PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Story tips: Quantum building blocks, high-pressure diamonds, wildfire ecology and more

Story tips: Quantum building blocks, high-pressure diamonds, wildfire ecology and more
2021-03-01
(Press-News.org) Materials - Quantum building blocks

Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists demonstrated that an electron microscope can be used to selectively remove carbon atoms from graphene's atomically thin lattice and stitch transition-metal dopant atoms in their place.

This method could open the door to making quantum building blocks that can interact to produce exotic electronic, magnetic and topological properties.

This is the first precision positioning of transition-metal dopants in graphene. The produced graphene-dopant complexes can exhibit atomic-like behavior, inducing desired properties in the graphene.

"What could you build if you could put any atoms exactly where you want? Just about anything," ORNL's Ondrej Dyck said. He co-led the study with Stephen Jesse at ORNL's Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences.

"If a lot of these quantum building blocks get together, they can start to act in a correlated manner, which is when really exciting properties begin to emerge," Jesse said. The scientists plan to make arrays of interacting quantum building blocks to investigate emergent properties.

Media contact:
Dawn Levy,
865.202.9465,
levyd@ornl.gov

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/quantum-building-blocks_0.jpg

Caption: Transition metals stitched into graphene with an electron beam form promising quantum building blocks. Credit: Ondrej Dyck, Andrew Lupini and Jacob Swett/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Neutrons - Hard diamonds, high pressures

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Spallation Neutron Source have developed a diamond anvil pressure cell that will enable high-pressure science currently not possible at any other neutron source in the world.

Using the SNAP instrument, the team measured high-quality powder diffraction data on a material above 120 gigapascals, shattering the previously held record of 62 GPa for meaningful structural data.

What's more, the tiny submillimeter-sized sample used in the experiment is likely the smallest neutron sample ever measured and yet is also one of the largest powder samples ever held at such a high static pressure.

While scientists have used X-ray powder diffraction at such pressures for decades, it was previously not possible using neutrons.

"This breakthrough enables new studies on the structures of high-pressure super-hydrides that exhibit room-temperature superconductivity. It even enables investigations into materials at earth-core pressure conditions," said ORNL's Bianca Haberl.

Media contact:
Jeremy Rumsey,
865.576.2038,
rumseyjp@ornl.gov

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/SNAP%20pressure%20cell%202021-P00978RR.jpg

Caption: ORNL researchers Reinhard Boehler, left, and Bianca Haberl demonstrate the improved pressure cell developed by Boehler. The device uses two gem-quality synthetic opposing diamonds to exert extreme pressures on materials. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/SNAP%20pressure%20cell.jpg

Caption: The pressure cell uses two gem-quality synthetic opposing diamonds to exert extreme pressures on materials, providing fundamental insights into materials that only neutrons can reveal. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Ecology - After the burn

An Oak Ridge National Laboratory research team discovered that aspen saplings emerging after wildfire have less diverse microbiomes and more pathogens in their leaves, providing new insights about how fire affects ecosystem recovery.

This study demonstrated, for the first time, the indirect impacts of fire on microbes throughout plant structures.

"The leaves of these saplings never experienced fire, but we were able to show differences in their microbiome compared to saplings from unburned areas," ORNL's Chris Schadt said. "Since aspen saplings are clonally derived from the surviving roots, we had thought the leaves might be populated by organisms that were drawn up through the common root. That didn't happen."

The ORNL team plans to further study how microbes repopulate plants after fire. Additional analysis could inform ways to speed vegetative regeneration and the host of benefits that come with healthy forests, from clean water to biodiversity to carbon capture.

Media contact:
Kim Askey,
865.576.2841,
askeyka@ornl.gov

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/2019-09-12_09.10.25_panorama.jpg

Caption: Saplings in an aspen grove recovering from wildfire have more fungal pathogens in their leaves than the original trees. Credit: Chris Schadt/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/2019-09-12_09.27.18_copy.jpg

Caption: Aspen saplings begin to emerge after a fire in June of 2019. Credit: Chris Schadt/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Manufacturing - Quick cooling tooling

A team of Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers demonstrated that an additively manufactured hot stamping die - a tool used to create car body components - cooled faster than those produced by conventional manufacturing methods, which could lead to reduced manufacturing costs and production time.

