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Scientists probe the source of key hydrocarbons on Earth—and in space

DOE/US Department of Energy

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. In this study, researchers conducted experiments and conduct computations to uncover how one PAH can form from reactions that take place in the gas phase of matter.

Journal: Chemical Science

Department of Energy announces $5.8 million for research on nuclear data benefitting nuclear science and applications

DOE/US Department of Energy
Grant and Award Announcement

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $5.8 million in funding for five projects in nuclear data for basic nuclear science and applications.

Plastic deformation engineering dramatically enhances quantum phenomena

DOE/US Department of Energy

Researchers have discovered that applying plastic deformation to the quantum material strontium titanate causes defects (known as dislocations) to organize themselves into repeating structures. These changes lead to improvements of strontium titanate’s superconducting and ferroelectric properties. This discovery of the value of plastic deformation will help scientists uncover novel electronic properties and materials that could be useful in new applications.

Journal: Nature Materials

Department of Energy announces $73 million for basic research to accelerate the transition from discovery to commercialization

DOE/US Department of Energy
Grant and Award Announcement

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $73 million in funding for eleven projects which focus on the goal of accelerating the transition from discovery to commercialization of new technologies that will form the basis of future industries. This goal will require basic research to be conducted with an eye to an innovation’s end application, considering discovery, creation, and production of materials and technologies with approaches that can be scaled and readily transitioned into new products and capabilities to support the economic health and security of the nation.

New material enables an ultrafast electron diffraction probe for quantum materials

DOE/US Department of Energy

Quantum materials’ properties arise from the interaction of their electrons and atomic nuclei. Researchers can observe these interactions as they happen using ultrafast X-ray or electron beam pulses. Using new materials that emit a narrow electron probe, researchers developed an ultrafast electron beam technique to probe small, thin pieces of quantum materials with very high resolution. This work could lead to a clearer understanding of how quantum materials function at atomic space and time scales.

Journal: Structural Dynamics

Department of Energy announces $112.4 million for research to support national biopreparedness and response

DOE/US Department of Energy
Grant and Award Announcement

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $112.4 million in funding for 10 research projects for the Biopreparedness Research Virtual Environment (BRaVE) initiative. These projects will support national biopreparedness and response capabilities that can be advanced with DOE’s distinctive capabilities.

Capturing the chemistry of radium-223 for cancer treatment

DOE/US Department of Energy

Researchers seeking to improve the use of radium-223 to target cancer cells investigated how the isotope interacts with two chelators, macropa and DOTA. Experiments and computer-driven models discovered that macropa is the strongest chelator for binding radium identified so far. This information will help researchers find the best possible chelator to bind Ra-223 and expand its use in cancer therapy.

Journal: Chemical Communications

X-ray spectral microscopy reveals the active edges of a water-splitting material

DOE/US Department of Energy

Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is a key process for energy storage. The chemical transitions involved in splitting water require energy, so researchers are designing more efficient new electrodes with energy saving catalytic properties. In this study, researchers examined the atomic structure and chemical mechanisms under actual working conditions as electrodes and electrical voltages interact with water.

Journal: Nature

Scientists make the first observation of a nucleus decaying into four particles after beta decay

DOE/US Department of Energy

Scientists have observed a rare new radioactive decay mode for the first time. In this decay mode, oxygen-13 (with eight protons and five neutrons) decays by breaking into three helium nuclei (an atom without the surrounding electrons), a proton, and a positron (the antimatter version of an electron) following beta decay. The findings expand scientific knowledge of decay processes and the properties of the nucleus before the decay.

Journal: Physical Review Letters

Department of Energy announces $29 million for research on machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data resources for fusion energy sciences

DOE/US Department of Energy
Grant and Award Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $29 million in funding for seven team awards for research in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data resources for fusion energy sciences.

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