Welcome to the Fundamental & Computational Sciences website.
I hope you take the opportunity to explore it and learn about the outstanding people, capabilities and scientific research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
—Doug Ray, Associate Lab Director
"We strive to make progress on today's important scientific challenges."
New AAAS Fellows Honored
Laboratory Fellow Nigel Browning, Associate Laboratory Director for National Security Anthony Peurrung, Associate Laboratory Director for Fundamental & Computational Sciences Douglas Ray, and Associate Laboratory Director for Environmental Molecular Sciences Allison Campbell (left to right) were inducted as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science at the 2013 AAAS meeting in Boston. Learn more about our newest AAAS Fellows.
Research Highlights
Soot is Warming the Planet
Sunlight-absorbing black carbon emissions from human activities now #2 in climate warming
PNNL contributed to research that found black carbon, a.k.a. soot, is the second largest contributor to climate warming after carbon dioxide. The international team used a new method to identify the black carbon signature in atmospheric warming. Replacing inefficient cooking and heating stoves and engines that produce soot particles can immediately reduce climate warming.
BPA Findings Highlighted at AAAS Annual Meeting
Meta-analyses of bisphenol A studies show human exposure is likely to be too low for estrogenic effects
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a controversial component of plastic bottles and canned food linings that have helped make the world's food supply safer. BPA has the potential to mimic the sex hormone estrogen if blood and tissue levels are high enough. Now, an analysis of almost 150 BPA exposure studies shows that in the general population, people's exposure may be many times too low for BPA to effectively mimic estrogen in the human body. The analysis was presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) annual meeting February 16 in Boston, Mass., by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory toxicologist Dr. Justin Teeguarden.
Synthetic Molecule First Electricity-Making Catalyst to Use Iron to Split Hydrogen Gas
Fast and efficient biologically inspired catalyst could someday make fuel cells cheaper
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed a fast and efficient iron-based catalyst that splits hydrogen gas to make electricity -- necessary to make fuel cells more economical.
Maria Vlachopoulou Named "New Face of Engineering" by IEEE
Maria Vlachopoulou has been honored with a "New Face of Engineering" award by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The award highlights the vitality, diversity and rich contributions of engineers 30 or younger. Maria was recognized for her breakthrough research in computer algorithms and mathematical models supporting the transition of the U.S. power grid to a more secure, efficient, and robust system.
