Articles tagged with National Laboratories
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discovered that DNA overwinds when stretched, contradicting long-held intuition. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding DNA-protein interactions and could lead to breakthroughs in nanotechnology.
Astrophysicist Saul Perlmutter wins prestigious International Feltrinelli Prize for his groundbreaking research on dark energy and the accelerating expansion of the universe. The prize recognizes Perlmutter's contributions to our understanding of the universe's mysterious force, dark energy.
The Sagittal Focusing Laue Monochromator device can focus high-energy x-rays with a large divergence, solving a technical challenge in light source scientists. It consists of two thin crystals that diffract the beam horizontally, resulting in higher beam intensity and reduced costs.
Dr. Peter D. Lax received the 2006 Distinguished Service to Applied Mathematics prize for his outstanding leadership and contributions to applied mathematics. He is recognized for his services to the mathematical community, including government service and advisory roles in high-performance computing.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a surprising new understanding of water quality, revealing that ions can co-exist as both outer-sphere and inner-sphere species. This breakthrough could lead to better control of water quality and a deeper understanding of various processes at solid-liquid interfaces.
The four science education kits developed by Brookhaven Lab and WARD'S Natural Science focus on environmental chemistry, bioremediation, protein expression, and protein purification. Students can safely conduct experiments to learn about these concepts, replicating research from the lab.
Sovacool's research explores the reasons behind the slow adoption of distributed generation technologies, including social and technical factors. He interviewed over 60 influential energy experts to understand the obstacles to widespread use of DG/renewable energy systems.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory discovered that three line defects in the crystal structure of metals create a stronger bond than when only two dislocations intersect. This finding has significant implications for hardening metals and could be applied to various industries, including construction and manufacturing.
Researchers observed anomalous signatures in lattice vibrations, suggesting dynamic stripes are present in copper-oxide superconductors. The findings support earlier controversial claims and may help explain the superconducting mechanism.
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will explore alternative theories to the Standard Model, including supersymmetry, to address its limitations. Physicists aim to detect supersymmetric particles or large extra dimensions to bridge the energy gap between gravity and electroweak forces.
The discovery of Au. anamensis fossils in Ethiopia bridges the 1-million-year gap between Ardipithecus and Australopithecus, two species previously thought to be distinct. The new findings provide insight into the evolutionary history of human ancestors, revealing a more complex and nuanced timeline.
Researchers identify lattice solitons, localized energy waves, in uranium crystals using x-ray and neutron scattering experiments. The discovery has immediate implications for uranium science and solid-state physics.
Researchers at PNNL have linked small organic molecules to create larger molecules that transport charge without interfering with blue light emission, enabling efficient white light generation.
The MINOS experiment has successfully observed muon neutrino disappearance, confirming the presence of neutrino mass. The study also reveals a significant energy-dependent deficit in neutrino detection, consistent with the hypothesis of neutrino oscillations.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a durable, low-cost, and easy-to-apply ceramic-based aluminide coating that prevents corrosion, oxidation, carburization, and sulfidation in hostile environments. The coating bonds with the metal substrate and is resilient, inexpensive, and simple.
Researchers have discovered a material that exhibits similar energy scales and gaps to high-temperature superconductors despite being a non-superconductor. The finding is a new wrinkle in the ongoing quest to understand the mechanism of electron pairing, which remains a key mystery.
Researchers create patterned magnetic films using Permalloy and cobalt, with dots measuring 100 nanometers in size. The team uses a state-of-the-art TEM to map the magnetic properties of each dot, enabling precise control over spin orientation and switching mechanism.
Los Alamos scientists uncover new relationship between magnetism and unconventional superconductivity in complex materials. They demonstrate that magnetism can be made to reappear in the presence of an applied magnetic field, expanding our understanding of high-temperature superconductors.
Scientists have successfully created a novel class of metal nitrides made from noble metals, exhibiting unusual or unique properties. These new compounds may prove to be even more durable than current titanium nitrides used in the semiconductor industry.
Scientists have discovered a new magnetic phenomenon, 'displaced vortex states', that can increase the size of MRAMs, allowing for faster and non-volatile memory storage. This breakthrough could lead to improved performance and reduced wait times when turning on computers.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new method for growing crystalline and polycrystalline gallium nitride films using energetic neutral atom-beam lithography/epitaxy. The technique allows for the growth of GaN films on various inexpensive substrate materials, including glass and polymers.
