Highlights
Chemical & Materials Sciences Division
2012
Research Highlights
- The Path a Proton Takes
Scenic route preferred to more direct path in alternative fuel cell membraneAugust
- New Protein Discovered Gives Insights to Iron's Fate Underground
Scientists identify molecule that steals electrons, leaving iron stuck in the mudAugust
- Turning Down the Heat for Carbon
Unusual reaction eschews high temperatures and water to lock away climate-changing carbon dioxideAugust
- Listening to Life
New chemical imaging method probes the communications of live microbial coloniesJuly
- Mother Nature as a Wire Manufacturer
With computational models, scientists see how microbe directs electronsJuly
- Flexible Molecular Cages Expand to Pack in Multiple Metals
Solid metal frameworks retain shapes after unpacking, allowing detailed measurementsJuly
- Iron Center and Pendant Nitrogen Needed to Achieve Catalyst's Goal
Scientists built catalysts that cleave bonds for platinum-free fuel cellsJuly
- Teaming, Integration Lead to R&D 100 Award
Graphene nanostructures for lithium batteries enable rapid recharge of electric vehicles and consumer electronic productsJune
- Ionic Liquid Improves Speed and Efficiency of Hydrogen-Producing Catalyst
Ongoing saga of building a better fuel cell catalyst goes holisticJune
- Watching Molecules in Slow Motion
By supercooling liquids, scientists can determine the physics happening in glassesJune
- Seeing All the Angles
Scientists measure how water and oils interact with surfacesJune
- Plump Up the Clay
Carbon dioxide moves into and expands a common mineral in carbon sequestration caprocksMay
- The Copper Ion That Wasn't an Accident
Charged metal particle lets industrial catalyst add and remove electronsMay
- Catalysis Research Selected for Team Science
EMSL announces Team Science projects to accelerate discoveryApril
- Getting Your Catalyst What It Needs
New method creates highly reactive catalytic surface, packed with hydroxyl speciesApril
- Tasting Carbon with WAFT'ed Light
New instrument analyzes tiny samples at low pressure and temperatureApril
- Gases Drawn Into Particles Stay There
SPLAT helps to elucidate formation and properties of complex organic particlesApril
- New Metal Alloy Electrode Designed for Plus-Sized Ions
Tin, antimony, and carbon material increases sodium battery's capacityApril
- Silicon-carbon Electrodes Snap, Swell, Don't Pop
Nanocomposite electrodes being charged with electricity reveal performance advantages that could lead to longer-lasting, cheaper vehicle batteriesMarch
- Digging Deeper in the Dirt
Targeted metagenomic analyses reveal underground microbes that may influence and alter contaminant fate and transport at Hanford SiteMarch
- Pinpointing Plutonium Proclivities
New study queries interactions of metal-reducing bacteria with plutonium oxideMarch
- How Nitric Acid Overcame Its Fear of Water with a Little Help from Its Friends
High concentrations result in acid forming hydrogen bonds and more structure, reducing dissociationMarch
- Gases Drawn Into Smog Particles Stay There
SPLAT helps pinpoint pollution particles to improve smog predictionsFebruary
- Toppling Raman Shift in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Vibrational mix shines new light on carbon sequestration measurementsFebruary
- Catalyst Masters Reverse
New metal catalyst drives hydrogen fuel reaction forwards and backwardsFebruary
- Studying the Chemistry as It Happens in Catalytic Reactions
New probe shows the in-between stages of a reaction under realistic conditionsJanuary
- The Great Gas Hydrate Escape
Computer simulations revealing how methane and hydrogen pack into gas hydrates could enlighten alternative fuel production and carbon dioxide storageJanuary
- When Atoms Collide
Method that can validate nuclear collision models benefits IAEAJanuary
- A Pop Quiz for Cells
Scientists devise new imaging technique for analysis of biological samplesJanuary
- Getting Your Molecule into the Movies
Computer simulations give insights into how carbon dioxide reacts with a sequestering liquidJanuary
- Helping Hydrogen Move Back Home
Combining experiment and theory, scientists study the potential of inexpensive hydrogen activation catalysts to recharge chemical hydrogen storage materialsJanuary
- Mock Atoms Prove Attractive
Researchers added first pseudo atoms to electronegativity scaleJanuary
2012
Staff Awards and Honors
2011
Research Highlights
- Fingerprinting Uranium
Researchers show how to use x-rays to identify mobile, stationary forms of atomic pollutantDecember
- An About-Face on Electrical Conductivity at the Interface
Study offers new explanation of conduction at interface of oxide materialsNovember
- Bubbles Help Break Energy Storage Record for Lithium-Air Batteries
Foam-based graphene keeps oxygen flowing in battery that holds promise for electric vehiclesNovember
- Preparing a Homogenous Haystack
Scientists show how to prepare identical particles for analysis, eliminating the huntNovember
- Scientists Enumerate Advances, Retreats in Designing New Membranes for Renewable Energy Storage
Over a quarter century of research into refining or replacing expensive material reviewed by team at Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryNovember
- Getting to Xenon
Scientists examine alternatives for pulling this rare, expensive element out of air samplesNovember
- Iodate Refuses to Intimidate
The ion's positive nature draws water molecules in, despite its large size and reputationNovember
- What Are Those Molecules Doing?
