Hydrogen-rich Material Promises Advances in Energy Transmission, Fuel Storage

Researchers created material under enormous pressures by squeezing samples between two diamonds. (Photo courtesy Wendy Mao.)

by Nicholas Bock

Researchers at the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Science, a joint institute of SLAC and Stanford University, have produced a hydrogen-rich alloy that could provide insight into the properties of metallic hydrogen, according to a study published in the August 17 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The work is a step toward materials with revolutionary implications for energy science, enabling lossless power transmission, next-generation particle accelerators and even magnetic levitation.

Metallic hydrogen is a state of hydrogen predicted to form under ultra-high pressure. If achieved, some researchers predict it could function as a room-temperature superconductor—a material capable of conducting electricity with zero resistance at temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius. But because the pressure required to make metallic hydrogen is so enormous—much greater the pressure experienced by materials in the center of the earth—researchers have had little luck in producing it.

"People are very interested in hydrogen because it's element one," said SIMES physicist Wendy Mao, who was a co-author on the study. "At high enough pressure, it should be metallic and it should be a room temperature superconductor." Read more...

(Image - Symmetry magazine August 2009 cover)

August 2009 Issue of Symmetry Now Online

by Glennda Chui, Symmetry Breaking

We’ve been calling this our Manga issue because it highlights the work of Takuya Uruno, who created a physics Manga series for kids for the Japanese laboratory KEK—featured in our gallery—and also drew us a gorgeous Manga cover.

The new issue also features:

Youhei Morita on Manga as a learning tool.
Fermilab’s push to develop superconducting radio-frequency technology, considered crucial for the future of particle physics.
How physicists at the LHC experiments are using the shutdown to their advantage.
A choreographer translates conversations with CERN physicists into dance.
Building better heart valves, the first in a new series on applications of accelerator technology.
The director of Japan’s Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe takes tea with the Emperor.
As always, our departments: Signal to Background, highlights from symmetry breaking, a 60-second explanation of Cherenkov light, thoughts on physics, technology and culture from the editor-in-chief, and a logbook from the discovery of the weak neutral current. The mathematical framework that predicted the weak neutral current became known as the Standard Model of particles and their interactions.

Recycling Tip of the Week:
Software and Memory Storage Devices

by Micki DeCamara

All software, zip disks, compact disks, flash drives, and other memory storage devices that are no longer needed should be taken to SLAC Salvage for proper disposal or recycling.

To submit these items, please complete a salvage form (parts A & B), then put the form and the items in the SLAC inter office mail, to the Property Control/Salvage Warehouse, Mail Stop 85A (x2329). Alternately, you can drop them off at the Salvage Warehouse, at the south end of Building 28. For more information, contact the Salvage Department (x2329).

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SLAC Free-electron Laser Sparkles into Life Physics Today (full text by subscription)
LIGO: New Limits on Gravity Waves from the Early Universe Nature News
Lighter Lithium Batteries ScienceNOW
Research Pokes Holes in Hubbard Model: Could Help Solve Enigma of High-temperature Superconductors Physorg

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View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.

Hydrogen-rich Material Promises Advances in Energy Transmission, Fuel Storage Researchers created material under enormous pressures by squeezing samples between two diamonds. (Photo courtesy Wendy Mao.) by Nicholas Bock Researchers at the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Science, a joint institute of SLAC and Stanford University, have produced a hydrogen-rich alloy that could provide insight into the properties of metallic hydrogen, according to a study published in the August 17 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The work is a step toward materials with revolutionary implications for energy science, enabling lossless power transmission, next-generation particle accelerators and even magnetic levitation. Metallic hydrogen is a state of hydrogen predicted to form under ultra-high pressure. If achieved, some researchers predict it could function as a room-temperature superconductor—a material capable of conducting electricity with zero resistance at temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius. But because the pressure required to make metallic hydrogen is so enormous—much greater the pressure experienced by materials in the center of the earth—researchers have had little luck in producing it. "People are very interested in hydrogen because it's element one," said SIMES physicist Wendy Mao, who was a co-author on the study. "At high enough pressure, it should be metallic and it should be a room temperature superconductor." Read more... August 2009 Issue of Symmetry Now Online by Glennda Chui, Symmetry Breaking We’ve been calling this our Manga issue because it highlights the work of Takuya Uruno, who created a physics Manga series for kids for the Japanese laboratory KEK—featured in our gallery—and also drew us a gorgeous Manga cover. The new issue also features: Youhei Morita on Manga as a learning tool. Fermilab’s push to develop superconducting radio-frequency technology, considered crucial for the future of particle physics. How physicists at the LHC experiments are using the shutdown to their advantage. A choreographer translates conversations with CERN physicists into dance. Building better heart valves, the first in a new series on applications of accelerator technology. The director of Japan’s Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe takes tea with the Emperor. As always, our departments: Signal to Background, highlights from symmetry breaking, a 60-second explanation of Cherenkov light, thoughts on physics, technology and culture from the editor-in-chief, and a logbook from the discovery of the weak neutral current. The mathematical framework that predicted the weak neutral current became known as the Standard Model of particles and their interactions. Recycling Tip of the Week: Software and Memory Storage Devices by Micki DeCamara All software, zip disks, compact disks, flash drives, and other memory storage devices that are no longer needed should be taken to SLAC Salvage for proper disposal or recycling. To submit these items, please complete a salvage form (parts A & B), then put the form and the items in the SLAC inter office mail, to the Property Control/Salvage Warehouse, Mail Stop 85A (x2329). Alternately, you can drop them off at the Salvage Warehouse, at the south end of Building 28. For more information, contact the Salvage Department (x2329).	Events Today (2:00 p.m.) Special PPA Computing Seminar Today (4:00 p.m.) SLAC Accelerator Seminar: Turkish Accelerator Center Project Access (see all) Caution at Alpine Gate Erosion Control Work at SSRL IR-8 Hall Construction Parking Lot E Closure Speed Limit 10 MPH at LCLS Office Bldg. Construction Site Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements Petty Cash Phase-out Changes Coming to Retirement Savings Plans Community Bulletin Board DOE Golf Challenge Registration Due Aug 21 Training Lab Training Calendar Registration Today (7:30 a.m.) 30 Hour Construction Safety Today (10:00 a.m.) Rad Worker Practical News (submit) SLAC Free-electron Laser Sparkles into Life Physics Today (full text by subscription) LIGO: New Limits on Gravity Waves from the Early Universe Nature News Lighter Lithium Batteries ScienceNOW Research Pokes Holes in Hubbard Model: Could Help Solve Enigma of High-temperature Superconductors Physorg
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