- Number 385 |
- April 1, 2013
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Quarks' spins dictate their location in the proton
A successful measurement of the distribution of quarks that make up protons conducted at DOE's Jefferson Lab has found that a quark's spin can predict its general location inside the proton. Quarks with spin pointed in the up direction will congregate in the left half of the proton, while down-spinning quarks hang out on the right. The research also confirms that scientists are on track to the first-ever three-dimensional inside view of the proton.
The proton lies at the heart of every atom that builds our visible universe, yet scientists are still struggling to obtain a detailed picture of how it is composed of its primary building blocks: quarks and gluons. Too small to see with ordinary microscopes, protons and their quarks and gluons are instead illuminated by particle accelerators. At Jefferson Lab, the CEBAF accelerator directs a stream of electrons into protons, and huge detectors then collect information about how the particles interact. -
Adding natural elements to synthetic catalysts speeds hydrogen production
By grafting features analogous to those in Mother Nature's catalysts onto a synthetic catalyst, scientists at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory created a hydrogen production catalyst that is 40% faster than the unmodified catalyst. The team discovered that adding small molecules made from amino acids in the outer coordination sphere increased the speed without requiring additional energy to drive the catalyst. The outer coordination sphere is part of the catalyst's scaffolding. It creates channels used by electrons and protons to reach the heart of the catalyst, where the reaction occurs. This study graces the cover of Chemistry: A European Journal.
To build energy storage for wind farms, long-lasting electric car batteries, and new affordable fuels, scientists must create never-before-seen catalysts that are both fast and durable. These catalysts must be based on earth-abundant metals, like nickel and iron. This study provides foundational information that could, one day, help design and synthesize these catalysts. -
Computational study of ionic liquids illuminates detailed CO2 interactions
Ionic liquids (ILs), which can be thought of as salts that are molten at room temperature, are being studied for use as part of CO2 adsorption and/or separation technologies. These applications depend on having strong interactions between the CO2 and the ions of the IL. In order for significant advances to occur in this area of research, the interaction between the CO2 and each IL must be understood and described with accuracy. Computational methods are used to describe these interactions on a molecular level.
National Energy Technology Laboratory scientist Jan Steckel has used a variety of methods to elucidate the complex nature of the interactions between CO2 and acetate ion. The results of this study were published recently in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A. The acetate ion was chosen because it is representative of the anions used in many ILs currently under investigation as CO2 sorbents or as part of a separation technology. -
Reinventing the power line cable
Materials scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory are researching ways to perfect a next generation power cable made of an aluminum and calcium composite. Cables of this composite will be lighter and stronger, and its conductivity at least 10 percent better than existing materials for DC power, a growing segment of global power transmission. The steel-cored aluminum cables used today have been the industry standard for nearly half a century, but are a classic example of engineering “trade-offs.”
“Pure aluminum power cable would be the perfect answer. Aluminum is light, highly conductive, easy to work with, and inexpensive. Its big failing is that it’s too weak. If you put pure aluminum cables up, they would sag right to the ground,” says Ames Laboratory materials scientist Alan Russell.
The steel core is necessary to hold them aloft, but adds weight and a host of difficulties in manufacturing, spooling, erecting, and maintaining traditional cable.
“The amount that aluminum and steel deform under elastic loading is different so you start to have problems with the fact you’ve got two very dissimilar metals clamped together. Then you add ice, plus wind, plus the occasional hurricane or tornado,” said Russell, “and a cable of one uniform material begins to look immensely appealing.”