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1 June 2021
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Communique provides a biweekly review of recent Office of Science Communications and Public Affairs work, including feature stories, science highlights, social media posts, and more. This is only a sample of our recent work promoting research done at universities, national labs, and user facilities throughout the country. Please note that some links may expire after time.
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The Office of Science posted 62 news pieces between 5/18/2021 and 6/1/2021.
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Perovskites, a class of materials with a unique crystal structure, are cheaper than materials used in current solar cells and have valuable properties. Scientists from DOE’s Argonne and Oak Ridge National Laboratories observed a perovskite material’s behavior at the atomic scale, discovering how it produces electric currents.
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Lightning strikes are almost unheard of above the Arctic Circle. But scientists led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine have published new research detailing how Arctic lightning strikes stand to double over northern lands by the end of the century as the climate continues warming.
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Glaciers and ice sheets contribute to half of global sea level rise. Now a scientific collaboration, including researchers from DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, predict that sea level rise from ice melting could be halved this century—from today to 2100—if we meet the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
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A new artificial neuron device developed by researchers at the University of California San Diego opens the door to more efficient neural networks. The device can run neural network computations using 100 to 1000 times less energy and area than existing comparable hardware.
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The Office of Science posted four new highlights between 5/18/2021 and 6/1/2021.
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Pions are subatomic particles that carry the strong force that binds protons and neutrons together in nuclei. Physicists at North Carolina A&T State University measured the charge-neutral pion’s lifetime more precisely than ever before. Comparing the measured lifetime to theory helps scientists better understand the particles and forces that shape our universe.
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A new analysis of collisions of gold ions shows tantalizing signs of a “critical point,” a change in the way one form of matter changes into another. Researchers from DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory looked at how quarks and gluons, the building blocks of protons and neutrons, transform into the quark-and-gluon “soup” that filled the early universe.
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Some meteorites contain microscopic grains of stardust that were created during the explosions of stars before our solar system existed. These grains provide insight into how elements in our galaxy formed. Researchers from DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory established a criteria for determining whether particular grains originated in supernovae or other explosions called novae.
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Physics Today: Why are theorists excited about exotic nuclei?
This op-ed by Filomena Nunes (managing director of the FRIB Theory Alliance) describes why exotic nuclei like those produced by the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams – a DOE user facility – are useful to theorists in nuclear physics.
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The Office of Science sent out 93 tweets between 5/18/2021 and 6/1/2021. Here are the two most popular:
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DOE Selects New Early Career Research Program Awardees
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On May 27, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced 83 scientists who will receive a total of $100 million in funding through its Early Career Research Program. The program, now in its 12th year, supports exceptional scientists during the crucial years when many do their most formative work in the agency’s priority research areas. These awards are part of DOE’s longstanding efforts to support critical research at the nation’s universities and national labs, grow a skilled STEM workforce, and cement America as a global leader in science and innovation. The awardees represent 41 universities and 11 DOE national laboratories in 32 states. Find out more in DOE’s press release.
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Congratulations to our National Science Bowl Winners!
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The Department of Energy announced the winners of the National Science Bowl on May 24, 2021. The student team from North Hollywood Senior High School in North Hollywood, California won the 2021 DOE National Science Bowl® (NSB). In the middle school competition, students from Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington, Massachusetts took home first place earlier this month. Learn more, including the winning questions, in the DOE press release. |
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