Berkeley Lab researchers are working on a two-year project to develop a roadmap for Puerto Rico to meet its 100% renewable energy mandate. The study aims to analyze pathways, power system reliability, and generation planning. Meanwhile, a new fungal strain has been discovered in a spacecraft assembly facility named after Berkeley Lab m...
Scientists have developed a new technique called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (smSFX) that can reveal the structures of not-so-neat-and-tidy materials. This method uses an exceptional X-ray laser and custom-built image processing algorithms to diffract individual granules of powders, providing a precise sharp...
A new report by Berkeley Lab outlines systemic changes needed to advance equity in electric utility regulation. The report recommends considering energy justice goals, allocating funding for low-income households, and accounting for energy inequities in designing electricity rates.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a method to stabilize graphene nanoribbons and directly measure their unique magnetic properties. By substituting nitrogen atoms along the zigzag edges, they can discretely tune the local electronic structure without disrupting the magnetic properties.
Researchers have created a new approach to edit genes within specific bacteria in a community using CRISPR-Cas9, enabling targeted genetic modifications. This technology could be used to track edited microbes and potentially treat diseases like digestive issues or create more resilient crops.
Scientists developed an all-season smart-roof coating that automatically switches between cooling and heating, outperforming commercial cool-roof systems in energy savings. The technology uses vanadium dioxide to regulate its rate of radiative cooling, overcoming the problem of overcooling in winter.
A new device has been developed that converts sunlight into two promising sources of renewable fuels – ethylene and hydrogen. The researchers found that by optimizing the working conditions for cuprous oxide, a promising artificial photosynthesis material, they can create a more stable system.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Quantum Testbed demonstrated a method to reduce error rates in quantum algorithms, leading to more accurate and stable computations. The technique, known as randomized compiling, can suppress one of the most severe types of errors: coherent errors.
Scientists found a 12% increase in global photosynthesis from 1982 to 2020, capturing 14 petagrams of additional carbon removed from the atmosphere each year. While this helps slow climate change, it's not enough to stop it, according to Berkeley Lab researchers.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed water-walking liquid robots that can retrieve and deliver precious chemicals autonomously. The robots use chemistry to control buoyancy and do not require electrical energy, making them ideal for applications such as chemical synthesis and drug delivery.
Researchers at JGI have developed a new protocol to study the effects of genetic variations on traits, using DNA affinity purification sequencing technology. The protocol allows for rapid capture of transcription factor binding locations in the genome, providing insights into gene regulation and function.
Researchers evaluate various technologies for extracting lithium from hot, saline brines, facing technical challenges due to high heat and dissolved minerals. The Salton Sea region in California is identified as a major domestic source of lithium, with the goal of developing environmentally friendly 'green' lithium sources.
A Berkeley Lab study shows how battery-electric trains can cut carbon dioxide emissions by over half, eliminating premature deaths and health costs associated with diesel freight trains. The analysis suggests that retrofitting diesel-electric trains with batteries is a cost-effective solution with multiple benefits.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab are developing next-generation materials and systems for thermal energy storage, which could be a viable alternative to batteries. The technology has the potential to reduce demand on the electricity grid from thermal loads and free up resources for other applications.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new approach to modify the surface of copper catalysts, improving the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels. The technique involves coating the copper with thin films of ionomers, which steer the reaction towards generating carbon-rich products.
A new study analyzes when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and its implications for water management. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, low-to-no-snow winters will become regular occurrences in the western U.S. in 35 to 60 years.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully engineered microbes to produce novel chemicals and developed a new technique for studying enzyme reactions in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to the production of sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and renewable plastics.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new path forward for processing titanium. Cryo-forging at ultra-low temperatures produces extra-strong nanotwinned titanium with improved strength and ductility. The material maintains its structure and properties at extreme temperatures, demonstrating its versatility.
A new instrument at the Advanced Light Source enables simultaneous measurement of crystal structure and optical properties during perovskite synthesis. This allows for real-time monitoring of material quality and performance, leading to potentially more efficient solar cells.
New experiments found that poorly mixed room air can lead to increased exposure to airborne contaminants, with occupants at risk of respiratory aerosols from others up to 5-6 times higher. Portable air cleaners using air pull-down can provide a simple solution to improve ventilation and reduce the risk.
Researchers have discovered a new technique to locate the diffusion wake's signal in the quark-gluon plasma, a subatomic soup that flowed like a friction-free fluid after the Big Bang. This breakthrough may help scientists understand how matter emerged from this perfect fluid.
A new study suggests that climate change is displacing cold-water communities of algae with warm-adapted ones, threatening to destabilize the delicate marine food web. The research found a clear boundary between these communities at moderate water temperatures, highlighting the vulnerability of polar ecosystems.
Berkeley Lab researchers developed a method to increase the efficiency of LED devices by applying mechanical strain to thin semiconductor films. This approach reduces exciton annihilation, allowing for high-performance LEDs even at high brightness levels.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley capture the first direct image of quantum spin liquid particles, called spinons and chargons. The discovery advances research on quantum computing and exotic superconductivity.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a new mathematical algorithm to decipher the rotational dynamics of twisting particles in complex systems. By analyzing X-ray scattering patterns, they can gain insights into the function and properties of materials.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have made significant breakthroughs in developing a highly effective COVID-19 antibody therapy and an efficient thermoelectric system that can convert waste heat to electricity. The new antibody, S309, has been shown to neutralize all known SARS-CoV-2 strains and may be more difficult for new mutants to escape.
