Researchers recorded atomic-level details of gold melting after laser heating, gaining clues for designing materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and radiation. The study's findings have potential applications in fusion power reactors, steel processing plants, and spacecraft.
A team of scientists has developed a method to discover new metallic glass alternatives using machine learning and accelerated experiments, reducing the discovery time from decades to hours. The approach enables researchers to quickly narrow down potential materials and get immediate feedback from AI models.
Scientists have discovered a new method to trigger chemical reactions using tiny diamond anvils, which can break bonds and trigger electron transfers without heat or solvents. This breakthrough could lead to more precise and environmentally friendly chemistry.
Researchers at Stanford University and national labs uncover mechanism behind voltage loss in lithium-rich cathodes, paving the way for optimized performance. The discovery could enable batteries to store more energy, allowing electric cars to travel longer distances between charges.
Researchers have captured the first atomic-level images of finger-like growths called dendrites that can pierce the barrier between battery compartments and trigger short circuits or fires. The images revealed that each lithium metal dendrite is a long, beautifully formed six-sided crystal.
Researchers from SLAC and Stanford used neural networks to analyze images of strong gravitational lensing, performing complex analyses in a fraction of a second. The technique has the potential to transform astrophysics by analyzing vast amounts of data quickly and automatically.
Researchers created high-pressure conditions to simulate the interior of icy giant planets and observe the formation of solid diamonds. The team used X-ray pulses to measure the chemical reaction, providing unambiguous evidence of diamond rain in real-time for the first time.
The Standard Model of cosmology has been tested to its limits by the Dark Energy Survey, with results showing that the universe clumps and expands as predicted by our best models. The survey's researchers analyzed light from 26 million galaxies to study how structures have changed over the past 7 billion years.
Researchers observe nanocrystals forming superlattices in seconds, enabling fine-tuning of precision materials. The discovery will help create novel materials for magnetic storage, solar cells, optoelectronics, and catalysts.
Researchers used a powerful electron camera to study the motion of atoms in perovskite materials, discovering that light causes unusual deformations that could enhance their efficiency. These findings provide clues for making better solar cells.
Researchers develop precise new way to study materials, revealing strong electron-phonon coupling that could lead to unprecedented superconductivity. The approach allows scientists to validate theories and computations describing complex materials' behavior, providing deep insights into their behavior.
Scientists used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to create a 'molecular black hole' that pulled in surrounding electrons, stripping away more than 50 electrons from a single atom. The results provide fundamental insights into how to better plan and interpret experiments using intense X-rays.
Researchers discovered new structural details of an angiotensin II receptor called AT2, which could be a target for new medicines. The information uncovered could give drug developers a new path for compounds that combat pain and inflammation or promote tissue regeneration.
Researchers use diamondoids to assemble atoms into the thinnest possible electrical wires, just three atoms wide. This technique has the potential to create new materials with finely tuned electronic properties and interesting physics.
Researchers use a femtosecond X-ray laser to observe the water-splitting reaction in detail, shedding light on how oxygen is formed. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis.
Researchers use X-ray laser to study RNA and biomolecules, gaining insights into fundamental cell workings and potential disease treatments. The study opens new paths to understanding how RNA regulates protein production and fine-tunes gene function.
Researchers at SLAC used the ultrafast electron diffraction method to capture atomic nuclei in molecules vibrating within millionths of a billionth of a second. This technique provides new opportunities for precise studies of dynamic processes in biology, chemistry, and materials science.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford have created a nanostructured device that disinfects water using the full range of visible sunlight, killing bacteria in minutes. The device triggers the formation of hydrogen peroxide and other disinfecting chemicals.
A Stanford-led team has devised a way to visualize the fundamental building blocks of lithium-ion batteries, revealing a complex process that was previously understood in average terms. The study could lead to better battery designs and longer lifetimes by improving uniformity and reducing mechanical stress.
Researchers used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to take snapshots of an ultrafast structural transition in a protein, capturing atomic motions as fast as 100 quadrillionths of a second. The technique could benefit studies of light-driven atomic motions and reveal how visual pigments respond to light.
Researchers used X-rays to observe exactly how silver electrical contacts form during manufacturing, shedding light on the complex process. The results show that lead oxide plays a key role in forming the contact, etching away the solar cell's antireflective coating and allowing silver to move through and harden.
Researchers have developed a new method to obtain high-resolution molecular images using continuous diffraction patterns in imperfect crystals. This approach allows for better structural detail and could revolutionize the study of complex biological machinery, including photosynthesis and catalysis.
Scientists develop custom-fit graphene cages to enhance silicon anode particles, improving charging capacity and stability. The approach could enable larger, cheaper, and more efficient batteries.
Scientists at DOE national laboratories discovered a simple manufacturing technique to form cathode material into tiny, layered particles that store energy while protecting themselves. This technique, called spray pyrolysis, is cheap and widely used, and could lead to cheaper and higher capacity lithium-ion batteries.
A team of scientists has successfully developed a working prototype of a 'shoebox-sized accelerator on a chip,' which could revolutionize fields like biology, chemistry, and materials science. The $13.5 million grant-funded project aims to make particle accelerators smaller, cheaper, and more accessible.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory discovered a surprising 3-D effect in a superconducting material, resolving an apparent mismatch in data and charting a new course for understanding electrons in these exotic materials. The study revealed a newly found type of 'charge density wave' closely tied to high-temperature sup...
