Researchers found that complex oxide films remain stable with reduced oxygen levels at the surface, contrary to expected changes. This discovery has implications for designing functional oxides in consumer products like batteries and electronic devices.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that elemental mercury can be converted to methylmercury by bacteria in environments lacking oxygen. This discovery complicates mercury cleanup efforts and highlights the need for further research on microbial mercury methylation.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed an all-solid lithium-sulfur battery with approximately four times the energy density of conventional lithium-ion technologies. The battery's use of abundant low-cost elemental sulfur addresses flammability concerns, while also increasing safety by eliminating liquid electrolytes.
The new awake imaging device enables motion compensation reconstruction, removing blur caused by motion and allowing for transparent pictures of the functioning brain. Researchers aim to better understand brain development in babies, teens, and individuals with neurological conditions.
Scientists have directly visualized and tracked the movement of silicon atoms in a graphene sheet, revealing a 'dancing' behavior caused by energy transfer from an electron beam. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for tuning electronic and optical properties in materials.
Scientists have cracked the genetic code of bacteria linked to periodontitis, a disease marked by inflammation and infection of the teeth's supporting ligaments and bones. The unique genetic code allows SR1 bacteria to introduce a glycine amino acid, limiting gene exchange with other bacteria.
Researchers at ORNL have solved the mystery of how bacteria convert mercury into methylmercury, a far more toxic form. The team identified two genes, hgcA and hgcB, responsible for this conversion process, which has significant implications for protecting human health.
Scientists at ORNL developed a high-performance, nanostructured solid electrolyte for more energy-dense lithium ion batteries, overcoming safety concerns and size constraints. The ability to use pure lithium metal as an anode could yield batteries five to ten times more powerful than current versions.
The ORNL research team achieved virtual perfection at the oxide interface of two insulator materials by tweaking the formula for growing oxide thin films. This discovery has significant ramifications for creating novel materials with applications in solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, transistors and capacitors.
Graphene crystals offer unprecedented stiffness, electrical and thermal properties due to their two-dimensional atomic structure. Researchers are now able to study the bonding characteristics of individual impurities in graphene, enabling them to optimize materials for specific applications.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made significant progress in fabricating advanced nanomaterials with improved properties. The controlled assembly of nanostructures enables the creation of self-assembled films with novel and unprecedented properties suitable for various electrical and electronic applications.
Researchers at ORNL have discovered a strain relaxation phenomenon in cobaltites that can lead to defect-free thin films. This breakthrough could enable the creation of advanced materials for fuel cells, magnetic sensors, and other energy-related applications.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a microscopy technique to map oxygen vacancies in fuel cell materials, which can affect device efficiency. The research aims to improve fuel cells with longer lifetimes and lower prices.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a material called HiCap that can extract valuable and precious dissolved metals from water. The material effectively removes toxic metals from water and has been shown to outperform current best adsorbents in terms of capacity, speed and selectivity.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a new carbon cycling model that accounts for microbes' role in releasing CO2 from the ground, improving scientists' understanding of future climate change. The MEND model simulates carbon cycle processes and estimates parameters based on comprehensive literature review.
A team of researchers has identified a group of proteins in heat-loving bacteria that enable them to break down cellulose, a key challenge in producing cost-effective biofuels. By analyzing the genomes and proteomics of these bacteria, the scientists pinpointed unique genes responsible for their ability to degrade cellulose.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory warn that current sensor technologies are not optimized for real-world conditions, posing risks to the nation's food and water supplies. Developing more effective sensors is crucial to address safety concerns, particularly in complex environments.
Researchers at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a carbon nanotube sponge that can soak up oil in water with unprecedented efficiency. The material's unique structure and properties make it an attractive solution for oil spill cleanup, offering advantages over existing substances.
A research team analyzed the proteins in a simple marine worm and its resident bacteria to understand their symbiotic relationship. The study found functional differences in the metabolism of two symbionts despite their genetic similarities, indicating that metaproteomics can be used to unravel complex microbial communities.
Researchers at ORNL and Yale created a nanopore with radio-frequency electric field to trap segments of DNA and other biomolecules. The 'aqueous virtual pore' allows for controlled movement of DNA through the nanopore without physical walls.
Researchers at ORNL have detected ferroelectricity in glycine, a key discovery that could lead to novel bioelectronic logic and memory devices. The study uses advanced microscopy techniques to observe polarization switching in the amino acid, shedding light on its potential applications in nanotechnology.
Researchers at ORNL have discovered a new theory explaining unusual properties in bismuth samarium ferrite, a lead-free material for sensors and ultrasound machines. The team used electron microscopy to map atomic structure and found flexoelectricity behind the observed behavior.
Researchers used neutron scattering to observe zero-sound oscillations in a fermion liquid, which could be a mechanism for high-temperature superconductivity. The discovery reveals new density waves with atomic wavelength in the helium fluid, differing from previous findings in bulk liquids.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to produce customized carbon fibers from polyethylene, with potential applications in filtration, catalysis, and energy harvesting. The process allows for tailoring of surface contour and filament diameter, enabling the creation of fibers with unique properties.
A 12-year experiment found increased soil carbon storage under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations, with deeper soil showing even greater gains. The study suggests that processes such as root dynamics and microbial decomposition contribute to this effect.
