• The cell membrane is the cell’s first line of defense against the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. The surface of the virus is covered with spike proteins, which bind to the cell membrane and facilitate viral infection. Researchers are investigating how this process works and what treatments can help to stop it. Credit: Jill Hemman/ORNL

    Line of defense

    Scientists investigate solutions for building cell membrane defense against COVID-19
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  • Paul Kent, shown above posing with Summit in April 2018, received the 2020 ORNL Director’s Award for Outstanding Individual Accomplishment in Science and Technology. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

    And the winner is...

    Scientist who developed quantum computing code wins ORNL’s top science award
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  • The heart-shaped SARS-CoV-2 main protease enables the virus to reproduce by cutting long chains of proteins that activate the replication process. Experiments show existing drugs used to treat hepatitis C may have potential to treat COVID-19 by stopping the “heart” of the virus. Credit: Michelle Lehman, Jill Hemman/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

    Repurposing existing drugs

    X-ray study explores potential of hepatitis C drugs to treat COVID-19
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  • As a user travels through a map, pop-out informational windows deliver facts, videos, graphics and links to other related content. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

    Take a virtual tour

    We have added 10 virtual tours that include floor plans, rotating views and 360-degree navigation.
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  • Sandra Davern performs cell based assays to evaluate cell death and DNA damage in response to radiation in order to gain a better understanding of how radioisotope nanoparticles affect the human body.

    The Big Impact

    Sandra Davern sees a future where individualized isotopes are sent into the body to target cancer cells.
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  • Using geometry and computer assisted design, Betters designs the tooling necessary to build machines for such projects as the electrostatic charging device which was used by industry to manufacture N95 filter material for face masks in the fight against COVID-19. Credit: Carlos Jones/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy.

    Emma Betters

    Advancing machining and revitalizing industry
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  • Colorado School of Mines graduate student researchers (left) Ben Schneiderman and Tim Pickle using neutrons at ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor to measure residual stress in welds used to make renewable energy storage tanks. (credit: ORNL/Genevieve Martin)

    Crack-free welds

    Researchers use neutrons to study weld-induced stress relief in renewable energy infrastructure
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  • Join us in building the lab of the future

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About Us

We apply expertise in advanced materials, supercomputing, neutrons, and nuclear science to national priorities in energy, security, and scientific discovery

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Knoxville-based NellOne Therapeutics has licensed a drug delivery system from ORNL that is designed to transport therapeutics directly to cells infected by #COVID19. https://bit.ly/36b4JXB #NatLabsInTheFight
Knoxville-based NellOne Therapeutics has licensed a drug delivery system from ORNL that is designed to transport therapeutics directly to cells infected by #COVID19. https://bit.ly/36b4JXB #NatLabsInTheFight
Six ORNL scientists have been elected AAAS - The American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows. Congratulations to Forrest Hoffman, Michael McGuire, Thomas Proffen, Jeffrey Vetter, Larry Satkowiak and Gina Tourassi.
Six ORNL scientists have been elected AAAS - The American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows. Congratulations to Forrest Hoffman, Michael McGuire, Thomas Proffen, Jeffrey Vetter, Larry Satkowiak and Gina Tourassi.
. @ENERGY has awarded more than $27M to 12 projects to advance #plastics recycling R&D. The Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE) funding opportunity is part of the Plastics Innovation Challenge -> https://bit.ly/2ICgvT0
.@ENERGY has awarded more than $27M to 12 projects to advance #plastics recycling R&D. The Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE) funding opportunity is part of the Plastics Innovation Challenge ->

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Michelle Buchanan
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649
patents issued since 2005
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3,200
visiting scientists annually
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70
nationalities represented in ORNL's workforce
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146
active licenses