Basic2Breakthrough Stories
Drop-In Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Mitigates the Risk of Explosion and Fire
Lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and consumer electronics are safe, but could be even safer. Drawing on their expertise in materials science, scientists at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed the SAFIRE technology, an easy-to-use additive for lithium-ion batteries. In an accident, it changes the batteries’ electrolyte from a liquid to a solid. This shift dramatically reduces the likelihood of a fire or explosion in phones, cars, and many other once-haphazard applications.
The Science Behind the Shot
The fight against COVID-19 drew on decades of foundational biological science research at DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory. In the 1980s, researchers at the lab were part of a revolution in how scientists use bacteria. As a result, scientists can now engineer tiny organisms to work for us and carry information that changes how other microorganisms behave. The resulting technology paid off in 2020, when Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna both used this technique to create vaccines for COVID-19.
A Dentist’s Journey to Save Your Teeth: From Brazil to Biotech Breakthrough
Fewer trips to the dentist, anyone? Nanomaterials may sound like the stuff of science fiction. But researchers at Oklahoma University and DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using them to save us time and money on dental work. The scientists fabricated these beyond-microscopic materials that form the root of a new adhesive with antibacterial properties. This adhesive can be used for dental implants and using it would reduce or eliminate the need to replace fillings and crowns. It demonstrates how basic materials science translates into everyday benefits.
