NEWS RELEASES

A new study from UMD chemical physicists could lead to more stable quantum memory, safer fuel storage and an improved ability to measure comet temperatures in outer space. 

The material UTe₂ exhibits multiple forms of zero electrical resistance—a phenomenon known as superconductivity—and displays several puzzling properties. After UTe₂ loses its superconductivity at a certain magnetic field, it becomes superconducting again under much higher fields. Using a new high-field measurement technique, researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) have explained this unusual superconducting behavior in a paper in Nature Communications. Their method is now being adopted at high‑field laboratories worldwide.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2026) — Coal has long been the fuel at the heart of energy production in the Commonwealth. Kentuckians often grow up with stories of their grandfather’s days in the mines. But researchers at the University of Kentucky are finding ways to repurpose coal for energy storage — in the form of lithium-ion batteries.

After nearly 40 years of service and 4,726 firings, called “shots,” Sandia National Laboratories’ Saturn accelerator, one of the nation’s brightest X-ray generators, received redesigned switches, a new core section and a reengineered X-ray source.

Asphalt covers vast areas of the U.S., intensifying heat and energy use. Arizona State University researchers say its health impacts are underexamined. In two studies, associate professor Elham Fini and her colleagues show that asphalt worsens air quality by releasing volatile organic compounds. These compounds cause short-term symptoms, including breathing issues and dizziness. They may increase the risk of cancer among outdoor workers. Fini and her research team are working to develop safer alternatives, including algae-infused asphalt that can reduce toxicity. The goal: create safer asphalt and, in turn, healthier workers.