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ORNL study uses neutron scattering, supercomputing to demystify forces at play in biofuel production

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers studying more effective ways to convert woody plant matter into biofuels have identified fundamental forces that change plant structures during pretreatment processes used in the production of bioenergy.

Journal: Green Chemistry

November story tips from Oak Ridge National Laboratory

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The following are story ideas from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory for November 2013.

Journal: Physical Review Letters

Neutrons, electrons and theory reveal secrets of natural gas reserves

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Gas and oil deposits in shale have no place to hide from an Oak Ridge National Laboratory technique that provides an inside look at pores and reveals structural information potentially vital to the nation's energy needs.

Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A

October story tips from Oak Ridge National Laboratory

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The following are story ideas from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory for October 2013.

Toxic methylmercury-producing microbes more widespread than realized

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Microbes that live in rice paddies, northern peat bogs and other previously unexpected environments are among the bacteria that can generate highly toxic methylmercury, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center have learned.

September 2013 story tips

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Families of thousands of victims of social violence may gain closure, and killers may receive appropriate punishment, because of a suite of technologies able to locate clandestine graves. While investigators can find some graves, perhaps hundreds of thousands remain undiscovered.

ORNL-grown oxygen 'sponge' presents path to better catalysts, energy materials

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new oxygen "sponge" that can easily absorb or shed oxygen atoms at low temperatures. Materials with these novel characteristics would be useful in devices such as rechargeable batteries, sensors, gas converters and fuel cells.

Journal: Nature Materials

ORNL superconducting wire yields unprecedented performance

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The ability to control nanoscale imperfections in superconducting wires results in materials with unparalleled and customized performance, according to a new study from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Journal: Scientific Reports

ORNL finding goes beyond surface of oxide films

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Better batteries, catalysts, electronic information storage and processing devices are among potential benefits of an unexpected discovery made by ORNL scientists using samples isolated from the atmosphere.

Journal: Nanoscale

ORNL research reveals new challenges for mercury cleanup

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

More forms of mercury can be converted to deadly methylmercury than previously thought, according to a study published Sunday in Nature Geoscience. The discovery provides scientists with another piece of the mercury puzzle, bringing them one step closer to understanding the challenges associated with mercury cleanup.

Journal: Nature Geoscience
Funder: DOE/US Department of Energy