MSD - Materials Sciences Division

JCAP researchers, led by Rachel Segalman and Joel Ager, in collaboration with EETD, have developed a versatile microfluidic test-bed to help optimize the integrated catalysis and mass transport components of electrochemical energy conversion devices. The small size and versatility of the design facilitates evaluation of new materials under development without the need for scale-up. Read more...

The cover story in the May 6 issue of Chemical & Engineering News featured MSD's Nitash Balsara and his research on polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. From the story:

"Balsara’s approach to resolving this problem is to form copolymers that contain a hard block such as polystyrene and a soft block such as PEO. Depending on experimental conditions, the salt-doped version of the copolymer can spontaneously segregate into domains of the soft component surrounded by the hard component and thereby satisfy the requisite conductivity and hardness requirements simultaneously."  Read more...

Peidong Yang led the creation of the first fully integrated artificial photosynthesis nanosystem. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is reaching its highest level in at least three million years – a sobering reminder of the need for carbon-neutral renewable energy sources. Artificial photosynthesis, in which solar energy is directly converted into chemical fuels, is regarded as one of the most promising of solar technologies if hydrogen can be produced cheaply enough to compete with fossil fuels. This starts with an integrated system for solar water splitting. Read more...

Congratulations to MSD winners of the 2013 Director's Awards for Exceptional Achievement!

Jim Schuck and Alex Weber-Bargioni: Early Scientific Career Award for their work on nanoscale optical imaging and spectroscopy
Ron Zuckermann: Safety Award for his leadership in promoting a culture of safety
Haimei Zheng: Scientific Achievement Award for her work on liquid-cell TEM and broad scientific accomplishments

The Director's Awards honor exceptional achievements by laboratory employees that advance the Lab’s mission and strategic goals. Learn more about the awards here.

Branden Brough joined the Molecular Foundry this month as their new  communications and outreach specialist. Before joining the Foundry, Brough (rhymes with rough) worked at the National Institutes of Health where he led Congressional and public outreach efforts within the science policy office of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculosketal and Skin Diseases. Brough received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA before becoming a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow in 2007. At the Foundry, Brough will facilitate internal and external communications to promote the Foundry's mission and showcase its accomplishments to the DOE, the nanoscience research community, and the public.