The Department of Energy's Quantum Computing User Program is releasing a Request for Information to gather input on current and upcoming availability of quantum computing resources. The program aims to understand the readiness of these resources for quantum computing research and engage with the diversity of stakeholders in the field.
Larry Seiber, an R&D staff member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has achieved senior member status in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has conducted extensive research in power electronics and electric machinery, resulting in multiple patents and notable awards.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are studying how a new type of battery fails to improve long-term storage of wind and solar energy. By analyzing the failure mechanisms, researchers can design more durable solid electrolytes that support storing renewable energy for longer periods.
The American Physical Society has recognized the X-10 Graphite Pile as an APS historic site, commemorating its role in producing plutonium for the Manhattan Project. The reactor served as a facility for groundbreaking scientific research and radioisotope production from 1943 to 1963.
The team developed an exascale climate emulator with enhanced resolution without increasing data storage needs. The emulator offers a remarkable resolution of 3.5 kilometers, replicating local conditions on a timescale from days to hours.
Scientists estimate a 31% increase in global photosynthesis due to rising CO2 levels, with pan-tropical rainforests accounting for the largest difference. This improvement can enhance climate predictions and highlight the importance of natural carbon sequestration.
A new technique, RODAS, combines imaging and spectroscopy to capture fleeting atomic structures, providing unprecedented insights into material properties. This allows for rapid analysis without destroying the sample, enabling the study of defects and their influence on material behavior.
The Global Biomass Resource Assessment provides groundbreaking data on current and future sustainable biomass supplies worldwide. The assessment aims to explore potential sources of biomass for a circular and sustainable global bioeconomy, supporting clean fuels, chemicals, materials, and products.
Scientists used neutrons to identify exact atomic-scale chemistry in serine hydroxy methyltransferase, a metabolic enzyme necessary for cell division. The researchers discovered that a glutamate residue regulates chemical reactions for this enzyme, and designing an inhibitor could block the enzyme's function.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist Matthew Loyd has been selected for a DOE Early Career Research award to develop a high-count-rate, high-resolution neutron camera. The detector will improve neutron detection at high count rates and enable observing weak data signals in experiments.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered a chemical 'chameleon' that can improve the process of purifying rare-earth metals. The ligand changes its behavior depending on experimental conditions, allowing for multiple separations in different orders.
Scientists at ORNL identified a new method to process nanocellulose, reducing energy needs by 21% and lowering production costs. The breakthrough enables the development of sustainable, carbon-neutral materials for 3D printing and construction.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have documented the chemistry dynamics and structure of high-temperature liquid uranium trichloride (UCl3) salt, a potential nuclear fuel source for next-generation reactors. The study used neutron scattering techniques to reveal details about the nature of materials, including the bonding d...
Rocio Uria-Martinez, an energy and environmental economist at ORNL, was recognized for her work on the U.S. Hydropower Market Report detailing industry trends. Her research analyzed climate change impacts, pumped storage hydropower operations, and cost allocation in multipurpose projects.
The Grid Event Signature Library provides an online collection of anonymized datasets containing waveforms, enabling utilities and research institutions to understand the increasingly complex grid. Machine learning can be trained to recognize waveforms that provide early warnings of equipment malfunction, preventing blackouts and damage.
Researchers have discovered a nickel-cobalt-manganese-indium magnetic shape-memory alloy that can store and release heat through the magnetocaloric effect. The material's behavior near ferroic glassy states has implications for thermal properties and tunable properties.
A novel AI-powered tool enables autonomous discovery and optimization of materials through pulsed laser deposition. The system analyzes material quality and suggests revised synthesis conditions to improve results, allowing for faster experimentation.
Erin Webb, lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, elected Fellow of ASABE for significant contributions to sustainable agricultural and forest resource use. Her research focuses on biomass supply chain and logistics, circular agriculture, and renewable energy.
Researchers at ORNL have characterized promethium's properties in solution for the first time, providing a new understanding of its chemical behavior and its potential applications. The study's findings also shed light on lanthanide contraction, a phenomenon that affects the size and shape of these elements.
Scientists discovered that many types of glass have similar atomic structures and can be successfully made in space. Researchers used a levitator and NOMAD neutron diffractometer at the Spallation Neutron Source to create and study glass samples, comparing their properties with those made on Earth.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed carbon-capture batteries that can store renewable energy and capture airborne CO2. The new battery formulations can maintain capacity for up to 600 hours and convert CO2 into a solid form with the potential to be used in other products.
Researchers trained a large language model on the world's fastest supercomputer, Frontier, exploring approaches to data parallelism and optimizing performance. The study aimed to design models that can learn from training data and apply that knowledge consistently and accurately.
A new study led by ORNL provides valuable insights into vegetation resilience in response to extreme heat events, informing pathways for climate mitigation. The analysis found that impervious surfaces, moisture conditions, and type of land cover affect vegetation resilience, with preservation and enhancement of vegetation contributing ...
Researchers have discovered a promising approach to engineer semiconductors by tweaking isotopes, which can influence optical and electronic properties. The study demonstrates that small changes in isotope masses can shift the optical bandgap, enabling tunability for designing new devices.
Researchers developed nontoxic, biodegradable, and high-performing lubricant additives for water power turbines using ionic liquids. The ILs demonstrated significant reductions in friction and equipment wear compared to commercial gear oils.
