Blog Post

Chain Reaction Innovation Expands

By Argonne National Laboratory

Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI), the entrepreneurship program that embeds innovators for two years at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Argonne National Laboratory, is expanding and will now be accepting applications in any technology area that can be accelerated to market by leveraging the vast resources available at Argonne National Laboratory. Previously applications were limited to technologies specifically related to advanced manufacturing. 

Continue reading “Chain Reaction Innovation Expands”

Blog Post

Coffee or tea? One cup or three? Your genes may decide.

By Jordan Greer

Are you a tea enthusiast or coffee connoisseur? A common debate in labs, offices, and possibly within your own home, people usually prefer one over the other to start their day. In fact, tea and coffee are the most commonly consumed non-alcoholic beverages in the world. But what leads us to choose one pick-me-up over the other, and how much of it we drink? While we may attribute our preferences to how we’re raised, recent research shows our choice of brew may also be linked to our DNA. 

First, let’s consider what makes coffee and tea different. Both contain bitter compounds, although coffee contains a higher amount. However, their most noteworthy component is caffeine; coffee has roughly twice the amount found in black and green teas. Caffeine itself, though, is nearly tasteless – well, to most of us.

Continue reading “Coffee or tea? One cup or three? Your genes may decide.”

Blog Post

Celebrate the extraordinary life of Nobel laureate and former Fermilab Director Leon Lederman in Chicago on Sept. 25

Originally published at: https://news.fnal.gov/2019/09/celebrate-the-extraordinary-life-of-nobel-laureate-and-former-fermilab-director-leon-lederman-in-chicago-on-sept-25/


Media contact
  • Andre Salles, Fermilab Office of Communication, media@fnal.gov, 630-840-3351
  • Katie Ahmed, Chicago Council on Science and Technology, kahmed@c2st.org, 312-567-5835

Leon Lederman stands outside Wilson Hall at Fermilab on the day he learned he was awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize.

Leon Lederman stands outside Wilson Hall at Fermilab on the day he learned he was awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize.

 

 

Leon Lederman was one of a kind.

Continue reading “Celebrate the extraordinary life of Nobel laureate and former Fermilab Director Leon Lederman in Chicago on Sept. 25”

Blog Post

Argonne discovery offers new way to coat nuclear materials

By JARED SAGOFF

Originally published at: https://www.anl.gov/article/argonne-discovery-offers-new-way-to-coat-nuclear-materials

Inside an operating nuclear reactor, the environment is extreme, as reactor components are exposed to a combination of intense radiation and heat as well as chemically reactive coolant. That’s why, in order to operate reactors safely, scientists need to design their components with materials that can withstand these conditions.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have made a pivotal discovery by taking a technique originally developed for the semiconductor industry and using it as a way to coat nuclear materials. This technique, called atomic layer deposition (ALD), forms the basis of new methods to protect nuclear fuels and materials from direct exposure to the reactor’s hostile environment.

We are pioneering the use of ALD for nuclear applications,” Argonne nuclear engineer Abdellatif Yacout.

Continue reading “Argonne discovery offers new way to coat nuclear materials”

Blog Post

Argonne Fuels Energy Start-ups

Argonne National Laboratory is accelerating more than protons these days. Through its Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) entrepreneurship program, Argonne is accelerating the development of new businesses that are tackling the challenges of producing and conserving energy with new, cost effective and environmentally-sustainable technologies. Argonne is located in Lemont, Illinois, west of Chicago. It is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) and operated by the University of Chicago. It is one of the largest and most scientifically diverse research centers in the world. The CRI program is supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Office within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

This summer, with the first four startups graduating from the program, CRI innovators have raised about $12.4 million in funding as of Aug. 1, 2019. Out of that total, more than $5 million has come from private equity sources, and the rest has some from various organizations – including DOE – that offer open funding opportunities.

Continue reading “Argonne Fuels Energy Start-ups”

C2ST in the News

Give Time, Things, Support: 7 Ways to Give Back Around Chicago

By Lily Yu

Originally published at: https://better.net/chicago/philanthropy/get-involved/give-time-things-support-ways-give-back-around-chicago/

Your family is probably soon headed back to a school-year schedule, but don’t let the busyness of a new academic year leave you without time for others. Consider adding these volunteer and give-back opportunities to your calendar.

Give Time

Reading Power

This organization knows that “all children deserve to reach their intellectual potential.” That’s why they offer one-on-one tutoring to kids in pre-K through 2nd grade at underserved schools. Reading Power is increasing its program and is in need of more tutors. Learn more about becoming a tutor and fill out the Tutor Application.

Greater Chicago Food Depository

If you have an extra hour to spare, sign up for a repack session and take the time to repack large quantities of food into individual servings so that it can be redistributed to food pantries for those in need. If you’re feeling especially competitive, have a friendly competition between you and your friends to see who can repack the most within the given time. You’ll be surprised to see how fast time flies and how much can get accomplished.

 

Continue reading “Give Time, Things, Support: 7 Ways to Give Back Around Chicago”