New technology enables molecular-level insight into carbon sequestrationNovember
- The Preferences of Uranium
Radionuclide's adsorption in Hanford Site sediments varies based on grain sizeOctober
- The Meaning and Mastery of Metadynamics
International computational scientist Michele Parrinello speaks at PNNLOctober
- Spinning Peptides, Not Webs, From Spider Silk
Scientists design a novel protein-based watery gel that could help keep drugs where they are neededOctober
- Sunlight Changes Aerosols in Clouds
Scientists show how sunlight alters optical, chemical properties of atmospheric particlesOctober
- Helping Materials Handle Extreme Stress
New study shows veins appear in nickel alloy with high chromium contentOctober
- Perspective Article Examines Conductivity at the LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 (001) Interface
The mechanism of conductivity may depend critically on interface composition, which is often ignored in the literatureOctober
- 2011 Fundamental & Computational Sciences Accomplishments Report Now Available
October
- Creating Desirable Materials Requires Salt, But Not Space
Team answers fundamental questions about self-assembling designer metal oxides for batteriesSeptember
- Positioning and Pinching Slow Proton Movement in Catalyst
Changing conformations, tight bonds hamper proton movement needed to turn hydrogen into energySeptember
- Stories of Discovery and Innovation-
The Science of Superplasticity
Understanding the interplay of grains helps cars drop the pounds, be more fuel efficientSeptember
- Understanding Tungsten Migration Blazes Trail for Nano Electronic Device Development
Significant migration mechanisms of tungsten clusters on nanoparticlesSeptember
- Stories of Discovery and Innovation-
Terminating Toxic Metals
Molecularly engineered material solves complex environmental contamination issuesSeptember
- A Better Look at the Brain
Imaging expert describes tools developed to understand nervous systemAugust
- Water Films Expedite the Underground Lockup of Climate Change's Chief Culprit
Carbon dioxide is more quickly turned to stone when water is presentAugust
- Catalyst That Makes Hydrogen Gas Breaks Speed Record
Material designed for energy applications is10 times faster than natural enzyme, uses inexpensive metalsAugust
- A New Catalyst Might Expand the Usefulness of Ethanol Made from Biomass
Researchers potentially find a renewable path to fuel additives, rubber and solventsAugust
- New Thermodynamic Model Predicts Plutonium Solubility with Iron
Research could benefit subsurface studies worldwideAugust
- Scientists Develop World's Fastest Nickel-Based Complex
Improves rates of hydrogen productionJuly
- Employing Ions Allows Scientists to Precisely Design Innovative Materials
Invited review article covers basic processes and applications of ion soft-landingJuly
- Getting Positive Results with Negative Ions
Scientists show new detector's abilities, including visualizing a charged particle beamJuly
- Large Problem, Tiny Answer
Expert calls chemical imaging "invaluable" for clean energyJuly
- The Heat Is On for Sodium-Manganese Oxide Rechargeable Batteries
New method to make sodium ion-based battery cells could lead to better, cheaper batteries for the electrical gridJune
- The Choices That Ions Make
Powerful computers, experiments provide insights into ion's behavior near interfacesJune
- New Research Details Structure of First Component in an Electricity-conducting Bacterial Wire
Architectural insights of proteins that make up the wires might help researchers immobilize metal contaminants or engineer bio-inspired fuel cellsJune
- One Tough Microscope
New instrument thrives on pressure to give realistic view of carbon storageJune
- Resolving Water's Electrical Properties
Team ends long-standing confusion about including water's electrons in models and studiesMay
- What's in the Life of a Battery?
