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![Depicted at left, small nanoparticles stick to segments of polymer chain that are about the same size as the nanoparticles themselves; these interactions produce a polymer nanocomposite that is easier to process because nanoparticles move fast, quickly ma Depicted at left, small nanoparticles stick to segments of polymer chain that are about the same size as the nanoparticles themselves; these interactions produce a polymer nanocomposite that is easier to process because nanoparticles move fast, quickly ma](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/No_labels_jpg_1_0.jpg?itok=zO_JZyGy)
Polymer nanocomposites mix particles billionths of a meter (nanometers, nm) in diameter with polymers, which are long molecular chains. Often used to make injection-molded products, they are common in automobiles, fire retardants, packaging materials, drug-delivery systems, medical devices, coatings, adhesives, sensors, membranes and consumer goods.
![A study led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory subjected tungsten to low energies, akin to normal operations of a fusion reactor (left), and high energies emulating plasma disruptions (right). A study led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory subjected tungsten to low energies, akin to normal operations of a fusion reactor (left), and high energies emulating plasma disruptions (right).](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/figure%20r1_1.jpg?itok=ym2O7GIs)
A fusion reactor is essentially a magnetic bottle containing the same processes that occur in the sun. Deuterium and tritium fuels fuse to form a vapor of helium ions, neutrons and heat. As this hot, ionized gas—called plasma—burns, that heat is transferred to water t...
![Thom Mason Thom Mason](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2012-P01374_0.jpg?itok=EJYyANrv)
Dr. Thom Mason will step down as director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory effective July 1, 2017, exactly 10 years after becoming director of the nation’s largest science and energy laboratory.
![A visualization using Finite Time Lyapunov Exponents (FTLE) of the bulk velocity field derived from particles in an XGC1 fusion simulation. The bulk velocity field was computed and visualized in situ using the ADIOS staging transport method. A visualization using Finite Time Lyapunov Exponents (FTLE) of the bulk velocity field derived from particles in an XGC1 fusion simulation. The bulk velocity field was computed and visualized in situ using the ADIOS staging transport method.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/FTLE_horizontal_hr.png?itok=gnA4sdAE)
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has announced the latest release of its Adaptable I/O System (ADIOS), a middleware that speeds up scientific simulations on parallel computing resources such as the laboratory’s Titan supercomputer by making i...
![Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Open Port Sampling Interfaces for Mass Spectrometry, invented by Gary Van Berkel (left) and Vilmos Kertesz, features simplicity and elegance. Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Open Port Sampling Interfaces for Mass Spectrometry, invented by Gary Van Berkel (left) and Vilmos Kertesz, features simplicity and elegance.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/01%202017-P00046_0.jpg?itok=fGfxrW6n)
Four technologies developed at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have earned Federal Laboratory Consortium awards for excellence in technology transfer.
The FLC is a network of more than 300 federal laboratories, facilities and research cent...
![The team transmitted the ORNL logo, an oak leaf, between two end points in the laboratory with 87 percent calculated fidelity. (Left): The original 4-color, 3.4kB image. (Right): The image received using superdense coding. The team transmitted the ORNL logo, an oak leaf, between two end points in the laboratory with 87 percent calculated fidelity. (Left): The original 4-color, 3.4kB image. (Right): The image received using superdense coding.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/williams_SDcoding2016-1%5B4%5D%201.png?itok=1zQS6HNO)
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have set a new record in the transfer of information via superdense coding, a process by which the properties of particles like photons, protons and electrons are used to store as much informatio...
![Periodic table_large Periodic table_large](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/Periodic%20table_large.png?itok=_kSpZtx-)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam visited the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory today to congratulate the ORNL team involved in the discovery of the element tennessine, named in recognition of the vital contributions of the state of Tennessee to the int...
![GWAS SNP Populus trees under study GWAS SNP Populus trees under study](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/GWAS%20SNP%20Populus%20trees%20under%20study.jpg?itok=HxvS6WyD)
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have released the largest-ever single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset of genetic variations in poplar trees, information useful to plant scientists
![On hand for UT-Battelle's check presentation at the new facility construction site. On hand for UT-Battelle's check presentation at the new facility construction site.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/Emory%20Valley200.jpg?itok=grS6lhC-)
UT-Battelle, the managing contractor for the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, made the final installment of a $250,000 pledge by presenting a $50,000 check in late December to the Emory Valley Center, a community facility that serves people w...
![Carbon_dioxide_direct_air_capture Carbon_dioxide_direct_air_capture](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/Carbon_dioxide_direct_air_capture.jpg?itok=P13GQMMy)
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a simple, reliable process to capture carbon dioxide directly from ambient air, offering a new option for carbon capture and storage strategies to combat global warming.
Initia...