Researchers discovered that a polymer additive promotes smooth, layer-by-layer deposition on metal electrodes by tuning interactions with the substrate.

Anisotropies in surface potential driven by competitive ion adsorption can alter facet selectivity during oriented attachment.

Summarizing the state of designed protein hybrid materials, researchers celebrate both the 50th anniversary of the MRS Bulletin and the 2025 Fred Kavli Distinguished Lecturers in Materials Science, Jim De Yoreo and David Baker.

Specially designed histidine-containing peptoids mimic carbonic anhydrase to accelerate calcite step growth.

Imaging ice microstructures formed by water freezing with atomic resolution for the first time.

Tailored assemblies mimic natural enzyme activity with significantly higher stability.

In high-entropy oxides, chromium tends to segregate during growth due to oxidation-induced migration of smaller, high-valence cations.

Researchers developed a way to precisely control dopant structures and locations in carbon-based materials.

Researchers developed a pathway for the solution synthesis of core–crown heterostructures with controlled electronic properties.

Under an optical field, nanoparticle attachment in a model system heavily depends on surface roughness.

Chromium cations better adapt to changes in oxygen stoichiometry than iron cations.

Using interfacial charge transfer to control cation charges in oxide superlattices offers insights for designing functional heterostructures.

Calcium carbonate mineralization occurs through a multi-step process that begins with a dense liquid phase.

A newly funded project will develop the fundamental understanding of phenomena that underpin material properties important for quantum applications.

Fully identifying what controls nanocrystal assembly requires incorporating non-traditional forces into models.

PNNL and collaborators developed new models—recently approved by the U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)—to help utilities understand how new grid-forming inverter technology will enhance grid stability.

PNNL helps deliver efficiency-related rules and requirements that steadily improve performance of America’s buildings, saving energy and costs and reducing carbon emissions.

Combining X-ray-based techniques allows researchers to locate and characterize small concentrations of electrons in complex semiconductor films.

Elias Nakouzi brings 3D atomic force microcopy expertise to a project focused on understanding how hybrid bio-based nanomaterials assemble.

Mandy Mahoney, director of the DOE Building Technologies Office, visited PNNL in late November. One key agenda item involved meeting with staff for a discussion of effective equity and justice integration in buildings-related research.