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ORNL researcher is sitting on a desk with his hands crossed, three screens behind him depicting work in satellites and space. Pictures on the left and right are orange in color while the middle photo is blue and reflects an image from space

From during his early years at NASA to his current role a researcher and group leader, Peter Fuhr has pushed the boundaries of optical and sensor technology. Fuhr’s path is marked by wacky creativity that can’t confine itself to challenges in a single field. No idea is too far out to try out — and so many of them work that Fuhr has a host of inventions and start-ups under his belt.

Pictured is the process of converting greenhouse gases to syngas, shown with a city scape with CO2 and CH4 turning to a mountain landscape with CO and H2

A chemical reaction can convert two polluting greenhouse gases into valuable building blocks for cleaner fuels and feedstocks, but the high temperature required for the reaction also deactivates the catalyst. A team led by ORNL has found a way to thwart deactivation. The strategy may apply broadly to other catalysts.

Three team members stand holding their award for bet paper by Welding Journal

A paper written by researchers from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory was selected as the top paper of 2023 by Welding Journal that explored the feasibility of using laser-blown powder direct energy deposition, or Laser-powder DED.

Graphic representation of three woman, pictured in black in white, representing technology transfer awards

Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced its latest cohort of technology transfer liaisons, a group of experts selected to bridge the gap between research and commercialization efforts. 

Scientists stands at podium in front of group; stage has green and blue lights

ORNL welcomed attendees to the inaugural Southeastern Quantum Conference, held Oct. 28 – 30 in downtown Knoxville, to discuss innovative ways to use quantum science and technologies to enable scientific discovery. 

seven scientists' headshots are listed horizontally in a graphic representing the Battelle Distingished Inventors

Seven scientists affiliated with ORNL have been named Battelle Distinguished Inventors in recognition of being granted 14 or more United States patents. Since Battelle began managing ORNL in 2000, 104 ORNL researchers have reached this milestone.

Scientists used neutron scattering to study how tweaking the ionic clusters in ionizable polymer solutions affects their structure. The polymer building blocks are marked in gold and the ionizable groups in red. Findings could open doors to lighter, more efficient clean energy devices. Credit: Phoenix Pleasant/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Electrolytes that convert chemical to electrical energy underlie the search for new power sources with zero emissions. Among these new power sources are fuel cells that produce electricity. 

microscopic ctherm biomass

Using a best-of-nature approach developed by researchers working with the Center for Bioenergy Innovation at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Dartmouth University, startup company Terragia Biofuel is targeting commercial biofuels production that relies on renewable plant waste and consumes less energy. The technology can help meet the demand for billions of gallons of clean liquid fuels needed to reduce emissions from airplanes, ships and long-haul trucks.

Pictured is the ForWarn vegetation tracking tool that shows where areas of red where disturbance to forest canopy occured

The ForWarn visualization tool was co-developed by ORNL with the U.S. Forest Service. The tool captures and analyzes satellite imagery to track impacts such as storms, wildfire and pests on forests across the nation.

Black computing cabinets in a row on a white floor in the data center that houses the Frontier supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Two-and-a-half years after breaking the exascale barrier, the Frontier supercomputer at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory continues to set new standards for its computing speed and performance.