Xile Hu
@xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Professor at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnic Fédérale de Lausanne). Http://lsci.epfl.ch; catalysis - heterogeneous, homogeneous, bio; membrane; electrochemical energy device. Co-founder and chairman, NovaMea. Http://novamea.swiss
My PhD advisor Karsten Meyer, was in town to give a seminar, 25 years after I joined his group at UC San Diego as the first PhD. We would never have thought of this day. Chemchat, chemski
November 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
My PhD advisor Karsten Meyer, was in town to give a seminar, 25 years after I joined his group at UC San Diego as the first PhD. We would never have thought of this day. Chemchat, chemski
We are able to put two different cofactors in one protein scaffold and make them do catalysis together. It is amazing that it actually works. Chemchat chemsky
Now online:
Article by Xile Hu & co-workers @xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions
www.nature.com/articles/s44... ($)
#Chemsky
Article by Xile Hu & co-workers @xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions
www.nature.com/articles/s44... ($)
#Chemsky
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions - Nature Synthesis
A dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzyme is developed, incorporating a biotinylated nickel complex and a Strep-tagged peptide catalyst in adjacent streptavidin-binding sites. This synergistic artifici...
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:19 PM
We are able to put two different cofactors in one protein scaffold and make them do catalysis together. It is amazing that it actually works. Chemchat chemsky
Reposted by Xile Hu
Now online:
Article by Xile Hu & co-workers @xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions
www.nature.com/articles/s44... ($)
#Chemsky
Article by Xile Hu & co-workers @xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions
www.nature.com/articles/s44... ($)
#Chemsky
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions - Nature Synthesis
A dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzyme is developed, incorporating a biotinylated nickel complex and a Strep-tagged peptide catalyst in adjacent streptavidin-binding sites. This synergistic artifici...
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Now online:
Article by Xile Hu & co-workers @xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions
www.nature.com/articles/s44... ($)
#Chemsky
Article by Xile Hu & co-workers @xilehu-epfl.bsky.social
Construction of dual-cofactor artificial metalloenzymes for synergistic and enantiodivergent catalysis of Michael addition reactions
www.nature.com/articles/s44... ($)
#Chemsky
Is this really surprising chemsky? Lots of sayings are survival biased. Sure if it does not kill you it makes you stronger. Problem is 9 of 10 times you are just killed.
Evidence from 14 research funding programmes confirms that early winners tend to keep winning (Matthew effect). But the idea that an early setback makes you stronger later doesn’t replicate widely.
buff.ly/UEtcRd4
buff.ly/UEtcRd4
November 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Is this really surprising chemsky? Lots of sayings are survival biased. Sure if it does not kill you it makes you stronger. Problem is 9 of 10 times you are just killed.
Tell me you are not a chemical engineer without telling me.
Earlier this year, a paper came out that suggested for many organic reactions stirring has little effect on reactions rates. Now, a group has released a preprint arguing that stirring remains critical for reproducibility, selectivity and scalability.
All stirred up: chemical engineers refute claims that ‘stirring doesn’t matter’
Failing to mix reactions in heterogeneous or industrial systems could cause numerous issues and might even be dangerous, preprint claims
www.chemistryworld.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Tell me you are not a chemical engineer without telling me.
Reposted by Xile Hu
Postdoc Opening at EPFL - please share!
I am hiring a post-doctoral fellow here in the Laboratory for Energy Materials at EPFL to work on the next generation of quantum light sources, with an earliest start date of January 2026 for up to 4 years.
#quantum #light #energymaterials #academia #jobalert
I am hiring a post-doctoral fellow here in the Laboratory for Energy Materials at EPFL to work on the next generation of quantum light sources, with an earliest start date of January 2026 for up to 4 years.
#quantum #light #energymaterials #academia #jobalert
October 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Postdoc Opening at EPFL - please share!
I am hiring a post-doctoral fellow here in the Laboratory for Energy Materials at EPFL to work on the next generation of quantum light sources, with an earliest start date of January 2026 for up to 4 years.
#quantum #light #energymaterials #academia #jobalert
I am hiring a post-doctoral fellow here in the Laboratory for Energy Materials at EPFL to work on the next generation of quantum light sources, with an earliest start date of January 2026 for up to 4 years.
#quantum #light #energymaterials #academia #jobalert
Reposted by Xile Hu
News that shocks no one: Carbon offsets do nothing for climate.
Carbon offsets fail to cut global heating due to ‘intractable’ systemic problems, study says
Analysis of 25 years of evidence shows most schemes are poor quality and fail to lower emissions
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
News that shocks no one: Carbon offsets do nothing for climate.