Researchers are exploring autonomous discovery techniques to reduce data required for scientific discovery, enabling faster and more efficient exploration of multi-dimensional parameter spaces. The field is gaining traction across various disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and more.
A new study by Berkeley Lab and NREL found that optimizing building energy demand can significantly impact the electric grid. By increasing energy efficiency and flexibility in buildings, up to one-third of coal- or gas-fired power generation can be avoided. The regions with the largest grid resource are Texas, Southeast U.S., Great La...
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed an ultrathin magnet that operates at room temperature, enabling high-density, compact spintronic memory devices and new tools for studying quantum physics. The discovery makes a significant breakthrough in creating 2D magnetic materials.
A team of scientists has developed a comprehensive understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 protein-based machine responsible for viral replication. By analyzing its structure and function, they have identified potential weak spots for drug development, paving the way for new treatments.
Berkeley Lab's Partnership for Advanced Window Solutions accelerates nationwide adoption of highly efficient windows. Researchers also discover unique microbial signatures in cities worldwide and investigate oxygen loss in lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab design a nanoparticle composite that grows into 3D crystals, enabling faster production of electronic and optical devices. The discovery provides unprecedented control in fine-tuning nanolevel precision.
Berkeley Lab scientists have developed a new class of materials called DRX, which can replace cobalt and nickel in lithium-ion batteries. These cathode materials offer higher energy density and can be made with inexpensive and abundant metals like manganese and titanium.
A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory uses a hydraulic model to quantify the impact of climate change on flooding in Houston, Texas during Hurricane Harvey. The research reveals that 14% to 15% of the cost of flooding was due to climate change.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab, University of Hawaii, and Florida International University found a new way for free radicals to react, leading to the formation of benzene rings. This discovery could help create more efficient gas engines and reduce air pollution.
Researchers have compiled the most complete library yet of lanthanides and their potential toxicity by exposing baker's yeast to lanthanide metals. The study found that lanthanides interrupt cell-signaling pathways, disrupting calcium-binding sites in endocytosis and ESCRT machinery.
A recent study published in Microbiome Journal found that soil protists respond to plant signals, shifting community compositions and altering nutrient cycling. This groundbreaking research highlights the importance of including protists in terrestrial ecological studies.
A new x-ray technique developed by Berkeley Lab scientists may revolutionize COVID-19 testing. The method uses small angle X-ray scattering to identify highly sensitive antibody pairs for detection, promising fast and accurate results.
Cosmologists have found a way to double the accuracy of measuring distances to supernova explosions, enabling precise study of dark energy. The Nearby Supernova Factory collaboration has developed a new method that quadruples the number of supernovae used, allowing for more accurate measurements and reducing biases.
A new desalination process removes nearly 100% of toxic metals, producing clean water while capturing valuable metals. An infant-warming device reduces neonatal mortality rates by threefold in Rwanda, proving safe and effective without electricity.
A new type of plastic, poly(diketoenamine), can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The material's production and recycling processes are designed to be inexpensive and energy-efficient, making it commercially competitive with conventional plastics.
Researchers have developed an enzyme-activated compostable plastic that can break down into its building blocks and be reformed into a new product. This innovative material has the potential to diminish microplastics pollution and offers a promising solution for plastics upcycling.
A new study reveals that the social cost of methane varies by an order of magnitude between industrialized and developing regions, with sub-Saharan Africa facing significantly lower costs. The study estimates a global mean cost of $922 per metric ton, decreasing to $130 for sub-Saharan Africa and rising to $8,040 for the US.
Experts predict significant cost reductions in wind energy by 2035 and 2050, driven by larger turbines, lower capital and operating costs. The study's findings offer insights into the magnitude of cost reductions and drivers for improvement.
Researchers develop a streamlined process to convert woody biomass into ethanol, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and create new jobs in the bioenergy industry.
A recent X-ray study clarifies the reaction mechanism of lithium manganese oxide (Li2MnO3) and finds it suitable as a catalyst for high-energy electrode materials. The discovery paves the way for exploring alternative battery technologies, including lithium-air and lithium-carbon dioxide batteries.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated and observed 3D hopfions emerging from skyrmions at the nanoscale, a major breakthrough in realizing high-density, high-speed, low-power magnetic memory devices. The discovery could lead to significant advancements in spintronics technology.
Researchers uncover how tailocins, produced by bacteria under stress, target specific strains with lethal precision. The nanomachines have potential applications in studying microbial interactions and developing new antibiotics.
Researchers designed a polymer membrane with molecular cages that increase lithium ion flow by an order of magnitude, improving battery power and efficiency. The solvation cages selectively capture and transport lithium ions faster than their counter anions, enabling high-voltage battery cells to operate more efficiently.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have discovered a self-improving property in Si/GaN that enables it to become more efficient and stable as an artificial photosynthesis device. The material, made of silicon and gallium nitride, can harness sunlight into carbon-free hydrogen with twice the efficiency and stability of previous technologies.