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DOE/Argonne National Laboratory


Two faces offer limitless possibilities

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new way to chemically deposit a second face on Janus membranes, resulting in more robust and precisely structured membranes. This breakthrough could help optimize or enable various industrial processes, including wastewater treatment and biofuel production.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateJul 19, 2018

Blast from the past

Researchers analyzed data from the MiniBooNE experiment and found thousands of neutrino-nucleus collisions with the same energy, shedding light on neutrino interactions with matter. The discovery could help solve long-standing problems in experimental design and potentially reveal new physics processes.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 5, 2018

Nanodiamonds are forever

The Argonne team discovered that sulfur diffusion breaks down nanodiamonds into onion-like carbon, creating a superlubricant with friction 10 times lower than some nonstick coatings. The new lubricant can be used in various industries, including wind turbines and magnetic disc drives.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 10, 2018

SimEarth

The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) simulates the Earth's atmosphere, oceanic, land and ice components together. The new model can help researchers anticipate decadal-scale changes that could influence the U.S. energy sector.

Mirror, mirror

Researchers have confirmed the existence of the charge Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition, a mirror-like phenomenon to vortex BKT transitions. The discovery builds on earlier work and could lead to breakthroughs in sensors, communication, memory storage, and other technologies.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 6, 2018

What a mesh

Researchers have developed a method to create linked networks of metal oxides that can improve their ability to catalyze chemical reactions or harvest energy from light. This new material has potential applications in various fields, including catalysis and electronics.

It's a trap!

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the mechanism by which holes become trapped in zinc oxide nanoparticles, a material with potential for solar energy applications. The study uses X-ray techniques to visualize hole trapping in specific regions of the nanoparticle, revealing its impact on material performance.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2018

The element of surprise

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have found that protactinium shares chemical similarities with both actinides and transition metals, revealing a unique intersection of their properties. This discovery could lead to novel applications for these elements and a deeper understanding of the periodic table.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 14, 2018

Painting a clear picture of how nitrogen oxides are formed

A team of researchers from the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has developed a comprehensive model for nitrogen oxide formation in combustion. The study reveals that temperature and fuel mixture richness significantly impact NOx production, providing valuable insights for engine companies seeking to reduce emissions.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProgress in Energy and Combustion Science·DateMar 12, 2018

Locked in a forest

A new study finds that reforested areas in the US can absorb significant amounts of carbon, with existing forests capable of sequestering an additional 1-2 billion tons of carbon over 100 years. Researchers analyzed soil profile observations and remote sensing data to determine the rate at which soils absorb carbon.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2018

On the rebound

Palladium nanoparticles have been shown to repair atomic dislocations in their crystal structure after experiencing intense strain. Researchers discovered that these nanoparticles function like the human body healing from an injury, allowing them to mend and regain their original state.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2018

Breaking bad metals with neutrons

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used neutron scattering to study the behavior of correlated electron systems, gaining insight into material properties. The technique allowed for accurate predictions and comparison to theoretical models, enabling a more ambitious approach to discovering new materials.

A catalytic balancing act

Researchers create a new catalyst by alloying iridium with osmium and then removing the osmium to achieve a balanced structure that supports chemical reactions. The resulting material exhibits enhanced catalytic stability and electron conductivity.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2017

Clearing the air

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have made a breakthrough in understanding the Criegee intermediate, a key chemical able to break down sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The research improves models for atmospheric chemistry and validates a major theory for predicting chemical reactivity.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2017

Forget about it

Researchers develop a quantum perovskite material that exhibits adaptive response to repeated proton insertion and removal, resembling brain's desensitization. This property enables effective programming of the material like a computer.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2017

Turbocharging engine design

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used the Mira supercomputer to simulate over 2,000 engine design combinations, reducing design time from months to weeks. The simulations identified two optimized fuel-engine concepts that can improve fuel efficiency substantially.

The outsized role of soil microbes

Researchers propose a new approach to understanding soil organic matter's response to climate change and atmospheric chemistry. Soil microbes contribute significantly to stable carbon pools through catabolic and anabolic activities, which could lead to improved soil stabilization and renewal strategies.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Microbiology·DateAug 28, 2017

Nickel for thought: Compound shows potential for high-temperature superconductivity

A team of researchers at Argonne National Laboratory has identified a nickel oxide compound with promising properties for high-temperature superconductivity. The compound, a metallic trilayer nickelate, successfully synthesized single crystals that resemble cuprate materials, a crucial step towards solving the field's defining problem.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 16, 2017