Scientists have successfully demonstrated a technique to observe the dynamics of electrons as they move across the boundaries where metals and non-metals meet. The experiment showed that electrons can become delocalized, free to roam, before becoming localized and trapped in the interface.
The Building Design Advisor (BDA) is an advanced decision-making tool that enables architects to design more energy-efficient, economic, and comfortable buildings. With its easy-to-use interface, BDA integrates multiple simulation tools to provide a comprehensive view of building performance.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have obtained a detailed picture of an alkane-activation reaction at room temperature using ultrafast spectroscopic techniques. The study sheds light on the mechanism of alkane activation, bringing scientists closer to converting alkanes into chemically useful products.
A laboratory study by Berkeley Lab's researchers reveals that green rust can chemically react with toxic selenium, converting it to a safer elemental form. This finding offers a possible new approach to addressing selenium contamination in soils and sediments.
Geochemists found high-pressure fluids from the Earth's mantle weaken the San Andreas Fault by acting as a lubricant, contradicting previous models. The discovery raises questions about the structure of the fault and potential regional decollements that extend far beyond the Sierra Nevada.
Researchers studied 40 distant supernovae to measure the cosmic expansion rate, finding it will expand forever due to insufficient mass for gravity to slow it down. Type Ia supernovae provide natural mile-markers to track trends in the universe's expansion.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory create first 3-dimensional atomic model of tubulin, a protein essential for cell division and material transport. The model reveals the structure of tubulin's three functional components and its interaction with anti-cancer drug taxol.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab create cells with engineered surface properties using unnatural sugars, enabling control over cell adhesion to synthetic materials. This technology has potential applications in biocompatible materials, artificial organs, and cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers discovered atom-sized electronic devices on nanotubes, which can conduct electricity like metals or act as semiconductors. This breakthrough may lead to smaller, more efficient devices and reduce heat-related issues.
A new report examines the trend towards increasing GHG emissions in 14 developing and transitioning nations, highlighting potential mitigation options. The Berkeley Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division has organized workshops with scientists from 35 nations to develop global climate change assessments.
Researchers have resolved a long-standing paradox in the theory of sintering ceramics by proposing a new model that explains shape changes during the process. The model takes into account energy differences among differently oriented surfaces and edges, reducing total energy through shape changes.
Researchers found that defects in silicon wafers, not grain boundaries, cause low efficiency; optimizing processes can remove contaminants and improve performance. The goal is to achieve 18% efficiency on the production line, a significant step towards making solar cells more profitable.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a method to coat disks and sliders with diamond-like carbon, allowing for increased storage capacity and improved durability. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-density data storage devices with reduced wear and tear.
Researchers find preferred shapes and sizes of lead inclusions in aluminum, which affect melting behavior and material properties. The discovery has implications for understanding and engineering the behavior of nanoparticles in various alloys.
A new sensor developed by Berkeley Lab can detect the presence of toxic E. coli bacteria instantly, providing a cost-effective solution for food companies, health inspectors, and consumers. The sensor uses a color-changing technology that can be placed on various materials, allowing for rapid detection of contaminated products.
The COMPS project aims to develop a unique networked cluster of largely off-the-shelf equipment, which will be put to work by scientists and then evaluated. The challenge is to overcome communication delays or latency that have been inherent when clusters of computers are linked together via a network.