Highlighting FRIB Stories

Latest updates, research breakthroughs, and facility announcements for FRIB

Website articles and press releases about FRIB science.

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  • 24 March 2026
  • 11:00 EDT
 Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory: From Chiral EFT to Nuclear Structure and Reactions Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory (NLEFT) is a framework for performing ab-initio calculations of nuclear structure and reactions. In this approach, nuclear forces derived from chiral effective field theory (EFT) are formulated on a periodic cubic lattice. Observables are computed using stochastic, non-perturbative methods such as auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo simulations. This powerful framework provides a quantum many-body approach with remarkable predictive power. In this talk, I will provide an overview of NLEFT, emphasizing its crucial role in bridging the gap between quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and low-energy nuclear phenomena. Additionally, I will discuss recent developments, including a novel method called wavefunction matching, and present state-of-the-art ab-initio calculations of nuclear structure, scattering, and reaction processes.
  • 27 March 2026
  • 2:00 EDT
 Challenges in observational studies of heavy elements Heavy elements make up the largest part of the periodic table and they still pose a large number of open questions associated with their formation. Most of the heavy elements form via neutron captures that happen on a slow (s-process), intermediate (i-process) or a rapid (r-process) scale (when comparing to the following beta decays). In this talk I will present a homogeneous follow-up observational study targeting light as well as heavy elements in about 50 metal-poor stars. Our study provides new insights into the formation of the third r-process peak (Ir, Os, Pt) as well as challenges we face when deriving abundances of even heavier elements (Th), such as shortcomings in our models as well as atomic physics. A few peculiar stars stand out in the study by either having a very high or very low level of heavy elements in their atmospheres. I will discuss the possible origin (spatial as well as nuclear formation) of these peculiar stars.
  • 27 March 2026
  • 3:00 EDT
 Transforming the BNL 200 MeV H- LINAC: 1000x Lower Losses, 2x High-current Transmission, and 2x Lower Emittance The Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) 200 MeV H⁻ Drift Tube Linac (DTL) operates at 6.67 Hz, delivering beams for the polarized proton program at RHIC and for isotope production at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP). Over the past two decades, a series of targeted upgrades—particularly in the low- and medium-energy beam transport lines (LEBT and MEBT)—have substantially improved linac performance and operational robustness. High-current transmission for isotope production has more than doubled, while transverse emittance for polarized proton operation has been reduced by approximately a factor of two. In parallel, beam losses have decreased by roughly three orders of magnitude, significantly reducing radiation levels and enabling higher delivered currents. Together, these improvements increase intensity and reliability for BLIP while providing improved beam quality and stability for future accelerator programs, representing a major step forward in long-term linac performance and scientific productivity.

External news and journal publications discussing FRIB science.

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  • 22 January 2026
  • Phys.org

Researchers have reported new experimental results addressing the origin of rare proton-rich isotopes heavier than iron, called p-nuclei. Led by Artemis Tsantiri, then-graduate student at FRIB and current postdoctoral fellow at the University of Regina in Canada, the study presents the first rare isotope beam measurement of proton capture on arsenic-73 to produce selenium-74, providing new constraints on how the lightest p-nucleus is formed and destroyed in the cosmos.

 https://phys.org/news/2026-01-cosmic-rare-proton-rich-isotope.html
  • 20 December 2025
  • Phys.org

A research team at FRIB is the first ever to observe a beta-delayed neutron emission from fluorine-25, a rare, unstable nuclide. Using the FRIB Decay Station Initiator (FDSi), the team found contradictions in prior experimental findings. The results led to a new line of inquiry into how particles in exotic, unstable isotopes remain bound under extreme conditions.

 https://phys.org/news/2025-12-beta-delayed-neutron-emission-rare.html
  • 20 December 2025
  • Life Technology

Researchers at FRIB have achieved a significant milestone in nuclear physics by detecting beta-delayed neutron emission from fluorine-25, an elusive and unstable nuclide. This groundbreaking discovery, made possible through the utilization of the FRIB Decay Station Initiator (FDSi), has unveiled new insights into the behavior of exotic isotopes under extreme conditions.

 https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/rare-isotope-…
  • 8 December 2025
  • Phys.org

Physicists from institutions including FRIB used state-of-the-art ab-initio nuclear theory to show that several neutron-rich magnesium isotopes near neutron number 20 exhibit both normal and deformed shapes at low energy—evidence of shape coexistence and a breakdown of the traditional “magic” shell closure at . The work helps resolve longstanding questions about this region of the nuclear chart and identifies isotopes whose structures can be tested with modern rare-isotope facilities.

 https://phys.org/news/2025-12-nuclear-island-magic.html

Laboratory Update for Users

The LUU is a newsletter for FRIB users that features noteworthy news and updates at the laboratory.

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Laboratory Update for Alumni

The LUA newsletter for FRIB alumni features significant research and project milestones.

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