The INEEL's Ecological and Cultural Resources Department developed a computer program to integrate historical, archaeological, and anthropological research data. The Data Management Tool (DMT) helps archaeologists navigate detailed information, draw interactive maps, and predict where new artifacts might be found.
The INEEL-designed closure system will demonstrate operations and equipment, with the prototype constructed and operated at the INEEL. The project builds on INEEL's expertise in spent fuel canister welding and robotics to develop a remote-operated waste package closure system.
The pilot plant uses electrolysis to produce high-purity hydrogen, with a purity exceeding 99.999 percent. The system also compresses natural gas for use as a motor fuel, reducing petroleum use and providing air emissions benefits.
The new yellow bus features alternative fuel, a low floor, and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), providing easy accessibility for passengers. The bus is designed to reduce dependence on foreign energy sources and protect national parks' pristine environment.
The Change Detection System (CDS) technology developed by INEEL researchers uses computer analysis and human reflex to highlight subtle differences between digital images. This breakthrough technology has potential applications in various fields, including medicine, security, forensics, and field research.
Researchers are developing faster methods to detect pathogens in the environment, such as DNA-based field assays and real-time PCR systems. However, challenges persist, including identifying the viability of pathogens and distinguishing between natural and genetically modified organisms.
A newly discovered enzyme from Thermus brockianus may transform industrial bleaching from environmentally problematic to environmentally green. The catalase enzyme works well in hot, alkaline wastewater, breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered a new polymer membrane that allows for more efficient movement of lithium ions, leading to better battery performance and longer lifespan. The membrane, made from MEEP material, can be molded into any shape and is temperature-tolerant, making it suitable for various applications.
Scientists have discovered new life in the deep ocean floor, specifically microbial methane makers that thrive on frozen methane hydrate. The team's research aims to develop realistic models of hydrate distribution and rate of formation in seafloor sediments.
Hydrologist Robert Lenhard has refined current constitutive theory to predict residual NAPL distribution in subsurface, resolving a critical contamination modeling problem. His new model predicts pulse-like contamination generation during heavy rainstorms and flooding, influencing environmental remediation choices.
Researchers use prototype IT-SIMS instrument to detect and analyze VX on concrete, finding that temperature affects degradation rate. Concrete's high basic pH neutralizes VX, causing it to break down over time, with faster decomposition at higher temperatures.
INEEL researchers won seven of 35 EMSP projects, focusing on contaminant movement, remediation techniques, and metal-reducing microbes. The funding will support three additional projects led by other institutions.
The new Geocentrifuge Research Laboratory enables researchers to study complex processes at high speeds, accelerating environmental cleanup and geotechnical engineering advancements. Researchers will explore topics such as contaminant transport mechanisms and fluid flow in soil and rock.
A pioneering liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility has been unveiled in California, featuring a patented technology that dramatically reduces LNG plant size and cost. The new facility can be easily transported and placed close to clean-fuel customers, providing emergency services and faster gas service recovery.
Researchers have developed a new method called the Walker Diffusion Method (WDM) that accurately models fluid transport in porous materials. This approach uses simple probabilistic rules to calculate the movement of 'random walkers' through the material, revealing the overall physical structure and flow paths.
A new bioremediation process, Bioavailability Enhancement Technology (B.E.T.), has been successfully tested at the Idaho National Laboratory's Test Area North. The technology accelerates the degradation of trichloroethene (TCE) in groundwater plumes, making it a cost-effective solution for cleaning up contaminated aquifers.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are testing the effectiveness of ozone technology to sterilize mail by delivering high concentrations of ozone through potato conveyor belts. Preliminary results indicate that a 60-minute exposure to high levels of ozone inactivates anthrax spores, providing a potential tool against terrorism.
The Idaho National Laboratory has identified a promising alternative to waste incineration, known as the "Silver II" method. This process chemically oxidizes molecules at low temperatures and produces no dioxins or low-emission polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
A new extraction process, known as Universal Extractant (UNEX), has been developed to remove multiple radioactive elements from high-level nuclear waste in a single step. This process reduces the volume of waste by at least twentyfold, making it cheaper and safer to store.
Researchers created high-resolution pseudo-images of minerals within basalt and bacterial growth, providing critical information about bacterial metabolism. The technique also creates three-dimensional images, allowing researchers to understand the complex relationships between microbes, minerals, and contaminants.
INEEL researchers successfully cleaned over 69% of plutonium and americium from spiked, local soil using supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide. The method is nondestructive, environmentally friendly, and suitable for cleaning up plutonium-contaminated soil at DOE sites.
Researchers at INEEL have developed an energy-efficient process to produce alkylate, a high-octane gasoline blend with low environmental pollutants. The new method uses a solid acid catalyst and supercritical fluid solvent to regenerate the deactivated catalyst, increasing its lifespan by 20 times.
Scientists use ion-trap secondary ion mass spectrometer (IT-SIMS) to detect chemical warfare agents like HD and VX at part-per-million levels. The technique offers increased specificity, speed, and minimal sample preparation, making it ideal for environmental restoration and national security applications.
Researchers at INEEL have developed a revolutionary Super Hard Steel coating with unparalleled hardness properties, surpassing existing commercial coatings in wear and corrosion resistance. The coating can withstand extreme conditions, including high velocity blasting, and is nearly impossible to remove.
Researchers identified imperfections' preferred location on twin grain boundaries, leading to new strategies to control material properties. Grain size plays a role only when plastic deformation begins, with little effect afterwards.
