SLAC researchers develop a laser-based shaping technique to compress billions of electrons into a length less than one micrometer, producing an electron beam with femtosecond-duration and petawatt peak power. This achievement opens up new discoveries in quantum chemistry, astrophysics, and material science.
A team of researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Leiden University identified the cause of platinum electrode corrosion in water electrolyzers. Using high-energy-resolution X-ray spectroscopy techniques, they found that platinum hydride formation is responsible for the degradation.
SLAC is part of a collaborative team led by General Atomics to develop fusion fuel targets and overcome critical technological challenges. The lab will receive $1 million per year to develop advanced target tracking technology, helping bridge basic research with the growing fusion industry.
Researchers observed electrons dancing in unison around a particle less than a nanometer in diameter, achieving unprecedented precision. This breakthrough enables the study of plasmonic resonance at sub-nanometer scales, potentially leading to novel applications and enhanced efficiency in existing technologies.
Researchers have made an unexpected breakthrough in laser-plasma acceleration by introducing a novel water sheet target, resolving multiple technical challenges. This breakthrough enables the generation of faster, brighter, and more efficiently produced proton beams, paving the way for real-world applications in medicine and industry.
Researchers developed an automated analytical method to analyze single atom catalysts, which could lead to more efficient fuel production and sustainable energy. The new tool, called MS-QuantEXAFS, automates the analysis process, reducing time from days to months.
The Department of Energy's new research centers, led by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, aim to make microelectronics more energy efficient and operate in extreme environments. Researchers will focus on innovating material design, devices, and systems architectures to push computing and sensing capabilities.
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have identified S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the unexpected donor of methyl groups in mercury transformation. The discovery could aid in developing effective environmental remediation strategies to address methylmercury poisoning, which can cause severe neurological damage.
Charging lithium-ion batteries at high currents just before they leave the factory increases average lifespan by 50% and decreases initial charging time from 10 hours to 20 minutes. Researchers used machine learning to pinpoint changes in battery electrodes that account for this increase in performance.
Researchers observed electrons locked in a middle stage, where they had paired but were not coherent. This finding suggests that superconductors might be engineered into materials with higher temperatures. The study's results may help design superconductors that work at higher temperatures.
Researchers discovered a promising approach to manipulating light in an ultrathin material that could be useful for devices like LEDs and medical imaging. The study used SLAC's world-leading instrument to visualize the electric and magnetic fields of terahertz pulses, indicating circular polarization in the material.
Researchers from SLAC, Stanford and other institutions have developed a technique to improve time resolution for the MeV-UED electron camera and trained an artificial intelligence model to tune the beam for various experimental needs. This enables unprecedented precision in exploring novel effects in materials and chemistry.
The 3,200-megapixel LSST Camera will help researchers better understand dark matter and dark energy by observing the night sky in unprecedented detail. The camera's high resolution will allow it to resolve a golf ball from 15 miles away, providing valuable insights into the universe.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory propose detecting thermalized dark matter, which builds up on Earth's surface, using quantum sensors. The study suggests that superconducting quantum devices could be redesigned to detect low-energy galactic dark matter particles.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers observed that battery ions change direction and return to previous positions before resuming their random travels. The 'fuzzy memory' of the ions lasts just a few billionths of a second but will help scientists predict ion behavior.
Researchers grew a twisted multilayer crystal structure, discovering a new quantum electronic property that could appear within the three-layer structure. The discovery opens up new experiments to explore new material properties and potentially lead to brand new material discoveries.
The new platform, Arras Energy, simulates how all parts of an electric grid work together, making it easier to understand and apply the results. The tool can help utilities harden their distribution systems against extreme weather and integrate renewable energy sources.
The Wiedemann-Franz law, a 170-year-old principle, breaks down in quantum materials but remains applicable to copper oxide superconductors. Theoretical studies using the Hubbard model show that electrons' collective behavior explains the discrepancies.
Researchers have identified a tiny hinge in coronavirus spikes that allows them to tilt and bend. This bending affects how successfully the spike can infect a cell. The study suggests that disabling the spike's hinges could be a good strategy for designing vaccines and treatments against a broad range of coronavirus infections.
Scientists have developed a new method to create catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells, making them cheaper and more efficient. The breakthrough could lead to the widespread adoption of clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University propose the Cool Copper Collider, a next-generation accelerator that could probe elementary particle physics at higher energy scales. The proposal aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% through improved design and materials.
Scientists from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have gained valuable insights into producing nitroxide, a molecule with potential applications in the biomedical field. The team employed advanced X-ray spectroscopic techniques to understand the intricacies of the nitroxide production process and its bond-breaking mechanism.
A team of researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has made a groundbreaking discovery about the behavior of iron in molten rock materials, shedding light on Earth's evolution and the study of exoplanets. The findings reveal that iron in these materials mostly has a low-spin state under extreme pressure and temperature condi...
A team of scientists has successfully caught fast-moving hydrogen atoms within ammonia molecules using ultrafast electron diffraction. They observed the motion of hydrogen atoms and captured the associated change in the molecule's structure as it evolved, providing insights into proton transfers.
A groundbreaking study reveals that linear defects in diamond can spread at speeds exceeding the speed of sound, which could impact our understanding of material strength, failure, and manufacturing. This discovery may lead to new insights into earthquake ruptures, structural failures, and precision manufacturing.
