Articles tagged with National Laboratories
A new device uses small amounts of light to process information, offering significant energy improvements over conventional optical switches. This technology could enable quantum communications, providing a promising alternative for data security against rising cyberattacks.
A new roadmap proposes a holistic approach to reducing net-zero carbon emissions by converting various parts of the economy to run on renewable electricity. The approach includes developing non-carbon fuels, finding non-fossil sources of carbon, and keeping carbon in play through circular economies.
The US-based roadmap aims to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and industrial sectors by reusing existing carbon, not just capturing or sequestering it. Researchers from national laboratories are working to accelerate discovery of transformative technologies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
By 2050, one-third of the world's basins may reach peak groundwater extraction, leading to significant shifts in trade and agriculture. Scientists analyzed patterns in nonrenewable groundwater usage over the next century to inform decision-making and adaptative measures.
Researchers developed a high-resolution lidar technique that can measure cloud droplet number concentrations remotely. The device provides unprecedented fine-scale structure at the base of clouds, enabling scientists to gain insight into aerosol-cloud interactions and their impact on climate.
Researchers visualize chiral interface state at atomic scale for the first time, allowing on-demand creation of conducting channels. The technique has promise for building tunable networks of electron channels and advancing quantum computing.
A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.
The US Department of Energy has approved the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a state-of-the-art particle collider for nuclear physics research. The EIC will be built at Brookhaven National Laboratory and funded primarily by the federal government, with a total project cost estimated to be $1.7-2.8 billion.
The UK has committed $58.8 million to support the development of the EIC's detector and accelerator infrastructure, a seven-year international collaboration. The EIC aims to study the building blocks of nature, including quarks and gluons, to gain insights into the universe.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill develop a room-temperature conversion reaction strategy to convert carbon dioxide into methanol. The process employs a recyclable organic reagent and sunlight, producing an easily storable and transportable liquid fuel.
Researchers identified genes controlling sorghum flowering and found that overexpressing one gene can delay flowering, increasing plant growth and biomass. The study provides new insights into optimizing sorghum for bioenergy goals.
Scientists at STAR collaboration observe magnetic field's impact on charged particles, providing new insight into quark-gluon plasma's electrical conductivity. The findings give scientists a way to study QGP's fundamental properties, shedding light on the universe's most powerful magnetic fields.
Scientists at Brookhaven Lab demonstrate new genetic strategy to boost plant oil content by protecting the oil-protector protein, resulting in 54% more oil accumulation in leaves and 13% more in seeds. This approach can increase biomass energy content and provide sustainable fuels.
Researchers found that a thin layer of magnesium significantly improves tantalum's purity and raises its operating temperature as a superconductor. This could lead to increased quantum information retention in qubits, ultimately benefiting quantum computing.
The EIC is a unique facility that will collide high-energy polarized electrons with protons or heavier ions, revealing the structure and properties of atomic nuclei. France's National Center for Scientific Research and U.S. Department of Energy have signed a Statement of Interest to strengthen their joint interest in advancing fundamen...
Researchers successfully improved lithium metal battery charging rates by adding a cesium nitrate compound, while maintaining long cycle life. The new findings challenge conventional beliefs about effective interphase components and contribute to the development of high-energy density batteries.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a way to create strong and effective fuel cell catalysts that approach the performance of platinum. By adding hydrogen to the fabricating process, they were able to balance durability and efficiency, potentially making fuel cells more affordable and polluting-free.
Fatima Bagheri, a UTA postdoc, attended an intensive program on supercomputing at Argonne National Laboratory to expand her knowledge of exascale computers and learn methods to advance her research into exoplanets. The training provided hands-on sessions with supercomputers and expertise from world experts.
The U.S. Department of Energy and French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have signed a Statement of Interest to launch the Electron-Ion Collider, a unique facility for exploring matter's building blocks. The agreement aims to strengthen international collaboration and future contributions to the EIC project.
Researchers have developed a new self-assembling nanosheet that can create functional and sustainable nanomaterials for various applications. The material is recyclable and can extend the shelf life of consumer products, enabling a sustainable manufacturing approach.
Researchers discovered that a new type of electrolyte uses complex nanostructures similar to those in soap to improve battery life. This understanding could lead to the development of lithium batteries that store more energy and last longer.
