Researchers use commercial quantum computer to identify molecular candidate for development of more efficient solar cells
Using the full capabilities of the Quantinuum H1-1 quantum computer, researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory not only demonstrated best practices for scientific computing on current quantum systems but also produced an intriguing scientific result. By modeling singlet fission -- in which absorption of a single photon of light by a molecule produces two excited states -- the team confirmed that the linear H4 molecule's energetic levels match the fission process's requirements.
Scientists View the "Transition State" of a Photochemical Reaction in Real-Time
In chemical reactions, molecules transform from reactants into reaction products through a critical geometry called a transition state that lasts less than one millionth of one millionth of a second. Scientists recently captured a critical geometry using the ultra-high speed "electron camera" at SLAC. The research will help explain why reactions generate only specific reaction products.
Scientists dig into wildfire predictions, long-term impacts
Wildfires are an ancient force shaping the environment, but they have grown in frequency, range and intensity in response to a changing climate. At the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, scientists are working on several fronts to better understand and predict these events and what they mean for the carbon cycle and biodiversity.
Researchers show how to increase X-ray laser brightness and power using a crystal cavity and diamond mirrors
At particle accelerator facilities around the world, scientists rely on powerful X-rays to reveal the structure and behavior of atoms and molecules. Now, researchers from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have calculated how to make X-ray pulses at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFEL) even brighter and more reliable by building a special cavity chamber and diamond mirrors around an XFEL.
Scientists discover unusual ultrafast motion in layered magnetic materials
A team of researchers report a mechanical response across a layered magnetic material tied to changing its electron spin. This response could have important applications in nanodevices requiring ultra-precise and fast motion control.
Calculations Reveal High-Resolution View of Quarks Inside Protons
A collaboration of nuclear theorists has used supercomputers to predict the spatial distributions of charges, momentum, and other properties of "up" and "down" quarks within protons. The calculations show that the up quark is more symmetrically distributed and spread over a smaller distance than the down quark.
The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Gives Its Final Answer about a Rare Nuclear Decay
One approach to the question of why matter is more abundant than antimatter in our observable universe is observing an extremely rare nuclear process called neutrinoless double-beta decay. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR experiment was designed to detect this decay. Although it did not observe the decay, it achieved world-leading energy resolutions and showed the feasibility of using a larger detector to search for the hypothesized decay.
Novel Metric Examines the Role of Organic Matter and Microbes in Ecological Communities
Individual features in a community, like microbes or types of chemicals, affect the overall community's development and help determine the similarity of different communities over time and space. Scientists developed a novel ecological metric, called βNTIfeat, that helps to investigate the roles of different features in community development. The resulting information can inform models of how ecosystems respond to disturbances such as climate change.
Making Renewable, Infinitely Recyclable Plastics Using Bacteria
In a study published today, researchers successfully engineered microbes to make biological alternatives for the starting ingredients in an infinitely recyclable plastic known as poly(diketoenamine), or PDK.
Geoscientists aim to improve human security through planet-scale POI modeling
When geoinformatics engineering researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory wanted to better understand changes in land areas and points of interest around the world, they turned to the locals -- their data, at least. Through an intelligent combination of geotagged social media, global location and natural language data, ORNL's Junchuan Fan and Gautam Thakur developed MapSpace, a publicly available, scalable land-use modeling framework.
A Nickle-Platinum Nanoscale Core with a Platinum Shell Cracks Oxygen Molecules into Useful Ions
Researchers have modified the surface of nickel-platinum nanoparticles to improve their ability to act as catalysts to make reactive oxygen ions. Using a specialized X-ray scattering imaging technique, the researchers examined the modified nanoparticles and discovered a platinum-rich outer layer.
Designing Detectors for DUNE
PNNL scientists design a highly sensitive neutrino detector for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.
