A team of scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used neutron scattering and supercomputing to understand how an organic solvent and water work together to break down plant biomass. They identified optimal temperatures for the process, which can aid in the rational design of even more efficient technologies.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 15, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A team of scientists at Berkeley Lab has discovered a new form of the element mendelevium, creating the lightest known isotope, mendelevium-244. The discovery was made using the lab's 88-Inch Cyclotron and provides evidence for the existence of two separate decay chains with half-lives of 0.4 seconds and 6 seconds.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 23, 2020
A novel method for 3D printing components used in neutron instruments has been licensed to ExOne Company. The collaboration will help develop patent-pending techniques to create lightweight, metal-infused composites ideal for neutron scattering applications.
Using data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, scientists at Durham University measured the rates at which neutron particles leaked out from Venus and Mercury. The findings suggest a neutron lifetime of 13 minutes, with implications for our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics.
SourceDurham University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateJun 11, 2020
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a 'nanobrush' structure with high surface area, enabling vertical alignment of ions across interfaces to transport energy or information. The unique architecture drives efficient electronic and chemical interactions.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
Physicists studied mirror nuclei helium-3 and tritium to measure their properties with high precision. The results showed that the data generally matched theoretical calculations well, but with some differences, indicating a need for further refinements in nuclear theory.
SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 8, 2020
Researchers found a collective resonance in 11B that explains the mysterious β-delayed proton decay of the neutron halo ground state of 11Be. The resonance has features similar to a nearby proton emission channel, suggesting that it may be involved in a quasi-free decay process.
SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 28, 2020
Researchers at RIKEN found that knocking out a single proton from a fluorine nucleus transforms it into a neutron-rich isotope of oxygen. This transformation has a significant effect on the state of the nucleus, defying conventional wisdom and sparking further investigation.
A team of researchers has used neutron crystallography to determine the structure of a large oxidase protein with high-resolution structural details. They found unusual proton behavior between a cofactor and an amino acid residue, and established a complete picture of topa quinone 30 years after its discovery.
SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020
Michigan State University Professor Alexandra Gade reviews advancements in describing rare isotopes, revealing new magic numbers and shell evolution. The study has implications for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear security, and nuclear medicine.
SourceMichigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateApr 22, 2020
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A team of researchers has successfully measured the dispersion relation of complex quantum many-body states 'Bethe strings' using inelastic neutron scattering experiments. The results confirm theoretical predictions made by Hans Bethe in 1931 and provide new insights into the properties of these excitations.
SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 7, 2020
Researchers have detected magnetic monopoles in a metal for the first time, using a two-dimensional Kagome spin-ice system consisting of holmium, silver, and germanium. The team's findings suggest that this system behaves as if magnetic monopoles were present.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·DateApr 7, 2020
Physicists have successfully isolated and characterized Bethe strings in a real solid for the first time. The team used high magnetic fields to investigate SrCo2V2O8 crystals, obtaining a phase diagram that confirms their presence.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 6, 2020
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory use focused electron beams to create artificial molecules in graphene, allowing for controlled manipulation of atomic structures. Meanwhile, researchers develop a non-destructive neutron imaging technique to visualize the interior of uranium particles without damaging them.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalCarbon·DateApr 2, 2020
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Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
A UMass Lowell-led team discovered that a symmetry in atomic nuclei is not as fundamental as previously believed, opening up new avenues for understanding the universe. The researchers created over 400 strontium-73 nuclei and compared them to bromine-73 nuclei, finding that they behaved differently.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2020
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and CERN studied the neutron-shell structure of a nucleus with fewer protons than lead and more neutrons than 126, revealing new insights into heavy element formation. This study informs models of stellar events and the early universe.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2020
A research team discovered that high-entropy alloys exhibit exceptional mechanical properties at ultra-low temperatures due to multiple deformation mechanisms. The study used in-situ neutron diffraction technique to reveal the sequence of deformation mechanisms, including dislocation slip, stacking faults, twinning, and serrations.
SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 27, 2020
Researchers at IAS and University of Michigan propose QCD axion as solution to cosmological excess of matter over antimatter. The QCD axion could explain three missing pieces of physics puzzle, including the strong CP problem and dark matter.
SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 10, 2020
Researchers propose axion as solution to three mysteries: matter-antimatter asymmetry, dark matter, and the strong CP problem. The axion's rotation creates a tiny excess of matter over antimatter, explaining why we exist.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 10, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) is being upgraded with a new capability to produce beams of heavy atomic nuclei consisting of 126 neutrons, a 'magic number', for nuclear structure and astrophysics research. This upgrade will help scientists test a reigning theory on the formation of heavy elements.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms·DateMar 6, 2020
Scientists at the University of Sussex have measured a neutron property more precisely than ever before, finding it smaller than predicted by some theories about matter in the universe. This discovery helps rule out these theories and pushes the limit on measuring the electric dipole moment of the neutron.
SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2020
Researchers at PSI measured a property of the neutron more precisely than ever before, finding it has a significantly smaller electric dipole moment. This challenges the long-held assumption that this dipole moment could help explain the excess of matter in the universe.
SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2020
Researchers characterized the strong nuclear force at extremely short distances, revealing a surprising transition that challenges current understanding. The findings have huge implications for neutron stars and nuclear systems as a whole.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2020
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Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have determined the neutron charge radius from lightest atomic nuclei using a more direct methodology, differing significantly from previous calculations. The new result corrects the previously assumed value for the size of a neutron.
SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 26, 2020
Researchers used novel method to access space between protons and neutrons, capturing snapshots of correlations to study nuclear matter. They found that leading theories on interactions describe the strong nuclear force at short distances, with a tensor interaction at close range and a scalar interaction at smaller scales.
SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2020
Researchers at TU Wien successfully measured a novel quantum effect in neutron spin, demonstrating inertial effects. The experiment involved exposing neutrons to a rotating magnetic field, revealing the coupling between spin and rotation.
SourceVienna University of Technology·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateFeb 18, 2020
Physicists at HZB discovered a non-ferromagnetic phase in U2Pd2In crystals under high magnetic fields, with a structure containing 80 magnetic moments. The finding may help develop more precise theories for 5f electron systems and has implications for many other materials.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 10, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
A team of researchers investigated electrode surfaces during charging and discharging using X-ray and neutron tomography methods. They found deformations, discontinuities, and areas with low electrolyte levels that affect battery performance. The analysis allows for the development of strategies to improve lithium battery design.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2020
Researchers discovered hydrogen atoms in zirconium vanadium hydride are more tightly spaced than predicted, which could lead to superconductivity at or near room temperature. The team used neutron scattering experiments and computer simulations to understand the phenomenon.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020
Engineers have developed a new system that combines fast neutrons and gamma rays to detect corrosion in oil and gas pipelines. The technology mimics the natural world's use of ultrasound waves by bats to detect objects, enabling real-time detection of pipeline flaws.
SourceLancaster University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 30, 2020
A compact neutron resonance transmission analysis device can detect nuclear material in just one minute, reducing the need for kilometer-scale neutron beams. Researchers have optimized its design to minimize background interference, allowing for accurate detection of isotopes in various materials.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJan 29, 2020
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new semiconductor neutron detector that can absorb thermal neutrons and generate electrical signals. The material is highly efficient, stable, and can be used in small, portable devices for field inspections or large detectors for national security applications.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2020
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers have created a new type of semiconductor neutron detector that boosts detection rates by reducing the number of steps involved in neutron capture and transduction. The LiInP2Se6 material converts neutrons into pairs of charged electrons and holes, generating a current directly detectable thermal neutrons.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2020
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding foam film stability by studying the behavior of liquids containing multiple additives. This breakthrough has potential applications in improving the creamy topping on flat whites, making beer heads last longer, and developing more effective fire-fighting foams.
SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalChemical Communications·DateDec 21, 2019
Researchers have designed a catalyst that converts biomass into light olefins with an impressive yield of over 99%, requiring significantly less energy than previous catalysts. The optimized catalyst, NbAlS-1, offers a more environmentally friendly approach to biofuel synthesis.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 16, 2019
A metal-organic framework material has been developed that can capture nitrogen dioxide from the air and convert it into nitric acid for industrial use. The material requires only water and air to achieve this conversion, making it a promising solution for cost-effectively removing toxic pollutants from the atmosphere.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 22, 2019
A US Department of Energy-backed robotic system has successfully identified the source of nuclear radiation and verified if it was shielded. The 'inspector bot' could be part of a swarm to inspect facilities like gas centrifuge enrichment plants, detect undeclared uranium use, or verify disarmament treaties.
SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateNov 12, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Researchers created a new fundamental unit of polymers called bundlemers, which can be customized and linked to create rigid, self-assembling chains. These bundles have surprising stiffness and potential applications in industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace.
Researchers at RIKEN have confirmed that atomic nuclei with 34 neutrons are more stable than expected, exhibiting strong shell closure. This finding demonstrates that 34 is a 'magic number', a set of numbers where the shells are completely filled and the nucleus exhibits unique properties.