The new department will expand and improve isotope research and production to meet the nation's growing need for critical isotopes. Cathy Cutler plans to leverage the Lab's nuclear physics accelerator infrastructure to develop novel isotopes and applications.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory engineered enzymes to modify grass plant cell walls, reducing lignin content and making sugars more accessible. This led to up to 30% more sugar collection through fermentation, enabling potential conversion into biofuels like ethanol.
A team from Argonne National Laboratory has extended the coherence time for a novel type of qubit to nearly 1,000 times better than the previous record. This achievement enables the qubit to perform thousands of operations with high precision and speed.
Lucas Bowman Sutton, a Rensselaer doctoral student, has been awarded the US Department of Energy's Office of Science Graduate Student Research award to conduct research on the circadian clock at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He will utilize the Spallation Neutron Source to differentiate proteins that regulate timekeeping in living cells.
Producing new plastic via advanced recycling of post-use plastic reduces GHG emissions by 18-23% and fossil energy use by 65-70%. The study analyzed 2017-2021 data from eight companies and found a further 40-50% reduction when factoring in current end-of-life practices.
The newly upgraded Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory successfully produced its first X-rays, ushering in a new era of research. Scientists will now be able to examine quantum materials with unprecedented resolution and study biological molecules to develop new pharmaceuticals.
Researchers found common and diverse microbes in hot springs on three continents with water temperatures above 65°C. The study provides insights into how microorganisms adapt to unique local conditions and geological settings.
A Los Alamos-developed machine learning algorithm successfully processed massive data sets exceeding a computer's available memory. The algorithm divides data into manageable batches to prevent hardware bottlenecks, enabling efficient processing of large-scale applications in various fields.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are receiving US DOE funding to explore atmospheric processes that lead to extreme weather events. The project aims to better understand blocking patterns and their impact on climate change, ultimately informing local, state, and national leaders on how to prepare for these events.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Safari program aims to connect post-exit entrepreneurs with commercially relevant technologies developed by world-leading scientific experts. The program seeks to expedite the transition of research toward the marketplace, promoting U.S. competitiveness and national security.
A microscopic crack in platinum grew and then 'healed' itself by getting shorter after repetitive stretching, confirming Dr. Michael Demkowicz's 2013 prediction. The experiment used nanocrystalline metals with a small grain size, which allows for microstructural features to interact with cracks.
A team at Sandia National Laboratories has created a new way of testing personal protective equipment (PPE) that is faster and more comprehensive. They developed two human models: one for the face and another for the entire head, allowing for more realistic testing of mask performance. The new method also includes automated donning and...
Researchers have found an unusual ultrafast motion in layered magnetic materials, which could lead to breakthroughs in high-speed nanomotors for biomedical applications. The discovery was made using cutting-edge ultrafast probes and facilities, revealing a mechanical response across the entire sample.
Researchers used supercomputers to predict the spatial distributions of charges, momentum, and other properties of 'up' and 'down' quarks within protons. The results revealed key differences in the characteristics of the up and down quarks, implying different contributions to the proton's fundamental properties.
The Multi-frame Moving Object Detection System enhances remote sensing applications by detecting objects as small as one pixel in low-visibility conditions. It improves signal-to-noise ratio and detects fast- and slow-moving objects with high accuracy.
Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that metals can heal themselves by fusing back together microscopic cracks without human intervention. This breakthrough could lead to the development of self-healing machines and structures, reducing wear and tear damage and making them safer and longer-lasting.
Scientists have observed the direct visualization of a zero-field pair density wave in an iron-based superconductor, EuRbFe4As4, without a magnetic field. This discovery paves the way for further research into room-temperature superconductivity and its potential applications.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory discovered a new fluoride electrolyte that can protect lithium metal batteries against performance decline. The electrolyte maintains a robust protective layer on the anode surface for hundreds of cycles, enabling the battery to last longer.
Climate change is shifting snowfall to rainfall on mountains across the Northern Hemisphere, increasing the risk of floods, landslides, and soil erosion. The study found that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in global temperature, high elevations can expect an average of 15% more rain.
