N. J. Mason
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View article: Mineral Quantum Dots on the Moon
Mineral Quantum Dots on the Moon Open
Naturally occurring extraterrestrial Quantum Dots (QDs) have been elusive, despite QDs of synthetic origin being well studied and documented. Here, we present the first identification of mineralbased quantum dots (mQDs) in the pristine lu…
View article: Multiscale Perspectives on Solid-Phase Astrochemistry: Laboratory, Computation, and Open Questions
Multiscale Perspectives on Solid-Phase Astrochemistry: Laboratory, Computation, and Open Questions Open
This review provides an outline of the key processes behind the formation of dust grains in the interstellar medium, the growth of thin ice mantles upon their surface, and their impact on the chemistry that can take place at the centre of …
View article: A refined atomistic model of functionalized self-assembled monolayers on gold: Assessment of force field parameters
A refined atomistic model of functionalized self-assembled monolayers on gold: Assessment of force field parameters Open
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold surfaces are important for various technological applications, such as electroanalytical sensors, organic electronic devices, and catalysts. However, providing a consistent computati…
View article: Water-group ion irradiation studies of Enceladus ice analogues: Can radiolysis account for material in and around the south polar plume?
Water-group ion irradiation studies of Enceladus ice analogues: Can radiolysis account for material in and around the south polar plume? Open
Saturn’s magnetosphere contains trapped plasma and energetic charged particles which constantly irradiate the surface of Enceladus. In this study, we exposed Enceladean surface ice analogues containing Hsub2/subO, COsub2/sub, CHsub4/sub, a…
View article: Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectroscopy of space-related ices: Formation of (cyano)polyynes in 1 keV electron irradiated hydrocarbon-rich ices
Vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectroscopy of space-related ices: Formation of (cyano)polyynes in 1 keV electron irradiated hydrocarbon-rich ices Open
Context. The irradiation of condensed hydrocarbons at low temperatures may result in the production of larger, more complex carbon-rich species relevant to biology. This chemistry may therefore influence the prebiotic potential of astronom…
View article: New candidate cave entrances on the Moon found using deep learning
New candidate cave entrances on the Moon found using deep learning Open
Pits and skylights are circular to elliptical, rimless, steep-sided depressions on planetary surfaces formed through gravitational collapse, which are of interest for astrobiological investigation and future space exploration. This is due …
View article: Multiscale astrobiology with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time
Multiscale astrobiology with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time Open
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) presents an unprecedented opportunity to advance the search for astrobiologically relevant data across diverse astronomical environments. Through its extensive imaging …
View article: Cosmic Ray Irradiation of Interstellar Ices on Sulfur-Rich Grains: A Possible Source of Sulfur-Bearing Molecules
Cosmic Ray Irradiation of Interstellar Ices on Sulfur-Rich Grains: A Possible Source of Sulfur-Bearing Molecules Open
The major reservoir of sulfur in dense interstellar clouds is still largely unknown, although a growing body of evidence suggests that it may exist in a refractory form (i.e., as minerals or allotropes of the element). Therefore, it is pos…
View article: Photodissociation of ethanolamine in interstellar clouds driven by UV and soft X-ray irradiation
Photodissociation of ethanolamine in interstellar clouds driven by UV and soft X-ray irradiation Open
We investigate the photoinduced fragmentation of ethanolamine (EtA, C$_2$H$_7$NO), a prebiotically relevant amino alcohol detected in G+0.693–0.027, under ultraviolet (UV) and soft X-ray irradiation (12–310 eV) to explore its stability and…
View article: SICOAQ 2024: Launching the First Colombian Astrochemistry Symposium in Bogotá
SICOAQ 2024: Launching the First Colombian Astrochemistry Symposium in Bogotá Open
The First Colombian Astrochemistry Symposium (SICOAQ), held in Bogotá in October 2024,brought together 98 participants, including 23 speakers, to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the rapidly growing field of astrochemistry. The pr…
View article: Density Functional Theory in Forensic Science: Applications and Challenges
Density Functional Theory in Forensic Science: Applications and Challenges Open
Forensic science is evolving to tackle increasingly complex criminal investigations, where traditional methods may fall short. This review examines how computational chemistry enhances forensic techniques by providing detailed insights int…
View article: Instantaneous formation of interstellar minerals and mineral quantum dots
Instantaneous formation of interstellar minerals and mineral quantum dots Open
Interstellar minerals and mineral quantum dots are formed within milliseconds by shock processing mixtures of Mg, Fe, and SiO 2 .
