WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Compact Coronagraph-2 (CCOR-2) launched at 7:30 a.m. EDT on September 24 onboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Space Weather Follow On-Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) observatory from NASA – Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida.

Researchers from The University of Western Australia node at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) have uncovered a colossal bridge of neutral hydrogen gas linking two dwarf galaxies, which spans an astonishing 185,000 light-years between galaxies NGC 4532 and DDO 137, located 53 million light-years from Earth.

The Shockley–Queisser (S-Q) model sets a theoretical limit on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction solar cells at around 33%. Recently, a PCE of 50%-60% was achieved for the first time in n-type single-junction Si solar cells by inhibiting light conversion to heat at low temperatures. Understanding these new observations opens tremendous opportunities for designing solar cells with even higher PCE to provide efficient and powerful energy sources for cryogenic devices and outer and deep space explorations.

“Impluvium Redux,” an innovative architectural structure designed by Juan José Castellón of Rice University’s School of Architecture, has been shortlisted for the 2025 European Cultural Centre (ECC) Awards in the University Project category. The project, now on exhibition in Venice as part of Time Space Existence 2025, represents a powerful model of interdisciplinary collaboration between Rice’s School of Architecture and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The Rotating Detonation Engine offers the ability to deliver satellites to precise orbits in outer space with greater robustness and reduced fuel consumption and emissions than with current conventional engines. However, there are many fundamental scientific challenges that remain related to designing materials systems that can perform under these extreme engine conditions. A new multi-institutional collaborative $2 million grant, "Thriving While Detonating – Materials for Extreme Dynamic Thermomechanical Performance,” led by Natasha Vermaak, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics in Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, addresses some of these materials design challenges. 

Jose Hurtado, Ph.D., a UTEP professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences, has earned a new grant to help map the moon. The new, innovative and accurate map will help NASA astronauts carry out forthcoming moon missions, named Artemis.