Filter News
Area of Research
- (-) Fusion and Fission (3)
- (-) Nuclear Science and Technology (6)
- Advanced Manufacturing (2)
- Biology and Environment (55)
- Biology and Soft Matter (1)
- Clean Energy (45)
- Climate and Environmental Systems (2)
- Computational Engineering (1)
- Computer Science (2)
- Electricity and Smart Grid (1)
- Energy Frontier Research Centers (1)
- Functional Materials for Energy (1)
- Fusion Energy (1)
- Isotope Development and Production (1)
- Isotopes (5)
- Materials (61)
- Materials for Computing (11)
- Mathematics (1)
- National Security (24)
- Neutron Science (17)
- Quantum information Science (4)
- Supercomputing (72)
News Topics
- (-) Cybersecurity (1)
- (-) Exascale Computing (1)
- (-) Frontier (1)
- (-) Microscopy (1)
- (-) Nanotechnology (1)
- (-) Space Exploration (6)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (7)
- Advanced Reactors (17)
- Artificial Intelligence (1)
- Bioenergy (2)
- Biology (1)
- Biomedical (3)
- Buildings (1)
- Chemical Sciences (4)
- Composites (1)
- Computer Science (4)
- Coronavirus (1)
- Critical Materials (1)
- Decarbonization (3)
- Energy Storage (4)
- Environment (3)
- Fossil Energy (1)
- Fusion (30)
- Grid (2)
- High-Performance Computing (2)
- Isotopes (6)
- ITER (6)
- Materials (1)
- Materials Science (7)
- Molten Salt (4)
- Net Zero (1)
- Neutron Science (6)
- Nuclear Energy (61)
- Partnerships (3)
- Physics (3)
- Security (2)
- Simulation (3)
- Sustainable Energy (5)
- Transformational Challenge Reactor (3)
- Transportation (2)
Media Contacts
![Steven Hamilton. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2023-05/2023-P00166_0.jpg?h=8f9cfe54&itok=F72Nuwo2)
As renewable sources of energy such as wind and sun power are being increasingly added to the country’s electrical grid, old-fashioned nuclear energy is also being primed for a resurgence.
![Mars Rover 2020](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2019-03/Mars_0.jpg?h=c44fcfa1&itok=gSstQOJO)
More than 50 current employees and recent retirees from ORNL received Department of Energy Secretary’s Honor Awards from Secretary Jennifer Granholm in January as part of project teams spanning the national laboratory system. The annual awards recognized 21 teams and three individuals for service and contributions to DOE’s mission and to the benefit of the nation.
![Larry Baylor, left, and Andrew Lupini have been elected fellows of the American Physical Society. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2021-10/APSfellows.jpg?h=e91a75a9&itok=rDVqiCkQ)
ORNL's Larry Baylor and Andrew Lupini have been elected fellows of the American Physical Society.
![A selfie from the Curiosity rover as it explores the surface of Mars. Like many spacecraft, Curiosity uses a radioisotope power system to help fuel its mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-09/Curiousity_1.jpg?h=86a9dded&itok=Jo0vD321)
Radioactive isotopes power some of NASA’s best-known spacecraft. But predicting how radiation emitted from these isotopes might affect nearby materials is tricky
![Hector J. Santos-Villalobos, left, and Oscar A. Martinez](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-08/henaac20.jpg?h=158d9140&itok=-NxooIrE)
Two staff members at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have received prestigious HENAAC and Luminary Awards from Great Minds in STEM, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting STEM careers in underserved
![Pu-238 pellet drawing](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/2020-07/Plutonium_Illustration_Blur.png?h=b6236d98&itok=wvSAbP64)
After its long journey to Mars beginning this summer, NASA’s Perseverance rover will be powered across the planet’s surface in part by plutonium produced at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
![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.
![Nuclear—Deep space travel Nuclear—Deep space travel](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/Screen%20Shot%202018-12-19%20at%2010.29.32%20AM.png?itok=hq0dlVIf)
By automating the production of neptunium oxide-aluminum pellets, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have eliminated a key bottleneck when producing plutonium-238 used by NASA to fuel deep space exploration.
![By producing 50 grams of plutonium-238, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have demonstrated the nation’s ability to provide a valuable energy source for deep space missions. By producing 50 grams of plutonium-238, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have demonstrated the nation’s ability to provide a valuable energy source for deep space missions.](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/front_page_slide_assets/2015-P07524.jpg?itok=MEy22Na3)
With the production of 50 grams of plutonium-238, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have restored a U.S. capability dormant for nearly 30 years and set the course to provide power for NASA and other missions.