The Idaho National Laboratory's Rapid Solidification Process (RSP) Tooling has been recognized by the Department of Energy for its innovative approach to fabricating precision tooling. This process enables mass-produced items to be created more quickly and cheaply, reducing production costs and turn-around time.
The Idaho National Laboratory's lithium battery solid electrolyte has been recognized by the DOE as a top consumer product, offering substantial savings and improvements in safety. The technology promises longer-lasting rechargeable batteries with reduced waste, making it suitable for applications such as space exploration and pacemakers.
Researchers can detect regional groundwater flow paths in the Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer using radiogenic isotope ratios. By analyzing variations in strontium-87 and strontium-86, they identified faster and slower flow zones aligned with sediment-filled valleys.
The US Department of Energy has awarded Amalgamated Research, Inc. $1.9 million to improve biomass refinery efficiency and reduce capital equipment costs in Idaho. The project aims to develop a new biomass refining system for purifying and separating biomass subcomponents, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals.
Researchers at the University of Idaho and INEEL are using a unique laser-based method to study airflow around turbine blades, which can lead to improved performance and reduced maintenance costs. The Matched Index of Refraction Flow System will enable detailed measurements of flow patterns and surface roughness.
A more thorough evaluation of energy costs can increase the value of an energy conservation project, allowing companies to carry out plans that might otherwise appear too expensive. By considering overlooked savings such as reduced maintenance and internal costs, energy managers can recoup costs faster.
INEEL researchers discovered a way to make rare earth magnets more powerful and durable by tweaking their formula. By adding extra elements, they improved the temperature resistance and magnetic field strength of the magnets.
Thirteen research projects selected for initial funding explore subsurface conditions, contaminants, and environmental cleanup methods at the INEEL site. The projects, funded by $3 million from INRA over three years, aim to develop effective cleanup methods for various applications.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a 25-year research effort to improve understanding of the vadose zone, where contaminants can migrate into groundwater. The initiative aims to advance characterization, monitoring and modeling science and technology to support cleanup and long-term stewardship decisions.
Researchers at INEEL develop systems model to accurately assess greenhouse gas emissions from energy use. The model considers various factors, including energy efficiency and facility operations.
A dosimeter, a portable device, detects gamma rays and neutrons to ensure workplace safety in nuclear power plants and research labs. It uses lithium isotopes to measure neutron particles and has been recognized as one of the 100 most significant technological achievements for the year 2000.
Researchers are developing cost-effective methods to capture and store carbon dioxide, with potential to reduce global warming impact. The DOE-funded projects include membrane development, vortex tube separation, and algae-based carbon sequestration.
Adding acetone to composting method dissolves chunks of carcinogenic substance, allowing microbes to break it down. Microbial populations thrive under modified conditions, degrading explosive in just one day.
A team of scientists, including INEEL microbiologist Mark Delwiche, drilled into the ocean floor off Japan in search of methane-producing microorganisms. The goal is to understand how fast these microorganisms produce methane and potentially unlock a new renewable energy source.
Researchers develop a new fuel that combines thorium and uranium to increase reactor runtime, potentially saving the industry $1 billion annually. The fuel could also generate less waste than traditional all-uranium fuel, while improving resistance to nuclear proliferation.
Physicist Jacquelyn Yanch has devised a new method to combat severe rheumatoid arthritis by injecting boron compounds and exposing joints to neutron beams, killing the synovium lining. Early results on rabbits are promising, but human trials are still needed.
Microorganisms can survive deep underground due to high temperatures, availability of water and chemical nutrients, porosity of the surrounding rock, and flow of fluids. Subsurface scientists have identified these factors to understand how extremophiles colonize environments and potentially shed light on life on other planets.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that microorganisms can break down urea and promote the formation of calcite, trapping radioactive strontium-90. This process could be used to contain contaminant until it decays away, potentially providing a cheaper and safer alternative to surface extraction.
The partners aim to enhance the EPA's BASINS program by adding uncertainty and probability assessment capabilities. This will enable decision-makers to prioritize management actions that yield the best results. The collaboration also seeks to improve stakeholder involvement and promote proactive watershed management.
Researchers at INEEL are developing a method to trap strontium-90 in calcite crystal, effectively removing it from groundwater. By stimulating naturally occurring bacteria to hydrolyze urea, they aim to increase the pH and facilitate mineral formation.
INEEL researchers develop polyphosphazene membranes for efficient chemical separation and waste minimization, offering stability up to 300 degrees Celsius. The hybrid membrane combines organic and inorganic molecules for improved durability and versatility.
Researchers are using naturally occurring microbes to clean radioactively contaminated walls and ceilings at a shut down reactor in the UK. The technology removes surface contamination through a microbial decontamination process, significantly reducing waste treatment costs and improving personnel safety.
The INEEL is developing a roadmap for vadose zone management, leveraging expertise from DOE sites, contractors, industry, and universities to enhance timely delivery of products. The goal is sound environmental stewardship through understanding based on defensible science.
A symposium on bioprospecting was held at the American Society for Microbiology meeting, exploring microbial diversity and the search for novel natural products. Experts discussed the potential of bioprospecting to develop new drugs and chemicals, as well as its role in conservation and cultural diversity.
Leaders from national parks, forests, and local communities visited the Idaho National Laboratory to share resources and expertise. The visit aimed to coordinate decisions and manage data between agencies, with a focus on regional transportation, infrastructure, and natural resource management.