The Science Accurately simulating the ground states of molecular electronic systems is at the heart of theoretical chemistry and materials science but is challenging as chemical complexity increases. Researchers combined double unitary coupled cluster ( …
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are collaborating across domains, operational environments, and stakeholders to strengthen science and technology for homeland security. In “The Science of Connecting: Partnering with National …
The Science Peptoids are a class of biomimetic polymers with increased stability and extensive design flexibility, which can aid in the synthesis of complex bio-inspired materials with novel functions. Researchers took inspiration from carbonic anhydrases …
The Science The dissolution of minerals is a complex process, key to models at the molecular and macroscopic scales. Researchers studied the dissolution of gibbsite, an aluminum-based mineral that is an important component of legacy radioactive tank waste. …
Emma Cotter, an environmental engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and joint appointee at the University of Washington, was appointed an associate director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC). PMEC is a consortium of …
The Science The formation of metal hydrides is important to a wide range of energy technologies, from hydrogen storage to fusion materials. Researchers used palladium (Pd) nanoparticles, which have a high hydrogen affinity and can be precisely synthesized, …
The Science Plastic wastes represent a significant source of trapped, but potentially valuable, chemical feedstocks. Converting plastics into usable chemicals remains a challenge given their different chemistries, particularly mixtures that include …
The Science Fluids flow differently in confined channels than in open spaces, requiring alternative approaches to modeling their behavior. As the channels become smaller, the effects of molecular-scale processes can increase. Researchers investigated where …
The Science The intrinsic radioactivity and unfavorable nuclear properties of actinide isotopes make it distinctly challenging to directly observe their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. In 2012, researchers obtained an NMR spectrum of 239Pu for …
Scientific innovations are often heralded as the work of great individuals whose independent contributions move their fields forward with prodigious leaps—people love a hero story. Looking closer, we find that many discoveries are nearly simultaneously …
Utilities across Washington took steps to strengthen the grid during recent resilience planning workshops hosted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Washington State Department of Commerce. This statewide series is designed to help …
The Science Pandemics caused by emerging human viruses are a persistent global threat. Current antiviral therapies often fail because they directly target the virus, which rapidly mutates to evade immune responses and treatments. Under the Predictive …
RICHLAND, Wash.—Scientists were pleased when they learned more about how the common cold gains a foothold in the body, identifying key cellular checkpoints that are important targets of the virus. But the real excitement extends far beyond the cold virus, …
Thirteen Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) staff and two research affiliates appear on Clarivate’s 2025 list of the world’s most highly cited researchers. Citations by other researchers are one important measure of impact in scientific research …
Just as streaming services have replaced CDs and DVDs by letting people watch or listen without downloading the content first, data streaming lets scientists analyze raw data from tools like microscopes and drones without needing to save the entire dataset …
Chemical reactions are complicated, with lots of different variables that can be tuned during an optimization process. Given the vast number of possible combinations, researchers have turned to high-throughput experimentation combined with robotics and …
By now, anyone with a smart phone has encountered generative AI (GenAI). The fast-moving technology has been rapidly adopted by companies, schools, and health care providers, among others. But many people who could benefit from mastering AI skills don’t …
This year marks six decades of innovation at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), proudly operated by Battelle since 1965. Generations of staff at PNNL have advanced science and technology outcomes to meet the evolving …
Determining the geographic source of agricultural products, such as honey, is important for international trade to help ensure food quality, avoid mislabeling, and enhance economic security. A study by researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ( …
The Science Ice is everywhere, but its full structure at the atomic level has remained challenging to determine. Researchers obtained the first images of ice crystallized from liquid water with atomic resolution. This required developing a new electron …