In collaboration with industry partners Lincoln Electric and DTS, they used a gas metal arc welding-based additive technology to print the die for a B-pillar or vertical roof support structure for a sport utility vehicle. The production method allowed for the entire body of the die to be created as one monolithic part.

"With conventional methods, the dies are manufactured by drilling cooling ports in one-foot-long blocks of steel, then assembling, machining the blocks and sealing, and they take 20 days to produce," ORNL's Andrzej Nycz said. "We machined and tested the additively manufactured die in eight days and showed more uniform temperature distribution and 20% improvement in the cooling rate."

Media contact:
Jennifer Burke,
865.414.6835,
burkejj@ornl.gov

Image: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/Hot_stamping_die.jpg

Caption: ORNL researchers used gas metal arc welding additive technology to print the die for a B-pillar or vertical roof support structure for a sport utility vehicle, demonstrating a 20% improvement in the cooling rate. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Sensors - Printing on the fly

A method developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to print high-fidelity, passive sensors for energy applications can reduce the cost of monitoring critical power grid assets.

The sensors use surface acoustic waves, or SAWs, which can pick up changes in temperature, pressure and the presence of gases. In search of a simpler, cheaper alternative to sensors that require elaborate assembly in a clean room, ORNL researchers developed a method to print SAW sensors on substrates of lithium niobate crystal using nanoparticle inks.

The scientists demonstrated that the sensor features can be printed at a resolution of about 10 micrometers, which increases their operating frequency and sensitivity. Ongoing research aims to reach 1 micrometer resolution and to test the sensors in both a simulated nuclear plant application and on essential grid components such as transformers.

"The sensors are low cost, easy to deploy and customizable, and you can make them on the fly," said ORNL's Tim McIntyre.

Media contact:
Stephanie Seay,
865.576.9894,
seaysg@ornl.gov

Image 1: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/SAW%20sensors%202021-P01086.jpg

Image 2: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/SAW%20sensors%202021-P01084.jpg

Caption: ORNL researchers are developing a method to print low-cost, high-fidelity, customizable sensors for monitoring power grid equipment. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

INFORMATION:


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Story tips: Quantum building blocks, high-pressure diamonds, wildfire ecology and more

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

CUHK unveils balance between two protein counteracting forces in hereditary ataxias

CUHK unveils balance between two protein counteracting forces in hereditary ataxias
2021-03-01
Collaborating with the University of Oxford, Professor Ho Yin Edwin Chan's research team from the School of Life Sciences of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) recently unveiled the counteracting relationship between pre-mRNA-processing factor 19 (Prpf19) and exocyst complex component 7 (Exoc7) in controlling the degradation of disease protein and neurodegeneration of the rare hereditary ataxia. The research findings have been published in the prestigious scientific journal, Cell Death & Disease. Protein misfolding contributes to the pathogenesis of SCA3 Proteins play a significant role in every single cell development in the human body, including neurons. Numerous studies have proved that misfolds and aggregation of ...

The human brain grew as a result of the extinction of large animals

The human brain grew as a result of  the extinction of large animals
2021-03-01
A new paper by Dr. Miki Ben-Dor and Prof. Ran Barkai from the Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University proposes an original unifying explanation for the physiological, behavioral and cultural evolution of the human species, from its first appearance about two million years ago, to the agricultural revolution (around 10,000 BCE). According to the paper, humans developed as hunters of large animals, causing their ultimate extinction. As they adapted to hunting small, swift prey animals, humans developed higher cognitive abilities, evidenced by the most obvious evolutionary change - the growth of brain volume from ...

The gut microbiome can predict changes in glucose regulation

2021-03-01
A study carried out by researchers from the Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu revealed that human gut microbiome can be used to predict changes in Type 2 diabetes related glucose regulation up to four years ahead. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that contributes to millions of deaths worldwide each year and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. Type 2 diabetes is preceded by "prediabetes" - a condition when the glucose levels have started to rise, but the progression of the disease ...

To sustain a thriving café culture, we must ditch the disposable cup.

To sustain a thriving café culture, we must ditch the disposable cup.
2021-03-01
Takeaway coffees - they're a convenient start for millions of people each day, but while the caffeine perks us up, the disposable cups drag us down, with nearly 300 billion ending up in landfill each year. While most coffee drinkers are happy to make a switch to sustainable practices, new research from the University of South Australia shows that an absence of infrastructure and a general 'throwaway' culture is severely delaying sustainable change. It's a timely finding, particularly given the new bans on single-use plastics coming into effect in South Australia today, and the likelihood of takeaway coffee cups taking ...