Researchers can now observe the life of batteries to find a cure to their short life cycleMay
- Stories of Discovery and Innovation-
Psychology of Water
Timid and shy or bold and welcoming, water behaves in unexpected ways on surfacesApril
- Designing Catalysts with Pendant Amines
Review covers how to relay protons for hydrogen production, oxidationApril
- Heating Up the Arctic
Most complete dataset ever collected helps scientists understand aerosols' impacts on cloudsApril
- Understanding Methods of Assessing Botulinum Neurotoxin Exposure
Review article details new approaches to immunoassay techniquesApril
- Learning to See Atoms
World-leading atom probe tomography expert discusses state of the science, solving materials challengesApril
- Stories of Discovery and Innovation-
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines
Fundamental studies in catalysis enabled the use of efficient "lean-burn" engines for vehicle transportation.March
- ICCE Adds Partners, Sharpens Scope of Collaborations
March
- Upgrading the Vanadium Redox Battery
New electrolyte mix increases energy storage by 70 percentMarch
- Scientists Put Molecular-Level Analysis of Organic Particles in Perspective
Article assesses current state and future needs to understand and mitigate ubiquitous pollutantsMarch
- Molecular-level Insights into the Formation of Ice
Expert shares fundamental discoveries of water's behavior on metalsMarch
- Ligand Stripping Leads to Unique Surface Catalyst
Novel approach uses ion-molecule collisions and deposition to create sought-after materialMarch
- Accounting for Scale in Catalysis
Model simulates catalyst's heat transfer, thickness, and feedstock movementMarch
- Chemists Turn PNNL Peer-Reviewed Article into One of ACS Nano's Most Cited Papers of 2010
March
- Affordability of Batteries Key to Harnessing Wind and Solar Power
PNNL report looks at promising electrochemical energy storage systemsMarch
- Molecular Magician
Richard Haglund discusses phase transition mechanisms of vanadium dioxideMarch
- A Personality Change for a Catalyst
Expert discusses persistent homogeneous catalysis problemsMarch
- How Uranium Sticks to Soil
Uranium captured by aluminum oxide in common soil mineralsFebruary
- Microbially Produced Ferrous Iron May Decrease Technetium Concentrations in Groundwater
Competition between microbial and geochemical reactions plays key role in influencing soluble technetium concentrationsFebruary
- New Platform for Catalytic Design
Graphene and metal oxide combine to lock in power of platinum catalystFebruary
- Taking the Mystery Out of Photosynthesis
Theory, experiments uncover structure of oxygen-evolving complexFebruary
- Exciting Atoms on the Move
Fine-tuned laser light activates oxygen atoms to escape the surfaceFebruary
- Molecules Are Sensitive to Their Surroundings
Structure of hydrogen storage molecule solved, once orientation of nearby ions elucidatedFebruary
- Shining Light into the Dark Places of Science
Howard Padmore discusses how to get better light sources for scientific discoveryFebruary
- Slow Evaporation May Account for Particles Previously Thought to be Missing
New work will help researchers refine atmospheric climate modelsJanuary
- Basic Peptides Take a Different Route to the Same Destination
Disorder and energy available influence dissociation of protein commonly seen in scientific studiesJanuary
- U.S., Taiwan Team Ties Down Vanadium Catalyst in Thin Layers
Soft landing metal-based molecules and acids on a surface creates active, easy-to-separate catalystJanuary
- Catalysis Science, Scientists Featured on PBS Interstitial Video
Challenges and progress in converting intermittent, renewable energy sources into fuel discussedJanuary
- Inflating a Collapsed Organic Lattice
Molecular carbon host volume is increased by 26 percentJanuary
2011
Staff Awards and Honors
2010
Research Highlights
- Clustering Water, Hopping Protons
Scientists take unique research approaches to fuel cell puzzleDecember
- A Rare Form of Silver Observed During Routine Calibration
True signature of Ag(III) observed for the first timeDecember
- Seeing Diffusion from the Atom's Perspective
A new approach to calculating uranium diffusion challenges traditional equationsDecember
- Knocking Out Nitrogen Oxides
Expert discusses using small-pore zeolites to remove troublesome pollutant from exhaustDecember
- Answering the Catalyst Conundrum
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory advance understanding of remarkable catalystDecember
- INCITE Award Leads to Insights about Interfaces
Scientists from US and Switzerland use supercomputers to gain answers about water, sulfur dioxideDecember
- Check Out the Fundamental & Computational Sciences Achievements for 2010
December
- The Surface Swap
Oscillating layers of molecules on liquid's surface influence carbon captureNovember
- Looking for Answers Around Grains of Sand
Experiments reveal unexpected precipitation behavior, insights for cleanup and carbon sequestrationNovember
- The Chemistry of Carbon Sequestration
Geochemical expert discusses turning carbon dioxide into minerals, need for catalystsNovember
- A Solid Cold Solution
A catch-and-release solid-state fuel cell material operates coollyNovember
- Models Examine Nuclear Fuels
Designers of the next generation of uranium dioxide and other fuels gain valuable insightsOctober
- Radiation Tolerance? It's All in the Chemistry!
