APS plays foundational role in development of COVID-19 vaccines
More than a decade of virus research at the APS laid the groundwork for more effective COVID-19 vaccines and helped speed their rapid development.
PNNL Researchers Track Radioiodine's Chemical Evolution
PNNL researchers are examining the volatile radioisotope iodine as it evolves in the atmosphere and as it lands on a filtering surface. A more detailed understanding of the interactions and chemical evolution of radioiodine could help first responders' decision-making after the release of volatile iodine into the environment, which happened following nuclear power plant accidents in 1986 at Chernobyl and in 2011 at Fukushima.
Simulations Reveal Nature's Design for Error Correction During DNA Replication
A Georgia State University team has used the nation's fastest supercomputer, Summit at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to find the optimal transition path that one E. coli enzyme uses to switch between building and editing DNA to rapidly remove misincorporated pieces of DNA.
Research Breakthrough Could Transform Clean Energy Technology
A team of researchers has developed a new method of harnessing solar energy, moving us closer to a clean energy future.
Urban Land and Aerosols Amplify Hazardous Weather, Steer Storms Toward Cities
Urban landscapes and human-made aerosols have the potential to not only make gusts stronger and hail larger; they can also start storms sooner and even pull them toward cities, according to new research exploring the impact of urban development on hazardous weather, led by PNNL researchers.
Error Correction Means California's Future Wetter Winters May Never Come
California and other areas of the U.S. Southwest may see less future winter precipitation than previously projected by climate models. After probing a persistent error in widely used models, PNNL researchers estimate that California will likely experience drier winters in the future than projected by some climate models, meaning residents may see less spring runoff, higher spring temperatures, and an increased risk of wildfire in coming years.
Fermilab and partners achieve sustained, high-fidelity quantum teleportation
A joint team of researchers at Fermilab and partner institutions have achieved quantum teleportation, teleporting information over a distance of 44 kilometers. The remarkable achievement supports the premise that scientists and engineers can build a workable and high-fidelity quantum network using practical devices.
Wildfire Risk Rising as Scientists Determine Which Conditions Beget Blazes
PNNL researchers investigate the environmental conditions, from soil moisture to surface temperature, that precede wildfire.
Development of permanent magnets to simplify stellarator design forges ahead
A quick look at recent research on development of permanent magnets to simplify design and construction of stellarator fusion facilities.
Stronger Cobalt for Fuel Cells
A multi-institutional effort led to the design of a highly active and more durable catalyst made from cobalt, which sets the foundation for fuel cells to power transportation, stationary and backup power, and more.
The continuing quest to find a better battery
Taking a look back at the paths taken by the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research.
Scientists Recruit New Atomic Heavyweights in Targeted Fight Against Cancer
Researchers from Berkeley Lab and Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed new methods for the large-scale production, purification, and use of the radioisotope cerium-134, which could serve as a PET imaging radiotracer for a highly targeted cancer treatment known as alpha-particle therapy.
New findings could improve understanding of potentially damaging solar storms
When fast-moving particles from the sun strike the Earth's magnetic field, they set off reactions that could disrupt communications satellites and power grids. Now, PPPL scientists have learned new details of this process that could lead to better forecasting of this so-called space weather.
Righting a wrong, nuclear physicists improve precision of neutrino studies
Led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a new study clears up a discrepancy regarding the biggest contributor of unwanted background signals in specialized detectors of neutrinos.
Renewable Energy Advances in Marine Clean Energy
A special issue of the Marine Technology Society Journal focuses on research and development efforts among industry, academia, and national laboratories, including PNNL. The issue was guest edited by Alicia Gorton, a project manager and ocean engineer at PNNL.
Single-Crystal Technology Holds Promise for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries
Scientists have improved a promising battery technology, creating a single-crystal, nickel-rich cathode that is hardier and more efficient than before. Increasing nickel content in the cathode of an electric vehicle's battery is attractive because of nickel's relatively low cost, wide availability and low toxicity compared to other materials.
Cataloging Nature's Hidden Arsenal: Viruses that Infect Bacteria
A new approach for studying phage-bacteria interactions will help scientists study the intricate offensive and defensive chemical tactics used by parasite and host. These microscopic battles have implications for medicine, agricultural research, and climate science.
Managing Ecosystem Restoration: What Does Success Look Like?
A PNNL-led study is noting a strategic approach is needed for advancing effective large-scale ecosystem restoration outcomes to maximize both ecological and economic benefits.
Under wraps: X-rays reveal 1,900-year-old mummy's secrets
Researchers used the powerful X-rays of the Advanced Photon Source to see the preserved remains of an ancient Egyptian girl without disturbing the linen wrappings. The results of those tests point to a new way to study mummified specimens.
Driving Water Splitting to Create Chemical Fuels
Scientists improved the performance of bismuth vanadate, an electrode material for converting solar energy to hydrogen--an energy-dense and clean-burning fuel.
Properties vs. chemistry: Co-Optima research determines accurate predictor of fuel performance, develops roadmap for designing biofuels
As ORNL's fuel properties technical lead for the U.S. Department of Energy's Co-Optimization of Fuel and Engines, or Co-Optima, initiative, Jim Szybist has been on a quest for the past few years to identify the most significant indicators for predicting how a fuel will perform in engines designed for light-duty vehicles such as passenger cars and pickup trucks.
DUNE publishes first physics results from prototype detector
Results from the ProtoDUNE single-phase detector at CERN pave the way for detectors 20 times larger for the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, hosted by Fermilab.
Battery of tests: Scientists figure out how to track what happens inside batteries
The new method could be the key to designing more efficient batteries for specific uses, like electric cars and airplanes.
High-impact research: How meteorite strikes may change quartz on the Earth's surface
Scientists using a unique combination of capabilities at the Advanced Photon Source have learned more about how meteorites affect one of the most abundant materials in the Earth's crust.
New Machine Learning Tool Tracks Urban Traffic Congestion
Using public data from the entire 1,500-square-mile Los Angeles metropolitan area, PNNL researchers reduced the time needed to create a traffic congestion model by an order of magnitude, from hours to minutes.