Filter News
Area of Research
- (-) Nuclear Science and Technology (15)
- Advanced Manufacturing (4)
- Biological Systems (2)
- Biology and Environment (60)
- Clean Energy (86)
- Computational Engineering (1)
- Computer Science (10)
- Electricity and Smart Grid (3)
- Energy Frontier Research Centers (1)
- Functional Materials for Energy (1)
- Fusion and Fission (26)
- Fusion Energy (13)
- Isotope Development and Production (1)
- Isotopes (4)
- Materials (68)
- Materials for Computing (11)
- National Security (35)
- Neutron Science (27)
- Quantum information Science (9)
- Sensors and Controls (1)
- Supercomputing (82)
News Topics
- (-) Bioenergy (1)
- (-) Cybersecurity (1)
- (-) Fusion (8)
- (-) Space Exploration (5)
- 3-D Printing/Advanced Manufacturing (4)
- Advanced Reactors (11)
- Biomedical (2)
- Computer Science (2)
- Coronavirus (1)
- Decarbonization (1)
- Environment (1)
- Isotopes (5)
- Materials Science (3)
- Molten Salt (4)
- Neutron Science (5)
- Nuclear Energy (36)
- Physics (2)
- Sustainable Energy (1)
- Transformational Challenge Reactor (3)
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.
![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.
![Pellet selector Pellet selector](/sites/default/files/styles/list_page_thumbnail/public/news/images/Fusion%20pellet%20art%202.jpg?itok=4KhWRcQt)
When it’s up and running, the ITER fusion reactor will be very big and very hot, with more than 800 cubic meters of hydrogen plasma reaching 170 million degrees centigrade. The systems that fuel and control it, on the other hand, will be small and very cold. Pellets of frozen gas will be shot int...