Materials studies could lead to tailored materials for immobilizing nuclear wasteOctober
- Water's Choice
A tale of two numbers and the order they predictOctober
- Trapped Toxins
Architecture of soil particles greatly influences if, when pollutants migrateOctober
- Controlling Catalysts
University of Virginia expert discusses new ways to drive old reactionsOctober
- The Molecule Movers
Fast and user friendly, nanoDESI shows off its ability to transfer fragile moleculesOctober
- Who Killed the Graphite Anode?
PNNL researchers move silicon anode Li-ion battery technology forwardOctober
- Getting the Catalysts You Really Need
Creating catalysts should begin with what you want, not what you have, according to University of Delaware expertOctober
- Long-Distance Communication, Microbial Style
Scientists demonstrate how microbes communicate without touchingOctober
- Separating the Catalysts from the Chaff
New soft landing instrument prepares pure, undamaged samples for analysisSeptember
- New Technique Provides Sensitive Analysis of Atmospheric Particles
Using nanoDESI, scientists probe molecular chemistry of organic aerosolsAugust
- Pushing the Envelope on Actinide Speciation
Distinguished scientist compares the relationship of ions in solution and in solid stateAugust
- Wax, Soap Clean Up Obstacles to Better Batteries
Paraffin and surfactant oleic acid improve synthesis of lithium manganese phosphate electrodesAugust
- Breaking through the Barriers to Biofuels
Expert discusses the science and challenges of using pyrolysis to transform biomass into fuelsAugust
- Charcoal Takes Some Heat Off Global Warming
Biochar can offset 1.8 billion metric tons of carbon emissions annuallyAugust
- An Alchemist's Dream: Superatoms Mimic Elements
July
- Battery Research Could Lead to Shorter Recharge Time for Cell Phones
Adding a bit of graphene to battery materials could dramatically cut the time it takes to recharge electronicsJuly
- PNNL, Chinese Researchers Begin Cooperative Clean Energy Work
July
- The World's Smallest Cup of Water
International team shows location of water relative to prototypical proteinJuly
- When Ions Attack
Scientists provide an atomic view of the destruction caused by radiation in extreme environmentsJuly
- Breaking Good
Study examines durability of glass with ties to nuclear waste storageJune
- Wanted: Vacancies
Travelling atoms discard electrons that prove vital to bonding oxygen on catalyst, cleanupJune
- Small Particles, Big Impact
Distinguished professor discusses nanoparticles and the environment at PNNL seminarJune
- Imaging Atoms and Revolutionizing Laptop Computers
June
- Opposites Attract and Inspire Electrocatalyst
U.S., China team convince platinum and gold particles to come together and form nanocatalystsMay
- Silica Cages Help Anti-Cancer Antibodies Kill Tumors in Mice
Honeycombed particles filled with cancer drug act like time-release capsules at tumor siteMay
- Graphene-DNA Biosensor Selective, Simple to Create
Nanostructure could help diagnose disease, facilitate gene therapy, moreMay
- Creating a Captivating Cage for Carbon
New robust material could selectively trap energy-diluting impurities in natural gasMay
- Affordable Fuel Cells May Get Boost From Artificial Diamonds
U.S., China team show new electrolyte could lower internal temperatures and costsApril
- More Proof of Outer Membrane Cytochrome Role in Electron Transfer
Shewanella cytochromes reduce and transform the widespread mineral ferrihydriteApril
- Brighter is Better
Seminar speaker describes potential of next-generation light sourcesApril
- Understanding the Potential of a Single Crystal
Award-winning Croatian professor speaks at PNNL's geochemistry seminarApril
- When the Air Turns Brown
Scientists discover reactions that create climate-changing brown carbon aerosolApril
- Scientists Characterize Poorly Understood, Climate-Influencing Atmospheric Particles
Particle adsorption, shape, and coatings revealed by team using SPLAT IIApril
- Some Choices Are Better Than Others in Studying the Universal Solvent
Scientists evaluate the accuracy of 7 different implementations of a popular approach to studying water's propertiesMarch
- Cutting Through Questions for a Molecular-Level Understanding of Solar Cells
Expert discusses molecular modeling and simulation at PNNL seminarMarch
- Answers to Probing Questions
Scientists pioneer new analysis that tells how uranium oxides stick togetherMarch
