Articles tagged with National Laboratories
A new method uses carbon dioxide, water, and food-grade citric acid to extract rare-earth metals from coal ash without damaging the environment. This technique increases a national resource while making coal ash cleaner and less toxic.
A $3.7 million multicampus grant will train 32 graduate students in high-energy physics instrumentation, addressing a long-standing workforce training deficit in the field. The program, led by UC Davis, aims to prepare students for careers in academia, industry, or national laboratories.
A recent study from Penn State and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has discovered a natural protein called lanmodulin that can recover and purify radioactive metals like actinium. The protein-based approach simplifies the purification process, reduces costs, and enables the production of higher-purity actinium.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new path forward for processing titanium. Cryo-forging at ultra-low temperatures produces extra-strong nanotwinned titanium with improved strength and ductility. The material maintains its structure and properties at extreme temperatures, demonstrating its versatility.
Brookhaven Lab particle physicist Kétévi Assamagan has been elected as an APS Fellow for his significant contributions to the Standard Model Higgs boson research. He is also recognized for leading physics outreach programs, including founding the African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications.
Two researchers at Jefferson Lab, Todd Satogata and Paul Reimer, have been selected as 2021 APS Fellows for their outstanding contributions to nuclear physics. They were recognized for their work on particle accelerator science and research on the structure of the proton.
Two independent research groups unveil new measurements to explain the birth of half the universe's elements. One group uses laboratory techniques to hunt for 'astromers,' while the other compares heavy elements in stars to better understand their origin.
An international team of researchers has made the world's most precise measurement of the neutron's lifetime, which may help answer questions about the early universe. The results represent a more than two-fold improvement over previous measurements, with an uncertainty of less than one-tenth of a percent.
The latest results from the RHIC Spin Program provide new insights into the contribution of quarks and gluons to a proton's spin. Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have made significant progress in studying the three-dimensional internal structure of protons using collisions of spin-polarized protons at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider ...
A novel machine learning approach has been developed to understand symmetry and trends in materials, enabling researchers to group similar classes of material together. The technique uses a large, unstructured dataset gleaned from 25,000 images to identify structural similarities and trends.
A new study aims to use the microgravity conditions of space to better understand how flames spread on Earth. By performing complementary ground-based and microgravity experiments, researchers can precisely measure flame spread along a combustible object, allowing for more accurate predictions of wildfire behavior.
Two PhD students, Maria Bolar and Megan Foley, are the first from Northern Arizona University to receive awards from the US Department of Energy. The program prepares graduate students for STEM careers by providing research opportunities at DOE national laboratories.
Scientists discovered structural and surface chemistry defects in superconducting niobium qubits that may cause loss. The study pinpointed these defects using state-of-the-art characterization capabilities at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials and National Synchrotron Light Source II.
The 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics presents cutting-edge research on nuclear astrophysics, quantum technology, and rare isotopes. Researchers will discuss breakthroughs such as the most precise measurement of neutron lifetime and novel experiments measuring neutron skin in calcium.
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a key component of the assembly line responsible for oil droplet formation. The study suggests new ways to engineer plant tissues for increased oil accumulation, which could lead to sustainable oils for biofuels and other commodity products.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory calculated moment tensors for 130 underground nuclear and 10 chemical tests to aid explosion monitoring. The study's database of carefully documented explosions will be useful for researchers, allowing them to distinguish explosions from earthquakes and estimate yield.
ORNL is increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the US agricultural sector through science-based changes in practices. The lab has discovered a single gene that can make crops more drought-tolerant and productive, while also pulling CO2 from the atmosphere.
Researchers have discovered a new technique to locate the diffusion wake's signal in the quark-gluon plasma, a subatomic soup that flowed like a friction-free fluid after the Big Bang. This breakthrough may help scientists understand how matter emerged from this perfect fluid.
Fine root anatomy and function data from the FRED 3.0 database informs Earth system models predicting future climate changes. Meanwhile, 3D printed concrete smart walls demonstrate energy efficiency and potential cost savings in buildings.
