Science Highlights
Predictive models of environmental reaction kinetics made more accurate, scalable
Scaled up
Released: August 08, 2013
Integrated computational and experimental studies show that predictive models of biogeochemical interactions in soils are more accurate and scalable if they consider the reaction chemistry in distinct soil pore structures.
Scientists gain first quantitative insights into electron transfer from minerals to microbes
Tunable transfer
Released: July 30, 2013
Scientists have gained the first quantitative insights into electron transfer from minerals to microbes by studying that transfer in a nature-inspired, protein and iron-based 'tunable' nanoparticle system.
EMSL’s Chinook provides a new angle for validating pore-scale flow simulations
Go with the flow
Released: May 16, 2013
Scientifically, simply “going with the flow” can have great implications. In natural porous media, such as soils, subsoil vadose zones, and aquifer systems, accurately simulating detailed flow velocity fields can elucidate a multitude of macroscopic phenomena.
Micromodels redefine how bubbles characterize CO2 gas flow
Breaking down the bubbly
Released: March 20, 2013
EMSL's Microfabrication and Subsurface Flow and Transport capabilities helped scientists model how mobile bubbles in reservoir storage conditions create a flow barrier from exsolved carbon dioxide, which shows promise for future geological sequestration.
New finding shows a research area to expand in EMSL Radiochemistry Annex
Promising Science for Plutonium Cleanup
Released: July 07, 2011
Scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Rai Enviro-Chem, LLC, recently published first-ever results that illustrate the importance of certain hard-to-find reaction products related to plutonium reduction in contaminated sediments. This finding reveals an area for expansion in EMSL's new Radiochemistry Annex.
Shewanella proteins could be used to generate energy or immobilize contaminants
Wired Microbe Conducts Electricity
Released: June 10, 2011
Researchers have determined, for the first time, the molecular structure of the proteins that enable the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis to transfer an electrical charge. This new information is useful for the development of microbe-based agents that can be used to clean up legacy radioactive waste.
New geometric method developed for evaluating metal nanoparticles on tubular structures
Viewing the Tube in 3D
Released: May 24, 2011
Researchers used EMSL's scanning transmission electron microscope and tomography capabilities to test a new geometric method to extract three-dimensional information about the size and location of small catalytic particles supported on tubular structures. Understanding these new details can critically influence catalytic systems in technologies for water purification and emissions control.
Atomic force microscope enables in situ imaging of mineral-fluid interfaces in supercritical carbon dioxide
New Views of High-pressure Meetings
Released: April 29, 2011
EMSL scientists and collaborators have developed a high-pressure atomic force microscope to enable unprecedented in-situ, atomic-scale measurements of the topography of solid surface interfaces with supercritical carbon dioxide fluids. This new capability supports scientists and engineers who are developing new solutions in carbon sequestration.