- New Class of Catalyst Sports Shapely Selectivity
A unique three-dimensional structure gives catalyst high surface areaMarch
- It Takes Some Chaos To Get Order
Deputy Director of Research at Molecular Foundry discusses material formation at seminar seriesMarch
- Stalking the Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay
February
- Measuring the Speed of Noble "Bubbles"
Scientists at PNNL devise new technique to determine diffusion in glassy materialsFebruary
- Computational Science Programming Model Crosses the Petaflop Barrier
Global Arrays demonstrates petascale capability at SC'09February
- The Package Matters
Tucking ammonia borane in mesoporous silica results in high-quality hydrogen at lower temperaturesFebruary
- The Efficacy of Bacteria
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientist sees her biogeochemistry work on coverJanuary
- Finding the Perfect Spot to Rest
Scientists see carbon chains preferred locales on popular catalystJanuary
- The Science of Moving Protons in Catalytic Reactions
Check out the new website for the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis at PNNLJanuary
2010
Staff Awards and Honors
2009
Research Highlights
- Scientists Show How Bacteria Move Electrons Across a Membrane
First demonstration of protein complex that catalyzes electron transfer to the cell exteriorDecember
- A Search for Stability for Platinum Catalysts
Crystalline carbon stops aggregation and fly away that degrade fuel cell performanceDecember
- The Joys and Failures of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Expert shares lithium battery research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory seminarNovember
- Simulation, Calculations Show Hydroxide Ions Orientation in Water
Hydroxide ions use two-step process to form two different structuresNovember
- Class-ing Up Uranium
Geochemist shares insights on troublesome radionuclide with Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryNovember
- Scientists Show Strontium's Swimming Skills
National lab, university experts show certain ions prefer water's surfaceOctober
- Where Did the Uranium Go?
Experiments, model help scientists describe uranium's path under different conditionsOctober
- Catalytic Catamarans: Common industrial catalyst sports rafts made of platinum
Best view yet of catalyst used for energy and environment applications suggests tricks to improve performanceOctober
- Check Out the Fundamental & Computational Sciences Achievements for 2009
September
- Small, Smaller, Smallest
Expert on nanometer catalysis shares insights with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchersSeptember
- Check Out Advancing the Frontiers of Science Brochure
September
- Truth Is Stranger Than Science
Article reviews path to discovering true properties of metal oxidesSeptember
- Better Way to Measure Particle Shape Proves Popular
SPLAT II paper second most cited in prestigious aerosol journalSeptember
- Hot and Cold Moves of Cyanide and Water
Temperature determines which molecule rocks outSeptember
- Ice Gets Bent Out of Shape
Scientists show that ice makes every connection, flattens out on water-hating grapheneSeptember
- Taking Uranium Down a Notch
International research team makes important discovery about how to clean up uranium in groundwaterAugust
- Electron Demolition Derby
How electrons respond to radiation can radically alter material propertiesAugust
- Researchers Map Water's Transformation from Ice to Liquid
Team determines if models match experimental realityAugust
- Studying Bond Formation Between Ions and Surfaces Gets Easier
Scientists develop new method, complete successful demo, obtain surprising resultsAugust
- New Clues about a Hydrogen Fuel Catalyst
View of rhodium-based catalyst for hydrogen-fuel system offers ideas for improvementAugust
- Collision Science
How fast was that ion going when it hit?August
- When Small Is Better
Article reviews advantages and challenges of using nanotechnology in drug deliveryJuly
- The Secret Lives of Catalysts
Scientists use innovative tools to look deeper into chemical reactions than ever beforeJuly
- Teaching Catalysts to Play Ball
Catalysis expert shares insights on chemical characterization with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchersJuly
- A Window on Hydrate Lattices
Approach seeks most stable molecular scaffolds to hold renewable energyJune
- Crystals and Catalysts and Clusters, Oh My!