Reposted by Xile Hu
In recognition of us doing fuck all to reduce emissions, let me remind y'all that carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is useless unless we decarbonize drastically.
rdcu.be/dbFbB
rdcu.be/dbFbB
Carbon dioxide removal is not a current climate solution — we need to change the narrative
Drastically reduce emissions first, or carbon dioxide removal will be next to useless.
www.nature.com
October 29, 2024 at 11:15 AM
In recognition of us doing fuck all to reduce emissions, let me remind y'all that carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is useless unless we decarbonize drastically.
rdcu.be/dbFbB
rdcu.be/dbFbB
Reposted by Xile Hu
WeTransfer just changed their TOS giving themselves permission to train AI on any content you transfer and produce derivative works based on content you transfer that they are allowed to monetize and you are not allowed payment for.
Stop using WeTransfer.
Stop using WeTransfer.
July 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
WeTransfer just changed their TOS giving themselves permission to train AI on any content you transfer and produce derivative works based on content you transfer that they are allowed to monetize and you are not allowed payment for.
Stop using WeTransfer.
Stop using WeTransfer.
@kay-severin.bsky.social I guess no more laughing gas parties?
June 4, 2025 at 6:24 PM
@kay-severin.bsky.social I guess no more laughing gas parties?
We developed an encapsulated NiCo alloy catalyst for high temp CO2 reduction in solid oxide electrochemical cells. An voltage of 1.1 V at 1 A/cm2, corresponding to 90% energy efficiency. The reactions produce CO in 100% selectively and we run it for 2000 h. www.nature.com/articles/s41... #chemsky
May 15, 2025 at 8:24 PM
We developed an encapsulated NiCo alloy catalyst for high temp CO2 reduction in solid oxide electrochemical cells. An voltage of 1.1 V at 1 A/cm2, corresponding to 90% energy efficiency. The reactions produce CO in 100% selectively and we run it for 2000 h. www.nature.com/articles/s41... #chemsky
Reposted by Xile Hu
Choose Science. Choose Europe.
A new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call is now open.
With a budget of €404.3 million, it will support around 1,650 researchers from Europe and beyond.
Apply by 10 September → europa.eu/!fBTMgF
A new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call is now open.
With a budget of €404.3 million, it will support around 1,650 researchers from Europe and beyond.
Apply by 10 September → europa.eu/!fBTMgF
May 8, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Choose Science. Choose Europe.
A new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call is now open.
With a budget of €404.3 million, it will support around 1,650 researchers from Europe and beyond.
Apply by 10 September → europa.eu/!fBTMgF
A new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call is now open.
With a budget of €404.3 million, it will support around 1,650 researchers from Europe and beyond.
Apply by 10 September → europa.eu/!fBTMgF
EU has made its choice clear and loud: the choice of science, freedom, and collaboration. Time for Switzerland and EPFL to follow suite. @snsf-ch.bsky.social
Europe’s choice is clear.
To put science at the heart of its economy.
To become the home of scientific freedom and collaboration.
And to welcome talent from all over the world.
I’m glad to present the first elements of our Choose Europe Initiative.
→ europa.eu/!TTbWbJ
To put science at the heart of its economy.
To become the home of scientific freedom and collaboration.
And to welcome talent from all over the world.
I’m glad to present the first elements of our Choose Europe Initiative.
→ europa.eu/!TTbWbJ
May 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
EU has made its choice clear and loud: the choice of science, freedom, and collaboration. Time for Switzerland and EPFL to follow suite. @snsf-ch.bsky.social
Reposted by Xile Hu
Europe’s choice is clear.
To put science at the heart of its economy.
To become the home of scientific freedom and collaboration.
And to welcome talent from all over the world.
I’m glad to present the first elements of our Choose Europe Initiative.
→ europa.eu/!TTbWbJ
To put science at the heart of its economy.
To become the home of scientific freedom and collaboration.
And to welcome talent from all over the world.
I’m glad to present the first elements of our Choose Europe Initiative.
→ europa.eu/!TTbWbJ
May 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Europe’s choice is clear.
To put science at the heart of its economy.
To become the home of scientific freedom and collaboration.
And to welcome talent from all over the world.
I’m glad to present the first elements of our Choose Europe Initiative.
→ europa.eu/!TTbWbJ
To put science at the heart of its economy.
To become the home of scientific freedom and collaboration.
And to welcome talent from all over the world.
I’m glad to present the first elements of our Choose Europe Initiative.
→ europa.eu/!TTbWbJ
This is too good to pass by😂
May 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
This is too good to pass by😂
I am very pleased to announce the closing of a 9 M Series A financing round for our startup NovaMea. We are fully committed to develop critical materials such as membranes and catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers, enabling green hydrogen production at large scale and low cost.
