Articles tagged with National Laboratories
A new study published in Nature suggests that the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees evolved in Africa, not Eurasia, two million years earlier than previously thought. The analysis of fossils found in Ethiopia reveals that the human branch of the tree split from gorillas around 10 million years ago.
The Daya Bay Collaboration has obtained the most precise measurement of reactor antineutrinos' energy spectrum, revealing two intriguing discrepancies with theoretical predictions. The data indicates an excess of antineutrinos at an energy of around 5 million electron volts, a deviation of up to four standard deviations.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used a Linac Coherent Light Source to observe xenon nanoparticles in extreme environments, capturing their dynamics over time. The technique allows for high-resolution imaging of materials in the gas phase, with implications for studying aerosols and combustion.
A new study finds that carbon emissions will have long-lasting impacts on the planet, with some effects lasting over 100,000 years. The researchers warn that reducing emissions slightly or significantly is not sufficient to prevent catastrophic consequences.
Susan E. Celniker has made significant contributions to the field of genetics, including sequencing and annotation of the Drosophila genome. Her work has enabled proteomic studies and developed computational tools for genetics researchers.
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have published a study revealing the key market and system drivers for low-priced solar photovoltaic systems. The analysis finds that low-priced systems are more prevalent in local markets with fewer active installers, and are often customer-owned, lar...
The US Department of Energy has announced a significant investment in grid modernization research and development, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing infrastructure security. The new funding will support critical research and development over the next three years to help modernize America's electrical power grid.
The DOE has awarded $220 million for 88 new projects across 14 National Laboratories to deliver new grid concepts, tools, and technologies. Berkeley Lab is leading two projects: the California Distributed Resource Planning and Optimization Platform and Future Utility Regulation.
Physicists propose a smaller secondary inflationary period to account for the universe's estimated dark matter abundance. This new theory suggests a 'hidden sector' of physics, where interactions dilute primordial particle abundances, leaving behind the observed dark matter density.
Block copolymer molecules can self-assemble into specific shapes using patterns on semiconductor surfaces, allowing for the creation of nano-trenches where conducting wire materials can be deposited. The researchers' technique eliminates metastable states, reducing defects in high-precision nanocircuitry.
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.
Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered a technique called spray pyrolysis that can improve the performance of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cathodes, which are crucial for electric vehicle applications. By controlling surface chemistry, they were able to reduce surface reactivity and increase material stability.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism for incorporating soft biological matter into calcium carbonate crystals, creating strong biominerals. The study provides insight into the formation of natural minerals with composite properties, which could lead to sustainable energy materials.
Scientists have successfully implemented an innovative scheme to increase proton collision rates at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), resulting in doubled peak and average luminosity measures. This enables researchers to collect more data to answer important questions about proton spin and nuclear physics.
PPPL's role in the W7-X stellarator experiment marks a significant achievement in fusion research. The US collaboration has successfully created and maintained a hot plasma for up to 30 minutes, a crucial milestone in developing sustainable fusion energy.
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory developed a new method to detect underground nuclear explosions by coupling seismic models with gas-flow models. The research improves the accuracy of predicting radionuclide gas transport through fracture networks, enabling better detection and concentration of gases.
Researchers deciphered the atomic-scale structure of a botulism toxin-bound protein, revealing how it stays intact in acidic conditions and disassembles in neutral pH environments. This knowledge may help develop new vaccines or treatments targeting the deadly neurotoxin.
An international team of physicists has calculated direct 'CP' symmetry violation, a tiny effect in particle decays. The calculation does not yet indicate a difference between experiment and theory, but future precision may uncover new physics.
A team of physicists has made a groundbreaking calculation on the decay of subatomic particles called kaons, which could change how scientists understand the formation of the universe. The research finds that the behavior of kaons differs when matter is swapped out for antimatter, challenging current understanding of the Standard Model.
Researchers propose a novel way to create robust electron waves by exploiting magnetic ions to bind together electron's direction of movement and its spin. This could drive advances in data- and energy-storage technologies.
The University of Washington team has made history by cooling water by about 36 degrees Fahrenheit using an infrared laser. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, and defense.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have measured the attractive force between pairs of antiprotons for the first time, shedding light on antimatter's existence and symmetry. The study's findings may help explain why the universe is dominated by ordinary matter and not antimatter.