Researchers discovered that dinosaur feathers originally had a similar protein composition to those of modern birds, contradicting earlier findings. The study used X-rays and infrared light to analyze 125-million-year-old feathers from dinosaurs and early birds, revealing the presence of beta-proteins in ancient feathers.
The newly upgraded Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory successfully produced its first X-rays, ushering in a new era of research. Scientists will now be able to examine quantum materials with unprecedented resolution and study biological molecules to develop new pharmaceuticals.
A new method of analyzing nanoscale X-ray movies reveals unprecedented insights into how lithium-ion batteries store and release charge. The study suggests ways to improve the efficiency of billions of nanoparticles in electrode materials, potentially leading to faster-charging batteries.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a key process for next-gen X-ray lasers, demonstrating the use of synthetic diamond crystal mirrors to steer X-ray pulses around a rectangular racetrack. The achievement marks an important step towards creating brighter and more stable X-ray laser pulses.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that can remove up to 90% of unburned methane from natural-gas engine exhaust at low temperatures, addressing a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The breakthrough could lead to lower exhaust emissions and mitigate global warming.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have developed a method to make thin films of nickelates without extended defects. This breakthrough allows scientists to study the true nature and properties of these superconductors, similar to cuprates. The discovery is a significant step towards developing ...
Researchers capture elusive missing step in photosynthesis using SLAC's X-ray laser, revealing an intermediate reaction step that sheds light on how nature optimizes photosynthesis. The data provide a blueprint for optimizing clean energy sources and avoiding side products.
A team of scientists at SLAC and Argonne National Laboratory has developed an algorithm that pairs machine-learning techniques with classical beam physics equations to precisely predict a particle beam's distribution of positions and velocities. This detailed information will help improve experimental reliability, especially at higher ...
Researchers found consistent results between observations and theory, showing that clusters have become more centrally concentrated over time. The study provides strong support for the Lambda-CDM paradigm by demonstrating agreement between the observed and simulated concentration-mass relation of galaxy clusters.
Scientists at SLAC and Stanford University have created a new type of quantum material with a herringbone-like pattern, showcasing the Jahn-Teller effect in a layered material. The resulting distortions are huge compared to those achieved in other materials, offering exciting possibilities for further investigation.
Scientists at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have made progress toward building a novel quantum simulator. The device can simulate interactions between two quantum objects, paving the way to study complex systems and answer fundamental questions in physics.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have discovered the role of a tiny cellular machine called TRiC in directing protein folding, contradicting a 70-year-old theory. The study's findings have profound implications for treating diseases linked to protein misfolding, such as certain cancers and neu...
Researchers have created a non-flammable electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries by increasing the amount of salt in a polymer-based solution. This 'SAFE' electrolyte proves to be stable at high temperatures, allowing batteries to function safely and efficiently. The development could lead to improved performance, reduced space occupied ...
Researchers used AI to automate the process of analyzing X-ray snapshots of materials, accelerating the technique by ten times on its own and 100 times with improved hardware. The new method can extract information from a range of previously inaccessible materials, including high-temperature superconductors and quantum spin liquids.
Scientists have discovered a novel enzyme encoded by a soil virus that can break down chitin, a carbon-rich biopolymer found in insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. This finding has significant implications for understanding soil ecology and the role of microorganisms in nutrient cycling.
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have seen the critical interaction between SARS-CoV-2 protein Mpro and human immune system protein NEMO. The study reveals that Mpro can cut NEMO, slowing down the immune response and allowing the virus to evade the body.
Researchers found that oxygen makes diamond formation more likely, allowing for a wider range of conditions and planets. This discovery could lead to new methods of fabricating nanodiamonds with various applications.
A team of researchers uses mirrors to gather more light and views of an object from different angles, allowing them to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of an atom cloud. This technique enables 'light-field imaging', capturing not just intensity but also direction of light rays.
Topological insulators exhibit unique quantum properties, with electrons flowing freely along surface edges but not through the interior. Researchers used spiraling laser light to generate harmonics from materials, allowing them to distinguish between superhighway and insulating states. By varying laser polarization and material compos...
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have discovered that nickelate superconductors are always magnetized, whether in their normal or superconducting state. This finding highlights the fundamental properties of these materials and provides insight into how unconventional superconductors carry electric current with no loss.
Researchers have discovered nickel oxide superconductors with the presence of charge density waves (CDWs), which accompany superconductivity. This discovery reveals that nickelates are capable of forming correlated states, hosting a variety of quantum phases, including superconductivity.
Researchers have successfully mapped the atomic structure of the nuclear pore complex using X-rays, providing a framework for understanding cell function and developing new therapies. The completed human NPC puzzle will enable future experiments on NPC function and its relationship to diseases.
A team of researchers from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory developed a mathematical technique using machine learning concepts to model a magnet's previous states. This approach eliminates the need to reset magnets and results in immediate improvements in accelerator performance.
The team found that as superconductivity was switched off in the YBCO samples, charge density waves became more correlated, with electron ripples becoming periodic or spatially synchronized. This suggests that superconductivity fundamentally shapes the form of CDWs at the nanoscale.
A team of researchers discovered a soil microbe's enzyme that performs carbon fixation 20 times faster than plant enzymes. The enzyme consists of pairs of molecules working in sync to get the job done faster. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient artificial photosynthesis and produce fuels, fertilizers, and other products.