The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced, at the Office of Science Advisory Committee meeting, investments in fundamental scientific research and technology development across a wide range of disciplines in the physical sciences. These awards, totaling over $320 million, will support 217 university and industry projects aimed at expanding the frontiers of knowledge and addressing critical science and technology needs. The awards span materials science, nuclear and particle physics, fusion energy, quantum information science, and chemical molecular sciences to study molecular interfaces.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding to advance the Genesis Mission’s efforts to tackle the nation’s most complex science and technology challenges. This includes a $293 million Request for Application (RFA),“The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI.” Through this RFA, DOE invites interdisciplinary teams to leverage novel AI models and frameworks to address over 20 national challenges spanning advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear energy, and quantum information science. 

(Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers who discovered a versatile type of two-dimensional conductive nanomaterial, called a MXene, nearly a decade and a half ago, have now reported on a process for producing its one-dimensional cousin: the MXene nanoscroll. The group posits that these materials, which are 100 times thinner than human hair yet more conductive than their two-dimensional counterparts, could be used to improve the performance of energy storage devices, biosensors and wearable technology.

(Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers developed a new drying technique for cellulose nanofibers that uses counter-rotating vortices (“mini tornadoes”) of heated compressed air to rapidly dehydrate a wet cellulose slurry. The innovation of producing these mini tornadoes to dry cellulose nanofibers is more energy efficient, effective and scalable than the current freeze and spray drying methods.

(Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Researchers established a theoretical analysis to define two regions, one where nanoscale interfacial dynamics are critical and another where the flow is accurately modeled by standard continuum theory. By demonstrating the important role of chemistry and molecular-scale interactions on confined fluid flows, the results can help guide future studies on when to apply different modeling approaches. These findings can help enhance the effectiveness of molecular-based simulations for investigating complex confined systems in nanofluidics, biology, and colloidal science, offering a complementary molecular-scale perspective to traditional continuum approaches.