Filter News
Area of Research
News Type
News Topics
- (-) Composites (2)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (3)
- Advanced Reactors (1)
- Artificial Intelligence (3)
- Big Data (1)
- Bioenergy (15)
- Biology (26)
- Biomedical (2)
- Biotechnology (3)
- Buildings (1)
- Chemical Sciences (6)
- Clean Water (2)
- Climate Change (16)
- Computer Science (3)
- Coronavirus (2)
- Critical Materials (1)
- Cybersecurity (1)
- Decarbonization (8)
- Energy Storage (4)
- Environment (24)
- Exascale Computing (1)
- Frontier (1)
- Grid (2)
- High-Performance Computing (4)
- Hydropower (5)
- Machine Learning (3)
- Materials (4)
- Materials Science (2)
- Mercury (1)
- Microscopy (6)
- Nanotechnology (2)
- National Security (1)
- Net Zero (1)
- Neutron Science (1)
- Nuclear Energy (1)
- Partnerships (3)
- Polymers (1)
- Security (1)
- Simulation (1)
- Summit (2)
- Sustainable Energy (9)
- Transformational Challenge Reactor (1)
- Transportation (1)
Media Contacts
![Researchers found that moderate levels of ash — sometimes found as spheres in biomass — do not significantly affect the mechanical properties of biocomposites made up of corn stover, switchgrass and PLA thermoplastic. Credit: Andy Sproles/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2022-12/sampleRecolor_v4_0.png?h=4d1c0665&itok=rRlgS-4C)
The presence of minerals called ash in plants makes little difference to the fitness of new naturally derived compound materials designed for additive manufacturing, an Oak Ridge National Laboratory-led team found.
![Samarthya Bhagia examines a sample of a thermoplastic composite material additively manufactured using poplar wood and polylactic acid. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2022-07/2022-P03486.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=sdSfzVet)
Chemical and environmental engineer Samarthya Bhagia is focused on achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy by designing new plant-based materials for a range of applications from energy storage devices and sensors to environmentally friendly bioplastics.