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What’s MER? It’s a way to measure quantum materials, and it’s telling us new and interesting things

Experimental physicists have combined several measurements of quantum materials into one in their ongoing quest to learn more about manipulating and controlling the behavior of them for possible applications. They even coined a term for it-- Magneto-elastoresistance, or MER.

Graphic representation of magneto-elastoresistance

Atom-by-atom: Ames Lab’s powerful microscopes help scientists redefine understanding of antiferroelectrics

Ames Laboratory’s capabilities in viewing materials atom-by-atom at its Sensitive Instrument Facility (SIF) regularly helps scientists discover new rules of quantum behavior. Now, the Laboratory’s powerful microscopes have corrected a long held structural model in a class of materials called antiferroelectrics.

Micrograph showing alignment of atoms in antiferroelectrics

Ames Laboratory receives its highest ratings in FY2019

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released Ames Laboratory’s Performance Evaluation Report Card for FY 2019, and the Laboratory received its highest ratings ever, and continues for the third year in a row to exceed expectations in a majority of the key performance areas measured.

Under pressure: a new experimental apparatus gathers more insight on magnetic and superconducting states

A new technique developed at Ames Laboratory lets scientists study a material's specific heat while it's subjected to high pressure, a breakthrough that allows mapping of electronic, magnetic, and structural phase transitions, how those transitions interact and ultimately to control them for desired properties.

high pressure measurement of superconductors

How do you know it’s perfect graphene? The answer has been there all along

Ames Laboratory scientists have discovered an indicator that reliably demonstrates a graphene sample’s high quality, and it was one that was hiding in plain sight for decades, using low energy electron diffraction, a technique commonly used in physics to study the crystal structure of the surfaces of solid materials.

CMI to feature award-winning aluminum alloy for additive manufacturing at Defense TechConnect

A new Al-Ce additive manufacturing alloy invented by the Critical Materials Institute, an Energy Innovation Hub sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, will be featured at the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit and Expo Oct. 8-10, National Harbor, Maryland.

aluminum-cerium turbines installed to generate electricity from moving water

How long does memory last? For shape memory alloys, the longer the better

Scientists at Ames Laboratory are looking at using shape memory alloys -- think unbreakable eye-glass frames -- taking advantage of their elastocaloric effect, which is a cooling effect that happens when the alloy is cyclically acted upon by mechanical forces. Heat pumping systems designed in that way could lead to greener, more energy efficient HVAC and refrigeration systems than currently available gas compression models.

Direct microscopy imaging reveals details in DNA origami nanostructures

Scientists at Ames Laboratory are now able to see greater details of DNA origami nanostructures, which will lead to a greater understanding and control of their assembly for future applications.The Ames Lab research group was able to directly capture images of fine details in unstained DNA origami nanostructures using a particular type of scanning transmission electron microscopy called high-angle angular annular dark field STEM.

Scientists discover potential path to improving samarium-cobalt magnets

Scientists from the Critical Materials Institute and Ames Laboratory have discovered a potential tool to enhance magnetization and magnetic anisotropy, making it possible to improve the performance of samarium-cobalt magnets.

Critical Materials Institute: Shining new and better light on research and industry collaborations

It was, in a manner of speaking, the ultimate light bulb moment when General Electric’s Lighting business and the Critical Materials Institute first joined forces in 2013 to solve a manufacturing challenge. The partnership resulted in new materials, new patents, and new processes to make GE’s lighting more efficient and less reliant on difficult-to-find raw materials.