The study focuses on Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis, a bacterium that breaks down organic material at high temperatures. Researchers found that growth on switchgrass prompted the organism to express new proteins and enzymes involved in plant cell wall deconstruction.
Researchers used neutron scattering to study molecular motion in a silica nanopore, gaining insight into how surface interactions affect chemistry. Understanding these interactions can help tailor materials for specific outcomes, such as catalysis and drug delivery.
A comprehensive study of tension wood reveals its unique features and links them to sugar release, which is crucial for producing biofuel. The research provides insight into the molecular and biochemical properties of tension wood, shedding light on how it can be used to design more suitable bioenergy crops.
The study reveals three distinct classes of protein motion: localized diffusion, methyl group rotations, and jumps. These motions are crucial for understanding protein functions critical to life, enabling scientists to design new biofuels and environmental remediation technologies.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered a non-polar polymer material exhibiting up to 10 times the measured electro-active response as compared to strong piezoelectric materials. This finding has the potential to revolutionize the field of electro-active devices, including sensors, actuators, energy storage devices,...
A new approach to growing graphene reduces problems plaguing researchers, clearing a path for sophisticated electronic devices. Hydrogen controls the graphene grain shape and size, enabling the creation of well-defined graphene grains with perfect hexagonal shapes.
Researchers discovered that domain walls in ferroelectric materials act as dynamic conductors, enabling tunable and metastable memory functionality. This discovery could lead to a new paradigm of electronic memory storage.
The eSiMon Dashboard allows researchers to monitor and analyze simulations in real-time, providing a user-friendly interface for collaboration and data visualization. Key features include web-based access, variable annotation, and publication-quality image and video generation.
Neutron analysis reveals that magnetic interactions responsible for high-temperature superconductivity occur in a next-nearest-neighbor ordering of atoms, not just adjacent ones. This discovery suggests that superconductivity shares a common magnetic origin among different materials.
A new technique developed at ORNL allows supercomputers to sift through massive molecular databases and identify potential drug candidates. This breakthrough could lead to diverse and innovative classes of drugs by processing millions of molecules a day.
Researchers used quantum molecular dynamics and transmission electron microscopy to discover an intermediate step in the cleaning process. Electron irradiation prevented loop formation, allowing for efficient edge cleaning and improving graphene's suitability for electronics.
A new project aims to enhance the accuracy of climate models by leveraging data mining techniques. The collaboration between UT and ORNL will help predict large shifts in regional climate patterns and improve predictions of severe meteorological and hydrological events.
A new study has developed a computational approach to classify bacterial navigation systems, revealing over a dozen versions and assigning hundreds of species to each. This discovery allows for predicting how individual bacteria use their 'navigation' system to move towards favorable environments.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified a key gene for improving the conversion process of cellulosic biomass into ethanol. The modified microorganism shows enhanced efficiency and potential use for more cost-effective biofuel production, overcoming current pretreatment challenges.
A new sensor developed by ORNL can detect chlorinated hydrocarbons in water with high accuracy and low cost, reducing the need for lengthy laboratory testing. The system combines membrane extraction and ion mobility analysis to provide a single, compact device for on-site monitoring of groundwater contaminants.
The U.S. Department of Energy's INCITE program has allocated over 1.6 billion processor hours to researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Projects focus on breakthroughs in areas like climate change, alternative energy, life sciences, and materials science.
New neutron studies provide strong evidence that magnetic properties are behind high-temperature superconductivity in both copper-based and iron-based materials. The research suggests that spin excitations play a key role in the formation of macroscopic quantum states giving rise to superconductivity.
Researchers have enhanced a technique using algae as sentinels to detect toxins in municipal water supplies, showing broader applications and real-world results. The technology can be applied across various environments, even when algae are starved for nutrients.
A novel compound called azelaic acid has been identified as a primer for the plant's immune system, leading to increased systemic plant immunity and disease resistance. The discovery was made by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.
Jaguar, the Oak Ridge supercomputer, has a peak performance of 1.64 petaflops, enabling researchers to solve complex problems faster and explore dynamic systems. The system has already run scientific applications in days, sustaining petaflops performance on multiple applications.
UT Battelle has donated $47,500 in lab equipment and grants to Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Sevier counties to enhance math and science education. This will enable teachers to conduct hands-on experiments, increasing student participation and interest in scientific subjects.
A new urban transit bus features a high-strength stainless steel body and chassis, reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency. The bus is powered primarily by stored electrical energy, driving fuel economy gains.
Researchers found that tiny organisms filter nitrate from stream water, with the most effective removal occurring when nitrate enters small healthy streams and travels throughout the network. Streams and rivers can help prevent nitrate pollution from reaching lakes and coastal waters, where it can cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Researchers have performed the first atomic-detail computer simulation of how proteins vibrate in a crystal, enabling testing with new neutron analysis tools. The study aims to understand protein-protein interactions and could lead to breakthroughs in understanding biological systems.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have won five Department of Energy SciDAC awards to advance fundamental research in climate modeling, fusion energy sciences, and high-performance computing. The $60 million award will support leading-edge simulation computer programs over the next three to five years.