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An international team using neutrons set the first benchmark (one nanosecond) for a polymer-electrolyte and lithium-salt mixture. Findings could produce safer, more powerful lithium batteries. Credit: Phoenix Pleasant/ORNL

An international team using neutrons set the first benchmark (one nanosecond) for a polymer-electrolyte and lithium-salt mixture. Findings could produce safer, more powerful lithium batteries.

Shift Thermal co-founders Mitchell Ishamel, left, and Levon Atoyan stand in front of one of the company’s ice thermal energy storage modules, which will be submitted to independent measurement and validation testing in May. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Shift Thermal, a member of Innovation Crossroads’ first cohort of fellows, is commercializing advanced ice thermal energy storage for HVAC, shifting the cooling process to be more sustainable, cost-effective and resilient. Shift Thermal wants to enable a lower-cost, more-efficient thermal energy storage method to provide long-duration resilient cooling when the electric grid is down. 

ORNL quantum researchers, from left, Brian Williams, Phil Evans, and Nick Peters work on their quantum key distribution system.

ORNL scientists have spent the past 20 years studying quantum photonic entanglement. Their partnership with colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory and private industry partner Qubitekk led to development of the nation’s first industry-led commercial quantum network. This type of network could ultimately help secure the nation’s power grid and other infrastructure from cyberattacks.

ORNL postdoctoral research associate Alex Miloshevsky presents his novel research in quantum networks at the 2024 OFC conference.

ORNL was front and center recently at one of the world’s largest optical networking conferences, the 2024 Optic Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition, or OFC. ORNL researchers had major roles at the OFC 2024, a three-day event held in San Diego, California from March 26-28 which featured thousands of the world’s leading optical communications and networking professionals. 

ORNL’s Alexey Serov will serve as a deputy director of the R2R Consortium. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, US Department of Energy

The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory is providing national leadership in a new collaboration among five national laboratories to accelerate U.S. production of clean hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers.  

ORNL researcher Brian Williams prepares for a demonstration of a quantum key distribution system. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

An experiment by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrated advanced quantum-based cybersecurity can be realized in a deployed fiber link. 

Scientists discover super sensor for the smallest scales

A team that included researchers at ORNL used a new twist on an old method to detect materials at some of the smallest amounts yet recorded. The results could lead to enhancements in security technology and aid the development of quantum sensors. 

Chelsea Chen, polymer physicist at ORNL, stands in front of an eight-channel potentiostat and temperature chamber used for battery and electrochemical testing. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Chelsea Chen, a polymer physicist at ORNL, is studying ion transport in solid electrolytes that could help electric vehicle battery charges last longer.

Applications for the U.S. Quantum Information Science Summer School are open until March 15, 2024. Credit: Laddy Fields/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

From July 15 to 26, 2024, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory will host the second U.S. Quantum Information Science, or QIS, Summer School.

Susan Hubbard, left, deputy for science and technology at ORNL, and Vanessa Chan, director of the Office of Technology Transitions and chief commercialization officer for DOE, discuss the role of the national laboratory system in moving leading-edge technology to industry during a chat at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Credit: Karen Dunlap/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Technology Transfer staff from Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory attended the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, in Las Vegas, Jan. 8–12.