Physicists Study Mirror Nuclei for Precision Theory Test
A precision measurement of helium and hydrogen mirror isotopes reveals new questions in understanding of nuclear structure. The research, carried out at the Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, was recently published as an editors' suggested read in Physical Review Letters.
Shock Waves Created in the Lab Mimic Supernova-Powered Particle Accelerators
In experiments at the National Ignition Facility, a SLAC-led team found new details about how supernovas boost charged particles to nearly the speed of light.
Crystalline 'Nanobrush' Clears Way to Advanced Energy and Information Tech
A team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory synthesized a "nanobrush" structure with high surface area and discovered how its unique architecture drives ions across interfaces to transport energy or information.
Knocking Out Drug Side Effects with Supercomputing
A team at Stanford University used the OLCF's Summit supercomputer to compare simulations of a G protein-coupled receptor with different molecules attached to gain an understanding of how to minimize or eliminate side effects in drugs that target these receptors.
Showtime for Photosynthesis
Using a unique combination of nanoscale imaging and chemical analysis, an international team of researchers has revealed a key step in the molecular mechanism behind the water splitting reaction of photosynthesis, a finding that could help inform the design of renewable energy technology.
JCESR lays foundation for safer, longer-lasting batteries
Researchers sped-up the motion of lithium ions in solid-state batteries using the paddlewheel effect.
Science Snapshots May 2020
World's forests are growing younger, U.S. wind plant performance changes with age, and fungi food choices opens the door to better methods for producing bio-based products
New research deepens understanding of Earth's interaction with the solar wind
A team of scientists at PPPL and Princeton University has reproduced a process that occurs in space to deepen understanding of what happens when the Earth encounters the solar wind.
Story Tips: Shuffling atoms, thinning forests, fusion assembly and nuclear medicine
ORNL Story Tips: Shuffling atoms, thinning forests, fusion assembly and nuclear medicine
Argonne's new menu of data storage software helps scientists realize findings earlier
A research team, led by Argonne, is developing a new data navigation system called Mochi that will provide scientists with a menu of data services they can rapidly combine and customize to suit the particular needs of a specific science domain.
Theoretical breakthrough shows quantum fluids rotate by corkscrew mechanism
Scientists performed simulations of merging rotating superfluids, revealing a peculiar corkscrew-shaped mechanism that drives the fluids into rotation without the need for viscosity.
Argonne researchers create active material out of microscopic spinning particles
Argonne researchers have created a new kind of self-healing active material out of "microspinners," which self-assemble under a magnetic field to form a lattice.
Global Environmental Changes Leading to Shorter, Younger Trees
Ongoing environmental changes are transforming forests worldwide, resulting in shorter and younger trees. Researchers found that a range of factors, including rising temperatures and carbon dioxide levels, have caused a dramatic decrease in the age and stature of forests.
Researchers use ALCF resources to model the spread of COVID-19
Argonne researchers lead highly detailed COVID-19 modeling efforts to understand how the virus spreads through populations.
Return of the Blob: Scientists find surprising link to troublesome turbulence at the edge of fusion plasmas
Correlation discovered between magnetic turbulence in fusion plasmas and troublesome blobs at the plasma edge.
Novel insight reveals topological tangle in unexpected corner of the universe
In a recent theoretical study, scientists discovered the presence of the Hopfion topological structure in nano-sized particles of ferroelectrics -- materials with promising applications in microelectronics and information technology.
New insights into the dynamic edge of fusion plasmas could help capture the power that drives the sun and stars
Unique PPPL simulations reveal new understanding of the highly complex edge of fusion plasmas.
Researchers capture the coordinated dance between electrons and nuclei in a light-excited molecule
Using SLAC's high-speed "electron camera," scientists simultaneously captured the movements of electrons and nuclei in a light-excited molecule. This marks the first time this has been done with ultrafast electron diffraction, which scatters a powerful beam of electrons off materials to pick up tiny molecular motions.
Untangling a key step in photosynthetic oxygen production
Researchers zeroed in on a key step in photosynthesis in which a water molecule moves in to bridge manganese and calcium atoms in the catalytic complex that splits water to produce breathable oxygen. What they learned brings them one step closer to obtaining a complete picture of this natural process, which could inform the next generation of artificial photosynthetic systems that produce clean and renewable energy from sunlight and water. Their results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences today.
Platinum-free catalysts could make cheaper hydrogen fuel cells
Argonne scientists studied platinum-free catalysts for important fuel cell reactions. The research provides understanding of the mechanisms that make the catalysts effective, and it could inform production of more efficient and cost-effective catalysts.
Electrons Break Rotational Symmetry in Exotic Low-Temp Superconductor
This odd behavior may promote the material's ability upon cooling to perfectly conduct electricity in a way unexplained by standard theories.
New Study Confirms Important Clues to Fight Ovarian Cancer
A new study comparing cancerous tissue with normal fallopian tube samples advances important insights about the rogue cellular machinery that drives a majority of ovarian cancers.
X-ray Experiments Zero in on COVID-19 Antibodies
An antibody derived from a SARS survivor in 2003 appears to effectively neutralize the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, opening the door for speedy development of a targeted treatment.
Scientists use pressure to make liquid magnetism breakthrough
Scientists have forced a magnetic crystal into a spin liquid state, which may lead to insights into superconductivity and quantum computing.
To decipher Earth's evolutionary tale, researchers probe materials at deep-Earth conditions
Scientists have developed a way to study liquid silicates at the extreme conditions found in the core-mantle boundary. This could lead to a better understanding of the Earth's early molten days, which could even extend to other rocky planets.