16-Jun-2025 Breaking through the noise: WSComm’s revolution in spectrum sharing DOE/Idaho National Laboratory In today’s hyperconnected world, wireless communication faces a critical challenge known as the “spectrum crunch.” Spectrum crunch results from more devices vying for limited frequencies, creating an overcrowded radio frequency spectrum — a bottleneck that disrupts communication. Spectrum crunch threatens not only everyday conveniences like cellphone connectivity but also essential services, such as emergency response times, global positioning systems and military operations.
16-Jun-2025 Idaho researchers collaborate with US company to develop novel nuclear fuel to preserve, improve today’s reactors DOE/Idaho National Laboratory Father and son entrepreneurs Mehul and Milan Shah have patented a new nuclear fuel design that could reduce nuclear waste, enhance safety and lower costs for today’s pressurized heavy water reactors.
2-Jun-2025 Exploring materials for fusion energy with ORNL's Yan-Ru Lin DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory As the focus on energy resiliency and competitiveness increases, the development of advanced materials for next-generation, commercial fusion reactors is gaining attention. A recent paper examines a promising candidate for these reactors: ultra-high-temperature ceramics, or UHTCs. Journal Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science
29-May-2025 3D-printed metal molds poised to accelerate US auto manufacturing DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Recent advancements at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory show that 3D-printed metal molds offer a faster, more cost-effective and flexible approach to producing large composite components for mass-produced vehicles than traditional tooling methods. The research, conducted at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, or MDF, at ORNL, confirms that large-scale additive manufacturing is well-suited for creating complex metal molds, with efficiencies that could accelerate the adoption of lightweight composite materials in the automotive sector. Funder U.S. Department of Energy
22-May-2025 Novel biosensor illuminates plant RNA in real time DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Scientists at ORNL have developed a first-ever method of detecting ribonucleic acid, or RNA, inside plant cells using a technique that results in a visible fluorescent signal. The technology can help researchers detect and track changes in RNA and gene expression in real time, providing a powerful tool for the development of hardier bioenergy and food crops and for detection of unwanted plant modifications, pathogens and pests.
21-May-2025 Researchers simulate tens of thousands of electrons in real time DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory A research team from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in collaboration with North Carolina State University, has developed a simulation capable of predicting how tens of thousands of electrons move in materials in real time, or natural time rather than compute time.
20-May-2025 Licensing evolves 30-year partnership, expanding ORNL innovation in security DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory The Heartbeat Detector, which utilizes an algorithm developed by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, detects individuals attempting to hide in vehicles at security checkpoints. The technology has become the industry standard since it was first licensed by Geovox Security Inc. from ORNL nearly 30 years ago and it continues to evolve.
13-May-2025 Hardening the grid: Research team focuses on quake proofing transformer bushings DOE/Idaho National Laboratory Keeping the nation’s lights on is no small job. The grid we take for granted involves large, expensive equipment, most notably power transformers. If one goes down, it can take more than a year to replace and at massive costs. In heavily populated, seismically active areas like California or the Pacific Northwest, time is not a luxury.
8-May-2025 Jesse Labbé: Innovating biotechnology for energy, security and health DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Microbiologist and entrepreneur Jesse Labbé excels at cultivating discovery and innovation. As the new director of the Biosciences Division at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he’s leading a team focused on science and technologies to boost U.S. competitiveness, strengthen national and energy security and advance human health. Funder U.S. Department of Energy
7-May-2025 Water resiliency at Camp Buehring: INL's innovative water reclamation system DOE/Idaho National Laboratory Camp Buehring, a United States military base nestled in northern Kuwait just 20 miles from the Iraqi border, faces a challenge: there are no wells, rivers or other easily accessible sources of water.
