Feature Articles
Radiation is found in many forms throughout the EFRCs. It inspires, assists in, and drives the diverse research that scientists are doing in regards to solar energy, detailed imaging, and nuclear waste management.
“The more, the merrier” is true for most occasions, but for catalysts, sometimes having less is beneficial, especially when it comes to using platinum and other costly metals. Two EFRCs show how less expensive metals can be used in catalysts without sacrificing performance.
The problem with contemporary nuclear waste storage is the same problem with any container: it can get damaged. One way of fixing this problem is not to focus on the containers themselves, but instead think about the actual form the waste is in. Two centers are finding answers.
Chemistry is like a puzzle, where the right equations, laws, and, of course, exceptions to those laws must fit in order to put the pieces together. Solving these puzzles fascinated Samantha Johnson in high school and inspired her to pursue a career in science. She is now a postdoctoral fellow with the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis (CME) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC).
Research Highlights
During plant growth, specific enzymes let cellulose fibers get longer and wider. Understanding this growth process could lead to new ways to gather and break cellulose into the precursors of biofuels.
New batteries that last longer and charge in about the same amount of time as it takes to fill the car’s gas tank could change the face of transportation. Seeing what happens inside a battery while it charges or powers vehicles has been a challenge. Until now.
What if waste water could be turned into hydrogen fuel? The problem is that it is tough to split water, until new catalysts were discovered that help make hydrogen production more efficient and cost-effective.
Water bottles. X-ray films. Curtains. The connection? These materials all require the chemical para-xylene, but separating it from two similarly sized chemicals requires heat. Scientists wanted a more energy-efficient option.
In a clever tango with water, oxygen atoms traverse across a gold catalyst’s surface. The steps in that dance can teach us a lot about designing ultra-efficient catalysts.
Scientists are looking for fast, efficient ways to snap together short molecules from renewable resources to create energy-dense fuels, but they need to avoid uphill reactions. Scientists calculated possible synthesis routes to pick the easiest ones.
Disclaimer: The opinions in this newsletter are those of the individual authors and do not represent the views or position of the Department of Energy.