After several dozen charging cycles, the focus shifts from individual electrode particle properties to their interactions. The study identified key attributes contributing to particle breakdown, including particle-particle distance and shape variability.
For the first time, researchers have imaged the full structure of trapped excitons, a breakthrough that could lead to new semiconductor technologies. The study reveals detailed insights into the behavior of excitons, including their size, motion, and stability.
Researchers developed the Transactive Energy Service System (TESS) to automatically adjust a home's power use in response to fluctuating prices. The system increases the resiliency of the grid while saving both consumers and utilities money.
Scientists captured high-resolution images of an aluminum single-crystal sample transitioning from elastic to plastic state, allowing them to predict material behavior within 5 trillionths of a second. The study could lead to the design of stronger materials for high-temperature nuclear fusion experiments and spacecraft shields.
Researchers have developed a way to change the atomic structure of tin selenide using intense pulses of near-infrared laser light, creating materials with dramatic new properties. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for improving thermoelectrics and other materials by controlling their structure.
Scientists at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a molecular cage to study the structure of KIX, a protein used by AML cancer cells. The technique has successfully imaged KIX with cryo-EM, revealing new insights into its function and potential targets for therapy.
Researchers found that triggering superconductivity with a laser pulse involves the same fundamental physics as stable states, suggesting new possibilities for room-temperature superconductivity. This discovery opens a new path toward producing stable devices, as previously thought unlikely.
Scientists confirmed the fourth signature of superconducting transition in cuprates, revealing how electrons pair up and condense into a quantum condensate. The discovery provides a holistic picture of unconventional superconductivity and gives researchers two knobs to tune for higher temperatures.
Researchers have developed a new approach to determine the structures of tiny crystals relevant to chemistry and materials science. The new method, called smSFX, uses ultrafast pulses from an X-ray free-electron laser to collect structural information before damage sets in.
Scientists have made the first high-res images of the solid-electrolyte interphase, or SEI, in its natural plump state. The results suggest that the right electrolyte can minimize swelling and improve battery performance.
Researchers discovered a way to revitalize rechargeable lithium batteries by mobilizing inactive lithium towards electrodes, increasing capacity and lifespan. This process, which involves applying an extra step during charging, slowed degradation and increased lifetime by nearly 30%.
Researchers used room-temperature crystallography to study photosynthetic bacteria's proteins, discovering they are 'remarkably robust' and more efficient than previously thought. The study sheds new insight into the mechanism of electron transfer early in photosynthesis.
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory recreated deep-Earth conditions to study iron's atomic structure. They observed 'twinning,' a common pressure response in metals and minerals, which allows iron to be incredibly strong before flowing plastically.
The BICEP3 experiment has ruled out several popular inflation models, including some motivated by string theory. The findings suggest that the correct model will be slightly more complicated than those ruled out, but still offer a wide range of viable alternatives.
Scientists confirmed that topological insulators produce a unique signature from their surface when exposed to circularly polarized laser light. This discovery was made possible by high harmonic generation, which enhances the signal coming from the surface and gives it a distinctive signature.
Researchers have observed hydroxyl-hydronium complex in ionized liquid water using MeV-UED instrument. This discovery is significant for understanding chemical reactions and has implications for fields such as space travel, environmental remediation, and medicine.
Researchers developed a simple and fast way to create complex semiconductors by growing 2D perovskites precisely layered with other materials, resulting in crystals with wide electronic properties. The assembly takes place in vials where chemical ingredients tumble around in water, with barbell-shaped molecules directing the action.
Researchers have synthesized the first 1D cuprate material that can be doped, providing systematic data to understand its behavior. The study suggests that the Hubbard model, a prominent theoretical framework, is missing a key ingredient: an unexpectedly strong attraction between neighboring electrons.
Scientists created a new approach to anchoring individual iridium atoms on the surface of a catalytic particle, increasing its efficiency in splitting water molecules to record levels. This breakthrough could ease the bottleneck for sustainable energy production by enabling more efficient electrolysis.
Researchers have determined the structure of a molecule that helps S. pneumoniae take up manganese, a mineral essential for its survival. This finding could aid in designing new drugs to block this pathway and deny the bacteria its manganese supply.
Storing lithium-ion batteries at below-freezing temperatures can crack the cathode material, reducing electric storage capacity. Researchers identified this issue by analyzing battery particles using X-ray methods and machine learning techniques.
Researchers directly observe hydrogen bonds in water for the first time, revealing effects that could explain water's strange properties and inform life on Earth. The study uses SLAC's MeV-UED to detect subtle molecular movements, providing a new window into understanding water's role in chemical and biological processes.
A new system developed at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory determines the 3D structures of RNA-only molecules with high resolution, applying it to a ribozyme from pond scum and a piece of viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2. The study reveals tiny pockets in the viral RNA that could be targeted for COVID-19 treatments.
Researchers at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a new catalyst that accelerates the first step in turning carbon dioxide into fuel in two different ways: with heat and electricity. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable production of chemicals and fuels by reducing greenh...
Researchers use ultrafast electron diffraction to observe an electronic device as it operates, discovering a new intermediate state that enables fast and energy-efficient switching. The study paves the way for next-generation electronic devices that can meet the world's growing needs for data-intensive computing.
Researchers have found that nickelates exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions similar to cuprates, but with differences in magnetic excitations and doping effects. The study provides a new window into the physics of unconventional superconductors and could lead to the discovery of better materials.
