Filter News
Area of Research
News Topics
- (-) Biomedical (3)
- (-) Fusion (4)
- (-) Grid (4)
- (-) Machine Learning (3)
- (-) Mercury (1)
- (-) Space Exploration (4)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (8)
- Advanced Reactors (5)
- Artificial Intelligence (5)
- Big Data (5)
- Clean Water (3)
- Composites (1)
- Computer Science (17)
- Critical Materials (1)
- Cybersecurity (1)
- Energy Storage (5)
- Environment (8)
- Isotopes (1)
- Materials Science (12)
- Microscopy (3)
- Molten Salt (4)
- Nanotechnology (5)
- Neutron Science (11)
- Nuclear Energy (12)
- Physics (3)
- Polymers (3)
- Quantum Science (3)
- Security (1)
- Summit (2)
- Sustainable Energy (2)
- Transportation (10)
Media Contacts
![Argon pellet injection text](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-11/13966_Ar_20degree_enhanced_0.jpg?h=8450e950&itok=tmff0GX_)
As scientists study approaches to best sustain a fusion reactor, a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory investigated injecting shattered argon pellets into a super-hot plasma, when needed, to protect the reactor’s interior wall from high-energy runaway electrons.
![Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have developed an experiment for testing potential materials for use in interplanetary travel. The experiment exposes prototype materials to temperatures over 2,400 degrees Celsius with only 300 watts of input electrical power. Credit: Carlos Jones, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-11/2019-P14907%5B2%5D_0.jpg?h=036a71b7&itok=qX3QY9Pm)
If humankind reaches Mars this century, an Oak Ridge National Laboratory-developed experiment testing advanced materials for spacecraft may play a key role.
![Motion sensing technology](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-07/Coin-spin-ORNL.jpg?h=dbfb0746&itok=LtrLTeNM)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is training next-generation cameras called dynamic vision sensors, or DVS, to interpret live information—a capability that has applications in robotics and could improve autonomous vehicle sensing.
![Tungsten tiles for fusion](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-07/EBM-tungsten_tiles_ORNL.png?h=0c890573&itok=XgIsl0tA)
Using additive manufacturing, scientists experimenting with tungsten at Oak Ridge National Laboratory hope to unlock new potential of the high-performance heat-transferring material used to protect components from the plasma inside a fusion reactor. Fusion requires hydrogen isotopes to reach millions of degrees.
![Galactic wind simulation](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-07/Robertson%5B2%5D.png?h=319b3f54&itok=jK6lUXEt)
Using the Titan supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a team of astrophysicists created a set of galactic wind simulations of the highest resolution ever performed. The simulations will allow researchers to gather and interpret more accurate, detailed data that elucidates how galactic winds affect the formation and evolution of galaxies.
![Computing—Building a brain](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-06/CADES2019-P00182_0.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=eyahnQde)
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are taking inspiration from neural networks to create computers that mimic the human brain—a quickly growing field known as neuromorphic computing.
![Quantum—Widening the net](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-06/2018-P04780_0.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=IRxCZtUy)
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory studying quantum communications have discovered a more practical way to share secret messages among three parties, which could ultimately lead to better cybersecurity for the electric grid
![Computing—Routing out the bugs](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-11/VA-HealthIT-2019-P04263.jpg?h=784bd909&itok=uwv091uK)
A study led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory explored the interface between the Department of Veterans Affairs’ healthcare data system and the data itself to detect the likelihood of errors and designed an auto-surveillance tool
![Low-cost, compact, printed sensor that can collect and transmit data on electrical appliances for better load monitoring](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-03/2019-P01301_0.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=y0S4bq0p)
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a low-cost, printed, flexible sensor that can wrap around power cables to precisely monitor electrical loads from household appliances to support grid operations.
![Neutron scattering allowed direct observation of how aurein induces lateral segregation in the bacteria membranes, which creates instability in the membrane structure. This instability causes the membranes to fail, making harmful bacteria less effective.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-03/Neutrons-FightingSuperbugs_0.jpg?h=e4b73f5a&itok=ebOQD-Mr)
As the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs threatens public health, Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Shuo Qian and Veerendra Sharma from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre in India are using neutron scattering to study how an antibacterial peptide interacts with and fights harmful bacteria.