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Study Shines New Light on Li-Battery Cathode Materials

Researchers clarified key reaction mechanisms in a Li-battery cathode material, revealing its surprising utility as a catalyst for next-gen batteries. The work refutes widely held ideas about reversible reactions in a highly debated material for Li-based batteries and expands the range of materials suitable for use in high-power batteries and fuel cells. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Skyrmion Creation and Annihilation Made Simple

Researchers developed a simple approach to writing and deleting skyrmions on demand, using heat and magnetic fields generated by an electrical current, by-products normally considered problematic. The ubiquitous character of these effects, coupled with simplicity of design, offers much-needed scalability and broad applicability. Read more »

Tuning of One Atomic Layer Unlocks Catalytic Pathway

An atomically precise surface probe helped researchers discover that a catalyst can be activated by tuning the composition of just one atomic surface layer. The work sharpens our understanding of how surface changes can improve the production of hydrogen fuel from water using efficient catalysts made of inexpensive materials. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Redirecting dynamic surface restructuring of a layered transition metal oxide catalyst for superior water oxidation

Electrocatalysts, particularly those for water oxidation, often experience substantial or at least partial reconstruction. Here, Wang et al. are able to control surface reconstruction using a cationic redox-tuning method on layered LiCoO2–xClx catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. The resulting optimized catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance in alkaline electrolyte. Read more »

Mystery Protein Helps COVID–19 Avoid Immunity

Using the Advanced Light Source (ALS), researchers solved the structure of ORF8, a protein specific to SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the structure of ORF8 opens the door to therapy studies targeting SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19. Read more »PPT-icon-35 PDF-icon-35

Gas-phase synthesis of corannulene—a molecular building block of fullerenes

Fullerenes have been implicated to play a key role in the astrochemical evolution of the interstellar medium. However, the formation mechanism of even their simplest molecular building block—corannulene—has remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that corannulene can be synthesized in the gas phase through reactions mimicking conditions in carbon-rich circumstellar envelopes. Read more »

A COSMIC Approach to Nanoscale Science

COSMIC, a multipurpose x-ray instrument, has made headway since its launch less than two years ago, with groundbreaking contributions in fields ranging from batteries to biominerals. Its capabilities include world-leading microscopy resolution, extreme chemical sensitivity, and ultrafast scanning speed. Read more »

Additive Lithography–Organic Monolayer Patterning Coupled with an Area-Selective Deposition

This scene depicts the layer-by-layer growth of an inorganic film in a selected area. The alternation of a chemical agent (blue) deposits on a gray substrate to form an inorganic film.  A cross-linked organic material (tan) locally inhibits this reaction and prevents film deposition. Furthermore, the pattern-wise cross-linking of this organic film enables nanoscale pattern generation. Read more »

Ashley White Selected as Women @ The Lab 2020 Honoree

The Women Scientists & Engineers Council recognizes the Women @ The Lab 2020 honorees for their meritorious professional contributions, leadership, mentorship, and outreach. A virtual W@TL event is being planned for March 30th, 3:00 pm–4:30 pm. Read more »