Groundbreaking Study Shows Defects Spreading Through Diamond Faster Than the Speed of Sound
Researchers have discovered that linear defects can propagate through a material faster than sound waves do. This gives scientists a new appreciation of the damage they might do to a broad range of materials in extreme conditions
Using Artificial Intelligence, Argonne Scientists Develop Self-Driving Microscopy Technique
Argonne researchers have tapped into the power of AI to create a new form of autonomous microscopy.
Using a Gas Jet to Bring Cosmic X-Ray Bursts into the Laboratory
Using a combination of experimental facilities, researchers directly measured a key reaction that takes place in the explosions on the surfaces of neutron stars. This is the first-ever measurement of this reaction. Contrary to expectation, the experimental data agreed with predictions from a common theoretical model used to calculate reaction rates.
Exploring Stellar Hydrogen Burning via Muons and Nuclei
When a muon binds with a deuteron, it forms a system with two neutrons in a process analogous to proton-proton fusion. Nuclear theorists examined this muon capture process to quantify theoretical uncertainty relevant for comparison with experimental data and to test predictions involving proton-proton fusion. The study supports ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy of muon capture measurements and to apply the same theoretical framework to other processes.
Calculation Shows Why Heavy Quarks Get Caught Up in the Flow
Theorists have successfully calculated the "heavy quark diffusion coefficient," which describes how quickly a melted soup of quarks and gluons transfers its momentum to heavy quarks. The results show this transfer is very fast--at the limit of what quantum mechanics will allow.
Why Is It So Hard to Make Batteries Smaller and Lighter?
Flat lithium-metal coin cell batteries combine solid and liquid components in a way that makes it difficult to see how they fail. In this study, scientists froze a battery, cut it open with a super-fast laser, and took pictures of the interacting components at the microscopic scale.
A Fast, Efficient, and Abundant Catalyst for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Catalysts are key to turning carbon dioxide into useful fuel products such as hydrocarbons, but most catalysts for this process are either costly or require large amounts of energy. A team of researchers investigated a catalyst made of di-tungsten carbide.
Novel Framework Improves the Efficiency of Complex Supercomputer Physics Calculations
Some types of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations are so complex they strain even supercomputers. To speed these calculations, researchers developed MemHC, an optimized memory framework.
Can a roof's material cool the outside air and lower energy demand?
To help understand how climate is affecting urban communities, researchers at Argonne examined different types of roofing materials and their impact on near-surface temperature and cooling energy demand through regional modeling in the Chicago area.
Light-activated acid drives energy-efficient, on-demand release of captured CO2
Using light instead of heat, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers found a way to release carbon dioxide from a solvent used in direct air capture to trap this greenhouse gas.
Accelerating Sustainable Semiconductors With 'Multielement Ink'
Scientists have demonstrated "multielement ink" - the first "high-entropy" semiconductor that can be processed at low-temperature or room temperature. The new material could enable cost-effective and energy-efficient semiconductor manufacturing.
Strength Is in This Glass's DNA
Scientists at the Columbia University, University of Connecticut, and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory were able to fabricate a pure form of glass and coat specialized pieces of DNA with it to create a material that was not only stronger than steel, but incredibly lightweight.
Dinosaur feathers contain traces of ancient proteins, study finds
Powerful X-rays generated at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory help researchers shed new light on feather evolution.
Benefit breakdown, 3D printed vs. wood molds
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have conducted a comprehensive life cycle, cost and carbon emissions analysis on 3D-printed molds for precast concrete and determined the method is economically beneficial compared to conventional wood molds.
Researchers advance topological superconductors for quantum computing
Quantum computers process information using quantum bits, or qubits, based on fragile, short-lived quantum mechanical states. To make qubits robust for applications, researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory sought to create a new material system.
New recycling method fights plastic waste
Almost 80% of plastic in the waste stream ends up in landfills or accumulates in the environment. Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have developed a technology that converts a conventionally unrecyclable mixture of plastic waste into useful chemicals, presenting a new strategy in the toolkit to combat global plastic waste.
Fast-Track Strain Engineering for Speedy Biomanufacturing
Berkeley Lab scientists are accelerating and streamlining the process of engineering microbes to produce important compounds with commercial-ready efficiency.
Perovskite Stability and Solar Conversion Performance Improve in Materials with Less Bromide Migration
Scientists are interested in improving the stability of mixed halide-perovskites as the basis for less expensive solar cells. Current methods of making these materials produce structural defects due to rapid and unequal crystallization when the material forms. Researchers have now reported a new way to make perovskites that have fewer defects and improved stability.
Observing the Coherent Motion of Electrons with an Attosecond Stopwatch
Electrons can display interference effects like waves in the ocean, but this happens on extremely fast time scales. In this study, scientists observed the quantum mechanical motion of electrons in an excited molecule using an "attoclock," which measures electron motion with a precision of hundreds of attoseconds. The experiment advances the study of electron dynamics and will improve understanding of molecular physics and quantum chemistry.
Scientists uncovered mystery of important material for semiconductors at the surface
A team of scientists with Oak Ridge National Laboratory has investigated the behavior of hafnium oxide, or hafnia, because of its potential for use in novel semiconductor applications.
Modeling climate extremes
Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Northeastern University modeled how extreme conditions in a changing climate affect the land's ability to absorb atmospheric carbon -- a key process for mitigating human-caused emissions.
A call for better energy system models to enable a decarbonized future
Top modeling experts detail how to improve energy system models so that they properly account for the technical characteristics of energy storage and how storage interacts with the grid.
Scientists Probe the Source of Key Hydrocarbons on Earth--and in Space
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic molecules that scientists believe are responsible for chemical processes that eventually lead to soot and carbonaceous nanoparticles on Earth and in space. However, scientists do not fully understand the role of reactions involving two free radicals in how PAHs form in extreme environments.
'Computer vision' reveals unprecedented physical and chemical details of how a lithium-ion battery works
Looking at X-ray movies with computer vision gives researchers an incredible new view of how nanoparticles in a lithium-ion battery electrode work during charging and discharging.
Life in boiling water
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists studied hot springs on different continents and found similarities in how some microbes adapted despite their geographic diversity. The findings yield clues to the evolution of life and whether some of the hardiest microbes may be harnessed for biotechnology.