Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Study reveals exactly how low-cost fuel cell catalysts work

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have discovered a new class of low-cost fuel cell catalysts that match the performance of precious metal-based catalysts. Direct atomic-level observations have provided unique insights into their efficiency potential.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017

World's smallest neutrino detector finds big physics fingerprint

The COHERENT experiment, using the world's smallest neutrino detector, has found a compelling evidence for a neutrino interaction process predicted by theorists 43 years ago. The researchers detected coherent elastic scattering of low-energy neutrinos off nuclei, which is a long-sought confirmation in particle physics.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateAug 3, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

'Perfect liquid' quark-gluon plasma is the most vortical fluid

Researchers have discovered that quark-gluon plasma has the highest vorticity ever recorded, surpassing even the fastest spinning fluids. The findings provide new insights into the properties of this primordial soup and may help scientists understand the strongest force in nature.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 2, 2017

Berkeley Lab to lead multimillion-dollar geothermal energy project

Berkeley Lab is leading a $9 million project to remove technical barriers to EGS, a clean energy technology that could power 100 million American homes. The project aims to develop field experiments to understand and model rock fractures, essential for geothermal systems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJul 20, 2017

Mica provides clue to how water transports minerals

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered that the capture and release of ions at the interface between water and muscovite mica is controlled by electrostatic properties. This breakthrough allows for real-time observations of ion transport dynamics, giving new insights into environmental processes.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 14, 2017
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Alien ice on Earth

Researchers at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences have captured the freezing of water into a strange, dense form called ice VII, which can be found naturally in otherworldly environments. This discovery could reveal how water and other substances undergo transitions from liquids to solids.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 11, 2017

A seaweed derivative could be just what lithium-sulfur batteries need

Berkeley Lab researchers have found that carrageenan, a seaweed derivative, acts as a stabilizer in lithium-sulfur batteries, allowing for more cycling and an extended lifetime. The discovery opens up new possibilities for low-cost, high-energy energy storage solutions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Energy·DateJun 13, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

'Halos' discovered on Mars widen time frame for potential life

Scientists have discovered 'halos' on Mars, indicating that liquid water lingered longer on the planet than previously believed. The findings suggest that substantial groundwater was present in Gale crater's past, expanding the window for when life might have existed on Mars.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 30, 2017

Insight into enzyme's 3-D structure could cut biofuel costs

A Los Alamos research team used neutron crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structure of a protein that breaks down cellulose, a key step in creating biofuels. The findings suggest that understanding the mechanism of this enzyme could lead to more efficient and cost-effective production of ethanol.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalBiochemistry·DateMay 18, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, May 2017

ORNL's software significantly speeds up microscopy image analysis, allowing researchers to explore how neurons migrate in the brain. The lab also made bioenergy advancements by identifying a bottleneck in breaking down woody plants for biofuels, and developed an ecosystem modeling method that can pinpoint key uncertainties.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 2, 2017

Video captures bubble-blowing battery in action

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 26, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Managing disease spread through accessible modeling

The study explores disease-control measures using a simplified SIR model with low computational requirements, and proposes a platform for public-health collaborators to use and provide feedback on models. The research aims to improve disease-related decision making by providing quantitative estimates of outbreak trajectories.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 25, 2017

3 small energy firms to collaborate with PNNL

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateApr 24, 2017

Engineering technique is damaging materials research reveals

Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that FIB can fundamentally alter a material's structure, affecting its entire sample. The team developed new X-ray techniques to assess this damage and will focus on developing strategies to mitigate FIB damage.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 20, 2017

Better living through pressure: Functional nanomaterials made easy

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new technology that mimics imprint processes used in industrial manufacturing, creating nanowire-array structures similar to those found in touch-screens for sensors, computers, phones, and TVs. The pressure-based fabrication process is faster and more environmentally friendl...

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2017

Study on impact of climate change on snowpack loss in Western US

A recent study found that climate change has led to a 20% loss in the annual maximum amount of water contained in the Western US's mountain snowpack over the last three decades. The researchers estimate that further losses of up to 60% could occur within the next 30 years, posing significant economic and societal impacts.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2017
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.

How some battery materials expand without cracking

Scientists found that certain electrode materials can accommodate large volume changes by transforming into a glassy phase, making them less prone to cracking. This discovery could lead to the development of longer-lived and higher-capacity batteries.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 12, 2017

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, April 2017

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing three new approaches to improve deep learning technologies. They are bringing together quantum, high-performance, and neuromorphic computing architectures to optimize complexity in a low-power environment. Additionally, scientists have created an approach to get a better look ...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateApr 3, 2017

Perovskite edges can be tuned for optoelectronic performance

Researchers have developed layered 2D hybrid perovskites with nanometer thickness, improving optoelectronic performance for efficient devices. The discovery of layer-edge-states at the edges of perovskite layers enables uninhibited charge transport and enhances photovoltaic and light-emitting properties.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 9, 2017
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Argonne invents reusable sponge that soaks up oil

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have invented a new foam called Oleo Sponge that can absorb and reuse oil from water. The material has been shown to collect diesel and crude oil from both below and on the surface of the water.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 7, 2017

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2017

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed innovative methods for creating complex patterns, accelerating gas separation, and optimizing manufacturing processes. The lab's expertise in additive manufacturing has enabled the rapid prototyping of components, while membrane-based gas separation has shown promising results.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 2, 2017

Researchers coax particles to form vortices using magnetic fields

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory created tiny swirling vortices out of magnetic particles using magnetic fields. The discovery provides insight into the behavior that governs such systems and opens up new opportunities for materials and devices with new properties.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 28, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Researchers find new clues for nuclear waste cleanup

