With an increased use of AI and data centers across the United States, the demand for electricity is rising. At ORNL, researchers are advancing technologies to meet the nation’s need for abundant and resilient energy, focusing on expanding the availability of nuclear energy and exploring a path to bring fusion energy—and its limitless potential—to the grid.
ORNL is uniquely situated in the midst of the largest concentration of nuclear-focused industry in the world: More than 150 nuclear companies call the hills and valleys of East Tennessee home. Key to ORNL’s success is collaborating closely with industry, government, and community partners in across the region, building a network of nuclear innovation that is delivering affordable power, unique isotopes for medical treatments and deep space exploration, and security for the nation.
ORNL combines leadership-class computing, artificial intelligence, and multi-scale modeling to tackle challenges in fission and fusion energy.
ORNL leads the nation in isotope science and production, driving U.S. energy reliability, advancing nuclear medicine, supporting industry and global supply chains, and enabling space exploration.
ORNL leverages advanced manufacturing — like 3D printing and AI-driven design — for more efficient and more affordable components, construction methods, and reactor systems.
ORNL taps into a vast reserve of knowledge, cutting-edge laboratories, and world-leading facilities to discover, design, develop and deploy innovative materials for fission and fusion energy.
ORNL works with the National Nuclear Security Administration to ensure the US maintains the cutting-edge capabilities needed to prevent nefarious use of nuclear materials worldwide.
We partner with industry, academia, national labs, and government agencies to advance the U.S. nuclear industry and create abundant, reliable energy for all.
ORNL has been at the forefront of fusion energy research since 1952. The lab contributed early breakthroughs in plasma physics, materials, magnets, and fueling technologies, including developing pellet fueling now used globally. ORNL also constructed key facilities like ORMAK and the Impurity Study Experiment.
Today, ORNL leads research to unlock fusion’s potential—advancing plasma science, fueling systems, and materials. The lab is building the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment to study materials for future reactors and manages the US ITER Project for the Department of Energy, driving international progress toward fusion energy.
From cutting-edge materials and advanced manufacturing to AI-driven reactor licensing and workforce development, ORNL is accelerating innovation that strengthens America’s energy independence and economic competitiveness.
ORNL is securing the nation’s supply of Pu-238—ensuring reliable energy for deep space missions and keeping the U.S. at the forefront of exploration and discovery.
How do we support a growing nuclear infrastructure? By supporting and cultivating a growing nuclear workforce.
In 1943, the X-10 Graphite Reactor—part of the Manhattan Project—became the world’s first continuously operating nuclear reactor. The reactor would operate for 20 years and serve as the foundation for trailblazing experiments in neutron sciences, health physics, isotope production, and nuclear energy, including becoming the site of the first electricity from nuclear energy.
Today, ORNL researchers leverage unique capabilities and collaborate across disciplines to enhance performance of the current nuclear fleet, advance new nuclear fuels, deploy technologies for nuclear nonproliferation, and accelerate the next generation of nuclear reactors through improved economics, new materials, and a reinvigorated supply chain.
