Deep waters spiral upward around Antarctica
Three-dimensional upward spiral of North Atlantic deep water. From MIT.Through observations and modeling, scientists have long known that large, deep currents in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans flow southward, converging on Antarctica. After entering the Southern Ocean they overturn — bringing water up from the deeper ocean — before moving back northward at the surface.
A team including scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory published research in the journal Nature Communications, which reveals that strong eddies, caused by topographical interactions at five locations within the current circling Antarctica, play a major role in this upwelling process. (Full Story)
Also from PhysOrg
Hunt is over for one of the 'top 50 most-wanted fungi'
Sample of "mystery" fungus, LANL image.In a step toward bridging the gap between fungal taxonomy and molecular ecology, scientists from several institutions including Los Alamos National Laboratory have characterized a sample of "mystery" fungus collected in North Carolina and found its home in the fungal tree of life.
"Working estimates tell us that there should be more than 5 million species of fungi," said Cheryl Kuske, a Los Alamos scientist on the project. "We have really only identified and fully described 100,000 of them, though, and new DNA sequencing capabilities show us that many, many specimens in research collections are uncharacterized. (Full Story)
Energy Department launches new HPC initiative
Trinity at Los Alamos. LANL photo.
David Teter, the Los Alamos National Lab's Materials Science and Technology Division leader, said the fossil energy, nuclear energy and transportation sectors are just a few of those that could benefit from materials that can stand up to these tough conditions. Materials in an engine, for example, can limit its maximum running temperature, but engines are more efficient if they can operate at higher temperatures. (Full Story)
LANL steps up to HPC for materials program
David Teter, LANL photo.A new high-performance computing initiative announced this week by the U.S. Department of Energy will help U.S. industry accelerate the development of new or improved materials for use in severe environments. Los Alamos National Laboratory, with a strong history in the materials science field, will be taking an active role in the initiative.
“Understanding and predicting material performance under extreme environments is a foundational capability at Los Alamos,” said David Teter, Materials Science and Technology division leader at Los Alamos. (Full Story)
Industries undergoing IoT innovation
Descartes Labs’ 2016 corn yield forecast, from Descartes.Ventures like Descartes Labs use a mix of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to predict crop yields.
The company, which recently raised $30 million in a series B financing, was spun out of Los Alamos National Laboratory. It has access to a massive archive of satellite imagery sourced from NASA, the European Space Agency, and other “commercial constellations,” reported Fast Company.
Descartes proprietary program can analyze quadrillions of pixels at a time and compare it to past data emitted from sensors from farming equipment, such as combines, tractors, and cars, to determine the health of a given crop as well as identify if the field is growing corn, soy, or something similar. (Full Story)
Four Los Alamos scientists named as 2017 Laboratory Fellows
Donald Burton, Turab Lookman, Stephen Doorn, and Manvendra Dubey (clockwise from top left) LANL photos."Becoming a Los Alamos National Laboratory Fellow is one of the highest accomplishments in the Lab," said Laboratory Director Charles McMillan. "Each of these scientists has demonstrated sustained high-level achievement in programs of importance to the Laboratory and are recognized authorities in their fields. They have made significant contributions to both Los Alamos and the broader scientific community. (Full Story)
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