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Wavy photo representing high performance computing

Office of Science to announce a new research and development opportunity led by ORNL to advance technologies and drive new capabilities for future supercomputers. This industry research program worth $23 million, called New Frontiers, will initiate partnerships with multiple companies to accelerate the R&D of critical technologies with renewed emphasis on energy efficiency for the next generation of post-exascale computing in the 2029 and beyond time frame.

ORNL scientists used molecular dynamics simulations, exascale computing, lab testing and analysis to accelerate the development of an energy-saving method to produce nanocellulosic fibers.

A team led by scientists at ORNL identified and demonstrated a method to process a plant-based material called nanocellulose that reduced energy needs by a whopping 21%, using simulations on the lab’s supercomputers and follow-on analysis.

Scientists used neutrons to study the role of ergosterol (green), a cholesterol-like lipid found in the lipid bilayer (yellow) of fungi, which could help in combatting fungal infections that each year cause almost 1.7 million fatalities globally.

A group of scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have conducted neutron scattering research to reveal key information about fungus cell membranes that could aid in developing new antifungal treatments. 

Bryan Maldonado

As a mechanical engineer in building envelope materials research at ORNL, Bryan Maldonado sees opportunities to apply his scientific expertise virtually everywhere he goes, from coast to coast. As an expert in understanding how complex systems operate, he’s using machine learning methods to control the process and ultimately optimize performance. 

The Frontier supercomputer simulated magnetic responses inside calcium-48, depicted by red and blue spheres. Insights into the nucleus’s fundamental forces could shed light on supernova dynamics.

Nuclear physicists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently used Frontier, the world’s most powerful supercomputer, to calculate the magnetic properties of calcium-48’s atomic nucleus. 

VENUS, slated for user beamtime next fall, dons ORNL green to symbolize involvement from scientists and researchers across ORNL.

DOE commissioned a neutron imaging instrument, VENUS, at the Spallation Neutron Source in July. VENUS instrument scientists will use AI to deliver 3D models to researchers in half the time it typically takes. 

ORNL researchers Tom Beck, left, Sarp Oral and Rafael Ferreira da Silva have proposed a strategy for integrating classical supercomputers such as Frontier, the world’s first exascale computer, with the emerging field of quantum computing.

A study by more than a dozen scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory examines potential strategies to integrate quantum computing with the world’s most powerful supercomputing systems in the pursuit of science.

Quantum computing experts gather for fifth annual user forum at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Quantum Computing User Forum welcomed attendees for a dynamic event at ORNL. The annual user meeting brought the cohort together to highlight results and discuss common practices in the development of applications and software for quantum computing systems.

Weyl semimetal

At ORNL, a group of scientists used neutron scattering techniques to investigate a relatively new functional material called a Weyl semimetal. These Weyl fermions move very quickly in a material and can carry electrical charge at room temperature. Scientists think that Weyl semimetals, if used in future electronics, could allow electricity to flow more efficiently and enable more energy-efficient computers and other electronic devices.

R&D100 Award

In an impressive showcase of cutting-edge innovation and scientific prowess, ORNL has been recognized as a beacon of technological excellence, receiving 14 R&D 100 Awards, announced this week by R&D World magazine.