A Washington State University study has improved understanding of challenging nuclear waste by analyzing the chemistry of technetium-99. The research could lead to better cleanup methods, particularly addressing difficult plutonium byproducts.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInorganic Chemistry·DateFeb 23, 2017

Artificial synapse for neural networks

Scientists at Stanford University and Sandia National Laboratories have developed an artificial synapse that mimics the human brain's efficient processing. This innovation could lead to the creation of more brain-like computers that can interpret visual and auditory signals with improved accuracy.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 21, 2017

Los Alamos research on cancer's origins key part of huge grant

A global research team led by Professor Mike Stratton will study genetic samples from five continents to understand the causes of cancer. The project aims to identify unknown causes, determine environmental factors, and figure out how they lead to cancer.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·DateFeb 9, 2017

High-resolution imaging reveals new understanding of battery cathode particles

Scientists at Berkeley Lab discovered particle cracking in cathode materials during charging and discharging, reducing battery capacity and life. The research provides unprecedented mechanistic understanding of electrode material and potential ways to minimize cracking, leading to improved stability and longer battery lifespan.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 1, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

First-ever GPS data release to boost space-weather science

Researchers now have unprecedented access to space-weather data from 23 GPS satellites, measuring charged particles and their impact on satellite operation. This data helps answer key questions about space weather events, enabling improved forecasting models.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalSpace Weather·DateJan 30, 2017

For first time ever, X-ray imaging at Argonne captures material defect process

Researchers at Argonne have discovered a new approach to detail the formation of material changes at the atomic scale, capturing images of structural defects in palladium when exposed to hydrogen. This imaging capability will help validate models predicting material behavior and enable defect engineering for better materials.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 16, 2017
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.

Biofuel matchmaker: Finding the perfect algae for renewable energy

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJan 13, 2017

Crystallization method offers new option for carbon capture from ambient air

Scientists at ORNL have developed a novel crystallization method to capture carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. The method uses a guanidine sorbent that can be heated at relatively low temperatures to release the gas, reducing energy consumption and emissions.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 9, 2017

Sandia forms Spray Combustion Consortium to improve engine design

The consortium aims to develop predictive spray models for fuel sprays in the engine cylinder, addressing uncertainties associated with fuel injection equipment. By understanding flow within the fuel injector nozzle and dispersion of liquid outside the nozzle, researchers hope to improve engine efficiency and reduce emissions.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateJan 3, 2017
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Nanoscale 'conversations' create complex, multi-layered structures

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a way to efficiently create complex nanoscale structures by leveraging self-assembly and guided layering. The technique enables the creation of intricate 3D structures with internal channels or pockets, advancing nanotechnology for medicine, energy generation, and other applications.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 2016

Many muons: Imaging the underground with help from the cosmos

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateDec 16, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Raju Venugopalan awarded prestigious Humboldt Research Award

Raju Venugopalan, a Brookhaven National Laboratory physicist, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for his work on quark-gluon plasma and ultra-cold atomic gases. The award will enable him to continue collaborations with German researchers and further explore connections between these systems.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateNov 30, 2016
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.

Ultrafast imaging reveals existence of 'polarons'

Scientists have discovered a new way to study the atomic structure of materials, revealing the existence of 'polarons' that affect the flow of current. The ultrafast electron diffraction technique captures subtle lattice distortions, showing that electrons and atoms move cooperatively, driving deformations in the material's lattice.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·Journalnpj Quantum Materials·DateNov 29, 2016

EDGE bioinformatics brings genomics to everyone

EDGE brings genomics expertise to everyone with a user-friendly web-based platform that integrates cutting-edge tools and reduces data analysis times from days to minutes. The platform has already helped streamline data analysis for groups worldwide, including those in Thailand, Georgia, Peru, and Egypt.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateNov 29, 2016
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Brookhaven Lab to lead and partner on DOE exascale computing projects

The Brookhaven-led SOLLVE project aims to standardize OpenMP functionality features for exascale applications, while the CODAR co-design center focuses on developing services for online data analysis and reduction. This will enable scientists to gain insights from data at exascale systems.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateNov 16, 2016

The Exascale Computing Project awards $34 million for software development

The Exascale Computing Project has awarded $34 million in software development funding to 35 research organizations, covering various components of the software stack for exascale systems. The funding aims to enable application developers to write highly parallel applications that can target diverse exascale architectures.

SourceDOE/US Department of Energy·DateNov 10, 2016

Brookhaven Lab wins 3 2016 R&D 100 Awards

The US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory has received three 2016 R&D 100 Awards for its innovative technologies in microscopy, catalysis, and nanomaterials. The lab's custom-built x-ray microscope has advanced imaging capabilities, while the MoSoy Catalyst produces hydrogen in an environmentally friendly way.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateNov 8, 2016

UD research to use space lab for 'smart' material investigation

Researchers at the University of Delaware are using the International Space Station's U.S. National Laboratory to study self-assembly in microgravity, with a focus on creating new types of colloidal materials that can be used in various applications such as phononic bandgap materials and ultra-low thermal conductivity coatings.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateOct 28, 2016
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.

Atom-by-atom growth chart for shells helps decode past climate

Researchers created an atomic-scale map of a foraminifera shell's chemistry, uncovering elevated sodium and magnesium levels in the organic layer. This discovery will improve our understanding of environmental change and climate reconstructions using ancient shells.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2016
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.

NREL to lead one exascale computing project, support three others

Scientists at NREL are leading an effort to model complex wind flow through large wind plants as part of the Exascale Computing Project. The project aims to advance our fundamental understanding of whole wind plants and reduce the cost of electricity derived from wind energy.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·DateOct 11, 2016