Articles tagged with National Laboratories
Researchers successfully demonstrated remote and autonomous power adjustments to a low-power research reactor using a digital control loop and reinforcement learning model. The demonstration linked three sites operating together in real time, showcasing the potential for autonomous nuclear energy operations.
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.
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.
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.
The US Department of Energy has selected four companies to participate in its Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative, which aims to support the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. The selected companies will receive technical, regulatory, and deployment support from the National Reactor Innovation Center.
The US Department of Energy's National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) has launched the world's first microreactor test bed, DOME, to accelerate development and testing of privately developed advanced nuclear reactors. The test bed will enable rapid demonstration of reactor concepts and gather performance data to support design verifi...
A national study found that unmet health-related social needs are associated with lower colorectal cancer screening rates, particularly among adults aged 50-64. Addressing these needs may support age-specific strategies to improve screening rates.
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.
A new report recommends increased investment in America's fusion diagnostic capabilities, a critical technology that could provide information to speed up the delivery of commercial fusion power plants. The report identifies key areas for research and development to advance U.S. leadership in fusion energy and plasma technologies.
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.
The National Reactor Innovation Center's new Molten Salt Thermophysical Examination Capability will enable researchers to gather reliable data for designing and testing molten salt reactors. The capability is a key step toward advancing next-generation nuclear reactor technologies, addressing national energy objectives.
The partnership aims to accelerate advanced nuclear reactor deployment and reduce costs through AI-driven design, licensing, and operation. By leveraging AI, Prometheus Grand Challenge seeks to deliver nuclear energy at a faster schedule, with at least 2x acceleration and greater than 50% operational cost reductions.
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.
The Idaho National Laboratory is now accepting grants for STEM education and community development initiatives. The grants, funded by Battelle Energy Alliance, aim to strengthen Idaho's communities and future workforce through innovative projects and programs.
The Idaho National Laboratory has selected five companies to conduct end-user experiments on the Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project. The selected teams will explore innovative applications of MARVEL, including powering data centers with nuclear energy and demonstrating desalination technologies.
The Idaho National Laboratory has successfully delivered the first batch of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel to the Transient Reactor Test Facility, paving the way for Project Pele's demonstration microreactor. This fuel, known for its durability under high heat and radiation, is a key component in advanced nuclear reactors.
The NASA VIPER rover has completed critical testing at Sandia National Laboratories' Large Centrifuge facility, which subjected the vehicle to extreme inertial forces and vibration conditions. The successful tests pave the way for the rover's mission to create a water concentration map of the moon's South Pole.
The new Spectra supercomputer at Sandia National Laboratories features a unique chip architecture that prioritizes tasks in real time, promising increased performance and reduced power consumption. Researchers will push the limits of this technology to simulate complex national security tasks.
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering has awarded Oak Ridge National Laboratory the 2025 SAMPE Organizational Excellence Award. The award recognizes ORNL's extraordinary contributions to advanced materials and processes, enabling breakthroughs in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that latitude affects lignin production in poplar trees, which has practical applications for innovations in biomaterials and biofuels. The study reveals a correlation between latitude and lignin expression, guiding future plant engineering to adapt to environmental changes.
The Idaho National Laboratory is collaborating with Amazon Web Services to develop artificial intelligence tools for nuclear energy projects. The laboratory aims to reduce the costs and timeframes of designing, licensing, building, and operating nuclear facilities using advanced AI technologies.
The Idaho National Laboratory will lead the Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Research with Twins USA Institute (SMART USA) in advancing American digital twin technology. Leveraging high-performance computing, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, SMART USA aims to reboot domestic manufacturin...
A fungal pathogen is causing cassava witches' broom disease to spread rapidly in Brazil and French Guiana, impacting food security and livelihoods. Researchers are racing against time to understand the extent of the threat and find a way to treat or prevent the disease.
The program provides access to ORNL's resources and connects entrepreneurs with experts and networks to accelerate their efforts. Innovators receive a fellowship, comprehensive mentoring assistance, and substantial grants to support collaborative research.
The Idaho National Laboratory is using Microsoft's Azure cloud and artificial intelligence to automate the nuclear permitting and licensing process. The tool generates reports required for construction permits and operating licenses, streamlining efficiency and accelerating deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Consolidated Nuclear Security have partnered to create a National Security Prototype Center in Oak Ridge, focusing on manufacturing solutions for the nuclear sector. The center aims to develop qualified prototypes that provide solutions for national security and nuclear energy sectors.
The fifth annual Quantum Science Center Summer School at Purdue University welcomed its largest group of students, with a focus on introductory presentations and technical talks. Graduate students and doctoral candidates led the program, which covered topics such as quantum materials, devices, and algorithms.
UT-Battelle has donated $225,000 to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment for Oak Ridge High School's Wildcat Manufacturing iSchool program. The equipment includes AI- and robotics-assisted manufacturing systems, enabling students to earn college credit while gaining experience with the latest innovations in intelligent manufacturing.
DELERIA, a novel software platform, is being developed to support the GRETA spectrometer in nuclear physics experiments. The platform enables real-time data analysis, allowing researchers to make critical adjustments during the experiment, leading to faster and more accurate results.
Scientists used a gene-silencing tool and large library to understand how photosynthetic bacteria adapt to light and temperature changes. Partial suppression of genes yielded big benefits in modifying stress response in wild microbes.
Three NSF-funded investigations are launching on NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 mission to ISS National Laboratory. Investigations aim to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, develop new materials, and study active matter in microgravity environment.
The Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS) will test a new holographic microscope on the International Space Station to analyze the adaptability and resilience of microorganisms. The system aims to reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, significantly enhancing our search for life outside Earth.
