Filter News
Area of Research
- (-) Clean Energy (123)
- (-) Computational Engineering (3)
- Advanced Manufacturing (8)
- Biology and Environment (68)
- Building Technologies (2)
- Climate and Environmental Systems (1)
- Computational Biology (1)
- Computer Science (16)
- Electricity and Smart Grid (1)
- Energy Frontier Research Centers (1)
- Energy Sciences (1)
- Functional Materials for Energy (1)
- Fusion and Fission (11)
- Fusion Energy (3)
- Isotopes (1)
- Materials (81)
- Materials for Computing (19)
- Mathematics (1)
- National Security (41)
- Neutron Science (28)
- Nuclear Science and Technology (4)
- Quantum information Science (8)
- Renewable Energy (1)
- Supercomputing (122)
News Topics
- (-) Artificial Intelligence (9)
- (-) Composites (17)
- (-) Computer Science (27)
- (-) Cybersecurity (8)
- (-) Hydropower (2)
- (-) Machine Learning (8)
- (-) Nanotechnology (8)
- (-) Polymers (11)
- (-) Simulation (4)
- (-) Sustainable Energy (69)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (78)
- Advanced Reactors (6)
- Big Data (6)
- Bioenergy (26)
- Biology (11)
- Biomedical (7)
- Biotechnology (4)
- Buildings (36)
- Chemical Sciences (14)
- Clean Water (8)
- Climate Change (21)
- Coronavirus (12)
- Critical Materials (9)
- Decarbonization (33)
- Energy Storage (72)
- Environment (54)
- Exascale Computing (2)
- Fossil Energy (2)
- Frontier (2)
- Fusion (1)
- Grid (40)
- High-Performance Computing (7)
- Isotopes (1)
- Materials (35)
- Materials Science (26)
- Mathematics (2)
- Mercury (3)
- Microelectronics (1)
- Microscopy (8)
- Molten Salt (1)
- National Security (5)
- Net Zero (3)
- Neutron Science (11)
- Nuclear Energy (7)
- Partnerships (12)
- Physics (1)
- Quantum Science (2)
- Renewable Energy (1)
- Security (6)
- Space Exploration (3)
- Statistics (1)
- Summit (5)
- Transformational Challenge Reactor (3)
- Transportation (65)
Media Contacts
![ORNL researchers encoded grid hardware operating data into a color band hidden inside photographs, video or artwork, as shown in this photo. The visual can then be transmitted to a utility’s control center for decoding. Credit: ORNL/U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-05/Color%20bar.ORNL_.jpg?h=a49d782d&itok=eX3P5GZU)
Inspired by one of the mysteries of human perception, an ORNL researcher invented a new way to hide sensitive electric grid information from cyberattack: within a constantly changing color palette.
![This newly manufactured fixed guide vane of a hydropower turbine system was printed at the DOE Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-06/2018-P00570_0.png?h=82f92a78&itok=9y4_5upC)
A new report published by ORNL assessed how advanced manufacturing and materials, such as 3D printing and novel component coatings, could offer solutions to modernize the existing fleet and design new approaches to hydropower.
![Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an eco-friendly foam insulation for improved building efficiency. Credit: Chad Malone/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-03/foam_thumbnail.png?h=b6717701&itok=O0z-knmD)
Scientists at ORNL developed a competitive, eco-friendly alternative made without harmful blowing agents.
![Leadership from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Energy Technology Laboratory signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore carbon management strategies in the Appalachian region. Credit: NETL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-03/mou-signing2_1.png?h=fa1c963e&itok=K2-vQvVo)
ORNL is teaming with the National Energy Technology Laboratory to jointly explore a range of technology innovations for carbon management and strategies for economic development and sustainable energy transitions in the Appalachian region.
![Through the Honnold Foundation and Casa Pueblo, solar panels are installed in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, and hooked to microgrids with battery storage. ORNL researchers are developing a microgrid orchestrator to manage the microgrids together for increased long-term electrical reliability. Credit: Fabio Andrade](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-03/solar.mountains.roof__0.png?h=707772c7&itok=_-SBBq9v)
ORNL researchers Ben Ollis and Max Ferrari will be in Adjuntas to join the March 18 festivities but also to hammer out more technical details of their contribution to the project: making the microgrids even more reliable.
![ORNL researchers have developed a way to manage car batteries of different types and sizes as energy storage for the power grid. Credit: Andy Sproles/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-02/Grid.EV%20battery%20storage%20graphic_0.png?h=b33b14b1&itok=nZ7g5mNA)
When aging vehicle batteries lack the juice to power your car anymore, they may still hold energy. Yet it’s tough to find new uses for lithium-ion batteries with different makers, ages and sizes. A solution is urgently needed because battery recycling options are scarce.
![ORNL’s David McCollum, pictured at the entrance to COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt, was one of more than 35,000 attendees at the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Credit: David McCollum](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2022-12/Picture2_0.jpg?h=08e2e1e9&itok=0TXzRzH_)
David McCollum, a senior scientist at the ORNL and lead for the lab’s contributions to the Net Zero World Initiative, was one of more than 35,000 attendees in Egypt at the November 2022 Sharm El-Sheikh United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC, Conference of the Parties, also known as COP27.
![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.
![A team led by Raymond Borges Hink has developed a method using blockchain to protect communications between electronic devices in the electric grid, preventing cyberattacks and cascading blackouts. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2022-11/Blockchain%20Raymond%20portrait.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=g5Hnz0h2)
Although blockchain is best known for securing digital currency payments, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using it to track a different kind of exchange: It’s the first time blockchain has ever been used to validate communication among devices on the electric grid.
![Researchers at ORNL designed a recyclable carbon fiber material to promote low-carbon manufacturing. Credit: Chad Malone/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2022-11/22-G02592_TomonoriSaito_CellReportsPysicalScienceCoverDesign_1mu.png?h=707772c7&itok=f9yiwb6p)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists designed a recyclable polymer for carbon-fiber composites to enable circular manufacturing of parts that boost energy efficiency in automotive, wind power and aerospace applications.