Astronomers detected freshly made heavy element, strontium, in space after a neutron star merger, confirming the process by which it forms. This discovery provides a missing piece of the puzzle of chemical element formation and ties rapid neutron capture to neutron star mergers.
Researchers demonstrate high-contrast imaging of water states for fuel cell applications and indicate how their new method can be applied to other hydrogen-relevant industrial processes. The team's cross-continental collaborations were critical to confirm experimental findings and optimize contrast-to-noise ratio in acquired images.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 15, 2019
Scientists have created an accurate 3D model of an intrinsically disordered protein using supercomputing and neutron scattering experiments. The ensemble of its atomic-level structures reveals new information about its biological function, including transient ordered structures.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2019
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
The University of Delaware will lead the development of a world-class neutron spin echo spectrometer, allowing scientists to detect molecular motion in various materials. The instrument will advance research in engineering, soft matter, and biological sciences, benefiting humanity through new medicines and technologies.
A new method uses neutron beams to establish facts about warheads, physically encrypting information to prevent disclosure of military secrets. The system balances verification with secrecy for countries involved in arms reduction pacts.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 30, 2019
Researchers from MSU and TRIUMF observed a rare nuclear decay in beryllium-11, measuring low-kinetic-energy protons emitted after beta decay. The observation represents a new challenge for understanding exotic nuclei, particularly halo nuclei.
SourceMichigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2019
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
Researchers visualize dynamic water transport in soil and roots using neutron tomography, gaining insights into efficient water use in crop cultivation. The technique enables faster imaging, overcoming previous limitations to study rapid processes.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 25, 2019
The high flux neutron generator produces boutique neutrons ideal for dating fine-grained rocks and analyzing evidence. The device expands the capability of dating materials like clay minerals associated with ore deposits.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 11, 2019
Researchers used neutron scattering to analyze battery electrode reactions and found that lithium sulphide forms on the outer surface of carbon fibres, not within microporous electrodes. This insight could improve battery development with higher energy density and longer lifespan.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 6, 2019
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a predictive model to identify veterans at risk of suicide, accelerating the process by running 300 times faster. Additionally, they discovered a lubricant that reduces friction in gears, increasing durability and efficiency. These breakthroughs aim to improve healthcare services f...
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2019
Researchers at PSI have developed a new method to precisely measure strong magnetic fields using polarized neutrons. This allows them to visualize and quantify inhomogeneous and anisotropic magnetic fields, with applications in alternators, MRI systems, and other devices.
SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 22, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
David Cullen and Kate Page, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, have received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their exceptional research accomplishments in fuel cell materials and nanoparticle properties, respectively.
Scientists have re-measured a crucial physical constant with unprecedented accuracy, setting a new benchmark for physics research. The result could help explain nuclear fusion in the sun, understand element formation after the Big Bang, and improve particle collisions at CERN.
SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 2, 2019
AIXTRON's Neutron system enables roll-to-roll graphene production under ambient conditions, bringing costs down by two orders of magnitude. The CCS 2D system targets semiconductor applications, offering large-scale production of graphene on insulating wafers.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
Researchers have developed a new laboratory technique to measure polymer flow at the molecular level, providing fundamental understanding of soft material behavior during rapid deformation. This approach has led to significant insights into designing biomedical, industrial and environmental applications.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 24, 2019
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory determined the nuclear charge radius difference between boron-10 and boron-11 isotopes. This discovery could aid in precise calculations of other nucleus structures, experimentally validated by laser spectroscopy.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 30, 2019
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered crystalline phases of ice thought to exist beyond Earth's limits, challenging accepted theories about super-cooled water and amorphous, non-crystalline ice. The findings led to better understanding of ice and its various phases found on other planets and moons.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 22, 2019
The team found that the special nickel nucleus (78Ni) is more stable and rigid than other isotopes with similar numbers of neutrons. This discovery challenges current understanding of nuclear physics and has implications for our understanding of matter's origin.
Researchers used heavy ion accelerator to demonstrate nickel 78's stability, finding it maintains spherical shape like doubly magic isotope, but with a surprise: lighter isotones may lose magic nature due to deformation.
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Researchers employed neutron-imaging techniques to track lithiation and delithiation processes in lithium-ion batteries' materials and structures. The study aimed to understand how lithium moves through electrode materials, essential for designing faster-charging batteries.
SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateApr 19, 2019
A team of researchers has discovered a new property of supercooled water that can be triggered by subatomic particles like dark matter. They created a detector, called the "snowball chamber", which uses supercooled water to detect fundamental particles and potentially identify dark matter.