Scientists at PNNL have developed a deep neural network that accurately detects nuclear events with high accuracy, often exceeding human expert's performance. The network was trained on 32,000 pulses and achieved impressive results, correctly identifying 99.9% of signals with minimal noise.
Researchers have obtained key information about proteins in single human cells, revealing molecular happenings inside a cell. The nanoPOTS technology allows for the analysis of samples that are 500 times smaller than previously possible, providing vital insights into cellular behavior.
Researchers at PNNL have successfully vitrified three gallons of low-activity Hanford tank waste, immobilizing radioactive and chemical materials within a durable glass waste form. The laboratory-scale demonstration is an important step toward treating millions of gallons of hazardous waste generated during past plutonium production.
The new Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM is one of three national centers established by the National Institutes of Health to boost access to cryo-electron microscopy. This technology allows scientists to see individual atoms in a molecule or protein with striking clarity, revolutionizing structural biology research.
A recent study found that powerful hurricanes intensify more rapidly and strongly in the Atlantic Ocean, with a climate cycle called AMO being the main driver. The average boost in wind speed during a 24-hour intensification event is about 13 mph more than it was 30 years ago.
A novel process called Friction Stir Dovetailing joins thicker aluminum alloys to steel, creating joints of superior strength and ductility. The technique inhibits intermetallic compound overgrowth, allowing for improved fuel efficiency and operational effectiveness in military combat vehicles.
Scientists at PNNL have developed an electrolyte solution that increases the charge/discharge cycles of lithium-metal batteries by up to seven times. This breakthrough enables electric vehicles to drive more than two times longer between charges.
Rising temperatures and carbon dioxide levels drive tree mortality in the tropics, with nearly all factors contributing to the decline. Trees face two main phenomena: carbon starvation from lack of food and hydraulic failure due to water scarcity.
Research reveals ultrafine particles can cause powerful storms, intensify clouds, and increase rainfall. The smallest of particles have a significant impact on weather patterns, even at high concentrations in clean environments.
Scientists have created new tiny tubes that can help with water filtration and tissue engineering studies. The tubes are inspired by protein structures called microtubules found in cells and are thousands of times smaller than a human hair.
Scientists have identified two biomarkers that accurately predict patient survival in Ebola cases. The study analyzed blood samples from survivors and fatal cases, revealing distinct metabolic responses and immune-related molecules. These findings could improve treatment allocation and patient outcomes.
The study reveals how arrangement of atoms creates forces that pull crystals together and align them. Researchers found that manipulating attraction through ion type, concentration, and temperature can control crystallization.
A global network of nuclear forensics experts has developed new analytical techniques to investigate radioactive material intercepts. The latest exercise, CMX-5, involved 20 labs from around the world and tested the capabilities of these new approaches.
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new process that makes it possible to produce magnesium alloys for structural car parts. The ShAPE process enhances the material's energy absorption and ductility, making it a viable alternative to aluminum in certain applications.
PNNL scientist Jiwen Fan has received a $2.5 million DOE Early Career Research award to investigate severe thunderstorms in the central United States. The research aims to understand how storms form, change, and are influenced by factors such as urban heat islands and wildfires.
A study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that changes in tweet opinion and emotion can signal rising health issues. Researchers analyzed 171 million anonymous tweets to identify patterns that correlate with medical visits for flu-like illnesses.
Researchers are developing software called ThermalTracker to automatically categorize birds and bats in thermal video. The system can help developers and regulators make informed decisions about siting and operating offshore wind projects, reducing uncertainty about potential impacts on wildlife.
Distributed wind power has grown significantly in the US, with the nation's cumulative capacity reaching 1% of total wind power capacity. The 2016 report highlights the success of third-party financing and leasing options, which have made it more accessible for companies and individuals to install wind turbines on their properties.
The National Cancer Institute's Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers aim to bring proteogenomics to cancer patients. By analyzing blood samples, researchers hope to identify proteins that indicate response to specific treatments.
A new report found that if commercial buildings fully used controls nationwide, the US could slash its energy consumption by an average of 29%. This would result in significant national energy savings, with some building types potentially saving up to 49% and 41%.
The Sensor Suitcase is a portable case that contains sensors and equipment to identify energy-saving opportunities in small commercial buildings. It helps users find cost-effective measures to save about 10% on their energy bills, making it easier for building owners to make their facilities more energy efficient.
Reduced natural dust from the Gobi Desert leads to increased man-made pollution over eastern China due to reduced temperature differential between sea and land, resulting in weaker winds and air stagnation. This has a profound effect on climate and air quality, with cleaner air observed two to three days after wind-borne dust arrives.
For the first time, researchers have measured the force that draws tiny crystals together and visualized how they swivel and align. The van der Waals forces provide insights into how crystals self-assemble in nature.
Researchers have discovered how oxygen blows bubbles inside a lithium-air battery when it discharges, a crucial step towards improving the technology. The findings, published in Nature Nanotechnology, propose a new mechanism for bubble formation that could lead to smaller and more stable batteries.
Three small businesses will collaborate with PNNL on projects addressing technical challenges in bio-coal and hydrogen transportation. The collaborations aim to overcome critical technology hurdles and gain a global competitive advantage for advanced energy products.