Researchers have produced the first-ever images of the protein complex that unwinds, splits, and copies double-stranded DNA, revealing a counterintuitive architecture. The helicase coordinates with polymerases to duplicate each strand, suggesting potential molecular quality control and developmental biology implications.
Researchers have run the largest cosmological simulation to date, modeling the universe's evolution from 50 million years after the Big Bang to the present day. The Q Continuum simulation provides new insights into dark energy and galaxy formation, with data analysis ongoing for several years.
A national effort is proposed to understand and harness the capabilities of Earth's microbial ecosystems. The Unified Microbiome Initiative aims to decipher how microbes interact with each other, their hosts and environment, leading to new antibiotics, obesity-fighting methods, drought-resistant crops and next-gen biofuels.
A group of 17 US scientists has formed the Unified Microbiome Initiative to coordinate microbial research and inform funding recommendations. The initiative aims to integrate research objectives across disciplines to better understand the role of microbes in human health and ecological systems.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cornell University have characterized a key arrangement of electrons in a high-temperature superconductor. The study identifies the atomic-scale origins and influences that produce the density wave in cuprates, revealing a link between the electron density wave and pseudogap phase.
The University of Houston research aims to develop tools, techniques, and practices for creating energy infrastructure that can operate under uncertain conditions, regardless of the source of disruption. The goal is to ensure continuous operation and prevent significant financial losses due to extended shutdowns.
Graphene nanoribbons are grown on germanium crystals using chemical vapor deposition, providing a straightforward way to make semiconducting nanoscale circuits. The researchers confirmed the presence of graphene nanoribbons growing on the germanium crystal faces (1,1,1), (1,1,0) and (1,0,0).
The latest results from ultrarelativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions offer insight into the building blocks of matter and the hearts of neutron stars. Scientists are studying quarks and gluons in extreme conditions to understand the early universe.
Researchers at ORNL have created flexible polymer carbon composite films as electrodes for supercapacitors, achieving high power and energy density. The technology can consume up to 50 tons of scrap tires daily, providing relief from the expected 1.5 billion discarded tires by 2035.
A new theory suggests that dark matter could be composed of electrically charged constituents that interact with ordinary matter in the early universe. This 'stealthy' dark matter would have been easy to detect at high temperatures but is now difficult to see due to its compositeness and confinement.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory create a new surface microscope that allows them to control the chemical environment and image minerals as they react under extreme conditions. The technique, called X-ray reflection interface microscopy (XRIM), enables scientists to study reaction front instabilities in real-time.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have discovered a way to create linear chains of carbon atoms, called carbyne, through laser-melting graphite. This material has potential applications in nanoelectronic devices and superhard materials, as well as tunable semiconductors and hydrogen storage.
Researchers aim to develop a non-destructive method to measure water content in solar PV cells using spectral imaging. The goal is to remove uncertainty on the modules' long-term reliability, crucial for making solar energy competitive with fossil fuels.
The Daya Bay Collaboration has achieved the most precise measurements of neutrino oscillation to date, tracking the transformation of neutrinos and confirming that the experiment is paving the way for further research. The new results will have far-reaching implications for understanding the nature of neutrinos and the universe.
Researchers use X-rays to study nickelates and discover that tensile strain facilitates the transfer of electrons between atoms, ruling out electronic checkerboard theory. The findings provide new insight into the metal-insulator transition, guiding the design of new electronic devices.
A team of researchers developed a system to study how materials respond to mechanical stress, enabling nondestructive characterization of structural materials. The tool could lead to aerospace components that are lighter and more tolerant to damage.
New RHIC data reveals clear-cut evidence of primordial soup's signature particle flow in collisions of 3-particle ions with gold nuclei, confirming earlier suspicions that smaller particles can create droplets of free-flowing QGP. The analysis shows a triangular pattern consistent with the creation of three tiny droplets of QGP.
Researchers will investigate how multiple variables interact to impact engine performance and emissions. The study aims to provide vehicle manufacturers and engine designers with tools for creating more efficient engines faster and at reduced cost.
