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![ORNL researchers discovered that water in beryl displays some unique and unexpected characteristics. (Photo by Jeff Scovil) ORNL researchers discovered that water in beryl displays some unique and unexpected characteristics. (Photo by Jeff Scovil)](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/berylCoverImage_horz.jpg?itok=-RJN_yV9)
![Light drives the migration of charge carriers (electrons and holes) at the juncture between semiconductors with mismatched crystal lattices. These heterostructures hold promise for advancing optoelectronics and exploring new physics. Light drives the migration of charge carriers (electrons and holes) at the juncture between semiconductors with mismatched crystal lattices. These heterostructures hold promise for advancing optoelectronics and exploring new physics.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/from%20Andy_%20Highlight%20figure%20rev1-xf%20%28resized%29.jpg?itok=pweAjHEE)
Epitaxy, or growing crystalline film layers that are templated by a crystalline substrate, is a mainstay of manufacturing transistors and semiconductors. If the material in one deposited layer is the same as the material in the next layer, it can be energetically fav...
![Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists combined imaging techniques to measure crystallization kinetics of perovskite films following exposure to a mixed halide vapor. Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists combined imaging techniques to measure crystallization kinetics of perovskite films following exposure to a mixed halide vapor.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/Perovskite_jacs.jpg?itok=DbSk7_d5)
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a potential path to further improve solar cell efficiency by understanding the competition among halogen atoms during the synthesis of sunlight-absorbing crystals.
![In unbound calyx[4]pyrrole, two pyrrole “petals” are flipped up and two, down. In unbound calyx[4]pyrrole, two pyrrole “petals” are flipped up and two, down.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/anion_hr5_0.jpg?itok=sGtLzH0E)
Atomic charges in chemical solutions are like Switzerland—they strive for neutrality. The tendency to balance charges drives dynamics when charged atoms or molecules, called ions, are present in solutions. Recently, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laborat...
![Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers made a molecule that could selectively bind to metals in the middle of the lanthanide series. Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers made a molecule that could selectively bind to metals in the middle of the lanthanide series.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/2007-P05930.jpg?itok=3VmmI1ab)
Rare earth elements are metals used in technologies from wind turbines and magnetic resonance imaging agents to industrial catalysts and high-definition televisions. Most are lanthanides, elements with atomic number from 57 to 71, lanthanum to lutetium, in the periodic table. The la...
![ORNL’s tough new plastic is made with 50 percent renewable content from biomass. Image credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy; conceptual art by Mark Robbins ORNL’s tough new plastic is made with 50 percent renewable content from biomass. Image credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy; conceptual art by Mark Robbins](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/16-G00184_VerB.jpg?itok=YJlqzCc1)
![Default image of ORNL entry sign](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-09/default-thumbnail.jpg?h=553c93cc&itok=N_Kd1DVR)
![polarization image polarization image](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/polarization_image.jpg?itok=ad3gyhwj)
Nearly 100 commercial nuclear reactors supply one-fifth of America’s energy. For each fuel rod in a reactor assembly, only 5 percent of its energy is consumed before fission can no longer be sustained efficiently for power production and the fuel assembly must be replaced. Power plan...
![ORNL’s Jim Keiser and Mike Stephens (on stepladder) prepare to install samples in a Keiser rig, a furnace for exposing materials to corrosive gases, crushing pressures and calamitous heat. Image credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy; ORNL’s Jim Keiser and Mike Stephens (on stepladder) prepare to install samples in a Keiser rig, a furnace for exposing materials to corrosive gases, crushing pressures and calamitous heat. Image credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy;](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/2016-P00365_Keiser.jpg?itok=yHaid516)