![Sphere that has the top right fourth removed (exposed) Colors from left are orange, dark blue with orange dots, light blue with horizontal lines, then black. Inside the exposure is green and black with boxes.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_square_large/public/2024-06/slicer.jpg?h=56311bf6&itok=bCZz09pJ)
Filter News
Area of Research
- Biology and Environment (7)
- Clean Energy (31)
- Climate and Environmental Systems (1)
- Computer Science (1)
- Fusion and Fission (2)
- Fusion Energy (4)
- Isotopes (3)
- Materials (15)
- Materials for Computing (3)
- National Security (3)
- Neutron Science (25)
- Nuclear Science and Technology (13)
- Nuclear Systems Modeling, Simulation and Validation (1)
- Quantum information Science (1)
- Supercomputing (11)
News Topics
- (-) Advanced Reactors (14)
- (-) Climate Change (10)
- (-) Frontier (1)
- (-) Isotopes (8)
- (-) Neutron Science (30)
- (-) Space Exploration (2)
- (-) Sustainable Energy (24)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (28)
- Artificial Intelligence (8)
- Big Data (11)
- Bioenergy (12)
- Biology (5)
- Biomedical (21)
- Biotechnology (2)
- Buildings (1)
- Chemical Sciences (5)
- Clean Water (2)
- Composites (1)
- Computer Science (39)
- Coronavirus (23)
- Critical Materials (2)
- Cybersecurity (4)
- Decarbonization (1)
- Energy Storage (21)
- Environment (29)
- Exascale Computing (3)
- Fusion (13)
- Grid (7)
- High-Performance Computing (3)
- Machine Learning (8)
- Materials (2)
- Materials Science (37)
- Mathematics (2)
- Mercury (1)
- Microscopy (8)
- Molten Salt (2)
- Nanotechnology (17)
- National Security (2)
- Nuclear Energy (31)
- Physics (13)
- Polymers (7)
- Quantum Science (14)
- Security (3)
- Summit (17)
- Transformational Challenge Reactor (5)
- Transportation (15)
Media Contacts
![Scientists created a novel polymer that is as effective as natural proteins in transporting protons through a membrane. Credit: ORNL/Jill Hemman](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-03/19-G01195_nature_feature_0.png?h=e4fbc3eb&itok=K8czXmTr)
Biological membranes, such as the “walls” of most types of living cells, primarily consist of a double layer of lipids, or “lipid bilayer,” that forms the structure, and a variety of embedded and attached proteins with highly specialized functions, including proteins that rapidly and selectively transport ions and molecules in and out of the cell.
![Starch granules](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-02/starchgranules.png?h=0c9ab501&itok=eLsE3JOx)
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new method to peer deep into the nanostructure of biomaterials without damaging the sample. This novel technique can confirm structural features in starch, a carbohydrate important in biofuel production.
A team of scientists led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that while all regions of the country can expect an earlier start to the growing season as temperatures rise, the trend is likely to become more variable year-over-year in hotter regions.
![ORNL researchers developed sodium-ion batteries by pairing a high-energy oxide or phosphate cathode with a hard carbon anode and achieved 100 usage cycles at a one-hour charge and discharge rate. Credit: Mengya Li/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-02/Sodium-ion_batteries_thumb.jpg?h=d91dfa5a&itok=gPCNMJ6R)
Researchers at ORNL demonstrated that sodium-ion batteries can serve as a low-cost, high performance substitute for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries commonly used in robotics, power tools, and grid-scale energy storage.
![This simulation of a fusion plasma calculation result shows the interaction of two counter-streaming beams of super-heated gas. Credit: David L. Green/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-02/Fusion_plasma_simulation.jpg?h=d0852d1e&itok=CDWgjLPL)
The prospect of simulating a fusion plasma is a step closer to reality thanks to a new computational tool developed by scientists in fusion physics, computer science and mathematics at ORNL.
![ORNL's Battery Manufacturing Facility](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-02/BMF-2012-2.jpg?h=34d4d6b0&itok=6ilHI2vl)
Energy storage startup SPARKZ Inc. has exclusively licensed five battery technologies from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed to eliminate cobalt metal in lithium-ion batteries. The advancement is aimed at accelerating the production of electric vehicles and energy storage solutions for the power grid.
![Geothermal energy storage system](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-01/Geothermal_graphic_0.jpg?h=f9060f2b&itok=W6LxcJwG)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers created a geothermal energy storage system that could reduce peak electricity demand up to 37% in homes while helping balance grid operations.
![VERA, the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-01/VERA-NQA1.png?h=de483914&itok=sbmBpjMk)
Nuclear scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have established a Nuclear Quality Assurance-1 program for a software product designed to simulate today’s commercial nuclear reactors – removing a significant barrier for industry adoption of the technology.
![Smart Neighborhood homes](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-01/04.09.TD-SMartHome_0.jpg?h=5b5a5437&itok=22S5Tle1)
To better determine the potential energy cost savings among connected homes, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a computer simulation to more accurately compare energy use on similar weather days.