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Scientists are investigating a new metal organic framework (MOF) that selectively traps xenon, a gas released during the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. Conventional technologies operate at extremely low, energy-intensive temperatures. By working at ambient temperature, the new material has the potential to save energy, make reprocessing cleaner and less expensive. >MORE
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When nanorods were created in an experiment that didn't go as planned, researchers gave the microscopic spawns of science a closer examination. The nanorods had the unusual property of spontaneously emitting water. With further development, research has shown that this serendipitous innovation could be used for water harvesting and purification, or even sweat-gathering fabric. This work was published in Nature Nanotechnology. >MORE
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Research Partners: University of California, Davis; University of California, Irvine
Scientists discovered an often ignored but very influential process that can affect more than just the air we breathe. It affects our weather and climate. Research published in the
Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems identified oligomerization - a process that causes smaller molecules to combine and form larger molecules - as the most influential process among seven model parameters affecting secondary organic aerosol-forming in the atmosphere.
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While popular zeolite catalysts could help turn paper manufacturing waste and other biomass into fuel, the catalyst crumbles after just two days in hot water - a challenge because hot water is nearly universal in biofuel production. Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, a PNNL research team discovered that fixing broken bonds deep inside the material stabilized the catalyst and let it thrive in hot water. >MORE
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Research Partners: University of Washington; Warsaw University of Technology (Poland); Los Alamos National Laboratory
In the first study of its kind, scientists developed a novel model that provides an intricate look at what happens during the final stages of nuclear fission. Using the model, researchers determined that fission fragments remain connected far longer than expected before the daughter nuclei split apart. Published in the journal Physical Review Letters, this work provides a long-awaited description of real-time fission dynamics within a microscopic framework, opening a pathway to a theoretical method with abundant predictive power.
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Research Partners: North Carolina State University; Gatan Inc.; Sandia National Laboratories
In the quest to synthesize a useful double perovskite material not found in nature, researchers developed a multidimensional analysis approach that resulted in the first direct atomic-scale measurement of ordering in the material. In a paper published in Chemistry of Materials, the researchers showed that combining multiscale synthesis, characterization and modeling techniques can lead to a better understanding of complex materials systems. These results will help scientists precisely engineer next-generation materials for data storage and solar cell applications. >MORE
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Research Partners: Johns Hopkins University; Stanford University School of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; University of California at San Diego; New York University School of Medicine; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; National Cancer Institute; Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium
In what is believed to be the largest study of its kind, scientists examined the collections of proteins in the tumors of 169 ovarian cancer patients to identify critical proteins present in their tumors. This study was published in the journal Cell. By integrating their findings about the collection of proteins (the proteome) with information already known about the tumors' genetic data (the genome), the investigators report the potential for new insights into the progress of the most malignant form of the disease. >MORE
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Opportunities, News & Resources
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Congratulations: PNNL has
selected chemist Liyuan Liang as the Director of the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. Previously at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, she helped set research strategy, directed investments in research areas and led large teams of scientists.
International Partnership: PNNL and Queensland University of Technology in Australia have
formed a partnership focused on energy from renewable resources. The two institutions have agreed to share information, ideas and even scientific staff.
Climate Science Leadership: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced the
appointment of new members to the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment. PNNL Senior Scientist Richard Moss was
selected Committee Chair.
Bringing Technology to Market:
A dozen clean energy technologies that enable everything from lightweight, fuel-sipping cars to the expansion of renewable energy and cleaner fossil fuel use are getting a boost at PNNL, thanks a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Technology Commercialization Fund.
Helping to Lead National Microbiome Initiative: PNNL scientists are
playing a central role as the nation devotes more than $500 million to understand communities of microorganisms and their role in climate science, food production and human health. PNNL scientists are advising the White House on issues related to research around the microbiome, a term that describes a community of microbes in a given environment.
Congratulations: Former PNNL postdoc Rentao Mu and current postdoc Xiang Wang were
recently honored at the 16th International Congress on Catalysis in Beijing. The ICC is a platform to exchange new ideas and discuss the advances in all areas of catalysis. Rentao Mu and current postdoc Xiang Wang
National Innovation Institute: Advances in smart sensors, digital process controls and information technology could radically reduce energy use in manufacturing and improve manufacturing productivity. Now,
PNNL will lead the Northwest Regional Manufacturing Center - a public/private partnership that is part of a national Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute.
President Barack Obama announced the institute on June 20. The regional center will advance and implement smart manufacturing technologies in the Northwest over the next five years and beyond.
Opportunity: PNNL's
new user-friendly exploratory license allows U.S. companies to try out promising technologies before committing to a full commercial license. It's quick, easy and inexpensive.
International Recognition: Kabrena Rodda and Jessica Gray, both with PNNL's Global Security Technology & Policy group, won a
poster competition at the first International Day for the Foundation of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), held in The Hague, Netherlands in May.
Congratulations: Kyoo Sil Choi, Xiaohua Hu, Guang Cheng, and Xin Sun - all members Members of PNNL's Computational Engineering group - recently were honored with a
U.S. Council for Automotive Research Team Award for work in predictive modeling tools to improve the cost and performance of new automotive materials.
Assessing Bridge Impacts: PNNL is part of a multi-party effort to assess the impacts of the Hood Canal Bridge - the world's third-longest floating bridge, which connects the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas in western Washington. The
Kitsap Sun reported on this in 2014.
PNNL Laboratory Director's Distinguished Lecture Series: In June, PNNL staff welcomed international renowned radioctive waste management, geosciences and nuclear security expert
Dr. Rodney C. Ewing of Stanford University. His presentation to Laboratory staff: "Projecting Risk into the Future: Sinking of the Titanic and Failure of a Geologic Repository."
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At PNNL, interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers address America's most pressing challenges in energy, environment and national security through advances in basic and applied science. Founded in 1965, PNNL employs 4,400 staff and has an annual budget of about $1 billion. It is managed by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. PNNL science & technology is strategically focused on inspiring and enabling the world to live prosperously, safely and securely.
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The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. |
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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | 902 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99354 | www.PNNL.gov
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