News Releases

Structure of the elusive boron monoxide finally determined after 83 years

In an effort to discover new 2D materials, a team of scientists from Ames National Laboratory determined the structure of boron monoxide using new NMR methods and previously unavailable analytical tools.

Boron structure research depicted as an archaeological dig.

Researchers make a surprising discovery about the magnetic interactions in a Kagome layered topological magnet

A team from Ames National Laboratory conducted an in-depth investigation of the magnetism of TbMn6Sn6, a Kagome layered topological magnet. They were surprised to find that the magnetic spin reorientation in TbMn6Sn6 occurs by generating increasing numbers of magnetically isotropic ions as the temperature increases.

Diagram of uniaxial and isotropic Tb ions.

New tool helps improve quantum computing circuit component

Researchers use a new tool to help improve a key component in commercially produced quantum computing circuits.

Scientists make a surprising discovery about magnetic defects in topological insulators

Scientists from the Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory made an intriguing discovery while conducting experiments to characterize magnetism in a material known as a dilute magnetic topological insulator where magnetic defects are introduced. Despite this material’s ferromagnetism, the team discovered strong antiferromagnetic interactions between some pairs of magnetic defects that play a key role in several families of magnetic topological insulators.

Advanced Materials back cover highlighting this research

Ultralow temperature terahertz microscope capabilities enable better quantum technology

A team of scientists from the Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory have developed a way to collect terahertz imaging data on materials under extreme magnetic and cryogenic conditions.

Iowa State University graduate student receives SCGSR award to work at Ames National Laboratory

Gavin Nop, a graduate student at Iowa State University and Ames National Laboratory, received the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) award.

Scientists take an important step towards using quantum computers to advance materials science

A team of scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory demonstrated a way to advance the role of quantum computing in materials research with an adaptive algorithm for simulating materials.

Photo of lighted turquoise spheres on a black background.

Search launches for Ames National Laboratory director

Iowa State University has launched the search for the director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Ames National Laboratory.

Ames National Laboratory director to step down

The Department of Energy and Iowa State University will lead a national search to identify Schwartz’s successor.

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.