display Latest news from Department of Energy, Office of Science on Newswise en-us Copyright 2024 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/automation-of-nuclear-chemistry-processes-leads-to-more-efficient-production-of-astatine-for-cancer-therapy/?sc=rsin /articles/automation-of-nuclear-chemistry-processes-leads-to-more-efficient-production-of-astatine-for-cancer-therapy/?sc=rsin Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:45:26 EST Astatine-211 (At-211) is a promising alpha emitting radioisotope for cancer therapy, but its short 7.2-hour half-life means that it must be handled quickly to minimize losses due to radioactive decay. In this research, scientists designed and tested an automated device for producing At-211 that improves production time and efficiency. The device also minimizes the dose of radioactivity to production staff and reduces the time needed to prepare samples for shipment. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/enabling-breakthroughs-and-building-foundations-the-office-of-science-s-2024-year-in-review/?sc=rsin /articles/enabling-breakthroughs-and-building-foundations-the-office-of-science-s-2024-year-in-review/?sc=rsin Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:40:26 EST At the Department of Energy's Office of Science, 2024 brought big accomplishments enabled by decades of work as well as advances that are establishing the foundations for future research. From Nobel Prizes to a new exascale computer, the DOE's Office of Science is leading the way. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/biden-harris-administration-honors-extraordinary-american-scientists/?sc=rsin /articles/biden-harris-administration-honors-extraordinary-american-scientists/?sc=rsin Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:30:51 EST Today, the Biden-Harris Administration awarded the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award to Hector D. Abruna, Paul Alivisatos, and John H. Nuckolls for their exemplary contributions to advance efforts to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges, including improving health outcomes, clean energy, and national security. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/springing-simulations-forward-with-quantum-computing/?sc=rsin /articles/springing-simulations-forward-with-quantum-computing/?sc=rsin Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:40:10 EST Quantum computers have the potential to solve some problems much more efficiently than conventional computers. Researchers have now created a quantum computer algorithm for simulating coupled oscillators, systems of coupled masses and springs that are important for describing many real-world physical systems. The new algorithm results in exponentially faster simulation of coupled oscillators than ordinary algorithms. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/controller-with-integrated-machine-learning-tweaks-fusion-plasmas-in-real-time/?sc=rsin /articles/controller-with-integrated-machine-learning-tweaks-fusion-plasmas-in-real-time/?sc=rsin Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:55:07 EST The conditions for high fusion performance in fusion devices can result in damaging energy bursts called edge-localized modes (ELMs). ELMs can be stabilized through small adjustments to the magnetic confinement field, but this approach is usually limited to manual, preprogrammed responses. In this research, scientists integrated machine learning with adaptive control to achieve real-time adjustment capable of responding to the dynamic conditions of a fusion plasma in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility and Korea Institute of Fusion Energy KSTAR tokamaks. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/doe-s-renew-initiative-to-support-seven-pathway-summer-institutes-for-educators-of-underrepresented-and-underserved-groups-in-stem/?sc=rsin /articles/doe-s-renew-initiative-to-support-seven-pathway-summer-institutes-for-educators-of-underrepresented-and-underserved-groups-in-stem/?sc=rsin Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:40:37 EST The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science (SC) will support nearly 85 educators who either teach at schools and community colleges with large populations of students historically underserved and/or underrepresented in STEM or are educators who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM through awards for seven Pathway Summer Institutes for Educators at seven national laboratories. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/cooling-with-electroluminescent-semiconductors/?sc=rsin /articles/cooling-with-electroluminescent-semiconductors/?sc=rsin Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:20:09 EST : In an LED, electroluminescence creates light through charge carriers that cause the semiconductor to emit photons. This emission can require more energy than is present in the semiconductor, and this excess energy comes from heat around the semiconductor. This makes a semiconductor into a cooling device. In this study, researchers proposed a way to improve the performance of this electroluminescent cooling by using multilayer semiconductors. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/infrared-quantum-ghost-imaging-illuminates-but-doesn-t-disturb-living-plants/?sc=rsin /articles/infrared-quantum-ghost-imaging-illuminates-but-doesn-t-disturb-living-plants/?sc=rsin Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:30:19 EST A method called quantum ghost imaging (QGI) allow scientists to capture images at extremely low light levels. QGI also enables the use of one color to examine a sample with extremely low light and another color to form the image. The method allows detailed imaging and monitoring without damage to live plants, allowing examination of active plant processes such as photosynthesis. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/speedy-nuclei-do-the-twist/?sc=rsin /articles/speedy-nuclei-do-the-twist/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:55:21 EST The way hydrocarbon molecules interact with light can affect the production of nitrous acid in the atmosphere. In this study, researchers used an ultrafast electron camera to image the motions of hydrocarbon molecules at ultrafast, ultrasmall scales. They identified a proton transfer step followed by an out-of-plane twisting motion as key components of energy relaxation after molecules interact with light. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/department-of-energy-announces-36-million-for-student-traineeships/?sc=rsin /articles/department-of-energy-announces-36-million-for-student-traineeships/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Dec 2024 14:20:53 EST Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced 29 projects totaling $36 million to 42 institutions in 16 states for traineeships for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The funding, through the DOE Office of Science's RENEW initiative, will support hands-on research experience, professional development activities to build or reinforce STEM identity, and mentorship to support personal and professional growth of trainees. