Science Highlights

Date Postedsort ascending
The behavior of magnetic moments in metal oxides such as layered iridium is dominated by strong spin-orbit coupling effects. In layered compounds such as Sr3Ir2O7 (shown on the left), the direction of these moments (blue arrows) is controlled at the quantum level by dipolar interactions that are akin to those of classical bar magnets. Another outcome is an unprecedented 'magnon gap' (shown at right), which was measured at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source and reveals that these underlying dipolar magnetic interactions are extremely strong.
 Quantum spins mimic refrigerator magnets

Argonne researchers have identified a new design path for manipulating the orientation of an electron spin without using magnetic fields.

 October 11, 2012
Chicago Ideas week to feature two Argonne speakers

Chicago Ideas Week is about the sharing of ideas, inspiring action, and igniting change to positively impact our world. Two Argonne speakers will participate.

 October 9, 2012
A floating water bridge is generated between two beakers each containing water and electrodes that generate a substantial voltage. Image by Gregory Maxwell via GNU Free Documentation.
 Scientists study bridge over troubled water

Over a hundred years ago, English aristocrat William Armstrong used electricity to build a bridge out of water. A new experiment performed at the Advanced Photon Source may shed light on the properties of the “flowing water bridge” and perhaps help resolve an old dispute about the physical nature of water.

 October 5, 2012
Predicted binding mode of quinazoline 2 in yellow overlaid with pyrimidine 3. (From P.A. Harris et al., J. Med. Chem. 51(15) 4632 (2008).)
 Tumor stunting drug grows to fight multiple types of cancer

A successful drug for fighting advanced kidney cancer, partly developed from research at Argonne National Laboratory, has been approved for use against soft tissue sarcoma.

 October 3, 2012
Taking another look at the atmosphere

A new study by researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and two universities in the United Kingdom demonstrates a new method for obtaining more accurate measurements of atmospheric processes.

 September 24, 2012
Caught in the light: Studying photostorage

A team of scientists successfully elucidated the mechanism of the photostorage step in the thermally reversible photoisomerization of FvRu2(CO)4.

 September 24, 2012
Argonne to study safer handling of electric vehicle batteries after accidents

Researchers will be receiving $1.5 million in funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a procedure for managing the stranded energy left in high-voltage electric vehicle battery packs after an accident.

 September 17, 2012
Above: Fermilab National Laboratory prairie, where Argonne researchers studied carbon dioxide uptake according to differences in soil. (Courtesy of Fermilab Visual Media Services)
 Studying photosynthesis and soil respiration interactions in a grassland ecosystem

A research team from Argonne’s Biological Sciences Division and Environmental Science Division investigated the relationships of net ecosystem carbon exchange, soil temperature, and moisture with soil respiration rate and its components at a grassland ecosystem.

 September 10, 2012
A roofer installs Dow POWERHOUSE solar shingles. (Image courtesy Dow)
 Dow POWERHOUSE solar shingles reinvent the roof

Research at the Advanced Photon Source played a significant role in the development of Dow POWERHOUSE™ roofing shingles, which incorporate a photovoltaic system in the roofing material that provides power for the house.

 September 3, 2012
Magnetic modes in Sr2IrO4 hint at exotic superconductivity

Researchers from Argonne’s Materials Science Division and the Advanced Photon Source used resonant inelastic x-ray scattering to reveal novel magnetic excitations in single crystals of the 5d transition metal oxide Sr2IrO4.

 August 27, 2012