R&D 100 Awards

ORNL scientists and engineers, often in collaboration with an industrial partner, have won eleven R&D 100 Awards for developments that advance transportation systems.

  1. Thermomagnetic Processing Technology (2009) enhances materials performance with an 85 percent higher stretch capability strength, enabling lighter weight designs.
  2. Spatially Resolved Capillary Inlet Mass Spectrometer (SpaciMS) (2008) provides fast-response, non-invasive sampling.
  3. Armstrong Process for Titanium Powder (2007) extracts titanium from ore much more cheaply than other methods, making titanium use feasible in many applications.
  4. Metal Infusion Surface Treatment (MIST) (2006) is a process for infusing up to 51 elements into metal and alloy surfaces, MIST lengthens the life of metalworking and cutting tools, increases production rates, and reduces overall manufacturing costs.
  5. Robust Wireless Technologies for Extreme-Environment Communications (2004) were developed to provide real-time ship, container, and cargo tracking for maritime security.
  6. CF8C-Plus: New Cast Stainless Steel for High-Temperature Performance (2003) drastically and cost-effectively improves high-temperature durability, performance and reliability.
  7. Spiral Notch Torsion Test (2002) is a portable testing and analysis system that yields precise data on the fracture toughness of many different kinds of materials. 
  8. High Thermal Conductivity, Low-Density Graphite Foam (2000) offers thermal conductivity equivalent to that of aluminum at one-fifth the weight.
  9. Metal-Compression Forming (1997) consistently produces parts with fewer defects and with properties comparable to forged pieces, and can create complex geometries at high throughput rates and relatively low cost. 
  10. Thin-film Rechargeable Lithium Battery (1996) is less than 15 micrometers thick. It has high energy and power densities, can be cycled thousands of times, and can be fabricated in any shape and size.
  11. Gelcasting (1995) is a way of making complex ceramic shapes quickly, simply and economically.

Highlights

ORNL strengthens DOE-funded clean vehicles team
ORNL researchers focus on puting more electric and hybrid vehicles on the road.

ORNL, Industry Collaborate in Advanced Battery Research
$6.2 million project on lithium ion battery production challenges.

ORNL to get Carbon Fiber Technology Center
DOE has allocated $34.7 million to establish the Carbon Fiber Technology Center at ORNL.

R&D 100 Awards
ORNL has won eleven R&D 100 Awards for transportation system advances.

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