View article: Centennial of quantum theory in Belgrade: CEQPAS and the molecular excited state spectroscopy (MOLESs) initiative
Centennial of quantum theory in Belgrade: CEQPAS and the molecular excited state spectroscopy (MOLESs) initiative Open
The first week of November 2025 saw two events in Belgrade celebrating one hundred years of quantum mechanics and its impact on chemistry and molecular science. The Centennial of Quantum Theory: Progress in Atomic and Molecular Structure (…
View article: Electron Irradiation of Crystalline Nitrous Oxide Ice at Low Temperatures: Applications to Outer Solar System Planetary Science
Electron Irradiation of Crystalline Nitrous Oxide Ice at Low Temperatures: Applications to Outer Solar System Planetary Science Open
The radiation chemistry and physics of solid N2O have been increasingly studied due to its potential presence on the surfaces of cold, outer Solar System bodies. However, to date, no study has investigated systematically the influence of t…
View article: AQUILA: A Laboratory Facility for the Irradiation of Astrochemical Ice Analogues by keV Ions
AQUILA: A Laboratory Facility for the Irradiation of Astrochemical Ice Analogues by keV Ions Open
The detection of various molecular species, including complex organic molecules relevant to biochemical and geochemical processes, in astronomical settings such as the interstellar medium or the outer Solar System has led to the increased …
View article: Experimental and Computational Study of Ethanolamine Ices under Astrochemical Conditions
Experimental and Computational Study of Ethanolamine Ices under Astrochemical Conditions Open
Ethanolamine (NH 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH) has recently been identified in the molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027, situated in the SgrB2 complex in the Galactic center. However, its presence in other regions, and in particular in star-forming sites, is s…
View article: The electronic spectra of trifluoroacetic acid and chlorodifluoroacetic acid in the 4.5 – 10.8 eV photon energy region
The electronic spectra of trifluoroacetic acid and chlorodifluoroacetic acid in the 4.5 – 10.8 eV photon energy region Open
Synchrotron radiation has been used to record for the first time absolute vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption cross-sections of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and chlorodifluoroacetic acid (CDFA) in the 4.5–10.8 eV energy range. In order to fur…
View article: Experimental and computational study of ethanolamine ices at astrochemical conditions
Experimental and computational study of ethanolamine ices at astrochemical conditions Open
Ethanolamine (NH2CH2CH2OH) has recently been identified in the molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027, situated in the SgrB2 complex in the Galactic center. However, its presence in other regions, and in particular in star-forming sites, is still e…
View article: Roadmap on established and emerging photovoltaics for sustainable energy conversion
Roadmap on established and emerging photovoltaics for sustainable energy conversion Open
Photovoltaics (PVs) are a critical technology for curbing growing levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting increases in future demand for low-carbon electricity. In order to fulfill ambitions for net-zero carbon dioxid…
View article: A systematic IR and VUV spectroscopic investigation of ion, electron, and thermally processed ethanolamine ice
A systematic IR and VUV spectroscopic investigation of ion, electron, and thermally processed ethanolamine ice Open
The recent detection of ethanolamine (EtA, HOCH$_2$CH$_2$NH$_2$), a key component of phospholipids, i.e. the building blocks of cell membranes, in the interstellar medium is in line with an exogenous origin of life-relevant molecules. Howe…
View article: An experimental apparatus to study the adsorption of water on proxies for spent nuclear fuel surfaces
An experimental apparatus to study the adsorption of water on proxies for spent nuclear fuel surfaces Open
This paper describes the design, construction and testing of an experimental apparatus capable of conducting high temperature adsorption isotherm analyses on large quantities of powder samples inside an ultra-high vacuum chamber. Data is o…
View article: A laboratory infrared model of astrophysical pyrimidines
A laboratory infrared model of astrophysical pyrimidines Open
Nucleobases are essential molecules for life, forming integral parts of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in all terrestrial life forms. Despite evidence of their abiotic synthesis in meteorites and laboratory simulati…
View article: Condensed Matter Systems Exposed to Radiation: Multiscale Theory, Simulations, and Experiment
Condensed Matter Systems Exposed to Radiation: Multiscale Theory, Simulations, and Experiment Open
This roadmap reviews the new, highly interdisciplinary research field studying the behavior of condensed matter systems exposed to radiation. The Review highlights several recent advances in the field and provides a roadmap for the develop…
View article: Photoabsorption spectra of solid O2 in ultraviolet and far-vacuum ultraviolet region at 9–30 K
Photoabsorption spectra of solid O2 in ultraviolet and far-vacuum ultraviolet region at 9–30 K Open
We report ultraviolet and far-vacuum ultraviolet (FUV) absorption spectra of solid molecular oxygen recorded over the wavelength region 110–365 nm for temperatures between 9 and 30 K, in which the light source was dispersed from a synchrot…
View article: Amorphous 1-propanol interstellar ice beyond its melting point
Amorphous 1-propanol interstellar ice beyond its melting point Open
The recent discovery of 1-propanol (CH3CH2CH2OH) in the interstellar medium (ISM) is of tremendous interest since fatty alcohols have been proposed as constituents of proto-cell membranes. Motivated by this discovery, we present the labora…