A team of researchers has discovered a Jupiter-like planet, 51 Eridani b, within a young system that could provide new understanding of how planets formed around our sun. The planet shows the strongest methane signature ever detected on an alien planet, yielding clues about its formation.
The installed price of US distributed solar PV systems fell 10-20% in 2014 and 6-13% in early 2015, with significant reductions attributed to decreases in solar soft costs. The 'Tracking the Sun' report highlights progress in lowering solar system prices, with substantial variability observed across different market segments.
Researchers developed Hybrid Photonic-Nanomechanical Force Microscopy (HPFM) to identify materials' unique chemical 'fingerprints', mapping their properties at higher spatial resolution. The technology has potential applications in fields like biofuel production, solar energy and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers found that gut microbes in mice exhibit a daily cycle, influencing circadian clock genes and metabolism. High-fat diets disrupt this cycle, leading to weight gain in mice.
The US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has found that butanol can be used as a safe and effective alternative fuel for recreational boats. This new blend, which includes 16% butanol, was demonstrated to outperform ethanol at 10% in terms of performance, efficiency, and emissions.
Researchers developed a theoretical model to explain the origins of self-replicating molecules. Their work suggests that complex polymers can form rapidly through a template-assisted ligation mechanism, which would have allowed early life on Earth to emerge.
Postdoctoral researcher Stephen Wu's discovery challenges prevailing ideas of generating spin current from insulators. He found that a paramagnetic material can sustain a strong spin current without the need for a ferromagnetic material.
Researchers have confirmed plutonium's magnetism using neutron scattering, resolving a scientific mystery that had gone unsolved for seven decades. The discovery provides insight into plutonium's unique electronic properties and suggests new avenues for materials science applications.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been selected as one of five national laboratories to lead the Department of Energy's new Small Business Vouchers Pilot. The lab will provide technology assistance to small clean energy firms in three sectors: bioenergy, water power, and buildings.
The study explores how retail rate design affects PV deployment, finding dramatic impacts from -14% to -61%. Increased solar deployment can lead to changes in compensation levels that accelerate or dampen further deployment.
A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that autonomous taxis could significantly reduce per-mile greenhouse gas emissions, with savings ranging from 63-82% compared to hybrid vehicles and 90% compared to gasoline-powered cars. The use of right-sizing, where the size of the taxi is tailored to each trip's occupancy...
Scientists are using subatomic particles called muons to analyze the thickness of concrete slabs and metal pipes. The technique can safely identify faulty infrastructure components without creating radiation or invasive inspections.
A new technique combines electron microscopy and synchrotron X-rays to track chemical reactions under real operating conditions. This powerful operando approach reveals atomic-scale changes during catalytic reactions, providing unparalleled insight into nanoparticle structure.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed segmented, screw-like spikes to improve material bonding in industrial coatings and 3-D printing. The new structure, mimicking marine sponge spines, offers a stronger internal structure lasting longer than previous approaches.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a new technique to create multi-layered, self-assembled grids with fully customizable shapes and compositions. The result enables the production of high-tech coatings, improved solar cells, and touchscreen electronics.
A new imaging technique has been developed to determine the arrangement of atoms on surfaces at atomic resolution. The method could improve our understanding of corrosion and catalysis processes, leading to more efficient green energy production.
The US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has successfully demonstrated the production, separation and purification of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) using a process developed in cooperation with SHINE Medical Technologies. The new method uses fast neutrons to create Mo-99 from an aqueous solution of uranium.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory develop a new way of manipulating high-intensity X-rays using a small microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror. The device acts as an ultrafast mirror reflecting X-rays at precise times and specific angles, allowing for the selection of extremely brief but precise X-ray bursts.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have optimized CONVERGE code to achieve a three-fold increase in engine simulation speed, enabling faster design of better engines and reduced product development time. This breakthrough uses high-performance computing and load balancing techniques to maximize efficiency.
Dr. Claudio Pellegrini and Dr. Charles V. Shank have made significant contributions to scientific research, advancing our understanding of relativistic electron beams and ultrafast lasers. Their work has led to the development of the first hard x-ray free-electron laser, transforming the field of X-ray physics.