September 1, 2026
2 MIN READ
Nanoscience user meeting brings research community together
The Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at ORNL recently hosted its annual user meeting, attracting more than 200 attendees.
News
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August 28, 2026
23 MIN READ
ORNL earns record 22 R&D 100 Awards
ORNL earned a new lab record with 22 R&D 100 Awards in 2026 for technologies that advance energy, manufacturing, computing, biotechnology and other fields. ORNL led 18 of the winning technologies and contributed to four additional award-winning projects led by partner institutions.
August 28, 2026
6 MIN READ
ORNL hosts Southeastern Quantum Conference
ORNL convened scientists, engineers and technology leaders for the 2026 Southeastern Quantum Conference (SQC), bringing together experts from academia, national laboratories, industry and government to advance quantum information science and strengthen collaborations that support U.S. competitiveness.
August 28, 2026
10 MIN READ
Harvesting the critical minerals future
ORNL researchers developed an agentic AI co-scientist that analyzes plant experiments to accelerate phytomining research and support domestic critical mineral recovery. As part of DOE's Genesis Mission OPAL project, the system reduced analysis time for more than 1,000 plant traits from hundreds of hours to a few minutes.
August 25, 2026
5 MIN READ
Five ways HFIR can advance nuclear fuel innovation
ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor offers flexible testing, advanced instrumentation and on-site facilities to accelerate nuclear fuel development. Its capabilities provide critical data needed to qualify new fuels and support advanced reactor deployment.
August 24, 2026
6 MIN READ
Hybrid process targets nuclear manufacturing bottlenecks
ORNL researchers have developed a hybrid manufacturing method that combines 3D printing and electroforming to create leak-free HIP cans for advanced nuclear reactor components. The approach could simplify production of complex metal parts, reduce costs and reliance on overseas manufacturing, and strengthen U.S. supply chains for nuclear energy and defense applications.
August 24, 2026
6 MIN READ
9 Innovation Crossroads companies pitch hard-tech solutions at ORNL’s M2IND conference
Nine Innovation Crossroads companies pitched their technologies during ORNL’s Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Days (M2IND) Aug. 19–20. The event brought together leaders from industry, government, academia and the national laboratory system for demonstrations, facility tours, discussions and partnership announcements.
August 24, 2026
2 MIN READ
Sharpening an essential tool for biotechnology
ORNL researchers evaluated nearly 500,000 CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs in E. coli and found that more than 93 percent work as intended. Their free gRNA Atlas helps scientists select reliable guides and engineer microbes more efficiently for producing chemicals, materials and medicines.
August 21, 2026
6 MIN READ
Kairos Power announces new collaboration to advance nuclear manufacturing, construction and workforce development in East Tennessee
Kairos Power announced the Nuclear Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Precast, an initiative focused on maturing new manufacturing and construction methods and developing vocational training for skilled workers in East Tennessee to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
August 21, 2026
6 MIN READ
National laboratory research collaboration focuses on accelerated qualification of critical nuclear components
ORNL and Idaho National Laboratory are collaborating to advance wire arc 3D printing of large pressure vessels and strengthen the domestic nuclear manufacturing supply chain. The labs will combine advanced manufacturing, AI and data science to accelerate the production and qualification of critical nuclear components.
August 20, 2026
7 MIN READ
Physicist builds tools to see quantum matter more clearly
John Lajoie, a physicist at ORNL, develops advanced particle detectors that help scientists study the fundamental structure of matter while often enabling innovations in other scientific fields. As spokesperson for the ePIC Collaboration, he is helping design the detector for the future Electron-Ion Collider, which will use cutting-edge detector technology, streaming data, and AI to explore how quarks and gluons shape protons, neutrons, and nuclear matter.
August 19, 2026
6 MIN READ
Quantum Computing User Forum highlights advances in quantum research
ORNL’s seventh annual Quantum Computing User Forum brought together 184 researchers, developers and industry leaders to showcase advances in quantum applications, software, and hybrid quantum-HPC computing enabled through QCUP. The event also strengthened collaborations across the quantum community and highlighted ORNL’s role in developing the technologies, software ecosystem and workforce needed to make quantum computing a practical tool for scientific discovery.