6-Sep-2024 Molecular simulations, supercomputing lead to energy-saving biomaterials breakthrough DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Peer-Reviewed Publication A team led by scientists at ORNL identified and demonstrated a method to process a plant-based material called nanocellulose that reduced energy needs by a whopping 21%, using simulations on the lab’s supercomputers and follow-on analysis. Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
29-Aug-2024 Researchers discover a surprising way to jump-start battery performance DOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Peer-Reviewed Publication In a study published today in Joule, researchers at the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center report that giving batteries their first charge at unusually high currents increased their average lifespan by 50% while decreasing the initial charging time from 10 hours to just 20 minutes. Journal Joule
28-Aug-2024 Swifter simulations for modern science. All of it DOE/Sandia National Laboratories Peer-Reviewed Publication In a machine learning paper recently published in the journal npj Computational Materials, a team of researchers from Sandia National Laboratories and Brown University have introduced a universal way to accelerate virtually any kind of simulation. Journal npj Computational Materials
27-Aug-2024 NREL advances method for recyclable wind turbine blades DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory Peer-Reviewed Publication Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) see a realistic path forward to the manufacture of bio-derivable wind blades that can be chemically recycled and the components reused, ending the practice of old blades winding up in landfills at the end of their useful life. Journal Science
21-Aug-2024 Hydropower generation projected to rise, but climate change brings uncertain future DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Peer-Reviewed Publication Although climate change may bring increased precipitation to many parts of the United States, some areas may face drier conditions and lower streamflow, resulting in decreased hydropower generation. Journal Environmental Research Letters
16-Aug-2024 A visionary approach: How an Argonne team developed accessible maps for colorblind scientists DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Peer-Reviewed Publication Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory worked with the Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) community to create CVD-friendly colormaps that are more inclusive and accessible. Journal Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society