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ORNL investigates complex uranium oxides with help from CADES resources

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

To accelerate the process of identifying novel uranium oxide phases, an ORNL team studied 4,600 different potential crystal structures of uranium oxide compositions on Metis, a CADES high-performance computing cluster. An improved understanding of uranium oxides, which fuel the vast majority of the U.S. nuclear power fleet, could lead to the development of improved fuels or waste storage materials.

Journal: Optical Materials
Funder: National Nuclear Security Administration, National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center

Modified deep-learning algorithms unveil features of shape-shifting proteins

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

To function properly, proteins must morph into specific 3D shapes through a biophysical phenomenon called protein folding. Researchers at ORNL are using various deep-learning techniques to study the intermediate protein stages between the initial unfolded state and the final folded state, which are notoriously difficult to characterize. These methods could also help identify factors that cause proteins to "misfold" into dysfunctional shapes, a phenomenon often attributed as a leading factor in the development of diseases including Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes.

Kevin Field: Developing radiation-tolerant materials for nuclear power systems

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Profiled is Kevin Field at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who synthesizes and scrutinizes materials for nuclear power systems that must perform safely and efficiently over decades of irradiation. 'I'm trying to better understand how emerging technologies and materials will perform in nuclear reactors,' said Field, recipient of UT-Battelle's 2018 Early-Career Researcher Award.

Neutrons paint atomic portrait of prototypical cell signaling enzyme

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Direct observations of the structure and catalytic mechanism of a prototypical kinase enzyme -- protein kinase A or PKA -- will provide researchers and drug developers with significantly enhanced abilities to understand and treat fatal diseases and neurological disorders such as cancer, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis. The discovery was made by an international team of researchers using macromolecular neutron crystallography at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: Department of Energy's Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences; US Office of Naval Research

ORNL-led collaboration solves a beta-decay puzzle with advanced nuclear models

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international collaboration including scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory solved a 50-year-old puzzle that explains why beta decays of atomic nuclei are slower than what is expected based on the beta decays of free neutrons. The findings, published in Nature Physics, fill a longstanding gap in physicists' understanding of beta decay, an important process stars use to create heavier elements, and emphasize the need to include subtle effects--or more realistic physics--when predicting certain nuclear processes.

Journal: Nature Physics
Funder: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Physics and Advanced Scientific Computing Research programs, Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, National Research Council of Canada, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

ESS scientists use VISION at ORNL to look at common contaminant for cleaner water applications

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Monika Hartl from the European Spallation Source is using neutron scattering at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Spallation Neutron Source to understand how plastic materials interact with the filters used to remove them from water. Through understanding these interactions, scientists can develop improved water filters that are better at purifying water and reducing water contaminants.

New ORNL AI tool revolutionizes process for matching cancer patients with clinical trials

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Business Announcement

A team of researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Health Data Sciences Institute (HDSI) have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to better match cancer patients with clinical trials. The researchers were one of ten teams to develop a digital tool to address complex challenges relevant to medical conditions such as cancer and Lyme disease as part of The Opportunity Project (TOP) Health Sprint.

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2019

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Neutrons used to study how an antibacterial peptide fights bacteria; decade-long study finds higher CO2 levels caused 30 percent more wood growth in U.S. trees; ultrasonic additive manufacturing to embed fiber optic sensors in heat- and radiation-resistant materials could yield safer reactors; ORNL analyzes 'dark spots' where informal neighborhoods may lack power access; new Transportation Energy Data Book released.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: DOE/Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE/US Department of Energy

Right electrolyte doubles novel two-dimensional material's ability to store energy

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Drexel University and their partners have discovered a way to improve the energy density of promising energy-storage materials, conductive two-dimensional ceramics called MXenes.

Journal: Nature Energy
Funder: US Department of Energy's Office of Science

ReactWell licenses ORNL catalyst for energy conversion applications

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Business Announcement

ReactWell, LLC, has licensed a novel waste-to-fuel technology from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory to improve energy conversion methods for cleaner, more efficient oil and gas, chemical and bioenergy production.

Funder: DOE/US Department of Energy, Technology Innovation Program, DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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