From studying the multisector ripple effects of extreme events to exploring the chemical reactions that underlie life on Earth, two up-and-coming PNNL scientists were recognized for their scientific vision and prowess.
Researchers discovered that frustrated electric forces drive a novel precipitation pathway called microphase separation and identified a precursor intermediate state of ordered ion networks.
Scientists uncovered the molecular basis of nitric acid speciation across dilute and concentrated solutions and identified competing hydration-shell rearrangements around lanthanide ions at the dilute limit.
Amine functionalized graphene oxide yields laminates with an enhanced capacity to adsorb rare earth elements, improved water transport, and greater stability for effective membrane-based separation of critical minerals.
Using multiple specialized techniques, IDREAM researchers gained a better understanding of how trace impurities within gibbsite affect the hydrogen yield.
Research provided definitive spectroscopic characterization, reactivity, and deactivation of a reactive monomeric diphosphine-copper hydride intermediate.
The Department of Energy’s Transportation Technologies Office has issued two 2026 Annual Merit Review Awards to researchers from PNNL. Both awards recognize PNNL researchers whose work is reducing the need for critical materials.
Replacing commercial acid with acidic waste enables researchers to improve nickel extraction efficiency, lower projected costs, and improve process economics.
Researchers discovered that a polymer additive promotes smooth, layer-by-layer deposition on metal electrodes by tuning interactions with the substrate.
From exploring the development of transformative materials to strengthening biotechnology, six up-and-coming PNNL scientists were recognized for their scientific vision and prowess.
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.
Localized gradients in magnetic fields have long-range effects on the concentration of rare earth ions in solution, facilitating field-driven extraction of critical minerals.
Yong Wang will lead the Institute for Integrated Catalysis, advancing the science and technology of catalysis to address global challenges in energy resilience.
Researcher and graduate student Renyu Zheng selected for premier research recognition from the University of Washington Chemical Engineering Department.
Early career researchers recognized with Team Science Award by the Department of Energy for presentation highlighting the collaborative science performed by IDREAM.
The Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences and Advanced Scientific Computing Research programs will support the partnership’s work on nuclear quantum behavior.
A team independently verified solid-state plutonium signal in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and acquired new fundamental insights of the physics and chemistry of plutonium dioxide.
Hydrogen preferentially inserts at grain boundaries between interconnected chains of palladium nanoparticles, which have a lower energy barrier for hydrogen incorporation into the material.
A closed-loop workflow brings together digital and physical frameworks to advance high-throughput experimentation on redox-active molecules in flow batteries.