Berkeley Lab researchers developed a method to increase the efficiency of LED devices by applying mechanical strain to thin semiconductor films. This approach reduces exciton annihilation, allowing for high-performance LEDs even at high brightness levels.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley capture the first direct image of quantum spin liquid particles, called spinons and chargons. The discovery advances research on quantum computing and exotic superconductivity.
Scientists detected electronic and optical interlayer resonances in bilayer graphene by twisting one layer 30 degrees, resulting in increased interlayer spacing that influences electron motion. This understanding could inform the design of future quantum technologies for more powerful computing and secure communication.
A new catalyst and microchannel reactors improve efficiency and cost in converting alcohol into jet fuel. The process reduces complexity, improves efficiency, and lowers capital costs for renewable energy production.
Researchers at SpheroFill are developing a unique oral drug delivery platform using microsphere technology, protecting drugs from degradation and enabling targeted release. This technology has the potential to improve medication compliance and delivery of sensitive biological drugs.
Sandia National Laboratories completed the first production unit of a weapon assembly responsible for key operations of the W88 nuclear warhead. The new arming, fuzing and firing assembly ensures the system works as intended when authorized, with rigorous testing conducted to validate its design.
Scientists aim to develop computer models that can forecast earthquake chances and impact, like weather forecasting. The project will also train students and researchers from diverse backgrounds to work on computational geoscience.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that enables the accumulation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in plant cell walls, a potential game-changer for sustainable industrial chemical production. By controlling the expression of this enzyme, plants can be engineered to produce more of this valuable chemical building block.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are advancing various technologies to minimize oil leaks, enable 3D printing in space, and increase fuel efficiency from ethanol. They have developed a quantum sensing system to detect pipeline leaks more quickly, built a thermal protection shield for a capsule launched into space, and creat...
A team of scientists has developed a comprehensive understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 protein-based machine responsible for viral replication. By analyzing its structure and function, they have identified potential weak spots for drug development, paving the way for new treatments.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $2.1 million to PPPL for three public-private fusion energy partnerships. These collaborations will bring together PPPL researchers with Microsoft, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and TAE Technologies to develop innovative solutions using AI, computer codes, and novel superconductors.
Researchers isolated emergent magnetic monopoles, a class of quasiparticles, by exploiting collective dynamics of qubits on a D-Wave quantum annealer. This breakthrough demonstrates the control and study of monopoles, which have been hypothesized but elusive until now.
Scientists have long struggled to make reliable lithium-metal batteries due to high failure rates and safety issues. New nanoscale images reveal a hard buildup of solid electrolyte interphase, which tears holes in the separator and allows metal deposits to form a short, leading to catastrophic device failure.
Scientists at ORNL developed a modular design for 3D printing power poles from bioderived materials, enabling quick restoration of electricity after natural disasters. Additionally, they demonstrated wireless charging technology on an autonomous electric vehicle, advancing the transportation industry towards a decarbonized future.
Researchers used AI to optimize atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes autonomously, identifying optimal growth conditions for new materials. The study suggests a faster way of converging to optimum combinations without human input, potentially saving manufacturers time and money.
A research team from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Purdue University developed bio-inks for biosensors that can localize critical regions in tissues and organs during surgery. The new biosensors allow for simultaneous recording and imaging, which could be useful during heart surgery to guide surgical interventions.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have built the world's smallest acoustic amplifier, exceeding previous versions by over 10 times. The device uses sound waves to process radio signals, paving the way for smaller and more sophisticated wireless technology.
Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered a new mechanism that enables magnetism and superconductivity to coexist in iron-based materials. The study found that RbEuFe4As4 exhibits both properties below -258°C, which could lead to breakthroughs in green energy technologies and next-generation computer hardware.
Researchers successfully created amorphous ice similar to interstellar space and on Jupiter's moon Europa, which could help interpret data from future NASA missions. They also developed an envelope system that diverts heat away from buildings and stores it for future use, reducing energy consumption by over 50%. Additionally, scientist...
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and universities reveal alternating step kinetics during gallium nitride crystal growth, challenging conventional wisdom. The study uses advanced X-ray scattering techniques to monitor the rate of growth on the crystal surface steps.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory discovered that liquid-like motion in perovskites could prevent recombination, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. The study reveals a two-dimensional pattern of molecular oscillations, which helps to explain the material's promising photovoltaic properties.
