Research Highlights Archive
Research is our business. With an unwavering focus on our missions, scientists and engineers at PNNL deliver science and technology. We conduct basic research that advances the frontiers of science. We translate discoveries into tools and technologies in science, energy, the environment and national security.
For more than four decades, our experts have teamed with government, industry and academia to tackle some of the toughest problems facing our nation. The result: We're delivering the science, technology and leadership our customers need to succeed.
To view previously featured research and scientist's achievements, click on a month.
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January
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How do Microbes do Chemistry?
PNNL researchers are characterizing chemical and physical interactions of biofilms produced by microbes. This information is used to provide insight on how the tiny microorganisms influence much larger reactions and processes, such as the migration of chemicals and radionuclides underground for environmental research. [ Full Story ]
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Scientists Put Spotlight on Samples Smaller than a Period
Scientist studying toxin-eating microbes, cancer cell propagation and other processes involving tiny samples need powerful microscopes that can focus on objects nearly 1,000 times smaller than a period. PNNL researchers recently developed an incredibly small and intense spotlight that can do just that. [ Full Story ]
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PNNL to Map the Wind
Using Doppler technology, PNNL researchers are mapping the wind patterns off the Oregon coast. The study is part of the U.S. government's "all of the above" strategy to develop secure domestic energy sources. [ Full Story ]
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Activity-Based Protein Profiling Suggests How Fungus Becomes Pathogenic
Two unique chemical probes designed at PNNL are helping scientists determine how a pathogenic organism responsible for a severe lung infection thrives in human serum, a protein found in blood plasma. [ Full Story ]
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February
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Technology to Keep Troops Cool, Use Less Fuel
Researchers at PNNL are adapting an energy-efficient air chiller system for field military bases on the front lines of battle that will use 50 percent less fuel. The system’s decreased fuel consumption also could save lives by reducing attacks on troops who transport fuel in supply convoys. [ Full Story ]
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New Modeling Method Captures Cotton-Ball Clouds' Shading Effects
PNNL researchers updated a frequently used computer model that represents the impact of small, fair-weather clouds on the amount of sunshine reaching Earth's surface. The new method includes changes in temperature and humidity near the surface will lead to improved climate forecasts. [ Full Story ]
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Sunlight Absorbing Black Soot from Human Activities Contributes to Climate Warming
Soot, or black carbon, has twice the climate-warming strength than previously thought. An international team that included PNNL used a new method to identify the black carbon signature in atmospheric warming. [ Full Story ]
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New Protein Probes Find Enzymes for Biofuel Production
New protein probes and proteomics tools at EMSL are helping PNNL researchers find the best biomass-to-biofuel production enzymes that nature has to offer. [ Full Story ]
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The Point at which Light and Nanomaterial Films Intersect Could Lead to Energy Applications
PNNL scientists are investigating the interaction of light with nanomaterial films for potential energy applications. This optical microscope image shows an edge region of a nanomaterial film. Multi-colored sections indicate different thicknesses of the film. [ Full Story ]
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Researchers Study Fabrication Techniques for Advancing Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
PNNL researchers are developing cost-effective materials, such as coated stainless steel interconnects, and fabrication techniques for components in solid oxide fuel cell stacks. Fuel cells are highly efficient devices for converting chemical energy from fuel into electricity. Their high efficiency conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. [ Full Story ]
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March
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Unique Solvent Removes Hydrogen Sulfide from Natural Gas
Natural gas, an affordable energy source, also harbors hydrogen sulfide&emdash;a toxin that must be removed. PNNL discovered a method to remove hydrogen sulfide that is more effective and efficient than current techniques. [ Full Story ]
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Explosives Vapor Detection Technology: the New "Sniff Test"
A quick and sensitive "sniffing" process to detect minute traces of explosives on luggage, cargo or passengers was demonstrated by PNNL. The discovery could lead to safer passage through airports. [ Full Story ]
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BPA Found in Plastics Too Low to Be Harmful
A controversial component of plastic bottles and canned food linings that have helped make the world's food supply safer has come under attack: bisphenol A. Widely known as BPA, it has the potential to mimic the sex hormone estrogen if blood and tissue levels are high enough. Now, exposure studies show that in the general population, people's exposure may be many times too low for BPA to effectively mimic estrogen in the human body. [ Full Story ]
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Synthetic Molecule First Electricity-Making Catalyst to Use Iron to Split Hydrogen Gas
PNNL scientists discovered the first iron-based catalyst that converts hydrogen directly to electricity. The result moves chemists and engineers one step closer to widely affordable fuel cells. [ Full Story ]
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