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Researchers used neutron scattering at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source to investigate bizarre magnetic behavior, believed to be a possible quantum spin liquid rarely found in a three-dimensional material. QSLs are exotic states of matter where magnetism continues to fluctuate at low temperatures instead of “freezing” into aligned north and south poles as with traditional magnets.

Natalie Griffiths kneading in watershed at ORNL

Growing up, Natalie Griffiths dreamed of playing shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays. With a stint on the Canadian national women’s baseball team under her belt, Griffiths has retired her glove and now fields scientific questions about carbon and nutrient cycling and water quality ...

Joseph Lukens, Raphael Pooser, and Nick Peters (from left) of ORNL’s Quantum Information Science Group developed and tested a new interferometer made from highly nonlinear fiber in pursuit of improved sensitivity at the quantum scale. Credit: Carlos Jones

By analyzing a pattern formed by the intersection of two beams of light, researchers can capture elusive details regarding the behavior of mysterious phenomena such as gravitational waves. Creating and precisely measuring these interference patterns would not be possible without instruments called interferometers.

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Fiber-reinforced polymer material to construct pipelines that will transport hydrogen to service stations of the future is being developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Oak Ridge's Tim Armstrong says a one-mile stretch of polymer piping could cost half the amount of...
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A prototype device to forewarn epileptic seizures is being developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Oak Ridge researcher Lee Hively says the SeizAlert system studies brain waves.
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Researchers at ORNL have developed a hybrid process where they use a laser in combination with friction-stir welding (FSW) „ a technique that has been in development for about 10 years for joining small metal alloys parts „ to extend its application to more materials. FSW uses a rotating tool to joi...
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Soon, men and mice won't be the only beneficiaries of CT technology's diagnostic wonders. Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are developing ways to use a computer tomography machine originally designed for small laboratory animals to analyze wood, with potential applications in the pulp, pape...
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory's SensorNet augmented by a system being developed by Enterra Solutions could become a first line of defense against terrorist attacks or natural disasters. ORNL and Enterra are teaming up to support SensorNet, a collection of systems to detect, identify and assess chemi...
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A patented technique originally developed to measure temperatures inside turbine engines and fuel cells could play a key role in making electromagnetic weapons, or railguns, a reality. While several challenges remain, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers' ability to accurately measure the tempe...
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Small organisms collected 10,000 feet below the Earth's surface can produce magnets up to 50 percent more powerful than normal.Environmental scientist Tommy Phelps of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been leading the research effort on this nanofermentation technology ov...