The Tennessee Distance Learning Initiative provides hundreds of free science kits aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, promoting hands-on activities in STEM-designated schools. The program aims to engage and inspire students in science and engineering fields.
Researchers use aerodynamic levitation and laser heating to suspend small samples of refractory oxides in mid-air, allowing for precise data collection. Machine learning algorithms are then used to predict structural changes and interactions between atoms at high temperatures.
Scientists at UChicago and Argonne National Laboratory are developing AI-assisted systems to recover energy, nutrients, and freshwater from municipal wastewater. The goal is to reduce energy consumption and become energy positive at a national scale, benefiting underserved communities in Chicago's South Side and the Great Lakes region.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a non-invasive air leak detection method that uses imaging technique to visualize air leaks and calculate volumetric flow. The lab also engineered a microbe to efficiently turn waste into itaconic acid, an industrial chemical used in plastics and paints. Additionally, researchers demonstrated...
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a new 2D superconductor that forms at the interface of an oxide insulator, enabling high-temperature superconductivity and raising fundamental questions about its properties. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in quantum information processing and quantum sensing.
General Motors has licensed the award-winning AI software system MENNDL from Oak Ridge National Laboratory to accelerate advanced driver assistance systems technology and design. MENNDL uses evolution to design optimal convolutional neural networks, dramatically speeding up the process of recognizing patterns in datasets.
Researchers from Skoltech, University of Arizona, and Los Alamos National Laboratory developed an approach to quickly stabilize power grids after demand response perturbation. The study analyzes relaxation of energy consumption dynamics in thermostatically controlled loads, demonstrating super-relaxation and efficient load management.
Researchers develop a streamlined process to convert woody biomass into ethanol, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and create new jobs in the bioenergy industry.
A team of researchers has discovered the dynamics of polar vortices in ferroelectric materials, which can be manipulated with light pulses and controlled at nanosecond timescales. This new research may lead to the development of faster data processing and storage devices.
Climate change will drive droughts, heat waves, floods, and low river flows in the Colorado River basin. The study found an average temperature rise of 5.5 degrees Celsius and a significant increase in concurrent extreme hydroclimate events.
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory have synthesized a stable borophane nanosheet with potential applications in nanoelectronics and quantum information technology. The material is stronger and more versatile than steel, making it a promising candidate for future devices.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have discovered a self-improving property in Si/GaN that enables it to become more efficient and stable as an artificial photosynthesis device. The material, made of silicon and gallium nitride, can harness sunlight into carbon-free hydrogen with twice the efficiency and stability of previous technologies.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel electrolyte that overcomes chemical reactions hindering metal electrode use in lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough could lead to significantly improved capacity and cycle life, enabling new applications like long-range drones and robots.
Researchers trained an AI agent to conduct scientific experiments using a virtual beamline simulation, allowing for efficient and remote experimentation. The team implemented reinforcement learning to train the AI, which enabled it to learn from experience and master the experiment.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows that combining monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir is effective in treating advanced Marburg virus disease. The combination therapy demonstrated an 80% protection rate against the lethal virus, offering promise for treatment of advanced infections.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have demonstrated how a world-leading electron microscope can image actinide samples as small as a nanogram, reducing costs and radiation exposure. This breakthrough allows for the investigation of other actinides and advances new materials for radiation cancer therapy.
A new fabrication method for stable perovskite solar cells has been developed, enabling easy production, low cost and high performance. The sulfolane-additive process extends the processing window, forming highly crystalline layers over a large area with extended operational lifetimes.
A new study shows that the Beaufort Sea freshwater release could impact the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, leading to significant changes in northern-hemisphere climate. The freshwater content has increased by 40% over the last two decades, with potential consequences for global climate patterns.
A new machine learning approach simulates atom dynamics in materials like aluminum, enhancing computational materials discovery. The automated method uses active learning to iteratively build a diverse training dataset, emulating highly accurate quantum simulations at reduced computational cost.
Scientists from Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new anode material using lead and carbon that outperforms current graphite anodes with twice the energy storage capacity. The new design enables stable performance during cycling and improves overall battery efficiency.