News Releases

New zirconia-based catalyst can make plastics upcycling more sustainable

A new type of catalyst breaks down polyolefin plastics into new, useful products. This project is part of a new strategy to reduce the amount of plastic waste and its impact on our environment, as well as recover value that is lost when plastics are thrown away. The catalyst was developed by a team from the Institute for Cooperative Upcycling of Plastic (iCOUP), a U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Frontier Research Center.

Cartoon representation of the zirconia catalyst.

Congratulations to the Iowa Regional Middle School Science Bowl winners!

Congratulations to the South Middle School team, from Waukee Community School District, for winning the 20th annual Ames National Laboratory/Iowa State University Regional Middle School Science Bowl! The competition took place on the Iowa State University campus on Saturday February 18th.

South Middle School science bowl team photo.

A newly developed catalyst makes single-use plastics easier to upcycle, recycle, and biodegrade

Researchers created a new catalyst that transforms hydrocarbons into chemicals and materials that are higher value, easier to recycle, and biodegrade in the environment. This catalyst transforms materials such as motor oil, plastics in single-use grocery bags, water or milk bottles, and their caps, and even natural gas.

Ames National Laboratory and partners will advance renewable energy science and diversity in STEM

Ames National Laboratory is partnering with Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Florida State University, and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University on a research project. The project has a two-fold purpose: Advancing the science of alternative energy sources and engaging underrepresented students in STEM careers.

20th Annual middle school Science Bowl is back in-person

The annual Ames National Laboratory/Iowa State University Regional Middle School Science Bowl is back in-person for its 20th year after two years as a virtual event. On February 18th Iowa’s top middle school science and math students will compete to answer questions that test their knowledge of science and mathematics.

Congratulations to the Iowa Regional Science Bowl winners!

Congratulations to the Cedar Falls High School team for winning the 33rd annual Ames National Laboratory/Iowa State University Regional Science Bowl! The competition took place on the Iowa State University campus on Saturday January 28th.

Cedar Falls team with Ames Lab Director Adam Schwartz

Science Bowl is back in-person

The 33rd annual Ames National Laboratory/Iowa State University Regional High School Science Bowl is back in-person after two years as a virtual event. On January 28th Iowa’s top science and math students will compete to answer questions that test their knowledge of biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and mathematics.

Ames National Laboratory receives funding to engage underrepresented students in STEM fields

Among the winners is a project led by Kelly Bergman, Ames National Laboratory’s Education and Outreach Program Manager, and Adisak Sukul, Iowa State University Associate Teaching Professor.

New hybrid catalyst could help decarbonization and make ethylene production more sustainable

A new hybrid catalyst converts carbon dioxide into ethylene in one pot. The catalyst was developed by scientists from Ames National Laboratory, Iowa State University, University of Virginia, and Columbia University.

Vitalij Pecharsky, Ames Lab Scientist and Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, dies

Vitalij Pecharsky was a materials scientist and long-time senior scientist at Ames National Laboratory