Scientists have identified a mechanism that could be contributing to warming in the Arctic and melting sea ice. They found that open oceans are much less efficient than sea ice when emitting in the far-infrared region of the spectrum, a phenomenon that is likely contributing to polar climate warming.
Lab researchers have helped show that short carbon nanotubes can make excellent artificial pores within cell membranes. These nanotubes can self-insert into a cell membrane or other lipid bilayers. The artificial channels could be used for more robust DNA sequencing, drug delivery, and novel biosensors.
Berkeley Lab scientists have published a new study assessing the health effects of thirdhand smoke constituents present in indoor air. They found that thirdhand smoke continues to have harmful health impacts for many hours after a cigarette has been extinguished.
Lab scientists have developed a way to genetically rewire plants to allow for a high level of control over the spatial pattern and levels of gene expression. Now they’ve launched a startup called Afingen to apply this technology to developing low-cost biofuels that could compete with gasoline and corn ethanol.
As part of an international collaboration, Berkeley Lab scientists have helped create the coldest cubic meter in the universe. The chamber—roughly the size of a vending machine—was chilled to -273.144 degrees Celsius in preparation for an experiment to study neutrinos, ghostlike particles that could hold the key to the existence of matter.
In the on-going effort to develop advanced biofuels as a clean, green and sustainable source of liquid transportation fuels, researchers at DOE’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have identified microbial genes that can improve both the tolerance and production of biogasoline in engineered strains of Escherichia coli.
Inaugurated with help from U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Berkeley Lab’s new General Purpose Laboratory will be devoted to materials sciences and energy storage research, as well as to key biosciences programs. Among the building’s new tenants will be the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research.
Using extremely faint light from galaxies 10.8-billion light years away, scientists have created one of the most complete, three-dimensional maps of a slice of the adolescent universe. The map shows a web of hydrogen gas that varies from low to high density at a time when the universe was made of a fraction of the dark matter we see today.
Berkeley Lab researchers, working under the JCESR Energy Hub, used supercomputer simulations to dispel a popular misconception about magnesium-ion batteries that should help advance the development of multivalent ion battery technology.
