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.
Termite digestive-tract microorganisms: a resource to fuel the future
Gut reaction
Released: August 07, 2013
Determining how microbial symbionts within a termite’s intestinal tract transform its lignocellulosic diet into useable energy—or its very own biofuel—may provide a new pathway for generating cost-effective biochemical conversion methods.
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.
New insight into Salmonella infection revealed by top-down proteomics strategies at EMSL
The switch
Released: June 26, 2013
A first-of-its-kind molecular switch has been discovered in the food-poisoning bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium. Reported in PNAS, this discovery was made possible with the help of top-down proteomics strategies at EMSL.
New study reveals chemical transformations of ambient organic aerosols
Agents of change
Released: June 14, 2013
Scientists used EMSL’s nano-DESI and mass spectrometry capabilities to analyze the molecular composition of atmospheric organic aerosols, or OA, and uncovered a new method for investigating OA that may lead to more precise climate models.
Biofilms move electrons long distances across two distinct layers, even under starving conditions
Long distance
Released: May 23, 2013
Bacteria can move electrons at least half a millimeter across a scaffolding made by themselves, of themselves, even under starving conditions—this new finding by EMSL staff and users challenges conventional wisdom.
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.
Theory models, EMSL capabilities illuminate how particles grow in the atmosphere
From clusters to clouds
Released: April 09, 2013
With EMSL’s mass spectrometry capabilities, scientists examined and modeled kinetics and energetics of clusters that may serve as precursors to atmospheric new particle formation. Their discoveries may improve the accuracy of existing atmospheric models.
