Researchers developed a training system for grid operators to handle misleading data, using simulated malfunctioning instruments and fake hacker signals. The new curriculum improved operator responses, enabling them to troubleshoot faster and come up with effective courses of action.
The Idaho Bureau of Land Management and weed control groups use new software to analyze NASA satellite imagery and target areas for cheatgrass treatment. The technology helps land managers be smarter in using their resources, improving the effectiveness of weed control efforts.
The SAMMS technology can selectively remove metal contaminants without creating hazardous waste or by-products, with initial targets including coal-fired power plants and municipal facilities. In tests, 99.9% of mercury was successfully removed from simulated wastewater, meeting EPA discharge limits.
A new model forecasts a significant decline in winter snowpack between now and 2100, affecting mountains in temperate zones. The Sierras, Cascades, and southern Rockies will be among the hardest hit, with some regions losing up to 64% of their current snowpack.
Researchers have found metal fullerene clusters, also known as hollow golden cages, composed of gold atoms. These structures are stable at room temperature and can cage smaller atoms, opening up new possibilities for influencing physical and chemical properties.
A new biosensor technology has been developed that uses static electricity to layer proteins on carbon nanotubes, allowing for precise detection of biological chemicals and environmental agents. The technique enables enzymes to self-assemble in a layer-by-layer manner on the nanotube, resulting in improved sensitivity and specificity.
Researchers at PNNL have linked small organic molecules to create larger molecules that transport charge without interfering with blue light emission, enabling efficient white light generation.
Researchers at PNNL developed thiol-SAMMS to remove mercury and other contaminants from produced waters. The technology, recently awarded for successful commercial use, has been licensed for production by Steward Advanced Materials.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a microchannel distillation unit to create a light fraction of JP-8, which is then reacted in a hydrodesulfurization process powered by syngas. The use of syngas allows for significant increases in throughput and decreases in operating pressure compared to conventional technology.
A new study at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reveals a four-step process to produce oxygen in frigid environments, challenging previous models. Oxygen isotopes measured during experiments showed that intermediate species of hydrogen-oxygen permeate the ice film.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a durable, low-cost, and easy-to-apply ceramic-based aluminide coating that prevents corrosion, oxidation, carburization, and sulfidation in hostile environments. The coating bonds with the metal substrate and is resilient, inexpensive, and simple.
Scientists from 20 institutions collaborate on three grand challenges to study membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. Early results show promising insights into environmental remediation, energy transfer, and natural processes.
High-resolution images of ice crystals provide detailed information about ice clouds, including particle size and shape, which influence the longevity of the cloud. The Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment, led by the ARM Program, combines aircraft and surface data to better understand cirrus structure in the tropics.
The US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has established five Regional Visualization and Analytics Centers to improve homeland security. Four universities will focus on developing techniques, tools, and collaboration to analyze large multimedia databases and extract relevant information.
A study by PNNL found that China's air pollution has caused a decrease in cloud cover over the past 50 years, resulting in more frequent clear skies and reduced surface heat from sunshine. The likely culprit is a nine-fold increase in fossil fuel emissions, which have entrenched China in a foggy haze.
The Purdue-IUSM team will focus on three areas: intelligence analysis, emergency planning, and healthcare monitoring. They aim to create a comprehensive picture of information for decision-makers using advanced visualization tools.
The GridWise Demonstration project tests new electric grid technologies that enable consumers to make informed decisions about their energy use. Researchers will analyze how customers react to real-time pricing information and smart appliances, aiming to reduce power demand during peak hours and prevent widespread outages.
Researchers found a single layer of water on a platinum surface is hydrophobic, repelling subsequent layers, contrary to previous assumptions about water molecule attachment points. The discovery challenges current theories and has implications for technological applications such as catalysis and corrosion.
By mid-century, air quality in the Western United States is expected to decline due to climate change, with a doubling of stagnant days in the region. In contrast, the Midwest may see improved air quality thanks to increased cloud cover, which could offset warming temperatures.
Hydrologists use a simple apparatus of ¼-inch-diameter plastic tubing to collect groundwater samples along the Columbia River's edge. The aquifer tube method provides an accurate picture of vertical distribution of contaminants in groundwater, allowing for effective monitoring at difficult-to-access sites.
Researchers used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to assess fluid motion in simulated radioactive waste without sampling. The technique improved mixing technology for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant's large-scale operation.
The BEADS system detects toxin from environmental samples, then uses antibodies to purify and concentrate the pathogen or toxin for accurate detection. The system has been commercially licensed and can detect multiple pathogens simultaneously.
Researchers have discovered a super sulfur soaker material, cryptomelane, that can capture high amounts of sulfur dioxide. The material maintains its capacity even under extreme conditions and can protect nitrogen oxides traps from degradation.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have discovered a low-temperature sulfur oxides absorbent, silver hollandite, that maintains its catalytic activity even when aging. This inexpensive catalyst has the potential to reduce diesel emissions.
Researchers can now simulate complex behaviors with millions of particles, revealing new insights into chemical reactions. Advances in computational capabilities have made these monumental tasks possible, opening up new avenues for scientific discovery.
