Researchers identify altered proteins predicting islet autoimmunity, a precursor to Type 1 diabetes. The findings mark an important step forward in predicting the disease months before symptoms appear.
Scientists at PNNL are developing a new way to identify unknown chemical compounds using high-resolution instruments, gaining important information faster and more accurately. The technique applies to ions, making them easier to control and detect using mass spectrometry.
A new study finds that the average Black urban resident is exposed to disproportionately higher heat stress due to warmer air temperatures, while white residents experience cooler temperatures. The research highlights income- and race-based disparities in urban heat stress across US cities.
Researchers at PNNL have created a comprehensive database of understudied quantum materials, enabling the use of machine learning to understand their properties. The database, published in Nature Publishing Group's journal 'Scientific Data,' contains 672 unique structures and 50,337 individual atomic configurations.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a baking soda solution for storing hydrogen, addressing the challenge of long-duration energy storage. The study aims to advance the DOE's H2@Scale initiative and reduce the cost of hydrogen production.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is crucial for US states with decarbonization goals to address variable energy generation and customer demands. LDES systems can store renewable energy until needed, providing a reliable solution for a decarbonized grid.
The new manufacturing process produces lightweight aluminum vehicle parts that lower costs and are more environmentally friendly. Researchers have shown that the Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) process can break up metal impurities in scrap without requiring an energy-intensive heat treatment step.
Researchers find that changes in wind patterns caused by warmer tropical waters are steering storms closer to the US East and Gulf coasts, increasing risk for residents. The study reveals that this phenomenon is linked to stronger hurricane frequency due to climate change.
The article explores knowledge gaps between laboratory and industrial manufacturing of batteries, highlighting the need for a shift in research priorities. Researchers propose new ways to design experiments that account for industry challenges, such as cost efficiency and impurity tolerance. The study aims to bridge the gap between fun...
A new study suggests that a mix of carbon dioxide removal technologies is needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. The effective path requires multiple methods, including restoring deforested lands and enhanced weathering, to remove necessary amounts of CO2 annually.
Researchers have developed a novel process that converts plastic waste into liquid gasoline-like fuel at low temperatures, eliminating unwanted byproducts. The innovative method uses alkylation catalysts and combines cracking and reaction steps in a single vessel, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Scientists have developed a simulation environment to test multistage attack scenarios using deep reinforcement learning, achieving success rates of up to 95% in stopping cyberattacks. The AI-powered approach offers promise for proactive cyber defense and the ability to detect changes in the cyber landscape earlier.
Researchers have identified a blood protein snapshot that documents changes in patients with severe liver disease caused by heavy drinking, potentially leading to a simple blood test for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Researchers developed a new molten salt battery design using sodium and aluminum that can charge and discharge faster, operate at lower temperatures, and maintain excellent energy storage capacity. The battery's specific energy density could reach up to 100 Wh/kg, making it a promising solution for 10-plus hours of energy storage.
Scientists at PNNL have created a new system that efficiently captures CO2 and converts it into methanol, reducing emissions and establishing a market for CO2-containing materials. The technology could help stimulate the development of other carbon capture technologies and promote a more circular economy.
Researchers used large-scale data analysis to study Alzheimer's disease, revealing patterns that can be targeted for tailored intervention. The findings outline a multilevel biological classification system that predicts disease severity and future neurological symptoms.
An international research team proposes using engineered nanoparticles to fertilize ocean plankton, encouraging growth and carbon dioxide uptake. The approach has been shown to be safe and effective in enhancing plankton growth through controlled release of nutrients.
Researchers discovered trapped seawater sealed in North American rock for 390 million years, shedding light on ancient oceans' chemistry and potential for storing carbon-free fuel. The study's findings could inform geologic studies and help identify subsurface locations to safely store hydrogen.
New research suggests that the world will probably warm beyond the 1.5-degree limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, but peak warming can be minimized by adopting more ambitious climate pledges and decarbonizing faster. The study models scenarios to explore what degree of warming would likely follow different courses of action, highlig...
A team of scientists at PNNL created a new kind of micelle that detects SARS-CoV-2 in the air by bursting open upon contact with the virus, sending an immediate electronic signal. The detector has advantages over current technologies, requiring lower viral particle levels and producing fewer errors.
A new study reveals that western wildfires can strengthen storms in central US states, leading to heavier rain and flash flooding. The heat and airborne particles from wildfires intensify severe storms, with some cases bringing hailstones larger than baseballs.
Climate scientists predict faster-developing, wetter storms will ravage the U.S. Atlantic Coast as global temperatures rise. The study reveals a unique coastal phenomenon that fuels hurricane development, making it more common along the already hurricane-battered coastline.
Researchers at PNNL and UW discover a flow-based method to isolate pure magnesium salt from seawater, skipping energy-intensive purification steps. This approach could revolutionize US domestic magnesium production and enable more efficient processing of seawater.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new method for converting plastics into valuable chemicals using hydrogenolysis. The process reduces the use of precious metal ruthenium while increasing efficiency and selectivity.
A team of researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory sent a tiny piece of Washington state soil into space to study how it behaves in microgravity. The experiment, called DynaMoS, aims to understand the dynamics of microbial communities and their role in plant growth, with implications for growing food on other celestial bodies.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a sodium-ion battery with greatly extended longevity in laboratory tests. The new electrolyte recipe stabilizes the protective film on the anode and generates an ultra-thin protective layer, providing long cycle life and stability. This technology has potential for applications in light-duty electric ...