Taming Undomesticated Bacteria with a High-Efficiency Genome Engineering Tool
Genetic engineers use synthetic biology to provide novel functions in microbes by introducing new genes. A new method called Serine recombinase-Assisted Genome Engineering (SAGE) borrows components from bacterial viruses to aid the stable insertion of genes into bacterial chromosomes. This new tool has the potential to work well in many species of bacteria, including newly discovered bacteria that must grow outside controlled laboratory conditions. These features will help accelerate synthetic biology research for bioenergy.
Dark SRF experiment at Fermilab demonstrates ultra-sensitivity for dark photon searches
Scientists working on the Dark SRF experiment at the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have demonstrated unprecedented sensitivity in an experimental setup used to search for theorized particles called dark photons.
'Secret sauce' enables new way to fabricate compositionally graded alloys
Research into a new, unique technology to fabricate composite metal parts for a wide range of applications operating in extreme environments across the aviation, space and energy industries is showing promise for additive manufacturing.
Engineering New Metabolic Pathways that Function Across Microbial Kingdoms
Microbes have enormous potential to produce metabolites with potential industrial applications. To do so, microbes use groups of genes called biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that code for the sets of necessary enzymes. Scientists have computationally predicted the products of hundreds of thousands of BGCs, but have experimentally confirmed fewer than 2,000 of them. Researchers have now developed a computational and experimental strategy to redesign BGCs and determine the natural chemical products they create.
Harnessing the power of water: Argonne and NREL study shows the potential of pumped storage hydropower in Alaska
Scientists study the role of pumped storage hydropower in Alaska's clean energy future.
New catalyst could dramatically cut methane pollution from millions of engines
Today's catalysts for removing unburnt methane from natural-gas engine emissions are either inefficient at low, start-up temperatures or break down at higher operating temperatures. A new single-atom catalyst solves both these problems and removes 90% of the methane.
A Non-Covalent Bonding Experience
Putting a suite of new materials synthesis and characterization methods to the test, a team of scientists from the University of Iowa and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed 14 organic-inorganic hybrid materials, seven of which are entirely new. These uranium-based materials, as well as the detailed report of their bonding mechanisms, will help advance clean energy solutions, including safe nuclear energy.
Researchers Achieve Interdimensional Superconductivity
Although electrons usually move in three dimensions, scientists can force electrons to move in two dimensions (2D) by creating ultra-thin materials. In this new work, however, researchers found that by adding superconductivity to 3D electrons in a bulk material, the superconducting electrons form 2D superconducting "puddles." These puddles of electrons may be a way for some superconductors to reorganize themselves before undergoing an abrupt phase transition into an insulating state.
Unveiling the quantum dance: Experiments reveal nexus of vibrational and electronic dynamics
Scientists have demonstrated experimentally a long-theorized relationship between electron and nuclear motion in molecules, which could lead to the design of materials for solar cells, electronic displays and other applications that can make use of this powerful quantum phenomenon.
Dry manufacturing process offers path to cleaner, more affordable high-energy EV batteries
The lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles are key to a clean energy economy. But their electrodes are usually made using a wet slurry with toxic solvents, an expensive manufacturing approach that poses health and environmental risks.Early experiments at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have revealed significant benefits to a dry battery manufacturing process.
Scientists use ORNL's Summit supercomputer to learn how cicada wings kill bacteria
Over the past decade, teams of engineers, chemists and biologists have analyzed the physical and chemical properties of cicada wings, hoping to unlock the secret of their ability to kill microbes on contact. If this function of nature can be replicated by science, it may lead to products with inherently antibacterial surfaces that are more effective than current chemical treatments.
The Legacy of Past Disturbance Shapes Coastal Forest Soil Stability
Coastal forests are increasingly exposed to the effects of climate change and sea level rise. New experimental research examined how soils change when transplanted between parts of a tidal creek that differed in salinity. Scientists found that soils with a history of salinity and inundation by seawater were more resistant to changes in water conditions, suggesting that soils learn from their history of inundation.
Structure of the elusive boron monoxide finally determined after 83 years
In an effort to discover new 2D materials, a team of scientists from Ames National Laboratory determined the structure of boron monoxide using new NMR methods and previously unavailable analytical tools.