Symmetry is captivating, but asymmetry is also intriguing. In life, we witness some objects exhibit right-handedness while others showcase left-handedness. This exciting concept known as chirality refers to objects that cannot be superimposed on their mirror images. From seashells to glucose and amino acids, chirality permeates various aspects of nature.

The Center for Alkaline-Based Energy Solutions (CABES), a Cornell University-led Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) established in 2018, is advancing the scientific understanding of electrochemical energy conversion in alkaline media at the fundamental level. Using this new knowledge, CABES is aiming to solve the technological challenges that have hindered widespread integration of fuel cells into our energy infrastructure.

When we think about the kinds of fuels we encounter in our daily lives, the first that come to mind may be gasoline, propane, diesel, or similar. These every day fuels have a commonality: they're energy dense, meaning you can grill all afternoon or drive for hours. However, an additional commonality they share is that they are all derived from oil, a non-renewable resource that takes millions of years to form.

Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize conventional computing and communications technologies. By utilizing quantum mechanical principles, quantum computers can perform calculations that are impossible for classical computers, and quantum communication networks can transmit information with increased security.

In the pursuit of making renewable fuels from water, scientists at the Ćuk research group at CU Boulder have made a remarkable discovery: they can "hear" water molecules breaking apart during the initial stages of the process. By using a new technique, they have successfully identified the timing involved in the complex reaction. The Ćuk group is affiliated with the Center for Electrochemical Dynamics and Reactions on Surfaces (CEDARS), an EFRC that focuses on understanding and optimizing various catalysts for water splitting.

Scientists in the Fundamental Understanding of Transport Under Reactor Extremes (FUTURE) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) have seen the intermixing of oxygen atoms between thin films as they such atoms are deposited on top of each other. Since this phenomenon occurs on the surface of a thin film, the deposited atoms are also known as adatoms.

The world we live in today is largely driven by advancements made possible by research into electronic materials. The computer that you’re reading this from is a complex machine constructed with a legion of transistors carefully moving information throughout the device. Those transistors are made of a material called silicon, a valuable semiconductor.

Salts are used for a variety of everyday purposes, most commonly for seasoning foods, adjusting the pH of pools, and de-icing roads/walkways. However, a certain class of salts, molten salts, which are liquified at high temperatures, may also have unique energy storage applications. The Molten Salts in Extreme Environments (MSEE) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) is at the forefront of molten salts research, dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of these ionic compounds and their behavior in extreme environments, including molten salt reactors, high-temperature systems, and corrosive conditions.

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and edge computing have introduced new computational paradigms aimed at improving the quality of life. These advancements require enhanced performance from computer systems, particularly in terms of data storage and movement within microprocessors.