Content for Stanford.Edu

Stanford.Edu

Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University or Stanford) is a private research university in Stanford, California. Stanford is known for its academic achievements, wealth, close proximity to Silicon Valley, and selectivity; it ranks as one of the world's top universities. The university was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford in memory of their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., who had died of typhoid fever at age 15 the previous year. Stanford was a U.S. Senator and former Governor of California who made his fortune as a railroad tycoon. The school admitted its first students on October 1, 1891, as a coeducational and non-denominational institution.

Researchers show an old law still holds for quirky quantum materials

“This surprising result is important for understanding unconventional superconductors and other materials where electrons band together to act collectively. Long before researchers discovered the electron and its role in generating electrical current, they knew about electricity and were exploring its …

Groundbreaking study shows defects spreading through diamond faster than the speed of sound

“Defects can make a material stronger or make it fail catastrophically. Knowing how fast they travel can help researchers understand things like earthquake ruptures, structural failures and precision manufacturing. Settling a half century of debate, researchers have discovered that tiny …

‘Computer vision’ reveals unprecedented physical and chemical details of how a lithium-ion battery works

“It lets researchers extract pixel-by-pixel information from nanoscale X-ray movies of electrode particles absorbing and releasing lithium ions. Billions of tiny particles packed into rechargeable lithium-ion battery electrodes are responsible for storing charge and making it available when it’s …

Unlocking the mysteries of freezing in supercooled water droplets

“X-ray laser studies help researchers identify early steps in the freezing process to better understand how clouds make ice and their effect on climate. Clouds are a lot cooler than you might think. In fact, scientists might say they’re …

A molecular additive enhances next-gen LEDs – but shortens their lifespans

“By tinkering with the material makeup of perovskite LEDs, a cheaper and more easily-made type of LED, Stanford researchers achieved leaps in brightness and efficiency – but saw their lights give out after a few minutes of use. Chances are, the …

Researchers show how to increase X-ray laser brightness and power using a crystal cavity and diamond mirrors

“The long – but not too long – cavity would ping-pong X-ray pulses inside of a particle accelerator facility to help capture nature’s fastest movements. At particle accelerator facilities around the world, scientists rely on powerful X-rays to reveal the structure …

New nontoxic powder uses sunlight to quickly disinfect contaminated drinking water

“A low-cost, recyclable powder can kill thousands of waterborne bacteria per second when exposed to sunlight. Stanford and SLAC scientists say the ultrafast disinfectant could be a revolutionary advance for 2 billion people worldwide without access to safe drinking water …

Researchers develop clever algorithm to improve our understanding of particle beams in accelerators

“The algorithm pairs machine-learning techniques with beam physics equations to avoid massive data crunching. Whenever SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory’s linear accelerator is on, packs of around a billion electrons each travel together at nearly the speed of light through …

A new material could enable more efficient magnet-based computer memory

“Engineers have found a metallic compound that could bring more efficient forms of computer memory closer to commercialization, reducing computing’s carbon footprint, enabling faster processing, and allowing AI training to happen on individual devices instead of remote servers. Over …

Researchers capture elusive missing step in the final act of photosynthesis

“After decades of effort and help from SLAC’s X-ray laser, scientists have finally seen the process by which nature creates the oxygen we breathe. Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in shaping and sustaining life on Earth, yet many aspects …