SLAC's 'electron camera' visualizes ripples in 2D material for the first time, revealing atomic-level movements and guiding future device development. The breakthrough could lead to efficient solar cells, fast electronics and high-performance catalysts.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a new method to accelerate positrons using plasma wakefield acceleration. This breakthrough could lead to the construction of smaller and more efficient electron-positron colliders, which would help unravel the fundamental building blocks of nature.
Researchers have mapped the 3-D atomic structure of a two-part protein complex that controls the release of neurotransmitters from brain cells. This discovery could help launch new research on drugs for treating brain disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.
A new study has provided never-before-seen details of the human body's cellular switchboard that regulates sensory and hormonal responses. The research, led by Eric Xu at the Van Andel Research Institute, used SLAC's X-ray laser to complete the first 3-D atomic-scale map of a key signaling protein called arrestin.
Researchers discovered a way to prevent dendrite formation in lithium metal batteries by adding chemicals to the electrolyte, improving safety and performance. The new approach could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting batteries with potential applications in electric vehicles and energy storage.
A new x-ray study reveals how a hypertension drug binds to a cellular receptor, providing valuable insights for designing more effective medications. The research could lead to the development of targeted drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers observed atoms forming a weak bond on the path to molecule creation, with only a small fraction converting to stable products. The study paves the way for more efficient reactions in industries such as energy generation and crop fertilization.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a technique to rapidly explore, sort, and analyze samples with high-resolution X-ray imaging. This method enables the study of viral infections, cell division, and photosynthesis in unprecedented detail, and has the potential to revolutionize biology research.
Scientists suggest using natural vibrations in one material to boost superconductivity in another, opening a new chapter in the quest for room temperature superconductors. The study reveals that iron selenide superconductor operates at much higher temperatures when placed atop STO material.
Scientists have successfully accelerated electrons to energies 400-500 times higher than conventional accelerators using a plasma wakefield acceleration technique. The breakthrough achieves high energy gains and efficiency, paving the way for future applications in medicine, national security, and high-energy physics research.
A comprehensive look at lithium ion battery electrodes reveals that rapid-charging and high-power discharging may not damage the electrode as much as previously thought. The research suggests modifying electrodes or changing charging processes could promote uniform charging and discharging, extending battery life.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a molecule that conducts electricity in one direction, paving the way for shrinking chip components down to the size of molecules. The hybrid molecule, known as buckydiamondoid, was made by combining carbon spheres (buckyballs) with tiny diamond cages (diamondoids).
Researchers have discovered a well-organized 3-D grid of quantum tornadoes inside microscopic droplets of supercooled liquid helium. This formation provides proof of the droplets' quantum state and is different from the lone whirlpool that would form in a regular liquid.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford have found a way to estimate uncertainties in computer calculations used to speed the search for new materials, improving confidence in discoveries. This technique can be applied to thousands of computational studies across various fields.
Researchers used X-ray lasers to observe how thymine, a DNA building block, protects itself from UV damage. The experiment revealed a
Researchers have made the first structural observations of liquid water at temperatures as low as minus 51 degrees Fahrenheit, revealing new insights into its molecular structure and behavior. This study opens a new window for exploring liquid water in extreme conditions, which is relevant to global ocean currents, climate, and biology.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford University discovered a potential way to make graphene superconducting, which could transform the engineering of materials for nanoscale electronic devices. They found that electrons scatter between graphene and calcium layers, interacting with natural vibrations to conduct electricity without resistance.
A new design inspired by a pomegranate overcomes obstacles to using silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries, allowing for increased storage capacity. The pomegranate-inspired electrode operates at 97% capacity after 1,000 cycles of charging and discharging.
Researchers used X-ray laser to map the 3D structure of a key cellular gatekeeper, the human serotonin receptor. The breakthrough technique uses smaller crystals and produces high-resolution images, potentially condensing years-long studies into days.
Researchers at SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray laser used the technique to generate an accurate model of lysozyme, a well-studied enzyme found in egg whites. The study opens the door to new discoveries and explores the potential for LCLS to play a leading role in studying important biomolecules of unknown structure.
Researchers have predicted that a single layer of tin atoms, dubbed 'stanene,' will exhibit 100% electrical conductivity at room temperature. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce power consumption and heat production in future computer chips.
Researchers developed a stretchy polymer that coats the electrode, binds it together, and spontaneously heals tiny cracks during battery operation. This self-healing coating extends silicon electrodes' lifespan up to 10 times, making them suitable for electric vehicles and cell phones.
Researchers used an X-ray laser to create movies of copper atoms' arrangement changes after extreme shock, pinpointing the breaking point of permanent deformation. This experiment enables direct comparison with complex computer simulations and helps predict material strength in extreme conditions.
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have demonstrated a 'laser on a chip' technology that accelerates electrons at a rate 10 times higher than conventional methods in a nanostructured glass chip. This breakthrough could lead to compact accelerators for science, medicine, and research applications.