power plant, thereby laying the foundation for the current partnership.

At the forum, the Nghe An government also presented the SK Innovation consortium with the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) for the Quynh Lap Power Project, reaffirming its commitment to the development.

“Drawing on SK Group’s experience in operating large-scale power generation and diverse energy solution businesses, we will ensure the successful development of the local power infrastructure,” said Choo Hyeong-wook, President & CEO of SK Innovation, during a presentation titled “Vietnam’s Economic Leap through AI + Energy Innovation.”

Cooperation with NIC to Build Vietnam’s AI Ecosystem

SK Telecom and SK Innovation also signed a comprehensive MOU with Vietnam’s NIC to support the development of the country’s AI ecosystem.

The two sides agreed to cooperate on AIDC development, energy infrastructure development and the establishment of policy and institutional frameworks to foster the AI industry.

Under the agreement, SK Telecom will support AI ecosystem development in Vietnam through technology collaboration and investment promotion, and SK Innovation will provide energy solutions for AIDCs and related industries. The NIC will provide institutional support, such as coordinating with government agencies, improving regulations and developing policy, while also identifying and connecting local partners to facilitate project execution.

Established in 2019 by the Vietnamese government, NIC serves as the country’s national innovation hub, leading initiatives in AI, semiconductors and investment promotion. SK Group has maintained a close partnership with NIC, including a previous $30 million contribution toward its establishment.

Jung Jai-hun, President and CEO of SK Telecom, said, “AI data centers are key infrastructure that underpins the growth of the AI industry. Building on SK Group’s accumulated capabilities in the development, construction, and operation of AI data centers, we will further refine a collaboration model tailored to the Vietnamese market.”

First Overseas Expansion of Chairman Chey Tae-won’s “AI Full-Stack Provider” Vision

This partnership in Vietnam is significant as it could mark SK Group’s first overseas expansion of the “AI full-stack provider” strategy, integrating capabilities in AIDC, power, and energy solutions.

Chairman Chey Tae-won has consistently articulated his vision of transforming SK Group into an “AI full-stack provider.” Leveraging SK Group’s strengths across the AI value chain—including semiconductors, data centers, power and energy solutions, and AI services—the Group aims to build the most efficient AI infrastructure model.

Under this vision, SK Group is advancing the development of the 100-MW hyperscale “SK AI Data Center Ulsan,” targeted for completion in 2027. The Group has also been laying the groundwork for Korea to emerge as an Asia-Pacific AI hub by engaging in discussions with OpenAI on collaboration for AI data center development in Korea.

Ahead of the Korea–Vietnam Business Forum, Chairman Chey Tae-won said at a business roundtable, “AI will play a critical role in Vietnam’s continued growth. SK Group has a portfolio spanning the entire AI ecosystem—from energy and semiconductors to AI models and applications—and we will leverage this to make tangible contributions to the development of Vietnam’s AI industry.”

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom has been leading the growth of the mobile industry since 1984. Now, it is taking customer experience to new heights by extending beyond connectivity. By placing AI at the core of its business, SK Telecom is rapidly transforming into an AI company with a strong global presence. It is focusing on driving innovations in areas of AI Infrastructure, AI Transformation (AIX) and AI Service to deliver greater value for industry, society, and life.

For more information, please contact skt_press@sk.com or visit our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/sk-telecom.

About SK Innovation

Founded in 1962 as Korea Oil Corporation, SK Innovation has been at the forefront of Korea’s energy industry for over six decades. The company has pioneered numerous milestones, including Korea’s first overseas oil field development, the vertical integration of its energy and chemical businesses, the nation’s first private LNG import, and a strategic entry into the electric vehicle battery business.

Now, SK Innovation has reached a transformative turning point in its journey to become a Comprehensive Global Energy Company. Extending beyond its traditional oil business to encompass the entire energy value chain -spanning LNG & Power, Renewable Energy, and Energy Solutions- the company is driving global expansion, including in Vietnam.

For more information, please visit the official SK Innovation website at www.skinnovation.com.

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SOURCE SK Group; SK Telecom