Filter News
Area of Research
- (-) Clean Energy (70)
- (-) Neutron Science (4)
- Advanced Manufacturing (11)
- Biological Systems (1)
- Biology and Environment (16)
- Building Technologies (1)
- Computational Engineering (2)
- Computer Science (6)
- Electricity and Smart Grid (1)
- Energy Sciences (1)
- Fusion and Fission (1)
- Fusion Energy (1)
- Isotopes (1)
- Materials (15)
- Materials for Computing (3)
- Mathematics (1)
- National Security (3)
- Quantum information Science (1)
- Sensors and Controls (1)
- Supercomputing (3)
- Transportation Systems (2)
News Topics
- (-) 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (23)
- (-) Artificial Intelligence (2)
- (-) Bioenergy (3)
- (-) Clean Water (4)
- (-) Energy Storage (23)
- (-) Grid (15)
- (-) Machine Learning (2)
- (-) Transportation (27)
- Big Data (1)
- Biology (2)
- Biomedical (3)
- Biotechnology (1)
- Buildings (13)
- Chemical Sciences (2)
- Climate Change (6)
- Composites (9)
- Computer Science (9)
- Coronavirus (2)
- Critical Materials (4)
- Decarbonization (4)
- Environment (16)
- High-Performance Computing (1)
- Hydropower (2)
- Materials (15)
- Materials Science (12)
- Mathematics (1)
- Mercury (1)
- Microscopy (3)
- Nanotechnology (2)
- Net Zero (1)
- Neutron Science (23)
- Nuclear Energy (2)
- Physics (1)
- Polymers (5)
- Quantum Science (1)
- Simulation (1)
- Space Exploration (3)
- Statistics (1)
- Sustainable Energy (27)
Media Contacts
![Caption: Jaswinder Sharma makes battery coin cells with a lightweight current collector made of thin layers of aligned carbon fibers in a polymer with carbon nanotubes. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2024-01/sharma1_1.jpg?h=f7dae89e&itok=JiSsMewF)
Electric vehicles can drive longer distances if their lithium-ion batteries deliver more energy in a lighter package. A prime weight-loss candidate is the current collector, a component that often adds 10% to the weight of a battery cell without contributing energy.
![Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers took a connected and automated vehicle out of the virtual proving ground and onto a public road to determine energy savings when it is operated under predictive control strategies. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-11/CAV_image02_0.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=0cK78ri0)
ORNL researchers determined that a connected and automated vehicle, or CAV, traveling on a multilane highway with integrated traffic light timing control can maximize energy efficiency and achieve up to 27% savings.
![Researchers have shown how an all-solid lithium-based electrolyte material can be used to develop fast charging, long-range batteries for electric vehicles that are also safer than conventional designs. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-10/Lui_solid_state_0.png?h=27870e4a&itok=hd5IA-bH)
Currently, the biggest hurdle for electric vehicles, or EVs, is the development of advanced battery technology to extend driving range, safety and reliability.
![ORNL’s additive manufacturing compression molding, or AMCM, technology can produce composite-based, lightweight finished parts for airplanes, drones or vehicles in minutes and could acclerate decarbonization for the automobile and aeropsace industries.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-10/2022-P14785%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg?h=036a71b7&itok=Gg3QSMPW)
An Oak Ridge National Laboratory-developed advanced manufacturing technology, AMCM, was recently licensed by Orbital Composites and enables the rapid production of composite-based components, which could accelerate the decarbonization of vehicles
![Benefit breakdown, 3D printed vs. wood molds](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-09/2017-P07318%5B74%5D.jpg?h=1116cd87&itok=UNsJX4Uv)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have conducted a comprehensive life cycle, cost and carbon emissions analysis on 3D-printed molds for precast concrete and determined the method is economically beneficial compared to conventional wood molds.
![ORNL researcher Zhijia Du inserts a newly developed liquid electrolyte material into a battery pouch cell. The formulation extends the life of extreme-fast-charging batteries like those used in electric vehicles. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-09/du_0.jpg?h=d228da7b&itok=k918MIXQ)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are taking fast charging for electric vehicles, or EVs, to new extremes. A team of battery scientists recently developed a lithium-ion battery material that not only recharges 80% of its capacity in 10
![ORNL researchers used geotagged photos to map crude oil train routes in the U.S. The mapping gives transportation planners insight into understanding potential impacts along the routes. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-07/trainMap%5B69%5D.png?h=804c67fb&itok=LM393FRy)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers used images from a photo-sharing website to identify crude oil train routes across the nation to provide data that could help transportation planners better understand regional impacts.
![ORNL researchers have developed a new pressing method, shown as blue circle on right, that produces a more uniform solid electrolyte than the traditionally processed material with more voids, shown as gray circle on left. The material can be integrated into a battery system, center, for improved stability and rate performance. Credit: Andy Sproles/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-06/Electrolyte.StoryTip_0.png?h=b6717701&itok=PIYcf5iS)
ORNL scientists found that a small tweak created big performance improvements in a type of solid-state battery, a technology considered vital to broader electric vehicle adoption.
![Neutron scattering experiments at the Spallation Neutron Source revealed how the dynamics between copper and oxygen make a special type of enzyme excel at breaking down biomass. Insights could lead to lowering the cost of biofuel production. Credit: Jill Hemman/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-05/23-G02576_Meilleur_0.png?h=b6717701&itok=jPIOwV6b)
Nonfood, plant-based biofuels have potential as a green alternative to fossil fuels, but the enzymes required for production are too inefficient and costly to produce. However, new research is shining a light on enzymes from fungi that could make biofuels economically viable.
![Consumers have a new resource for finding plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicle tax credits. Current owners and those considering an electric vehicle purchase can access a free tool developed by ORNL researchers for fueleconomy.gov. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-04/TaxTipEVcharging_0.png?h=82f92a78&itok=sS9RwmQ7)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed an online resource to help consumers understand the electric vehicle tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act.