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Lab-created shock waves mimic supernova particle accelerators

DOE/US Department of Energy

When stars explode as supernovas, they produce shock waves in the plasma that blast cosmic rays into the universe at relativistic speeds. How exactly they do that remains a mystery. New experiments using powerful lasers have recreated a miniature version of these supernova shocks in the lab, where scientists can observe how they accelerate particles.

Stronger membranes help yeast tolerate bioenergy production chemicals

DOE/US Department of Energy

Creating biofuels from plant material requires ionic liquids (ILs) to break down plant cells. We also need microbes such as yeast to convert the resulting plant material into biofuel. However, ILs often keep microbes from growing. Scientists have now learned how one strain of yeast strengthens its membranes and holds up better to ILs.

Department of Energy names three Office of Science Distinguished Scientists Fellow

DOE/US Department of Energy
Grant and Award Announcement

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) named three National Laboratory scientists as DOE Office of Science Distinguished Scientists Fellows

Machine learning speeds molecular motion modeling

DOE/US Department of Energy

Molecular dynamics is central to many questions in modern chemistry. However, computer models of molecular dynamics must balance computational cost and accuracy. Scientists have now used a machine learning technique called transfer learning to create a novel model of molecular motion that is as accurate as calculations that use quantum-mechanical physics but much faster.

New technique helps solve a long-standing obstacle for microbial genetic engineering

DOE/US Department of Energy

Scientists can alter genes and transfer them from one organism to another using genetic engineering. To do this, genetic engineers use DNA recombination techniques to move fragments of DNA between organisms. Scientists can then modify the gene however they want. This process is called. Now scientists have developed a fast method to find new proteins involved in DNA recombination that can improve the efficiency of genetic engineering.

Oil and water almost mix in novel neuromorphic computing components

DOE/US Department of Energy

Researchers developed a novel memory storage device that uses soft biomaterials to mimic synapses. The device consists of two layers of fatty organic compounds called lipids. The lipid layers form at an oil-water interface to create a soft membrane. When scientists apply an electric charge to the membrane, the membrane changes shape in ways that can store energy and filter biological and chemical data.

Scientists solve key challenge for controlling 'runaway' electrons in fusion plasmas

DOE/US Department of Energy

Scientists at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility have for the first time studied the internal structure and stability of high-energy runaway electron (RE) beams in a tokamak. The finding could provide a way to control the damaging potential of RE beams and could contribute to future power production using tokamak fusion power plants.

Cooperative microorganisms get competitive

DOE/US Department of Energy

Organisms in phototropic microbial communities survive by exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with each other. Using a combination of computational modeling and experiments, researchers found that two different kinds of microorganisms can coexist in either in a cooperative or competitive fashion depending on resource availability, the environment, and the microorganisms' genetic background.

Catalysis sees the light

DOE/US Department of Energy

Scientists have revealed the exact structure of a catalyst that transforms carbon dioxide and water into liquid fuel in the presence of light. The researchers studied a specific promising catalyst, Copper(I) oxide. The research is an important step in the design of photocatalysts for the conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels.

Facemask fabric filtration efficiency

DOE/US Department of Energy

Scientists have completed an important and timely study of cloth masks. The study examined the filtration efficiency of fabrics and focused on aerosol particles in a range of sizes relevant to viral transmission through respiratory exposures. The best-performing masks used hybrid designs that include high thread-count cotton and electrostatic layers such as silk or polyester chiffon.

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