Researchers envision future supercomputers with heterogeneous architectures, incorporating smaller CPUs, vectors, and FPGAs. Experts in computational science and mathematics will collaborate to develop software that optimizes performance on specific architectures.
The active millimeter-wave technology rapidly scans individuals and produces a high-resolution 3D image, eliminating the need for physical searches. This innovative technology can be used in various public areas to minimize delays and indignity.
Researchers used 1,400 parallel processors to simulate octane's heat of formation, achieving a 75% sustained efficiency rate. The calculation took only 23 hours to complete, compared to 3.5 years and 2.5 terabytes for a single processor desktop computer.
Researchers are studying the lipopolysaccharide outer membrane of P. aeruginosa to understand its interaction with minerals and heavy metals, which has significant implications for bioremediation applications.
PNNL scientists employed x-ray spectroscopy to observe the reaction as it occurred, identifying a cluster of four rhodium atoms at the active site. This approach allows researchers to understand catalyst-reactant interactions under practical conditions, shedding light on key catalytic processes.
Researchers have discovered a more stable compound, diammoniate of diborane (DADB), that may spontaneously uptake hydrogen fuel, making it potentially reversible. This finding is part of the Grand Challenge Project to develop new materials for hydrogen storage.
Researchers at PNNL developed ScalaBLAST, a sequence alignment tool that can analyze large genomic sequences in minutes, rather than weeks. This breakthrough enables faster discovery of diseases, development of new treatments, and understanding of biological systems.
Researchers at PNNL have developed more efficient CFL replacement lamps, while redesigning hard-wired fixtures to use these lamps. This could lead to significant energy savings in U.S. homes with recessed downlights.
The Air Force has developed a portable biosensor system that can detect and identify biological warfare agents. The system, consisting of a spray and a hand-held 'green box,' provides rapid detection capability and is designed to be reliable, disposable, and cost-effective.
Two dozen researchers from 16 institutions will participate in three- to-five-year studies on membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. These projects aim to advance knowledge on microbial interactions with their environment, leading to potential applications in groundwater remediation and energy genera...
The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has received nearly $3 million in funding from the NIH to study P. aeruginosa bacteria and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family, which are involved in cellular growth and differentiation.
Scientists at PNNL develop MicroCATS, a system to produce propellant from Martian resources, regenerating breathable air and enabling life support. The goal is to advance microtechnology principles for larger-scale Mars missions by 2030.
According to a new study published in Science, the Earth's surface has been getting brighter for more than a decade, with an increase of about 4% over the past decade. This trend may accelerate warming at the surface and unmask the full effect of greenhouse warming.
PNNL's ecological dock design reduces harm to nearshore marine life, while a new system tracks juvenile salmon behavior, aiding restoration of critical habitats. The lab also developed a cost-effective nanomaterial to remove mercury from industrial wastes, significantly reducing production costs.
PNNL's risk-based approach to cleanup standards reveals significant economic impacts overshadowing other effects, including recovery from radiological dispersion devices. The laboratory employs over 4,000 staff with a $650 million annual budget.
The research aims to determine a biological sample's origin by identifying markers, such as metal and protein changes. The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate funds the project.
A software suite will be developed to simulate and calculate chemical properties, enabling the control of complex chemical processes in Navy's all-electric ships. The partnership combines advances in molecular theories, computer algorithms, and supercomputing capabilities.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a new solid chemical material that can release hydrogen almost 100 times faster than conventional methods. The nanophase material achieves this high rate of hydrogen release at a lower temperature, making it an attractive option for sustainable hydrogen storage.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a process to convert corn into isosorbide, which can improve the properties of plastic materials. The technology has the potential to reduce the amount of petroleum necessary to make plastics and create new jobs for rural economies.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a new technique to control the deposition of anchor molecules on carbon nanotubes using supercritical fluids, enabling precise control over the level of coating and thickness. This innovation improves the material's utility without compromising its physical properties.
Scientists at PNNL discovered that micron-wide dust particles encrusted with molecularly gluey ice enabled planets to bulk up quickly enough to overcome solar winds. Fluffy ice provided a cushioning effect, allowing icy grains to stick together and grow into large lumps.
A decade-long study on water availability in the Yakima River Valley found expected losses to agriculture of $92-163 million by mid-century due to projected snowpack reductions. Climate models predict up to 70% reduction in snowpack for the West Coast, with severe droughts becoming more frequent.
DHS has selected Stanford as its first regional center for national visual analytics work, aiming to enhance analytical reasoning with complex information. The partnership will focus on network traffic analysis, cognitive principles, and exploratory analysis of graphs in relational databases.
A new method assigns biological functions to unknown genes, enabling genome comparison, by integrating experimental and computational analyses. This approach identifies functional proteins in 97% of hypothetical genes and provides a framework for ranking their precision and confidence.
The ARM Mobile Facility is a moveable, atmospheric-measuring suite designed to withstand temperatures from minus-40 to plus-120 degrees Fahrenheit. The station measures physical properties of air and heat radiating from clouds and the ground, providing critical information missing in climate models.