Science Highlights

Scientists from Jefferson Lab, Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia recently conducted a study that compares deep learning models of street-scale flooding in the City of Norfolk with previous machine learning and physics-based simulations. Their peer-reviewed work uses data from roughly 17,000 street segments covering 400-plus miles of roadway to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of surrogate models. The research was carried out as part of the Joint Institute on Advanced Computing for Environmental Studies, a unique partnership between the lab and ODU.

Spin is an intrinsic property of the electron. When electrons spin in the same direction at a given time, the quantity is called polarization. Understanding polarization helps examine the structure of nuclei of heavy elements. Now, nuclear physicists have measured the polarization of an electron beam more precisely than ever before. The result will aid in ongoing studies to refine and expand the Standard Model of particle physics.

Scientists have identified a new way to improve the process for using light to make a liquid fuel from carbon dioxide. Research shows that three-dimensional silicon scaffolds on photoelectrodes improve the yield of the desired products of chemical reactions, even converting carbon dioxide to methanol.

Experiment findings will help nuclear industry model, design and construct clean nuclear energy systems, and continue an impressive safety legacy.

Scientists have for the first time mechanically detected individual nuclear decays occurring in a microparticle. The research used a new technique. Rather than detecting the radiation emitted by the nuclei, the researchers detected the occurrence of decay by measuring the tiny “kick” to the entire microparticle that contained the decaying nucleus as this radiation escaped.

In 2D quantum materials, chiral edge states are 1D conducting channels in which electrons travel only in one direction and electron collisions are strongly suppressed. This means chiral channels act like resistance-free conductors. Researchers have created chiral edge states in atomically thin devices made of three graphene layers, paving the way for more efficient future electronics.

For the first time since X-rays were discovered, researchers have successfully performed X-ray spectroscopy to identify the element of a single atom at a time. The achievement takes advantage of improvements to synchrotron X-ray light sources. Until now, the smallest usable sample was at least 10,000 atoms. Now, by combining synchrotron X-rays and quantum tunneling, the researchers detected the element and chemical state of a single atom of iron and terbium.

Researchers studied gene expression in plant/mycorrhizae symbioses by analyzing the roots of a model plant colonized by fungi and using a combination of techniques to measure gene activity in individual cells and visualize gene expression within two-dimensional sections of roots.