Articles tagged with National Laboratories
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.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a method to selectively rearrange nanoparticles in three-dimensional arrays, producing different configurations or phases from the same nano-components. This allows for dynamic control over material properties, such as response to light or magnetic fields.
Researchers created a method to determine source characteristics of near-earth surface explosions using seismic stations in Turkey. They found the Syrian tunnel bomb blast was likely around 40 tons, contradicting initial claims of 60 tons. The technique serves as a forensic tool for investigators and governmental agencies.
The team discovered supernova iPTF 14atg using an automated software system that separates real astronomical transients from false detections. The system uses machine learning technology to identify events of astrophysical origin.
NuSTAR's observations confirm a highly asymmetric Supernova 1987A explosion, with X-ray emissions revealing explosive speeds of heavy elements. This study validates scientific assumptions about core collapse supernovae and challenges symmetrical explosion models.
The Department of Energy's Office of Science has selected 44 early-career researchers to receive significant funding for research, bolstering the nation's scientific workforce. The program provides support to talented researchers during their formative years.
Three PNNL scientists, David Heldebrant, Dongsheng Li, and Brent VanDevender, have been awarded five-year research grants to reduce carbon emissions, create new materials for energy storage, and measure neutrinos. The grants aim to bolster the nation's scientific workforce by supporting exceptional researchers during their early careers.
The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have successfully demonstrated the capability to connect grid simulations at their two labs for real-time interaction via the Internet. This new inter-lab capability enables the modeling of power grids in greater detail by allowing s...
Using synchotron X-rays, scientists visualize the dynamics of explosions within a bombardier beetle's body, discovering a self-repairing valve that saves energy. This breakthrough could provide new design principles for technologies related to blast mitigation and propulsion.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how bombardier beetles produce their explosive defense mechanism, revealing a complex process controlled by a flexible membrane and valve. The beetle's ability to superheat and expel the liquid creates a powerful spray that is highly effective against predators.
Researchers discovered californium's unique properties, linking it to surrounding elements and enabling bonding and separation with other materials. The element's significance lies in its potential applications for nuclear fuel storage and recycling.
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has shattered its own record for producing polarized proton collisions at 200-giga-electron-volt collision energy. The accelerator now delivers 1200 billion collisions per week, more than double the number achieved in 2012.
Researchers expose high-temperature superconductors to record-breaking magnetic fields, revealing unique properties and interactions between electrons. The study paves the way for a new theory of superconductivity, aiming to create room-temperature superconductors without cooling requirements.
The PNNL Hydrogen Catalysis team received the American Chemical Society's Catalysis Lectureship for Advancing Catalytic Science. Their breakthrough research revolutionized understanding of proton movement, enabling faster and more energy-efficient catalysts.
Researchers have made an experimental breakthrough in understanding the Kondo Effect, a phenomenon affecting electrical resistance in materials. The discovery could lead to new technologies, including magnetic refrigeration and magnetocaloric properties, which could significantly reduce energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions.
The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) has begun destroying chemical munitions at the US Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, preparing for a larger operation to destroy 780,000 munitions containing 2,600 tons of mustard agent. The new system is designed to process stockpile munitions more efficiently than previous versions.
Los Alamos researchers uncovered how materials develop defects during irradiation, revealing key factors that affect their properties. The studies shed light on defect mobility, grain boundary structure, and interface-sink efficiency, which are crucial for predicting material behavior under extreme environments.
Researchers at UC have made significant advances in harnessing solar power by developing more efficient solar cells using polymer materials. The new technology has increased the cell's efficiency by three-fold, making it a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells.
Researchers used the Sandia National Laboratories Z-machine to recreate Earth's formation conditions, finding that iron vaporizes at a lower shock pressure than previously thought. This process could have led to more iron being mixed into the Earth's mantle, potentially affecting the Moon's composition due to its reduced gravity.
Researchers will create tools using Argonne's POLARIS system to model and simulate the movement of people via mass transportation during emergencies. The tools will provide complex modeling, simulation, and real-time assistance for officials during emergencies.
A team of scientists has deciphered the structural details of a brain protein, TSPO, which has an almost equally strong affinity for Valium as it does for its target protein. The study reveals that TSPO breaks down a compound found in red blood cells, potentially helping regulate oxygen compounds and mitigating side effects.
Researchers have developed a hot-casting technique to grow large-area perovskite crystals, offering promising routes for low-cost, clean energy solutions. The technique yields highly efficient and reproducible solar cells with efficiencies approaching 18%, surpassing previous challenges in the field.
Scientists have discovered a way to control friction on ionic surfaces at the nanoscale by applying electrical stimulation and ambient water vapor. This new method allows for both increasing and decreasing friction, offering significant technological implications for energy research and device applications.
A new study reveals extreme disorder in a fundamental property of the surface electrons known as the Dirac mass in ferromagnetic topological insulators. The research found that the disorder is directly related to fluctuations in the density of magnetic dopant atoms on different parts of the crystal surface.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory is partnering with three leading nuclear companies to address technical challenges in advanced reactor design. The partnership aims to create next-generation reactors with improved safety and efficiency.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that atomic steps on metal surfaces can slow down oxidation by forcing them to bunch closer together and eventually stopping their growth. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding and controlling oxidation in a wide range of materials.