Scientists reveal inner workings of tiny particles vital to industry, environmentJune
- Vanadium Batteries Promising for Large-Scale Energy Storage Materials
Electrochemistry expert shares redox battery work with scientists at Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryJune
- "Breathing" Bacterium's Role in Remediation
Imaging and surface science give better understanding of electron exchange in contaminant conversionJune
- Plastic that Grows on Trees, Part Two
One-step process derives raw material for fuels and plastic from plants rather than crude oilJune
- Where in the Water Are Hydroxide Ions?
Chemists use new computer models, calculations to determine ion's travel plansJune
- A Jolt of Energy Use
Making progress in energy storage applications for batteriesMay
- The Curious World of Water and Ions
Noted chemist shares insights with packed auditorium at Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryMay
- Building Better Batteries Today for a Greener Tomorrow
Scientists design complex material that may help store energyMay
- Ions Disturb Water's Structure in Unexpected Ways
Research team finds symmetrical ions perturb bulk water asymmetricallyMay
- The Sisyphus Factor
Researchers validate model of ion action at the interface of oil and waterMay
- Finding Value in Supercritical Fluids
Artwork from review article graces cover of Journal of Nanoscience and NanotechnologyMay
- Previously Undetected Chemicals Found in Forest Fire Smoke
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory team advances frontiers of particle scienceApril
- Getting Molecules To Hold Still and Blink
New approach lets scientists trap single molecules and measure electron transfersApril
- Fueling Our Future Using New Approaches to Designing Catalysts
Review article details how to improve catalysts for hydrogen production and storageApril
- New Algorithms Will Make Fast Work of Molecular Modeling
PNNL has opportunity to define new standards for molecular simulationsApril
- Cool Discoveries with Ultracold Molecules—Literally
Ultracold molecules open door to discovering new states of matterApril
- Iron Takes Full Ten Rounds to Destroy Toxin
Scientists uncover complex reactions as metal turns toxic carbon tetrachloride to harmless chemicalsApril
- Something To Smile About
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers elucidate first steps in tooth formationApril
- New Methods Detect Radionuclides in Groundwater
Collaboration key on technetium-99 and strontium-90 sensingMarch
- Dancing 'Adatoms' Help Chemists Understand How Water Molecules Split
The result might help understand chemical processes and catalysts for generating energyMarch
- Iron Minerals Found in Subsurface Sediment Reduce Contaminant Oxidation, Mobility
Biogeochemistry research reveals potential role of iron-bearing micas in preventing technetium reoxidation and mobilization in the subsurfaceMarch
- Elusive Intermediates Captured for the First Time
New insights into catalyst aid in the hunt to produce hydrogen fuelFebruary
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration Necessary to Understand Basic Interactions
Noted physicist highlights interdisciplinary approach at PNNL chemical physics lectureFebruary
- Exploring Innovative Nanotechnologies for Energy Harvesting
One of the world's most cited authors, Dr. Zhong Lin Wang discusses his discoveriesFebruary
- Exiting Electrons Reveal Their Neighbors' Location
Team from PNNL and WSU investigate electron patternsFebruary
- Water, Water Everywhere
New model improves calculation of electric fieldsFebruary
- Nanomaterial Chemist Has Sights Set on Ionic Liquids
Ionic systems attracting attention worldwide due to their liquidus state at ambient temperaturesJanuary
- International Team Uncovers Unusual Shapes Formed by Boron Clusters
New shapes have implications for hydrogen fuelsJanuary
2009
Staff Awards and Honors
2008
Research Highlights
- Check Out the Fundamental & Computational Sciences Achievements for 2008
December
- Seeing the World in a Column of Sand
Study helps predict where uranium-tainted groundwater will go, when it will arriveDecember
- Chipping Away at Clathrates
New model sorts through thousands of possible conformations of molecular scaffoldingDecember
- Boron Far From Boring
