Feature Articles

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Jun-2026 04:15 ET (21-Jun-2026 08:15 GMT/UTC)

Scientists uncover an exotic magnetic phase of matter

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

At the quantum mechanics level, the mystery of what happens when electrons transition between metallic and insulator states has intrigued physicists for nearly 60 years. Modern instrumentation has provided a fascinating glimpse at the answer.

Journal: Nature Communications

No small potatoes: Understanding risks and impacts to our agricultural supply

DOE/Idaho National Laboratory

The pandemic inspired an interest in how resilient our nation’s production and distribution systems are, against similar large-scale social disruptions as well as climate-related impacts. An INL research team interested in addressing these challenges identified food and agriculture as one sector to better understand. From there, they searched for an appropriate commodity to serve as their first official case study. For an Idaho-based team, the three most obvious options were milk, wheat and potatoes.

Always adapting: Scientists use Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source to fight SARS-CoV-2 variants

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Knowing variants of concern can spike rates of illness and death around the globe, scientists using the APS are concentrating efforts on mutations of the virus that causes COVID-19.

An electric connection: Homes helping the grid

DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

A new control system shows promise in making millions of homes contributors to improved power grid operations, reaping cost and environmental benefits.

Six ways the Advanced Photon Source is making the world better

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Pivotal discoveries at Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source make the world better every day. Here are six that help us, inspire us and add to the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

AI for a clean energy future: Researchers use machine learning for advanced fuel development

DOE/Idaho National Laboratory

For the first time, a team of Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and University of Idaho researchers has successfully applied machine learning to characterizing the microstructure of metallic nuclear fuel, the fine details only visible under powerful magnification.

Journal: Materials Characterization
Funder: Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy

Taking charge of safety: How the BADGE diagnostics platform will provide reliable electric vehicle battery data

DOE/Idaho National Laboratory

INL researchers are addressing electric vehicle battery safety concerns with the recently deployed Battery Advanced DiaGnostics Evaluation (BADGE) platform.

Center advancing beyond lithium battery technologies generates 30-plus patents for licensing

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Researchers at the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research have invented a wide and diverse range of technologies in the “beyond lithium-ion” space, including 30-plus patents now available for licensing.

Argonne’s Globus software wins award at 2021 Data Mover Challenge

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Research data management platform Globus took home the Best Integrated Software Experience Award at the 2021 Data Mover Challenge.

Tracking data: DOE’s 40th edition Transportation Energy Data Book monitors US mobility trends, charges up on electric outlook

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

For decades, the Department of Energy’s annual Transportation Energy Data Book has tracked trends in U.S. transportation, serving as the definitive guide for industry, policymakers, researchers and consumers. The most recent version is now available online, marking the book’s 40th edition. Produced and maintained by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in collaboration with DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, the widely acknowledged book holds more than 1,000 citations in scholarly reports to date and its impact is felt internationally, too, as automakers use the information to support the engineering of energy-efficient vehicles.