Scientists discover that SARS-CoV-2 creates cellular storehouses of fat to replicate and cause disease. Compounds cutting off fatty fuel stop the virus from replicating in lab tests.
A new artificial enzyme has successfully degraded lignin, a stubborn polymer in woody plants, offering hope for developing a new renewable energy source. The enzyme, developed by mimicking natural enzymes that break down lignin in nature, shows promise for producing valuable products from lignin.
The summit focuses on emerging innovations and scientific capabilities from DOE national laboratories, including self-reinforced cement, temperature-based hibernating batteries, and acoustic tags. These place-based research solutions aim to address challenges in energy resiliency and the maritime industry.
A recent study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers reveals a previously unknown atmospheric phenomenon over the Amazon rainforest, driven by plant-foliage-derived gases. These gases condense to form fine particles that cool the planet and seed clouds, affecting precipitation and the water cycle.
The 'freeze-thaw battery' can store energy for months without significant loss of capacity, making it a key step towards seasonal energy storage. The battery uses molten-salt and common materials to achieve this, with the potential to enhance grid resilience during severe storms or power outages.
A team of researchers from PNNL and UW successfully designed a bio-inspired molecule that directs gold atoms to form perfect nanoscale stars. The work is an important step toward understanding and controlling metal nanoparticle shape and creating advanced materials with tunable properties.
A new generation of thin triple-pane windows has made significant strides in energy efficiency, cost, and availability. The latest research shows that these next-generation windows can improve the energy efficiency performance of windows by up to 40%, boosting the total insulating value of a home exterior.
A new method using a thin oxide film has revealed that oxygen impurities in germanium are responsible for a surprising effect, creating holes in the material and eclipsing its semiconducting properties. This discovery has broad implications for understanding the role of thin oxide films in future semiconductor design.
A new study suggests that small respiratory particles can remain moist and airborne for a longer time and greater distance than previously recognized. The mucus shell surrounding these particles likely reduces evaporation rates, keeping viral particles infectious for up to 30 minutes and traveling distances of up to 200 feet.
A research team at PNNL has developed a system that converts waste carbon from sewage, food crops, and algae into fuels while removing impurities. The electrocatalytic oxidation fuel recovery system generates hydrogen to power its own operation, making it potentially carbon-neutral.
A novel plan to deploy smart transactive energy systems on the US power grid could reduce daily load swings by 20-44% and save consumers up to $50 billion annually. By coordinating with utilities, consumers can dynamically control big energy users like heat pumps and electric vehicle charging stations.
Researchers link dwindling Arctic sea ice to worsening wildfires in the Western United States, finding a previously unknown mechanism driving the connection. As sea ice melts, it warms surrounding areas, triggering heat and fire-favorable conditions in distant states.
Residents in eastern US cities experience up to 4.9 degrees Celsius increase in nighttime urban heat stress index, with extra 30 minutes of uncomfortable weather per degree C temperature increase. This effect is more pronounced in the southeastern US, where residents face up to five extra hours of uncomfortable weather during summer.
A team of researchers has created a detailed map of the proteins in human lungs, shedding light on how the organs develop and function. The study found that the immune system in the lungs continues to mature after birth, providing new avenues for understanding diseases such as asthma and COVID-19.
A new study published in Science assesses updated climate pledges and finds they could limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius with a 34% chance. Even more ambitious targets would increase the likelihood of staying below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
A team of scientists has identified a compound that shows promise in easing COVID-19 symptoms by targeting the cellular quality-control system damaged by coronaviruses. The compound, AMG PERK 44, was found to halt virus replication and boost lung function in mice infected with MERS.
Researchers have observed for the first time how silicon anodes degrade in lithium-ion batteries due to swelling and electrolyte infiltration. This degradation leads to reduced battery capacity and charging speed, but scientists are exploring ways to protect silicon from these effects.
A new machine learning approach has been developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to improve hurricane intensity predictions. The model uses artificial intelligence techniques and can run on a commercial laptop, offering more accurate forecasts than existing models. It also enables th...
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new method to convert captured CO2 into methane, reducing materials and energy needs. The new process uses EEMPA solvent, resulting in lower costs for natural gas production.
A recent study reveals that ants, worms, spiders, and other tiny creatures have a built-in set of tools that maximize cutting efficiency thanks to the arrangement of individual atoms of zinc. This biomaterial allows animals to use less force, making their smaller muscles spend less energy.
A new study predicts extreme sea levels will become 100 times more frequent worldwide, with an annual occurrence by the end of the century. The research, led by Claudia Tebaldi, suggests rising temperatures will have a significant impact on coastal regions, particularly in the tropics and lower latitudes.
A new catalyst and microchannel reactors improve efficiency and cost in converting alcohol into jet fuel. The process reduces complexity, improves efficiency, and lowers capital costs for renewable energy production.
Scientists at PNNL have developed a lithium-metal battery that lasts for 600 cycles, significantly longer than previous records. By using thin strips of lithium, the team was able to reduce unwanted side reactions and improve the battery's performance.
Human activities contribute to a four-day delay in seasonal rainfall, threatening crop production and exacerbating heatwaves. The delayed onset of monsoon rainfall also jeopardizes the livelihoods of large populations in regions like India.