New measurements from RHIC's STAR detector suggest the shape of small quark-gluon plasma drops is influenced by the substructure of smaller projectile nuclei. This contradicts previous findings from PHENIX detector, which attributed QGP shape to larger-scale positions of nucleons. The results may deepen understanding of properties and ...
Researchers are investigating methods to extract critical materials, including lithium for electric vehicle batteries and magnets for electric motors, from diverse water streams. By accelerating evaporation through porous photothermal materials, they aim to reduce energy intensity and improve supply chain security.
Craig Ferguson has been appointed manager of the DOE Thomas Jefferson Site Office, leading in oversight and contract management of Jefferson Lab. Donté Davis, previously in the role, will support the office's wide range of oversight programs.
A decade-long study reveals that warmer temperatures lead to significant loss of organic compounds in deep forest soils, affecting carbon sequestration. This finding has implications for natural carbon sinks and soil management practices.
A new study has determined the atomic-level structure of a zinc-transporter protein, showing how it regulates zinc levels inside cells through a built-in sensor. The protein acts as a dimer, using feedback to control its activity based on zinc levels.
Researchers have calculated the heavy quark diffusion coefficient, which describes how quickly quarks and gluons transfer their momentum to heavier quarks. The calculation reveals that heavy quarks are strongly interacting with the surrounding plasma, making it difficult for them to change direction.
Researchers have developed an innovative approach to efficiently manipulate topological edge states for optical channel switching. By exploiting the finite-size effect in a two-unit-cell optical lattice, they achieved dynamic control over topological modes and demonstrated robust device performance.
The SRF Operations team at Jefferson Lab has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring quality management for production and delivery of excellent products. The certification requires a process-based system with documentation to address every requirement.
Researchers at RHIC's STAR Collaboration searched for evidence of a critical point in the way nuclear matter transforms from one phase to another. The study found fluctuation patterns in triton production that might help locate the critical point, a key to understanding the makeup of our universe.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have made a breakthrough in creating ultra-photostable avalanching nanoparticles that can perform unlimited photoswitching. This achievement has significant implications for fields like optical probes, 3D optical memory, and super-resolution microscopy.
Researchers successfully detect X-ray signature of individual atoms, enabling the identification of materials at an atomic level. The breakthrough technique has potential applications in environmental and medical sciences, as well as advancing technology.
Researchers used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study the chemical profile of tantalum surface oxides, revealing different kinds of tantalum oxides at the surface. This discovery prompted a new set of questions on modifying interfaces to improve device performance and minimizing loss.
A low-cost catalyst developed by Argonne National Laboratory can produce clean hydrogen from water at a lower cost, making it an ideal choice for replacing fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new catalyst uses cobalt instead of expensive iridium, significantly reducing the cost and increasing efficiency.
Researchers at RHIC have observed directed flow of hypernuclei, providing insight into hyperon-nucleon interactions. The findings suggest that hypernuclei follow the same mass-scaling pattern as ordinary nuclei, implying similar nucleon-nucleon and hyperon-nucleon interactions.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is crucial for US states with decarbonization goals to address variable energy generation and customer demands. LDES systems can store renewable energy until needed, providing a reliable solution for a decarbonized grid.
The Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility has selected Matt Sieger as its new project director for the OLCF-6 effort. The system aims to provide leadership computing capabilities to researchers and is expected to be delivered in 2026.
Researchers use spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscope to map atomic positions and measure electric charge, revealing link between electron density and atomic arrangements. The discovery sheds light on the emergence of a 'charge density wave' that distorts lattice vibrations and locks atoms in place.
A new fluorine-containing electrolyte has been developed to perform well in sub-zero temperatures, addressing the issue of cold weather affecting electric vehicle battery effectiveness. The research demonstrates how to tailor the atomic structure of electrolytes for low-temperature applications.
Scientists have discovered a new method for producing pure hydrogen from renewable energy, a significant step towards a greener future. The breakthrough uses specialized techniques to understand how a catalyst works, enabling the creation of clean fuels like hydrogen.
Kelly Chipps, a nuclear astrophysicist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been appointed to the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee. The committee provides official advice to DOE and NSF on issues relating to basic nuclear science research. Chipps brings extensive expertise in nuclear physics and leadership experience to this role.