Staying in the shade: how cells use molecular motors to avoid bright light

Staying in the shade: how cells use molecular motors to avoid bright light
2021-03-01
Tsukuba, Japan - Single-celled algae and animal sperm cells are widely separated in evolution but both swim in the same way, by waving their protruding hairs, called cilia or flagella. Motion is driven by molecular motors, complex assemblies of proteins that exert a force when changing shape. The motor proteins are connected to the cell's internal skeleton of microtubules; the moving force from the motor causes microtubules to slide, moving the flagella and propelling the cell. Now a team led by Professor Kazuo Inaba of the University of Tsukuba in collaboration with scientists from Osaka University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Paul Scherrer Institute has described a new protein that is closely ...

Education, interest in alternative medicine associated with believing misinformation

2021-03-01
While many people believe misinformation on Facebook and Twitter from time to time, people with lower education or health literacy levels, a tendency to use alternative medicine or a distrust of the health care system are more likely to believe inaccurate medical postings than others, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. "Inaccurate information is a barrier to good health care because it can discourage people from taking preventive measures to head off illness and make them hesitant to seek care when they get sick," said lead author Laura D. Scherer, PhD, with the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Identifying who is most susceptible to misinformation ...

Scoot over! Study reveals E-scooter use in Washington D.C.

Scoot over! Study reveals E-scooter use in Washington D.C.
2021-03-01
Electric scooters or "e-scooters" are taking over cities worldwide and have broad appeal with tourists. Although e-scooter use declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, its popularity could rebound rapidly, especially if travelers start to substitute scooters for transit on some shorter trips. Shared e-scooters in particular, are a rapidly emerging mode of transportation, but present a host of regulatory challenges from equitable distribution to parking infrastructure to pedestrian safety, among others. Understanding travel demand patterns of shared ...

RUDN University professor suggested how to calculate the implant materials permeability

RUDN University professor suggested how to calculate the implant materials permeability
2021-03-01
An associate professor from RUDN University found out the effect of the number and size of pores on the permeability of bone implants by biological fluids. The results of the study could help choose the optimal physical parameters of implants. The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Engineering. For an implant to survive in the body and to take the place of bone tissue, it should be made of a non-toxic, biologically inert, and wearproof material. However, at the same time, it should be light, porous, and permeable by biological liquids. If an implant does not interfere with the transfer of oxygen, minerals, and nutrients, new bone tissue and blood vessels start to grow around it, and a patient's ...

Virtually unlimited solar cell experiments

Virtually unlimited solar cell experiments
2021-03-01
Osaka, Japan - Osaka University researchers employed machine learning to design new polymers for use in photovoltaic devices. After virtually screening over 200,000 candidate materials, they synthesized one of the most promising and found its properties were consistent with their predictions. This work may lead to a revolution in the way functional materials are discovered. Machine learning is a powerful tool that allows computers to make predictions about even complex situations, as long as the algorithms are supplied with sufficient example data. This is especially useful for complicated ...

Wrasses dazzle: how fairy wrasses got their flamboyant colours

Wrasses dazzle: how fairy wrasses got their flamboyant colours
2021-03-01
With their exuberant colours, fiery personalities and captivating courtship displays, the fairy wrasses are one of the most beloved coral reef fish. Despite this, the evolutionary history of its genus was not well understood - until now. Fairy wrasses diverged in form and colour after repeated sea level rises and falls during the last ice age, finds a new study. Published in top journal Systematic Biology, it employed a novel genome-wide dataset to make this discovery. Lead author, ichthyologist and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, Mr Yi-Kai (Kai) Tea, says ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Cercus electric stimulation enables cockroach with trajectory control and spatial cognition training

Day-long conference addresses difficult to diagnose lung disease

First-ever cardiogenic shock academy features simulation lab

Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained

Less intensive works best for agricultural soil

Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation

Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests

Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome

UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership

New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll

Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025

Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025

AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials

New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age

Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker

Chips off the old block

Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia

Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry

Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19

Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity

State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections

Young adults drive historic decline in smoking

NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research

Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development

This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack

FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology

In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity

Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects

A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions

[Press-News.org] Story tips: Quantum building blocks, high-pressure diamonds, wildfire ecology and more