April 29, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I am very pleased to announce the closing of a 9 M Series A financing round for our startup NovaMea. We are fully committed to develop critical materials such as membranes and catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers, enabling green hydrogen production at large scale and low cost.
Great title: the rise of bullshit jobs in universities:-)
March 20, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Great title: the rise of bullshit jobs in universities:-)
#chemsky I won’t go to US for a foreseeable future because I am guilty on several counts: 1. Being born in China; 2. Doing « sustainable » research; 3. Having infinitely negative opinion on MAGA cartels. I am genuinely afraid at the us border control. I am nostalgic of my previous life in US.
French researcher, going to a conference in Houston, was forbidden entry to US; his work and personal electronics were both confiscated.
Why? Because a “random search” of his cell phone revealed a negative personal opinion on Trump and the Trump administration. www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Why? Because a “random search” of his cell phone revealed a negative personal opinion on Trump and the Trump administration. www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Etats-Unis : un chercheur français refoulé pour avoir exprimé « une opinion personnelle sur la politique menée par l’administration Trump »
Le ministre de la recherche a dit sa « préoccupation », mercredi, après cette décision des autorités américaines. Le chercheur du CNRS aurait subi un contrôle aléatoire à son arrivée, avant que son or...
www.lemonde.fr
March 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
#chemsky I won’t go to US for a foreseeable future because I am guilty on several counts: 1. Being born in China; 2. Doing « sustainable » research; 3. Having infinitely negative opinion on MAGA cartels. I am genuinely afraid at the us border control. I am nostalgic of my previous life in US.
My wife asked me, should we stop Netflix because it is American? I said, I know we should boycott Disney because it is part of their gang, (and of course telsa, meta, amazon, Silicon Valley), but not sure about Nerflix. American friends, and #chemsky, what do you think?
March 6, 2025 at 7:44 PM
My wife asked me, should we stop Netflix because it is American? I said, I know we should boycott Disney because it is part of their gang, (and of course telsa, meta, amazon, Silicon Valley), but not sure about Nerflix. American friends, and #chemsky, what do you think?
Reposted by Xile Hu
Reposted by Xile Hu
Excellent truth-telling from @dechant.bsky.social: “Now we have a better idea why Occidental was keen to pick up the pricey [carbon capture] technology: They want to use it to pump more oil.” Same as it ever was…
techcrunch.com/2025/02/21/t...
techcrunch.com/2025/02/21/t...
The real reason why oil and gas companies are bullish on carbon capture | TechCrunch
Occidental CEO Vicki Hollub compared using CO2 in enhanced oil recovery to fracking, the technology that sent U.S. oil and gas production skyrocketing.
techcrunch.com
February 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Excellent truth-telling from @dechant.bsky.social: “Now we have a better idea why Occidental was keen to pick up the pricey [carbon capture] technology: They want to use it to pump more oil.” Same as it ever was…
techcrunch.com/2025/02/21/t...
techcrunch.com/2025/02/21/t...
Wow… the ancient Chinese sage! So true for many countries today.
February 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Wow… the ancient Chinese sage! So true for many countries today.
When bureaucrates roll out policies that have never been tested for self-claimed noble goals, it takes a long time for some research to be done to show they are wrong. But damaged are done and hard to correct @snsf-ch.bsky.social yes I am talking about your policies.
Opinion: Narrative CVs risk worsening the biases they aim to redress.
One-size-fits-all approach gives fluent writing an outsize role in research success, warns Rachel Oliver.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
One-size-fits-all approach gives fluent writing an outsize role in research success, warns Rachel Oliver.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
Narrative CVs risk worsening the biases they aim to redress - Research Professional News
One-size-fits-all approach gives fluent writing an outsize role in research success, warns Rachel Oliver
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2025 at 6:28 PM
When bureaucrates roll out policies that have never been tested for self-claimed noble goals, it takes a long time for some research to be done to show they are wrong. But damaged are done and hard to correct @snsf-ch.bsky.social yes I am talking about your policies.
Pleasure to contribute to this study led by @lingenfelderlab.bsky.social
Happy to share our first paper of 2025, coming up soon in Angewandte Chemie!
lnkd.in/dGHW42td
Measuring oxides with STM is notoriously tricky, but the stunning images captured by Sofia (under UHV) and Yunchang (under electrolyte) are worth the effort—and I'm sure you’ll love them too! 😻
lnkd.in/dGHW42td
Measuring oxides with STM is notoriously tricky, but the stunning images captured by Sofia (under UHV) and Yunchang (under electrolyte) are worth the effort—and I'm sure you’ll love them too! 😻
January 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Pleasure to contribute to this study led by @lingenfelderlab.bsky.social