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Materials science RSS feed

SLAC develops materials to improve the performance of batteries, fuel cells and other energy technologies and set the stage for technologies of the future.

Related link: Energy sciences

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In materials hit with light, individual atoms and vibrations take disorderly paths.
Feature

Experiments shed light on pressure-driven ionization in giant planets and stars

The results offer important implications for astrophysics and nuclear fusion research.

May 24, 2023  ·  3 min read
NIF experiment
Feature
VIA Stanford

New nontoxic powder uses sunlight to quickly disinfect contaminated drinking water

A low-cost, recyclable powder can kill thousands of waterborne bacteria per second when exposed to sunlight. Stanford and SLAC scientists say the ultrafast disinfectant...

May 18, 2023
Four cups of water arranged in a cycle, illustrating a decontamination cycle.
News Release

New SLAC-Stanford Battery Center targets roadblocks to a sustainable energy transition

New SLAC-Stanford Battery Center bridges the gaps between discovering, manufacturing and deploying innovative energy storage solutions. 

April 13, 2023  ·  4 min read
Illustration showing a battery researcher at left, a battery at center and a grid of battery applications at right.
Illustration

Battery research

The new SLAC-Stanford Battery Center aims to bridge the gaps between discovering, manufacturing and deploying innovative energy storage solutions. 

April 11, 2023
Illustration showing a battery researcher at left, a battery at center and a grid of battery applications at right.
news collection

Energy and sustainability

Two of the most urgent challenges of our time – clean energy and sustainability – require investigation at the atomic level.

Aerial image of workers installing solar panels on a home.
Feature

Artificial intelligence deciphers detector "clouds" to accelerate materials research

A machine learning algorithm automatically extracts information to speed up – and extend – the study of materials with X-ray pulse pairs.

November 7, 2022  ·  3 min read
A pattern of red and yellow dots surrounded by a ring of blue dots on a black background.
Feature

Yijing Huang wins 2022 LCLS Young Investigator Award for work on controlling unique structures of semiconductors

The award celebrates Huang’s achievements studying atom-scale physics with fast X-ray pulses.

October 31, 2022  ·  2 min read
Yijing Huang at Stanford University
Feature

Molecular cage protects precious metals in catalytic converters

Encapsulating precious-metal catalysts in a web-like alumina framework could reduce the amount needed in catalytic converters – and our dependency on these scarce metals.

October 24, 2022  ·  4 min read
A web of red material encapsulates blue polyhedrons.
Illustration

Battery life and efficiency

Studies of atomic-level processes that drain battery life and efficiency help improve battery performance. 

October 11, 2022
Studies of atomic-level processes that drain battery life and efficiency help improve battery performance.
Illustration

Perovskites

Perovskites’ unusual response to light could explain the high efficiency of these next-generation solar cell materials.
October 11, 2022
Perovskites’ unusual response to light could explain the high efficiency of these next-generation solar cell materials.
Illustration

XLEAP illustration

Scientists use a series of magnets to transform an electron bunch into a narrow current spike which then produces a very intense attosecond X-ray...

September 27, 2022
XLEAP illustration
Illustration

Chemical reaction

The ultrafast, ultrabright X-ray pulses of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) have enabled unprecedented views of a catalyst in action, an important step...

September 23, 2022
Nilsson science cover