Ryan Amberger, a Ph.D. candidate in physics at Texas A&M University, has been selected for a 2025 Los Alamos-Texas A&M Fellowship to conduct dissertation research on nuclear astrophysics. He aims to improve understanding of the s-process by studying neutron cross sections.
Physicists have shown that particles produced in 'jets' retain information about their origins in subatomic particle smashups. The study establishes a direct connection between the 'entanglement entropy' at the earliest stage of jet formation and the particles that emerge as a jet evolves.
New research validates theoretical models on how nanoscopic ripples affect material properties, leading to a better understanding of their mechanical behavior. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of microelectronics and other technologies that rely on thin films.
Sandia Labs is testing laser-based photonic cooling for computer chips, which could significantly lower power consumption and increase efficiency. The technology aims to regulate chip temperatures without using water or air-based systems.
The ISS National Lab has launched the Orbital Edge Accelerator program, investing up to $500,000 in six startups for space-based innovation and research & development. The selected startups will receive mentorship and the opportunity to launch an ISS National Lab-sponsored investigation.
Scientists used radiation-induced reactions to convert corrosive Cr³⁺ to less-corrosive Cr²⁺, potentially mitigating metal alloy corrosion in molten salt nuclear reactors. The findings could improve the long-term reliability of these new reactors.
Five Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have been elected AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in experimental condensed matter physics, microbial ecology, catalysis, and energy applications. Ho Nyung Lee was recognized for his research on oxide quantum materials, while David Graham's contributions to microbial biochemistry...
A team of chemists from Virginia Tech found a way to visualize the intricate structure and chemical reactions of battery interfaces using an X-ray beam line. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain better control over these critical surfaces, potentially leading to cheaper, higher performance batteries.
The ISS National Lab's new podcast, 'Between a Rocket & a Hard Space', offers exclusive insights from scientists, engineers, and visionaries on the future of space research. The first episode explores the groundbreaking science happening on the International Space Station, including its impact on medicine, technology, and industry.
The Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a private sector sponsor to invest in an innovation incubator supporting breakthrough innovations in nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and advanced materials. The program aims to provide seed-stage startups with access to INL's world-class facilities and technical expertise.
RHIC physicists will complete data collection for one of the collider's central goals: creating and studying a unique form of matter known as a quark-gluon plasma (QGP). The QGP is expected to provide crucial insights for the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), which will be built by reusing components of RHIC.
A Colorado State University team has achieved a new milestone in 3D X-ray imaging technology by capturing high-resolution CT scans of the interior of a large, dense object using a compact, laser-driven X-ray source. This breakthrough offers a fast and non-destructive way to obtain detailed views inside dense structures.
Crew-9 astronauts conducted research on protein crystallization studies and a new drug for Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's. They also supported student-led experiments, contributing to the next generation of explorers.
Researchers at UC Riverside will explore how antiferromagnetic spintronics can improve memory density and computing speed. The project aims to develop ultrafast spin-based technology using special antiferromagnets with potential applications in advanced memory and computing.
The Crew-10 mission will support cutting-edge biomedical investigations and NSF-funded physical science projects through the ISS National Lab. Astronauts will conduct experiments on the International Space Station, with findings benefiting humanity and driving commerce in low Earth orbit.
Researchers have developed a new technique for quantum sensing using nanodiamonds in microdroplets, which can detect trace amounts of certain ions and molecules. This method uses flowing droplets and carefully modulated microwaves to ignore unwanted background noise and add precision.
A new collaboration between ASU, MSU, and LLNL aims to answer the question of how planets form by analyzing the atmospheres of seven young exoplanets. The team will use the James Webb Space Telescope and powerful computers to create atmospheric models that can reveal insights into planetary formation and evolution.
Researchers developed new photon avalanching nanoparticles that exhibit high nonlinearities, overcoming challenges in realizing intrinsic optical bistability at the nanoscale. The breakthrough paves the way for fabricating optical memory and transistors on a nanometer scale comparable to current microelectronics.
The last production unit of the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb was completed in December, marking a significant milestone for the US nuclear deterrence program. The B61-12 program will continue to produce spare components until fiscal year 2026.
The ISS National Lab is seeking proposals for education-focused projects that prepare students for space-focused careers. Successful projects will leverage the orbiting outpost for training and education programs.
Discounted hotel rates available at select hotels near the Anaheim Convention Center. The Global Physics Summit will feature nearly 14,000 individual presentations on new research in various fields.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new use for superconducting nanowire photon detectors to detect high-energy protons, opening up exciting opportunities in nuclear and particle physics. The team found that wire widths smaller than 400 nanometers demonstrate high detection efficiency.
The US Department of Energy's Office of Science is now accepting applications for the SCGSR program, providing funding for graduate students to conduct research at national laboratories. The goal of the program is to prepare students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the mission of DOE's Office of Science.
Arati Dasgupta, a leading atomic and plasma physicist at NRL, has been elevated to IEEE Fellow for her groundbreaking research in high-energy density plasmas, atomic physics, and radiation materials. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of extreme environments and their applications.
The ISS National Lab sponsored over 100 payloads to the orbiting laboratory, achieving the second-highest annual total. The lab also published a record 51 peer-reviewed articles in FY24, advancing scientific discovery and innovation.
Researchers used advanced X-ray techniques to study infinite-layer nickelates, a promising family of high-temperature superconductors. They found that magnetic fluctuations and spin excitations are present in these materials, regardless of the presence of a capping layer.
Neuromorphic computing is poised to emerge into full-scale commercial use, driven by the need for energy-efficient solutions. The review article proposes strategies for building large-scale neuromorphic systems that can tackle complex real-world challenges.