Industry leaders gathered at M2IND to discuss manufacturing challenges and technologies for US industry, focusing on alternatives to traditional methods. Key findings include a need for resilient supply chains, expanded critical material options, and faster qualification processes.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new manufacturing approach combining 3D printing and electroforming to produce complex, leak-free components for advanced nuclear reactors. This approach streamlines production and reduces reliance on traditional supply chains.
A US national laboratory research collaboration aims to accelerate the qualification of critical nuclear components for the US energy supply chain. The project leverages additive manufacturing and AI tools to enable the rapid expansion of domestic nuclear manufacturing capabilities, boosting energy security and competitiveness.
M. Parans Paranthaman, an expert in solid-state chemistry and materials science at ORNL, has been named R&D World’s 2026 Researcher of the Year for his career translating fundamental materials research into practical technologies with real-world applications. He has authored over 500 peer-reviewed publications and holds 65 U.S. patents.
A new grid intelligence platform, AWARE, detects and reports abnormal power grid conditions to improve grid reliability and reduce outages. The tool uses artificial intelligence to analyze waveforms and provide practical insights for utilities to make better operational decisions.
The DOE has committed funding for UNITY-3, a cutting-edge breeding blanket test facility at ORNL, with Kyoto Fusioneering relocating its US headquarters to Tennessee. This partnership establishes a shared commercial-scale testing infrastructure to validate critical systems and train digital twins of breeding blanket concepts.
Cryogenic pellet fueling forms solid pellets of hydrogen at extremely low temperatures, enhancing plasma performance and addressing fueling challenges in next-generation fusion devices. The partnership between ORNL and Type One Energy will accelerate commercialization of fusion energy.
Advincula, a Governor's Chair Professor at ORNL and University of Tennessee, recognized for research advancing applied chemistry and translating scientific discoveries into practical applications. His work helps strengthen American innovation and industrial competitiveness.
Scientists created a platform that pinpoints genetic triggers for microbes to produce new chemicals and materials. The method enables rapid, precise reprogramming of bacteria as biotechnology tools, supporting the domestic production of valuable products.
The US has launched a new national center to help strengthen its cement and concrete supply chain at a time of rising demand and increasing imports. The ACCENT Center will accelerate the development of advanced materials and manufacturing processes, closing critical gaps between laboratory research and field performance.
The partnership will create a blueprint for fusion testbed and shared technology development, addressing key gaps in the DOE Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap. The collaboration combines ORNL's expertise in fusion science with REV's technical knowledge and specialty in capital and ecosystem development.
Three Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have been elevated to IEEE senior membership for their outstanding work on energy infrastructure. Shamim Hasan, Mohammad Khalid, and Deepika Patel were recognized for their research in electromagnetic transient modeling, power system protection, and microgrid controls.
Ahmed Arabi Hassen, group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been named ASNT Fellow for his significant contributions to nondestructive testing and evaluation. He advanced composite manufacturing through innovative methods, enabling faster qualification of new materials and structures.
Researchers at ORNL developed a novel electric motor drive design that cuts neutral-point current and common-mode voltage to reduce excess heat and premature wear. The approach achieves a 90% reduction in neutral-point voltage fluctuations and a 43% drop in capacitor current stress, improving system reliability.
Hong Wang, a senior R&D scientist at ORNL, recognized by the European Academy of Sciences and Arts for outstanding achievements. He conducts research on connected mobility systems and intelligent transportation technologies.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers received five awards for their work on commercial vehicle operations, freight corridors, and integrated energy systems. ORNL's research also focuses on fuel economy guides, high-performance steel alloys, and computational tools for welding and manufacturing.
Robert Wagner, associate laboratory director at ORNL, was recognized for his leadership in bridging disciplines to advance technologies in manufacturing, energy, and transportation. His work translates scientific research into practical solutions strengthening US competitiveness and security.
The institute will leverage expertise to model interactions between computing, energy systems and the grid. King aims to guide research and development in thermal management, power system architecture, and more.
Researchers at ORNL developed JACC to advance performance portability for Julia across heterogeneous HPC architectures. The framework enables a single codebase to execute efficiently on CPUs and GPUs from multiple vendors, reducing software barriers.
Roschli's research applies large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) to nuclear energy construction, reducing production times from weeks to days. He was recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for his contributions to additive manufacturing innovations.
Alex Botts, a technical account manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, received the 2026 Young Energy Professional of the Year Award for her leadership in industrial energy efficiency. She supports DOE's Better Plants Program, helping industrial partners identify and implement energy-saving opportunities.
A grid cybersecurity framework developed by ORNL has been licensed by GridForge Energy Solutions to improve real-time grid visibility. The patented Cyber Grid Guard platform uses blockchain technology to instantly detect unusual grid activity, data manipulation, and illicit changes to device settings.
The partnership between ACP Technologies and Oak Ridge National Laboratory has helped move advanced pitch materials from laboratory development to pilot-scale production. The collaboration supported the refinement and demonstration of isotropic and mesophase pitch materials, now being produced at a new continuous pilot facility.
Cait Clarkson has received the SAMPE Young Professional Emerging Leadership Award for her applied science research on advanced polymer and composite materials. Her work focuses on developing sustainable feedstocks for large-format additive manufacturing, automotive, and industrial applications.
Sana Elyas, technical leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was elected as president of SAMPE North America, continuing her steady progression through leadership roles. She will focus on building on the organization's strong foundation, strengthening technical excellence and growing partnerships.