The US Department of Energy's INCITE program has awarded 18 million hours of supercomputing time to 15 teams for various research projects. These projects include simulating aircraft design, studying Parkinson's Disease, and understanding climate change.
A multidisciplinary study recommends increasing the practicality of using biofuels and biomaterials as a supplement to petroleum. The group suggests exploring a broader spectrum of materials, including agriculture wastes and fast-growing trees, to address current transportation fuel needs.
Researchers have discovered a way to strengthen carbon nanotubes by heating them to extreme temperatures, resulting in a nearly 280% increase in strength and a significant reduction in diameter. This breakthrough has implications for the development of high-temperature-resistant ceramics and electronics.
Researchers obtain unique view of electronic orbitals and separation of NO dimers by exciting molecules with femtosecond laser pulses. The experiments reveal an intermediate Rydberg state that dissociates in about 600 femtoseconds, providing a detailed understanding of the dissociation process.
The UNC Charlotte and Georgia Tech partnership will create an artificial reasoning system to analyze enormous multimedia databases and provide effective intelligence analysis and decision-making support. The system will be integrated with human analyst interaction to structure data, organize it, and ultimately understand it.
Brookhaven scientists used sliced ion imaging to analyze energy flow during ketene fragmentation, a small molecule stand-in for complicated fuels. They found agreement with variational transition state theory predictions, refuting earlier work on the theory.
Scientists discover carrier multiplication occurs in nanocrystals of various compositions, including cadmium selenide, boosting photovoltaic technologies. The effect relies on strong electron-electron interactions and can enhance the production of hydrogen through photo-catalytic water splitting.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that northern temperate forests can contribute to global warming by absorbing a lot of sunlight without losing much moisture. In contrast, tropical forests help keep the Earth cool by evaporating large amounts of water. The research suggests that planting forests at certain la...
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists have precisely measured the interaction of matter with photons in extreme electric fields surrounding the nucleus of uranium. The results demonstrate a new milestone in QED research, putting a new constraint on theory and paving the way for further calculations.
The National Ignition Facility's first experiments successfully validated computer simulations for controlled laser-induced ignition. Researchers fired laser beams into gold-plated cylinders, creating X-rays that ablated and imploded a capsule to achieve brief bursts of energy.
A new computer program called CPDL identifies candidate amino acid sites that control protein functions by comparing groups of related proteins. The tool flags positions where two related groups differ in terms of amino acid identity or properties like charge or polarity, suggesting these sites are biologically important for defining s...
The National Science Foundation has awarded $13.3 million to develop and improve the Globus Toolkit, a widely-used open-source software for distributed computer systems. The grant will support scientists and engineers at the University of Chicago and USC/ISI in enhancing the software's capabilities.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing a portable machine to optimize CPR procedures using optimal control theory. They are also creating a simple probe that can detect toxic compounds in minutes. The lab's Nanoscience Center is open for business, providing computational resources for nanoscience research.
Researchers studied gold nanoparticles supported by carbon atoms and found that a large carbon shell can physically squeeze together particles, triggering a merging process. This discovery suggests encapsulating individual metal nanoparticles within carbon shells could prevent uncontrolled size changes in nanoparticle arrays.
Researchers used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to assess fluid motion in simulated radioactive waste without sampling. The technique improved mixing technology for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant's large-scale operation.
Hydrologists use a simple apparatus of ¼-inch-diameter plastic tubing to collect groundwater samples along the Columbia River's edge. The aquifer tube method provides an accurate picture of vertical distribution of contaminants in groundwater, allowing for effective monitoring at difficult-to-access sites.
The DOE is awarding $92 million to develop biology-based solutions to energy and environmental challenges. The funding supports six research projects that aim to harness the diverse capabilities of microbes and microbial communities to address DOE's mission needs.
A study by Brookhaven chemists Santanu Chaudhuri and James Muckerman found that adding titanium to aluminum surfaces significantly improves hydrogen absorption, making it suitable for practical applications. This breakthrough enhances the performance of sodium alanate, a complex metal hydride used in hydrogen storage materials.
Researchers can now simulate complex behaviors with millions of particles, revealing new insights into chemical reactions. Advances in computational capabilities have made these monumental tasks possible, opening up new avenues for scientific discovery.
