Initiatives at ORNL
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has a long and distinguished history of translating scientific discoveries into solutions that address the nation’s most pressing challenges. Whether in the 1940s as part of the Manhattan Project, in the 1970s energy crisis or more recently the COVID-19 pandemic, ORNL has harnessed its world-class core capabilities and facilities to rapidly respond to urgent national needs and shape the direction of many scientific fields.
ORNL’s crosscutting initiatives integrate and expand these capabilities to propel science and technology frontiers. Key initiatives include decarbonization; trustworthy and safe artificial intelligence; the quantum revolution and an autonomous, interconnected experimental ecosystem to accelerate discovery.
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Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence
From personal assistants to self-driving cars, AI is revolutionizing everyday life. It’s also accelerating advances in science and technology. ORNL is leading the development of secure, trustworthy, and energy-efficient AI to support scientific discovery, self-driving laboratories and facilities, and national security.
Quantum
Quantum
An enhanced understanding of the laws of quantum mechanics is enabling a quantum revolution that promises to transform a vast range of technologies. ORNL aims to develop a scalable and synchronized quantum network of computing and sensing platforms, underpinned by innovative quantum materials.
Decarbonization
Decarbonization
ORNL’s world-class capabilities and interdisciplinary breadth is enabling us to develop cost-effective, scalable solutions to the most demanding challenges associated with an equitable energy transition.
INTERSECT
INTERSECT
INTERSECT aims to build an interconnected system that links advanced computing capabilities with lab equipment so scientists can more rapidly analyze data and ultimately conduct “automated” experiments that leverage emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.