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/fusion-with-a-twist-improving-stellarators/?sc=rsin /articles/fusion-with-a-twist-improving-stellarators/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:25:19 EST Plasma many times hotter than the surface of the sun swirls inside of a large device. From the outside, the device looks like a metal ring surrounded by scaffolding and walkways. But inside, the device is creating the conditions needed to achieve fusion - the process that powers our sun and every star. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/calculation-sharpens-imaging-of-protons-insides/?sc=rsin /articles/calculation-sharpens-imaging-of-protons-insides/?sc=rsin Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:15:58 EST Nuclear scientists used a new theoretical approach to calculate a value essential for unraveling the three-dimensional motion of quarks within a proton. The researchers obtained a significantly more accurate picture of these internal building blocks' transverse motion. The work will aid in calculations of 3D motion of quarks and gluons in future collider experiments. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/doe-partners-with-uk-s-desnz-and-tokamak-energy-ltd-to-accelerate-fusion-energy-development-through-a-52m-upgrade-to-the-privately-owned-st40-facility/?sc=rsin /articles/doe-partners-with-uk-s-desnz-and-tokamak-energy-ltd-to-accelerate-fusion-energy-development-through-a-52m-upgrade-to-the-privately-owned-st40-facility/?sc=rsin Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:50:02 EST The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.K.'s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and the private fusion company Tokamak Energy Ltd. (TE) today announced a plan to jointly sponsor a $52 million upgrade to the ST40 experimental fusion facility to advance fusion science and technology needed to deliver a future fusion pilot plant. Fusion powers the sun and stars, and, if harnessed on Earth, could provide an abundant, safe, and carbon-emissions-free energy source. This collaboration was selected through the 2025 fiscal year Office of Science open funding opportunity. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/carbon-rings-under-stress/?sc=rsin /articles/carbon-rings-under-stress/?sc=rsin Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:35:04 EST When molecules interact with ultraviolet (UV) light, they can change shape in processes that typically take just tens of picoseconds. In this study, researchers imaged these changes using X-ray free electron laser technology. They found that a strained bicyclic molecule emerges from the chemical reaction that occurs when a cyclopentadiene molecule absorbs UV light. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/researchers-use-vitamins-to-decode-complex-interactions-in-the-soil-microbiome/?sc=rsin /articles/researchers-use-vitamins-to-decode-complex-interactions-in-the-soil-microbiome/?sc=rsin Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:15:40 EST In a pair of publications, researchers investigated how different species of microbes interact with one another and exchange resources such as vitamins. The studies focused on corrinoids, the vitamin B12 family of nutrients. Many bacteria in the environment cannot produce these chemicals. The studies demonstrated that the presence of corrinoids can influence how individual soil bacteria grow in the laboratory and how they survive and coexist in soil. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/improved-spin-and-density-correlation-simulations-give-researchers-clearer-insights-on-neutron-stars/?sc=rsin /articles/improved-spin-and-density-correlation-simulations-give-researchers-clearer-insights-on-neutron-stars/?sc=rsin Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:25:26 EST Inside a neutron star, protons and electrons combine into uncharged neutron matter. Researchers have now calculated spin and density correlations in neutron matter using realistic nuclear interactions at higher densities of neutrons than previously explored. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/x-ray-measurements-reveal-an-unexpected-role-for-copper-in-photocatalysts/?sc=rsin /articles/x-ray-measurements-reveal-an-unexpected-role-for-copper-in-photocatalysts/?sc=rsin Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:40:11 EST Copper is a promising catalyst for converting carbon dioxide into reduced species, a step in converting carbon dioxide into fuels. Although often initiated by electrical energy, this reaction can also be achieved using solar energy. In this work, scientists used X-rays to investigate how copper catalysts change when operating only with light and no applied electricity. The work found that the copper plays an unexpected role, producing an oxidized, not reduced, species. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/researchers-obtain-the-first-high-precision-mass-measurement-of-aluminum-22/?sc=rsin /articles/researchers-obtain-the-first-high-precision-mass-measurement-of-aluminum-22/?sc=rsin Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:05:55 EST Researchers at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams made a high-precision mass measurement of aluminum-22, reaching the "proton dripline" of the nuclear chart. The project found that aluminum-22 formed a proton halo, where the last proton added is only loosely bound to the nucleus. This measurement helps scientists determine how tightly bound the atomic nuclei are as they get closer to the dripline. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/https-www-energy-govarticlesus-department-energy-announces-31-million-build-research-capacity-academic-institutions/?sc=rsin /articles/https-www-energy-govarticlesus-department-energy-announces-31-million-build-research-capacity-academic-institutions/?sc=rsin Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:40:21 EST Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $31 million in funding for 42 projects to 36 institutions in 24 states to build research capacity, infrastructure, and expertise at academic institutions across the country. Through the Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) initiative, the Office of Science builds strong, long-lasting relationships between lead institutions and DOE National Laboratories, Office of Science scientific user facilities, or research-intensive academic institutions to perform basic research in a broad array of areas, including physics, chemistry, and materials science, that are supported by the Office of Science. Department of Energy, Office of Science /articles/scientists-compare-throughput-for-quantum-vs-conventional-networks/?sc=rsin /articles/scientists-compare-throughput-for-quantum-vs-conventional-networks/?sc=rsin Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:05:47 EST Entangled quantum bits per second (ebps) indicates a quantum network's throughput. In this study, researchers collected ebps measurements over a suite of fiber connections on a quantum network testbed. They then compared these measurements with capacity estimates for a conventional fiber-optic network at a range of distances. The study finds that ebps throughput decays sharply with distance in ways that differ from conventional networks. Department of Energy, Office of Science