A new architecture for 3D stacked memory increases rendering speeds by up to 65% by processing data in memory, reducing traffic between GPU cores. This innovation benefits both science, particularly complex modeling and virtual reality, and the gaming industry.
Researchers found that modifying molecule structure can influence crystallization path, leading to better control over materials assembly. The discovery may lead to improved design of pharmaceuticals, energy technologies, and food products.
Scientists have determined that water is only slightly more likely to stay in one piece as it binds to the catalyst surface than it is to form hydroxyl pairs. This small advantage has significant implications for industries using titanium dioxide, including alternative fuel production and solar energy.
Researchers found that adding a small amount of lithium hexafluorophosphate to an electrolyte makes rechargeable lithium-metal batteries stable, charge quickly, and have high voltage. The additive also helps create a protective layer on the battery's anode, preventing unwanted side reactions.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease exhibit highly fluctuating gut microbiomes, unlike healthy individuals, who display more consistent microbial communities over time. The research highlights the dynamic nature of IBD and its relationship to the human gut microbiome.
Scientists have found that vitamin B12 controls 41 different proteins in a bacterium, regulating folate, ubiquinone, and methionine metabolism. This discovery highlights the importance of B12 in shaping microbial communities and their impact on human health.
A new collaborative project is using a unique climate-simulating laboratory system to quickly identify promising algae strains for renewable fuels. The Algae DISCOVR Project aims to reduce the cost and time needed to move promising algal strains from the laboratory to production.
A recent study suggests that warmer oceans and increased rainfall will lead to more intense typhoons in the western Pacific. The research found that a lack of ocean water mixing, caused by freshwater from increased rainfall, can increase storm intensity.
Researchers at PNNL have created a smaller muon detector that can be used to monitor CO2 movement or leakage underground. The detector uses optical fibers and electronics to count muons passing through it, allowing for the detection of anomalies in density and the creation of images.
The RAPID institute aims to improve efficiency and productivity in industries like oil and gas, pulp and paper, and chemicals. Researchers from PNNL and OSU will develop breakthrough technologies to save over $9 billion annually.
Researchers have figured out a way to study supercooled water in a deeply supercooled range, finding that liquid water can exist all the way down to subzero temperatures. They used a new technique to rapidly heat and cool nanoscale supercooled water films with a laser.
Researchers at PNNL have chemically modified sawdust to make it exceptionally oil-attracting and buoyant. The material absorbs up to five times its weight in oil and stays afloat for at least four months, ideal for cleaning oil spills in the Arctic.
The Department of Energy's PNNL is conducting two ongoing research efforts exploring the properties of soil. MinT initiative focuses on microbes in soil, while IPASS studies fundamental processes affecting carbon, nitrogen and water through plant ecosystems.
Research identifies mesoscale convective systems as primary cause of increased heavy rainfall in the region. The study found a significant increase in the frequency and duration of these storms over the past 35 years.
Research found that genetics and early environment significantly influence the gut microbiome, with similar genes linked to human diseases like arthritis and diabetes. The study also discovered a strong correlation between specific microbes and T-helper cells in the blood.
A new technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, converts sewage sludge into biocrude oil with properties similar to fossil fuels. The process produces a high-quality biocrude that can be refined to yield fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
Researchers found microbes consuming fracking fluid, creating new compounds that support microbial communities below ground. The study provides insight into the complex interactions among microbes and their role in shaping the planet's environment.
Bacterial nitrogenase produces ammonia by combining atmospheric nitrogen with protons and electrons, moving one electron at a time between symmetrical halves. The enzyme's two-stage engine works efficiently through complex communication between the two halves.
Scientists create a unique cement semiconductor by introducing electron anions, which transforms its properties from insulator to transparent conductor. The material's glass equivalent has a lower glass transition temperature, allowing for greater control over the formation process.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will evaluate the Whooshh Fish Transport System, a technology that transports fish through a flexible tube, to make hydropower cheaper and more fish-friendly. The study aims to compare its performance with traditional fish ladders to move Pacific Coast salmon around barriers in the Columbia River.
Scientists have untangled the genetic material of Kansas soil, reconstructing portions of 129 microbial genomes. The study provides a leap forward in understanding the diversity and interactions of microbes in complex soil samples.
Scientists discover why fast-growing cyanobacteria thrives under intense light by expanding cellular machinery to build proteins. The organism can triple in size in less than 2 hours, producing more fuel and chemicals compared to slower-growing species.
The Battery500 consortium is a five-year, $50M project led by PNNL to improve upon today's electric vehicle batteries. The goal is to develop lithium-metal batteries with almost triple the specific energy of current EV batteries, resulting in smaller, lighter and less expensive batteries.
Researchers have developed a lipid-like peptoid material that can assemble into a sheet thinner than a soap bubble, with properties similar to those of cell membranes. The material can withstand various liquids and repair itself after damage, making it suitable for water purification, sensors, drug delivery, and energy applications.
A team of researchers from top institutions, including PNNL and Washington State University, will study the chemistry of radioactive waste to accelerate cleanup efforts. The goal is to understand how radiation affects materials and constituents in waste tanks, ultimately reducing processing time and expense.