The LEEP program has enabled the success of over 51 startups, with nearly $100 million in sales revenue and $326.8 million in follow-on funding. The program's translational success is mirrored in the success rate of LEEP-supported startups, which have experienced a 92% success rate.
Advincula received the Frank Tiller Award for his pioneering work on new materials, 3D printed membranes and smart separation surfaces. His research at ORNL focuses on polymer design, synthesis and characterization.
Tomas Grejtak has been selected for the Early Career Award from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) for his research on wear, friction, and material deformation. The award recognizes his contributions to advancing the field of tribology and improving machine efficiency.
Researchers Nadim Hmeidat and Amber Hubbard have been honored with the 2026 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) for their contributions to advanced manufacturing research and engineering innovation.
Kate Evans joins ORNL as Associate Lab Director for Biological and Environmental Systems Science, leading efforts in biological systems science, biotechnology innovation, and energy resilience. She aims to translate scientific discoveries into innovative solutions using exascale computing, AI, and advanced analytics.
Researchers have developed a new processing method that allows ferroelectricity to be directly written into aluminum nitride using helium ion beams, reducing energy loss and increasing the material's ferroelectric potential. This breakthrough enables the creation of devices with minimal power consumption and robust data storage.
A novel monitoring system has been developed to detect tool wear in machining, delivering 98% accuracy and real-time insights. This innovation uses a flexible tactile sensor to capture detailed images of the cutting edge, enabling manufacturers to schedule replacement at the optimal time.
The eDNA-bot revolutionizes biological monitoring by providing comprehensive results at lower cost than conventional surveying methods. It can detect elusive species and monitor wastewater for pathogens, streamlining environmental assessments in hydropower licensing.
A team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory used large-format additive manufacturing to create high-precision molds for advanced nuclear reactors, lowering costs and speeding deployment of new plants. The project demonstrates the potential of digital manufacturing to cut weeks off the schedule while meeting strict nuclear standards.
The ORNL team is developing AI-enabled pixel detectors that can process massive data streams directly at the source. Spiking neural networks will be used to identify patterns and extract valuable signatures from particle interactions in real time.
David Cullen, a distinguished R&D staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been elected a Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America. He is recognized for his research excellence and service in advancing microscopy and microanalysis.
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory was recently awarded six Federal Lab Consortium awards for Technology Transfer Excellence. The awards recognize the successful transfer of technology from laboratory to industry, including a breakthrough suite of lithium extraction technologies that enable secure domestic supply.
The collaboration aims to improve manufacturing of silicon carbide ceramics, a strong material that can withstand high heat and radiation. Researchers will combine 3D printing and digital technologies to enhance production efficiency and reduce defects.
Jennifer Morrell-Falvey, a senior staff scientist at ORNL, has been elected as an AAAS fellow for her work on plant-microbe interactions. Her research focuses on understanding the genetic and mechanistic basis of these interactions, with implications for plant health and ecosystem function.
A new biosensor developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory detects emerging fungal presence on plants at the molecular level, enabling rapid response to crop threats. The sensor identifies fungal outbreaks in near-real time, allowing for faster treatment and study of plant-microbe interactions.
The partnership aims to demonstrate advanced microgrid capabilities with dynamic boundaries and networked microgrids, enhancing reliability for utility customers. EPB will add 58 megawatt hours of energy storage in five microgrids, providing backup power to over a thousand residential customers and community resources.
A new study reveals that applying an electric field to a ceramic material changes how phonons (tiny vibrations that carry heat) behave, leading to improved thermal conductivity. The material conducts heat almost three times more efficiently along the field direction than in perpendicular directions.
The institute will focus on technologies required to operate next-generation AI supercomputer systems reliably while accelerating scientific breakthroughs. It aims to drive innovation in making AI data centers more efficient, reliable, secure, and integrated with the nation's energy system.
Vipin Kumar, a composites manufacturing researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been selected for the ACMA Emerging Leaders Program. The program develops future leaders in the composites industry through professional development and advocacy training.
The partnership aims to accelerate the development of fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactors, which use molten fluoride salt coolant with TRISO fuel. ORNL will provide expertise and access to specialized facilities for review and evaluation, as well as manufacture components for reactor development and testing.
Experiments with tin isotopes rich in neutrons provide key physics insights into nuclear stability and element formation. The results help theoretical physicists improve models and establish the doubly-magic nature of tin-132.
The new platform at ORNL's APPL facility combines robotics and AI to deliver in-depth insights for plant transformation. Massive datasets generated by the platform are analyzed using AI and ORNL's Frontier exascale supercomputer.
Researchers used the Frontier supercomputer to perform a record-breaking direct numerical simulation of turbulence in three dimensions, achieving a resolution of 35 trillion grid points. The study offers new insights into turbulent fluid flows, which govern various natural and engineered phenomena.
Smith's election recognizes his technical leadership in manufacturing, machining, and innovation, with contributions to improving machine tool system performance and manufacturing of thin monolithic structures. His work has generated significant cost savings and productivity improvements for US manufacturers across various industries.
A new method called Distributed Cross-Channel Hierarchical Aggregation (D-CHAG) accelerates analysis of hyperspectral data, enabling faster AI-guided discoveries for high-performing crops. The approach reduces computational bottleneck and increases efficiency, making it possible to extract subtle patterns in plant physiology.