Sandia National Laboratories is developing technology to improve the endurance of legged robots, enabling them to operate for long periods in disaster response scenarios. The new robots, STEPPR and WANDERER, will demonstrate energy-efficient actuators and biped walking capabilities.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab discover that Roman volcanic ash-lime mortar binds fragments with a durable calcium-alumino-silicate mineral, preventing microcracks from propagating and preserving cohesion. This finding has significant environmental advantages over modern Portland cement-based concretes.
A team of researchers at Argonne National Laboratory has developed an integrated modeling approach to understand the fluid dynamics of fuel injectors in modern engines. The study aims to improve engine design and simulation, reducing trial and error and increasing efficiency.
Researchers found an unexpected connection between titanium-oxypnictide superconductors and familiar cuprates and iron-pnictides, providing a new family of materials to explore. The discovery sheds light on the mysteries of high-temperature superconductivity.
Researchers have devised a powerful technique that simultaneously determines nanoscale materials' chemical makeup and topography, improving spatial resolution to 2 nm. This breakthrough enables chemically imaging of nanoscale materials with direct chemical sensitivity.
Nanoporous metals with superior qualities have numerous applications due to their high surface area for electron transfer and increased sites for analyte adsorption. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers developed a cost-effective method to manufacture nanoporous metals over various scales, from nanoscale to macroscale.
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered the atomic structure of uranium dioxide changes significantly when it melts. The study enhances understanding of reactor safety during meltdown scenarios.
The new Lab-Corps program aims to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies from national laboratories to the marketplace. The program will partner with five national labs and provide funding, equipment, and expertise to help innovators bring their ideas to market.
Researchers have made the first direct observations of a one-dimensional boundary separating two different, atom-thin materials. This experiment provides the first experimental validation of theoretical interface properties.
Researchers have discovered that single-wall carbon nanotubes can form channels in artificial membranes and living cell membranes with comparable transport properties to protein channels. These structures are stable in solution and can transport ions and even DNA, offering a promising approach for membrane transportation mechanisms.
The university is applying 'Star Trek technology' from the national laboratory to improve diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. The Microbial Detection Array can test any sample, including blood, dirt, tissue, or a nasal or saliva swab, and is valuable for public health, vaccine safety, food safety, biodefense, and animal health.
A new high-speed transatlantic network will enable faster data exchange between the US and Europe, supporting particle physics research and collaborations. The upgraded network will benefit tens of thousands of researchers, providing enhanced access to data at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other European-based experiments.
The Department of Energy's ESnet is deploying four new high-speed transatlantic links, delivering a total capacity of 340 Gbps to support dozens of scientific collaborations. The new infrastructure will enable ultra-fast access to scientific data from the Large Hadron Collider and other research sites in Europe.
ORNL researchers directly observed single dopant atoms moving inside a bulk material for the first time, contradicting theoretical predictions. The study provides unprecedented insight into the properties and lifespan of new materials, particularly in energy-saving LED lights.
The new grant will operate three powerful experimental stations at NSLS-II, allowing researchers to study protein structures and biological processes in detail. The facilities will also enable the development of new technologies for addressing challenging biological questions.
Researchers at UChicago and Argonne National Lab developed a new polymer that enhances the efficiency of solar cells. The addition of PID2 improved the production of electricity by allowing charges to move more easily throughout the cell.
A team of researchers has developed a novel capability to simulate extreme turbine engine conditions, allowing scientists to study the microstructure and internal strain in coated test blades during real operating conditions. This breakthrough could lead to improved material lifespan estimates and coatings for energy-efficient turbines.
The Transition to Practice program assists in bridging the gap between laboratory and practical cybersecurity technologies. The program uses testing and evaluation methods, such as dynamic testing of executable files, red-teaming, and implementation cost analysis, to help move research discoveries into practical use.
Researchers developed a new approach combining in situ X-ray scattering with computational theory to design and synthesize new materials. They found that layer exchange is not unique to strontium and titanium, but expected for many different materials systems.
A University of Oklahoma physicist has received a $1 million grant to develop a quantum enhanced plasmonic sensor that can detect diseases earlier, identify pathogens, and monitor atmospheric pollutants. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like chemistry, medicine, and atmospheric science.
Researchers have experimentally re-created conditions deep inside giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn using the National Ignition Facility. They successfully compressed diamond to unprecedented densities, providing new constraints for dense matter theories and planet evolution models.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and University of Hawaii confirm hydrogen abstraction-acetylene addition mechanism in combustion theory. The study has implications for designing cleaner-burning fuels and fine-tuning carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets.
The Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC) has been awarded $14.4 million in renewed funding from the Department of Energy to continue its research on natural and bio-inspired systems for harvesting the sun's energy. The center will focus on developing more efficient biohybrid systems to capture and convert solar photons into us...
The US Department of Energy has renewed funding for Brookhaven's Center for Emergent Superconductivity, aiming to understand the fundamental nature of superconductivity in complex materials. This could revolutionize energy distribution and storage by enabling efficient transport and storage of vast quantities of energy.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new and efficient approach to 3D metal parts using selective laser melting. They used simple simulations and experiments to identify optimal parameters for high-density metal parts, which can be used to certify properties of metal parts built using SLM.