The US-based roadmap aims to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and industrial sectors by reusing existing carbon, not just capturing or sequestering it. Researchers from national laboratories are working to accelerate discovery of transformative technologies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
By 2050, one-third of the world's basins may reach peak groundwater extraction, leading to significant shifts in trade and agriculture. Scientists analyzed patterns in nonrenewable groundwater usage over the next century to inform decision-making and adaptative measures.
Researchers developed a comprehensive modeling method to predict energy losses during hurricanes. The U.S.-Caribbean super grid configuration showed the highest power reliability increase. The study has broad implications for renewable integration and U.S. energy independence from fossil fuels.
Researchers developed a compositionally graded nickel-based alloy for high-temperature applications, outperforming coated materials. The new alloy design reduces environmental degradation and thermal instability, increasing efficiency and lifespan.
An international team of scientists used quasi-elastic neutron scattering to set a benchmark for a mixture of lithium salt and organic polymer electrolyte. This could enable more energy-dense electrodes and result in more powerful lithium batteries.
A new dataset has been released that combines molecular information about the poplar tree microbiome with ecosystem-level processes. The dataset provides detailed information on 27 genetically distinct variants of Populus trichocarpa, a bioenergy crop, and includes data on gene expression, soil chemistry, and microbial diversity.
The US Department of Energy's Billion-Ton Report suggests that the country could produce over 1 billion tons of plant-based biomass per year for renewable fuels while meeting projected demands for food, feed, fiber, conventional forest products, and exports. This would triple the current bioeconomy capacity, enabling the production of ...
eVTOL batteries require varying amounts of power for flight stages such as climbing, hovering and descent. Researchers developed new energy-dense materials and tested them against the current state-of-the-art version, showing improved performance.
Researchers at Yale University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered the role of molecular structures in stabilizing oversaturated silicic acid solutions. They found that polymers with charged amine and uncharged amide groups exhibit superior silica scale inhibition performance.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a closed-loop recycling technology for synthesizing and recovering exceptionally tough carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers. The innovative approach enables full recovery of starting materials, accelerating the development of sustainable lightweight materials.
Researchers discovered a correlation between medium-range atomic ring structure and liquid fragility in silicate glasses. This understanding can predict the performance of glass products, allowing for more precise manufacturing processes.
Researchers developed a new solver algorithm for the MPAS-Ocean ocean circulation model, reducing run time by 45% and enabling semi-implicit stability. This allows for faster climate predictions and energy efficiency, as well as reduced computational power consumption.
Scientists studied magnesium oxide crystal samples exposed to the atmosphere for decades and days to months, revealing that a reacted layer forms on its surface. This layer limits carbon dioxide molecules from reacting with fresh magnesium oxide, making the technology less efficient.
Scientists have made a significant stride toward understanding a viable process for direct air capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The study focused on aqueous glycine, an amino acid known for its absorbent qualities, and discovered that focusing solely on free energy barrier is an oversimplification that can lead to inaccur...
The executive order promotes safe, secure and trustworthy AI by establishing standards, tools and tests to regulate the field. ORNL's AI Initiative connects subject matter experts with resources to develop secure, trustworthy and energy-efficient AI for scientific discovery and national security applications.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new, efficient, and environmentally-friendly solution for lithium-ion battery recycling using organic citric acid. This approach recovers critical metals like cobalt and lithium, reduces pollution and reliance on foreign sources, and eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals.
A team of researchers has confirmed the presence of quantum spin liquid (QSL) behavior in a new material with a triangular lattice structure, KYbSe2. The study used a combination of theoretical, experimental and computational techniques to observe hallmarks of QSLs, including quantum entanglement and exotic quasiparticles.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used quantum biology and artificial intelligence to sharpen the CRISPR Cas9 genome editing tool, improving its efficiency on microbes. The new model revealed key features about nucleotides that enable better guide RNA selection.
Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have validated the first technique to visualize and monitor molten salt penetration depth and distribution in graphite's pores. They identified graphite microstructure as the most important factor in determining molten salt penetration and density distribution for a given temperature and p...
Physicists William Raphael Hix and John Lajoie were elected Fellows of the American Physical Society for their outstanding contributions to physics research. They are recognized for their work on explosive thermonuclear burning, stellar nucleosynthesis, and the development of advanced trigger systems that enabled the discovery of the q...
Researchers developed a method combining sensor data with machine-learning algorithm to identify flaws in 3D-printed parts. The framework allows for statistically verified quality control, reducing the need for human involvement in manufacturing inspection.
Scientists found that electrons interacting with ions of molten zinc chloride salt can form three states: a molecular radical, localized on a single zinc ion, or delocalized across multiple ions. This understanding can help predict radiation's impact on reactor performance.
Scientists have developed a system that can measure strain and stress in 3D-printed parts, allowing for the creation of high-performance components with tailored residual stresses. This technology has the potential to increase strength, reduce weight, and enable complex shapes in manufacturing.
A team of researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a framework for designing solid-state batteries with mechanics in mind. They highlighted the critical role of material properties and mechanical stressors in affecting SSBs during cycling, and proposed techniques to make electrolytes more ductile and anodes more stable.
A study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that 3D-printed molds are economically beneficial for precast concrete production compared to traditional wood molds. The analysis also showed that optimized mold designs can reduce energy demand and carbon emissions.