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Vanderbilt and University of Maryland Researchers Develop New Chemistry for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries to Boost Energy Storage

Vanderbilt and University of Maryland Researchers Develop New Chemistry for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries to Boost Energy Storage

Researchers at Vanderbilt University and the University of Maryland have developed a new battery chemistry that significantly enhances the energy storage potential of lithium-sulfur batteries. Published in Nature Energy, their study introduces an approach that allows sulfur to participate in an additional energy-storing reaction, leading to a higher average operating voltage and increased charge storage. Traditionally, lithium-sulfur batteries enable each sulfur atom to exchange two electrons during charging and discharging. The new system incorporates chlorine, which facilitates the exchange of a third electron. This innovation not only increased sulfur’s charge-storage capacity by approximately 58% but also raised the battery’s average operating voltage from about 2.05 volts to 2.54 volts, compared to standard lithium-sulfur chemistry. The combined effect allowed one kilogram of sulfur to store over 1,700 watt-hours of energy in their experimental cell. The team also designed a specific electrolyte to en...

Colorado State University Researchers Develop Fully Recyclable Plastics from Carbon Dioxide

Colorado State University Researchers Develop Fully Recyclable Plastics from Carbon Dioxide

Colorado State University Researchers Develop Fully Recyclable Plastics from Carbon Dioxide

MJF 3D Printing Technology Advances Industrial Manufacturing of Polymer Parts

MJF 3D Printing Technology Advances Industrial Manufacturing of Polymer Parts

MJF 3D Printing Technology Advances Industrial Manufacturing of Polymer Parts

Sound Agriculture Recognizes R Talent, Emphasizing Global Agtech Focus

Sound Agriculture Recognizes R Talent, Emphasizing Global Agtech Focus

Sound Agriculture Recognizes R Talent, Emphasizing Global Agtech Focus

George Mason University Establishes Virginia Quantum Hub with $3.7 Million Grant to Advance Quantum Technology

George Mason University Establishes Virginia Quantum Hub with $3.7 Million Grant to Advance Quantum Technology

George Mason University is establishing the Virginia Quantum Hub (VQH) with the support of a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant. This initiative aims to create an inclusive quantum ecosystem through public-private partnerships, focusing on generating intellectual property, attracting capital investments, training a skilled workforce, and addressing global innovation needs in sectors like health, logistics, and national security. The VQH builds upon George Mason's eight years of investment in quantum through its Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC), which involves 24 faculty across seven departments. The university has also secured a new $2.4 million catalyst investment for its Quantum Leap project, adding six postdoctoral and three faculty positions, and has launched Virginia's first interdisciplinary master's degree in quantum science and engineering.

NSF NEON Enhances Data Accessibility with New Date-Time Columns for Sensor Positions

NSF NEON Enhances Data Accessibility with New Date-Time Columns for Sensor Positions

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is implementing an update to its data download packages. Two new columns, `effectiveStartDateTime` and `effectiveEndDateTime`, will be added to the `sensor_positions` metadata file included in Terrestrial Instrument System (TIS) and Aquatic Instrument System (AIS) data products. These new columns will directly specify the valid beginning and ending date-times for the geolocation information provided in each record, encompassing both the sensor and its associated reference location. Previously, users had to manually combine date ranges from `positionStartDateTime`, `positionEndDateTime`, `referenceLocationIDStartDateTime`, and `referenceLocationIDEndDateTime` to determine the effective date range. This enhancement aims to streamline data usage and improve the accuracy of geolocation tracking for environmental data. The new columns are being included in all newly published download packages and will be retroactively a...

Deep Fission Tests Prototype Nuclear Reactor Canister in Florida Borehole

Deep Fission Tests Prototype Nuclear Reactor Canister in Florida Borehole

Deep Fission Tests Prototype Nuclear Reactor Canister in Florida Borehole

From Pure Science to Space Research, Caltech Built a Far-Reaching Legacy

From Pure Science to Space Research, Caltech Built a Far-Reaching Legacy

The California Institute of Technology, widely known as Caltech, stands as a testament to the power of focused scientific inquiry and rigorous educ...

National Science Foundation Funds Research Opportunities at MagLab in Florida

National Science Foundation Funds Research Opportunities at MagLab in Florida

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is providing funding for research opportunities at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) in Tallahassee, Florida. The MagLab, which is also sponsored by the State of Florida, is actively seeking a Research Faculty member for its Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) facility. This position aims to strengthen the facility and advance cutting-edge EMR research in high magnetic field environments. The MagLab's mission is to advance discovery, innovation, and education by developing and operating powerful and versatile high magnetic field facilities. It provides researchers globally with access to experiments in high magnetic fields without cost, empowering them to explore scientific frontiers and drive transformative technologies. The EMR program specifically offers state-of-the-art high-frequency continuous-wave and pulsed EPR spectrometers and assists with electron magnetic resonance measurements at frequencies and fields not typically available at other inst...

Materials Science AI Models Show Rapid Advancement but Lack Integrated Physical Grounding

Materials Science AI Models Show Rapid Advancement but Lack Integrated Physical Grounding

Materials Science AI Models Show Rapid Advancement but Lack Integrated Physical Grounding

Oak Ridge National Laboratory's STAR Lab Addresses Battery Scalability Challenges for Advanced Technologies

Oak Ridge National Laboratory's STAR Lab Addresses Battery Scalability Challenges for Advanced Technologies

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has established the Sulfide/Sulfur Translational Advanced Research Lab, or STAR Lab, to bridge the gap between promising battery materials and scalable, manufacturable cell technologies. Researchers at STAR Lab are investigating how new battery technologies, particularly sulfide-based solid-state batteries and sulfur-based electrodes, perform when integrated into complete battery cells, rather than just in isolated material tests. The lab's mission is to ensure that materials that show high performance in small laboratory settings can withstand the demands of manufacturing and real-world use. This involves studying how electrode formulations, binders, interfaces, cell designs, pressure, and testing conditions affect performance. STAR Lab also examines both dry and liquid-based manufacturing approaches, considering how processing choices impact materials and the resulting battery. The lab's specialized capabilities complement ORNL’s broad...

U.S. Department of Energy Selects Oklahoma as Potential Site for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus

U.S. Department of Energy Selects Oklahoma as Potential Site for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus

Oklahoma has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of five states to explore hosting a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. Marc Brown, an executive vice president of public policy and state affairs for Consumer Energy Alliance, highlighted this selection as a significant opportunity for the state. Brown, writing in The Oklahoman, suggested that advanced nuclear technology could be a vital solution to meet the increasing electricity demand driven by business growth in Oklahoma. He emphasized that nuclear energy operates under stringent federal oversight and that modern advanced technologies incorporate safety systems designed to function safely even without operator intervention. The proposed campus aims to integrate energy production, fuel recycling, manufacturing, research, and workforce development.