Researchers have solved a long-standing debate about the origin of rock varnish in deserts by attributing its formation to microbial communities that use manganese to combat the desert sun. The study used advanced techniques such as X-ray spectroscopy and DNA sequencing to understand how these ecosystems interact with rock varnish.
Researchers have measured the super-slow process of oxygen loss in lithium-ion batteries, revealing how it changes the electrode's structure and chemistry over time. This new understanding could lead to the development of new ways to engineer electrodes and prevent oxygen loss-related degradation.
Scientists have developed a suite of advanced tools to study the oxygen evolution reaction, a key step in producing hydrogen fuel from water. They observed catalyst nanoparticles accelerate oxygen generation at unprecedented detail, identifying a single limiting step in the reaction.
A SLAC X-ray laser study reveals the molecular structure changes during charge transfer in N,N'-dimethylpiperazine (DMP) gas molecules. The research team observed how the molecule's atomic scaffolding deforms and redistributes charges, leading to a lopsided response to light.
Researchers have identified a new light-driven enzyme, fatty acid photodecarboxylase (FAP), that converts fatty acids into alkanes and alkenes under blue light. The enzyme's complex photocycle drives this transformation, and its structure has been elucidated using serial femtosecond crystallography.
Researchers observed pair-density waves (PDW) intertwined with charge density wave stripes in a copper oxide material, supporting the possibility that PDW is present in all superconducting cuprates. The new technique used to detect PDW has potential for directly sighting its correlations with other phases.
Researchers found that electrons behave like they're confined to ultrathin layers or stripes within the material, creating 2D puddles of superconductivity. This phenomenon has practical implications for crafting 2D materials and offers an alternative method for making 2D superconducting states.
Researchers at the Dark Energy Survey combined data on matter distribution, galaxies, and galaxy clusters to refine estimates of dark matter and dark energy. This analysis provides more precise estimates of the average density of matter and its clumpiness, which are crucial parameters for understanding these mysterious substances.
Researchers found that high-energy laser light ejects electrons from quantum dot atoms, trapping holes and producing waste heat, reducing efficiency. The study uses electron camera technology to observe atomic movements at the nanoscale.
A new virtual diagnostic approach uses machine learning to analyze beam quality in electron microscopes, X-ray lasers, and medical accelerators. The method provides accurate information that conventional diagnostics cannot, enabling operators to optimize device performance.
Lithium-metal batteries, used in next-gen electronics and electric vehicles, suffer from calendar aging, losing charge even when turned off. The nature of the battery electrolyte significantly impacts aging, with different electrolytes causing varying levels of corrosion and efficiency loss.
Researchers combined machine learning with physics and chemistry to discover a process that shortens lithium-ion battery lifetimes, overturning long-held assumptions. The approach could dramatically accelerate the development of sturdier batteries for electric vehicles.
Researchers have invented a hands-off probe using high harmonic generation to study topological insulators. The technique shifts laser light through materials, producing strong signals that reveal electron behavior on superhighway edges versus the bulk.
Researchers have found a novel solution to stabilize the unstable black phase of a lead halide perovskite, which has potential for being cheaper and easier to manufacture than current silicon solar cells. The stable material remains resistant to deterioration and efficient at room temperature.
Researchers have uncovered the mechanism behind severe cases of G6PD deficiency, identifying a chain of amino acids that warps the shape of the condition's namesake protein. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments and therapeutics for Class I patients, who currently rely on blood transfusions.
Researchers discovered that tweaking one layer of atoms on a catalyst's surface can significantly improve its performance in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of hydrogen fuel, a crucial component of renewable energy storage.
Researchers used X-ray laser to directly measure formation of polarons, fleeting distortions that affect material's behavior. The study reveals that polarons form large, expanding bubbles that travel along with electrons, potentially explaining why lead hybrid perovskites achieve high efficiencies in solar cells.
Researchers have made detailed images of coronavirus spike proteins in their natural state using cryo-EM and computation. The study provides crucial insights into how the virus initiates infections and sheds light on sugar molecule attachments that play a critical role in its life cycle.
The new Stanford-SLAC CryoET Specimen Preparation Service Center complements existing NIH-funded facilities at SLAC, providing streamlined processes for preparing cryo-ET samples. Researchers can learn state-of-the-art techniques and access multiple instruments to visualize cellular components in 3D.
Researchers at a new DOE center are developing cutting-edge quantum sensing devices to unravel the mysteries of quantum materials. The devices will allow scientists to probe materials with pairs of photons or electrons, paving the way for discovering new quantum materials and inventing more sensitive probes.
Researchers have reengineered current collectors to make batteries lighter, safer, and about 20% more efficient. The new design uses a lightweight polymer and fireproofing, reducing the risk of fires and explosions.
FACET-II will produce highly energetic electron and positron beams, allowing researchers to understand the universe's fundamental particles and forces, as well as biology and chemistry. The facility will also aid in designing brighter-than-ever X-ray lasers and lead to improvements in existing light sources.
Researchers have figured out a key step in how molecular Ferris wheels work in yeast proton pumps, providing insight into a fundamental process that could be harnessed to thwart disease. The study uses high-resolution images and computer simulations to confirm the role of water molecules in conveying protons through the membrane.
A team of researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and University of Texas Medical Branch has developed a method to disinfect N95 masks using moderate heat and high relative humidity. This process extends the ability to reuse masks, potentially reducing shortages, and can also be used to decontaminate other viruses.