A Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory team has uncovered a new thermal decomposition pathway for an important explosive compound.
Science and Technology Highlights
![LLNL researcher Nitish Govindarajan sits at table](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Govindarajan_Cu%20electrodes_1280px.jpg?h=8b31135d&itok=3X5PY8ha)
A multi-disciplinary team used chemical transient kinetics and microkinetic modeling to understand a key reaction in electrochemical CO2 conversion.
![LLNL scientist Xavier Mayali sits in a laboratory](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Microbial%20research_Xavier%20Mayali_1750px.jpg?h=ed083b00&itok=fUtsElbB)
New research by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the University of Oklahoma, and other collaborators significantly changes how we understand the global nitrogen cycle.
![The spent target assembly is reported in the cover article of Physical Review Letters](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Ignition-Target-dec5_PRL_1750px.jpg?h=ed083b00&itok=CV42Ps6B)
The details of the historic Dec. 5, 2022, fusion ignition experiment are presented in the Feb. 5, 2024, issue of Physical Review Letters.
![Defense Programs Award of Excellence graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Defense%20Programs%20Award%20of%20Excellence%20FY22_12-14-23.jpg?h=7be125e4&itok=u5JxT-83)
Seven teams of LLNL researchers were honored with the Defense Programs Award of Excellence for their outstanding contributions.
![Graphic depicting structural components of plants being broken down into simple sugars by enzymes](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Using%20ag%20residues%20for%20fuel%20and%20chemicals-Green%20chemistry.jpg?h=c673cd1c&itok=uOzWJZ5Z)
A research team sheds new light on how to access the sugars locked up in plant materials in order to convert byproducts into new feedstocks.
![Dayne Fratanduono, deputy NIF director leading the effort for the enhanced yield capability, stands in a critical spot under the NIF beamline.](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Dayne-Fratanduono-1280px.jpg?h=1c9b88c9&itok=Y_djW0iV)
Studies using recent ignition experiments indicate such an upgrade in laser energy could increase fusion output by a factor of 10, resulting in yields in the 30 MJ range.
![Nature logo](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Sci-Reports-Nature_875px.jpg?h=32e18031&itok=DN7NaLcR)
Scientists at LLNL have found that synthetic antibacterial minerals exhibit potent antibacterial activity against topical MRSA infections and increase the rate of wound closure.
![Illustrative graphic of the Earth's core](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2024-03/Earths%20Core_Image_875x500.jpg?h=f967cf33&itok=X3VvAq_W)
Researchers combined lasers and X-ray diffraction methods to examine how different crystal structures of iron are related to each other.
![Researchers pictured with a hydrogen storage system](/sites/default/files/styles/news_item_image/public/2023-12/72647_GS%20Verne%20Hydrogen%20cell_500.jpg?h=9e499333&itok=Dyx04R24)
Researchers from LLNL and Verne, a San Francisco-based start-up, have demonstrated a hydrogen storage system that can support heavy-duty vehicles, such as semi trucks.