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Picture shows magnetic domains in uranium with a blue and orange organic shapes, similar to lava flowing through water, but in graphic form

The US focuses on nuclear nonproliferation, and ORNL plays a key role in this mission. The lab conducts advanced research in uranium science, materials analysis and nuclear forensics to detect illicit nuclear activities. Using cutting-edge tools and operational systems, ORNL supports global efforts to reduce nuclear threats by uncovering the history of nuclear materials and providing solutions for uranium removal. 

ORNL computing staff members Hector Suarez (middle) and William Castillo (right) talk HPC at the Tapia Conference career fair in San Diego, California. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept of Energy

The National Center for Computational Sciences, located at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, made a strong showing at computing conferences this fall. Staff from across the center participated in numerous workshops and invited speaking engagements.

Image is an arial view of the South Africa Cape surrounded by ocean

Scientists and land managers interested in accessing the first dataset of its kind on one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world were given hands-on tutorials during a recent workshop by researchers supporting the ORNL Distributed Active Archive Center for Biogeochemical Dynamics.

3D map of Washington, D.C. that is a weather model of neighborhood during heat waves. The map is red and green indicating which buildings are giving off more heat
Scientists at ORNL have developed a first-ever urban heat wave simulation that takes into account the compounding effects from building infrastructure. The method provides a more accurate picture of the impacts from excessive heat on at-risk
Four scientists are standing in a field next to a data-gathering tool robot

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently demonstrated an autonomous robotic field monitoring, sampling and data-gathering system that could accelerate understanding of interactions among plants, soil and the environment.

5 scientists in blue and white coats are leaning over the wind blades covered in orange and yellow material

ORNL researchers reached a significant milestone by building an entire 6.5-foot turbine blade tip using novel materials. The team then tested it against the forces of simulated lightning in a specialized lab at Mississippi State University, where the blade tip emerged pristine after tests that isolate the effects of high voltage. 

The summit supercomputer logo on a computer cabinet off center going to the left. There are 7 cabinets going off to the left.

The Summit supercomputer did not have its many plugs pulled as planned after its five years of service. Instead, a new DOE Office of Science-backed allocation program called SummitPLUS was launched, extending Summit's production for another year. What did we learn during Summit’s bonus year of scientific discovery? Here are five projects with important results.

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.

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.

A small sample from the Frontier simulations reveals the evolution of the expanding universe in a region containing a massive cluster of galaxies from billions of years ago to present day (left).

In early November, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory used the fastest supercomputer on the planet to run the largest astrophysical simulation of the universe ever conducted. The achievement was made using the Frontier supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.