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Supercomputers, distinguished from ordinary computers by their ability to process vast amounts of data, are instrumental in solving complex scientific problems. They consist of interconnected nodes and require extensive infrastructure and expertise for operation, exemplified by facilities like the Argonne National Laboratory, which uses its supercomputers for groundbreaking research.What Is Supercomputing?There are computers. And then there are supercomputers.Most personal and work computers are powerful enough to perform…

Supercomputer simulations predicting the synthesis pathways for the elusive BC8 “super-diamond”, involving shock compressions of diamond precursor, inspire ongoing Discovery Science experiments at NIF. Credit: Mark Meamber/LLNLResearchers are on a quest to synthesize BC8, a carbon structure predicted to be tougher than diamond, using insights from advanced simulations and experimental efforts. This material, theoretically prevalent in the extreme pressures of exoplanets, remains a scientific mystery with promising…

Smart devices on the electric grid increase vulnerability to hacking, threatening power outages and system damage. A team from the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory proposes a new tool to prioritize and manage cyber threats more effectively, aiming to protect the grid by addressing both immediate and future challenges.The proliferation of programmable devices creates additional entry points for cyberattacks.There’s a down side to “smart” devices: They can be hacked.That makes the electric grid,…

Scientists at the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered that coating tantalum with magnesium significantly enhances its properties as a superconducting material for quantum computing. This coating prevents oxidation, increases purity, and improves the superconducting transition temperature of tantalum, offering promising advancements for the development of qubits and the future of quantum computing.A thin-film coating protects against oxidation that can degrade superconductivity and quantum…

Neutron experiments helped reveal the one-carbon enzymatic mechanism that synthesizes vital food sources for cancer cells that depend on vitamin B6, providing key insights into designing novel drugs to slow the spread of aggressive cancers. Credit: Jill Hemman/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of EnergyScientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are advancing cancer treatment research by designing drugs that target the metabolic pathways cancer cells rely on for growth. By mapping the structure of a key enzyme with neutrons and X-rays,…

The Compton polarimeter’s laser system, used to measure the parallel spin of electrons, is aligned during the Calcium Radius Experiment at Jefferson Lab. Credit: Jefferson Lab photo/Dave GaskellMeasurement of electron beam polarization is sharpest ever reported, sets stage for future flagship experiments at Jefferson Lab.Scientists are getting a more detailed look than ever before at the electrons they use in precision experiments.Nuclear physicists with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National…

Climate scientists suggest the introduction of a Category 6 to the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale due to a trend towards more intense hurricanes in a warming climate. Their research highlights the need for better risk communication regarding the increased potential for devastating hurricanes, with findings pointing to a significant rise in the likelihood of such extreme storms in the future. Credit: SciTechDaily.comFor over half a century, the National Hurricane Center has employed the Saffir-Simpson Windscale to convey the…

Stanford University’s research team has made a significant breakthrough in quantum technology by improving niobium-based qubits to match leading alternatives. This advancement highlights niobium’s potential to operate at higher temperatures and wider ranges, opening new possibilities for quantum computing. Credit: SciTechDaily.comExpanding possibilities for superconducting qubits.For years, niobium was considered an underperformer when it came to superconducting qubits. Now scientists supported by Q-NEXT have found a way…

Collisions of heavy ions generate an immensely strong electromagnetic field. Scientists investigate traces of this powerful electromagnetic field in the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a state where quarks and gluons are liberated from the colliding protons and neutrons. Credit: Tiffany Bowman and Jen Abramowitz/Brookhaven National LaboratoryData from heavy ion collisions give new insight into electromagnetic properties of quark-gluon plasma.A new analysis by the STAR collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC),…

New research has uncovered the importance of atomic ring structures in glass, revealing how their stability influences glass’s performance and transition temperatures. This advance in understanding glass’s molecular dynamics aids in designing better glass products for high-performance applications.Glass is increasingly utilized in various high-performance areas, covering consumer and industrial applications, military and aerospace electronics, as well as coatings and optics. Given the stringent accuracy required in…