The novel material combines diamond's hardness with nanotubes' strength, offering potential applications in wear-resistant coatings, fuel cells, and electronic devices. The researchers developed a process to synthesize the material at the nanoscale, paving the way for fundamental advances in nanostructured carbon materials.
The active millimeter-wave technology rapidly scans individuals and produces a high-resolution 3D image, eliminating the need for physical searches. This innovative technology can be used in various public areas to minimize delays and indignity.
Researchers used 1,400 parallel processors to simulate octane's heat of formation, achieving a 75% sustained efficiency rate. The calculation took only 23 hours to complete, compared to 3.5 years and 2.5 terabytes for a single processor desktop computer.
Researchers have discovered a more stable compound, diammoniate of diborane (DADB), that may spontaneously uptake hydrogen fuel, making it potentially reversible. This finding is part of the Grand Challenge Project to develop new materials for hydrogen storage.
X-ray spectromicroscopy allows scientists to study bacterial cells without staining or sectioning, providing insights into their molecular chemistry and interactions with metals and radionuclides. This technique may help detect weaponized bacteria and prevent disease outbreaks, making it a significant step towards environmental cleanup.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new method for creating nanoscale patterns and features on surfaces, known as Electro Pen Nanolithography (EPN). This technique allows for the creation of three-dimensional nanoscale landscapes and has potential applications in molecular electronics and biosensors.
The University of Chicago will oversee the world's largest open computer, storage and networking system, TeraGrid, which aims to enhance access for scientific and engineering research. The $48 million grant will support the integration of new resources and science gateways to reach a wider user base.
Scientists from Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory have created a new type of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe made from ultra-nano-crystalline diamond, exhibiting properties similar to single-crystal diamond. The development enables improved durability and scalability for high-resolution imaging.
The DOE's Multiscale Mathematics program addresses scientific problems spanning multiple time scales and length scales, funding over 100 researchers across the US. The program aims to develop new multiscale mathematics algorithms and analysis to support research in fuel cell design, accelerator design, combustion processes, and materia...
Researchers analyzed identical male twin pairs with differing lifestyles to study the impact of diet and exercise on LDL cholesterol. The study found a strong correlation between twins' responses to diet changes, highlighting the importance of genes in determining individual responses to dietary fat.
ORNL's national lab-leading total increases to 122 with three new R&D 100 awards. The innovations include the compact and energy-efficient SEMCO Revolution rooftop air conditioner and SensArray Integrated Wafer for precise semiconductor temperature control.
The Air Force has developed a portable biosensor system that can detect and identify biological warfare agents. The system, consisting of a spray and a hand-held 'green box,' provides rapid detection capability and is designed to be reliable, disposable, and cost-effective.
Researchers at PNNL have developed more efficient CFL replacement lamps, while redesigning hard-wired fixtures to use these lamps. This could lead to significant energy savings in U.S. homes with recessed downlights.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully manipulated electron spins using a scanning optical microscope, achieving a higher degree of spatial coherence compared to traditional methods. This breakthrough could lead to the development of faster and more efficient electronic devices with low power consumption.
The RIKEN-BNL QCDOC supercomputer will primarily be used for physics research, focusing on the properties of quark-gluon plasma and quantum chromodynamics. It will also be available for scientific projects in biology and materials science during 10% of its operating time.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully demonstrated electroluminescence from all-inorganic nanocrystal-based architecture. The new LEDs utilize colloidal quantum dots and emerging GaN manufacturing technologies to produce high-emission-efficiency, color-selectable light.
Two dozen researchers from 16 institutions will participate in three- to-five-year studies on membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. These projects aim to advance knowledge on microbial interactions with their environment, leading to potential applications in groundwater remediation and energy genera...
Researchers propose new method for studying ion channel kinetics using independent open-to-closed transitions. The new approach allows molecular biologists to simplify models uniquely, distinguishing between different states and enabling better understanding of biological processes.
Researchers have developed a new model to predict the physics of stellar burning, particularly in stars like V4334 Sgr that undergo brief rebirths. The model predicts that V4334 Sgr will become much hotter and then slowly repeat the stellar rebirth cycle, returning to its current temperature in roughly two hundred years.
A new nickel-based alloy with added gadolinium has been verified as safe for the disposal of spent nuclear energy fuel. The alloy can be fabricated in large quantities using conventional techniques and has a higher neutron-absorption capacity than borated stainless steel.