University, national lab team uncovers new arrangement of reactive atomsDecember
- Lonely Atoms Work Harder on Palladium Catalyst
Scientists discover how to boost the metal's reactivity by 50 percentDecember
- Lonesome Ion Looking for Company
Model helps scientists better predict molecules' behavior in waterDecember
- Alcohol Exploits Defects to Its Advantage
Scientists unlock mystery of how alcohol splits, travels on surface of catalystDecember
- Ion Research "Transfers" to Journal Cover
November
- The Repulsive Behavior of Hydrogen Atoms
Quick, complex diffusion process sheds light on reactions on popular catalystNovember
- The Oxygen Squeeze Play
Scientists first to discover tetraoxygen on the surface of a common catalystOctober
- Trapping Sunlight for Later Use Requires Effective Catalysts
Article reviews work to imitate Mother Nature's processesOctober
- Tiny Structures Take on Tremendous Problems
Researchers work on nanostructures featured on journal's coverOctober
- New Way to Study Electron Transfer Reactions Leads to Hot Paper, Journal Cover
Coupled method enables fluorescent dye use as a molecular probe to study electron transfer dynamics at single-molecule levelOctober
- Melding Experiment and Theory Sheds Light on Molecular Recognition
Research based on collisions thrives on integration with theoryOctober
- An Electron's Exit
Scientists can now see the path electrons take when leaving exotic ionsSeptember
- Pass the Proton, Please
Simulations help scientists see what's happening inside fuel cellsAugust
- PNNL Research Shedding Light on Complex Reactions at Interfaces
Computational approach may speed development of novel materials and help design better chemical processes and catalystsAugust
- Chemists Make Beds with Soft Landings
Researchers make stable, highly pure helical peptide arraysAugust
- Catalysis Takes Center Stage at Chemistry Conference
PNNL scientists present surface research in memory of esteemed colleague Mike WhiteAugust
- Science of Metal-Protein Complex Could Help Generate Energy
Recent study shows cobalt is highly efficient at moving electronsJune
- Electrifying Ice
Understanding how super-cold ice produces a voltage ends 9-year scientific mysteryJune
- Halting Methane Squanderlust
Researchers determine structure of catalyst that converts methane to more useful compoundsJune
- One Molecule at a Time
New model deciphers the hydrogen bonding network in different water environmentsJune
- Looking for a Cheap Catalyst
Scientists study how atoms behave when alcohol interacts with promising, inexpensive catalyst to produce hydrogenMay
- Follow that Ion
Scientists study the fate of charged particles after soft landingMay
- A Molecular Makeover
Scientists see how tungsten trioxide transforms oxidizing alcohols into alkenesApril
- SPLAT Makes its Mark in Flying Research Laboratory
After a flight-ready makeover, one of the world's most sophisticated instruments is helping researchers uncover the secrets of the atmosphereApril
- Researchers Study Crystal to Soak Up Industrial Carbon Dioxide
Simulations detail carbon dioxide's behavior inside p-tert-butylcalix[4]areneApril
- Measuring Particle Shape Removes Frustrating, Simplistic Assumption
Approach allows researchers to determine particle shapeApril
- Ceramic, Heal Thyself!
Study shows how defect-engineered zirconia repairs radiation-induced damageMarch
- Rock: Electrons Run Through It
Mineral surfaces linked by electrons through the mineral's bulkMarch
- The Nature of Water
Scientists simulate how water behaves when surrounded by carbon tetrachlorideFebruary
- All Alone, Ammonia and Hydrogen Chloride Use Negativity To Get Attached
Environmental electrons stimulate acid-base reactionsFebruary
- Stop that Slime!
Researchers learn more about halting bacterial secretion that fouls filtersFebruary
- "Hot" Oxygen Atoms on Titanium Dioxide Motivated by More Than Just Temperature
PNNL scientists find unexpected chemical behavior on catalyst surfaceFebruary
- Stopping at the Water's Edge
Scientists learn more about certain ions inclination to cross a boundary into waterJanuary
2008
Staff Awards and Honors
2007
Staff Awards and Honors
2006
Staff Awards and Honors
2005
Staff Awards and Honors
Fundamental & Computational Sciences
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