Science and Technology Highlights

An artist’s conception of the exoplanet K2-33b, a 10-Myr-old, Jupiter-sized planet, transiting in front of its active host star.
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LLNL to examine exoplanet atmospheres with high-performance computing

LLNL, Arizona State University and Michigan State University dive deep into uncovering the compositions of 70 exoplanets through LLNL’s Computing Grand Challenge Program. 

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory research engineer Travis Massey led the fabrication efforts behind an advanced implantable nose-computer interface capable of enhancing the ability of scent detection animals to identify contraband such as explosives and narcotics, as well as other types of important scents. The device is developed in partnership with neurotechnology company Canaery.
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LLNL and Canaery develop cutting-edge neural interface technology

LLNL researchers and neurotechnology company Canaery develop an advanced nose-computer interface (NCI) capable of enhancing the ability of scent-detection animals.

Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the California Institute of Technology and Princeton University have introduced a revolutionary new class of materials known as 3D polycatenated architected materials. These intricate structures can behave with both solid and liquid-like properties and have the potential to impact industries ranging from engineering to medicine.
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LLNL researchers explore future of responsive 3D-architected materials

In the evolving fields of materials science and 3D printing, LLNL engineers are exploring novel ways to create materials and structures that adapt and respond to their environments. 

When quantum mechanical particles scatter, it shifts the position of their wave. The new algorithm accurately measures these shifts, opening the way to quantum simulations of scattering processes.
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Quantum computers successfully model particle scattering

LLNL researchers, the InQubator for Quantum Simulations and the University of Trento develop an algorithm for a quantum computer that accurately simulates scattering. 

A 3D-printed, hand-shaped lattice scaffold infilled with another polymer representing the bones, which demonstrates the ability of cellular fluidics to pattern two different materials together in the same structure.
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Engineers expand multi-material design possibilities with cellular fluidics

LLNL engineering researchers achieve breakthroughs in multi-material additive manufacturing (3D printing) through the power of capillary action. 

Researchers are studying the brain’s response to eucalyptus wood smoke extract. Eucalyptus trees are of particular interest due to their high levels of toxicity when burned and their abundance across California, with some reaching between 150–200 feet tall.
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Assessing adverse neurological effects of wildfire smoke inhalation

LLNL researchers and the Environmental Protection Agency seek to close the knowledge gap on how wildfire smoke exposure can affect the blood–brain barrier. 

Photo of the drilling of the Citizen Green well on King Island, California, adjacent to Rindge Tract, as part of the WestCarb regional sequestration partnership which preceded the CarbonSAFE initiative. Data from the Citizen Green well was key in evaluating the CO2 storage potential of the southern Sacramento Basin and establishing it as a promising place for CO2 storage.
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LLNL supports CO2 storage in California’s delta

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) has awarded $6 million to LLNL researchers, as part of a $45.2 million award towards developing a regional CO2 storage hub in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in California.
At left, a small plate test, modeled with tantalum/LX-14 and tantalum/LX-17. At right, a cylinder test, modeled with tantalum/LX-17.
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LLNL researchers quantify metal strength uncertainty in high-explosives models

For the first time, a team of LLNL researchers quantified and rigorously studied the effect of metal strength on accurately modeling coupled metal/high explosive (HE) experiments.

Diagram illustrating the integrated computational framework used to design materials for solid-state batteries. The framework incorporates atomistic simulations of local bulk and interfacial properties, representative multi-phase polycrystalline microstructures, effective property calculations and a machine-learning analysis to correlate microstructure features with effective properties.
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Identifying material properties for more efficient solid-state batteries

LLNL researchers have developed a novel, integrated modeling approach to identify and improve key interface and microstructural features in complex materials typically used for advanced batteries.

Line-replaceable units (LRUs), also known as pulsers, power the Scorpius electron beam accelerator, which will capture multiple X-ray images of dynamic explosives experiments important to ensuring the nation’s nuclear deterrent remains safe and effective without full-scale nuclear explosive testing.
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Scorpius accepts delivery of four production line-replaceable units

The first four line-replaceable units, also referred to as pulsers, have been delivered to LLNL from vendors for installation into Scorpius, a particle accelerator that will be the first accelerator to be powered with solid-state pulse power technology.