Recent mega-hurricanes prompt calls for a new Category 6

Climate change looks set to trigger stronger storms more often, and the threat may not be properly communicated to people in the line of fire. Now, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggest there’s room for a Category 6 on the scale –… Continue reading Recent mega-hurricanes prompt calls for a new Category 6

Bacteria recruited to build endlessly recyclable plastic

Plastic is one of the most useful materials in our modern world, but unfortunately it’s also one of the worst in a sustainability sense. Now, scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a way to engineer bacteria to produce raw materials that can be made… Continue reading Bacteria recruited to build endlessly recyclable plastic

Ionic cooling system melts and freezes material to cycle temperature

Heating and cooling systems are among the biggest guzzlers of energy, contributing to a vicious cycle of climate change that then drives higher use of heating and cooling. Now engineers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new technology that heats and coo… Continue reading Ionic cooling system melts and freezes material to cycle temperature

Simple alloy claims crown of toughest material ever recorded

A simple alloy has claimed the crown for toughest material ever recorded. In a new study, a team led by researchers at Berkeley Lab ran the alloy through a series of tests and discovered not only its incredible toughness, but high strength and ductilit… Continue reading Simple alloy claims crown of toughest material ever recorded

World’s fastest internet network upgraded to staggering 46 Terabit/s

The fastest internet network in the US just got a bit faster. The Energy Sciences Network (Esnet) has been upgraded to ESnet6, boasting a blistering bandwidth of 46 Terabits per second (Tbps). But don’t warm up your downloading fingers just yet – it’s … Continue reading World’s fastest internet network upgraded to staggering 46 Terabit/s

Engineered yeast produces complex cancer drug, saving tons of flowers

A commonly used cancer drug called vinblastine is sourced from certain flowers, but unfortunately it takes literally tons of plant matter to make each gram of the drug. To find an alternative source, scientists have now engineered yeast to produce the … Continue reading Engineered yeast produces complex cancer drug, saving tons of flowers

Electronic circuit degrades on demand into recyclable pieces

Old electronics are tricky to recycle, meaning they clog up landfills while locking valuable metals away. Now scientists have demonstrated printed circuits that can be degraded on demand, returning their materials to reusable forms.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading Electronic circuit degrades on demand into recyclable pieces

Bacteria-made biofuel packs higher energy density than jet fuel

As effective as fossil fuels may be, their impact on the planet cannot be overstated. Now researchers at Berkeley Lab have coaxed bacteria into directly producing a new biofuel with an energy density significantly higher than jet fuel.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Bacteria-made biofuel packs higher energy density than jet fuel

Isotope-pure silicon nanowires could make computer chips much cooler

Where there’s electricity, there’s usually heat – and that’s a major hurdle for shrinking electronic devices. Scientists have now found that nanowires made of a certain isotope of silicon can conduct heat 150 percent better than regular silicon, potent… Continue reading Isotope-pure silicon nanowires could make computer chips much cooler

Largest-ever 3D map of the universe reveals gigantic cosmic web

Data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument’s (DESI’s) first survey run has produced the largest and most detailed 3D map of the universe so far. The stunning image reveals the gigantic cosmic web of galaxies across billions of light-years – and… Continue reading Largest-ever 3D map of the universe reveals gigantic cosmic web