Feature Articles

A research partnership between two Department of Energy national laboratories has accelerated inspection of additively manufactured nuclear components, and the effort is now expanding to inspect nuclear fuels. Idaho National Laboratory is using a software algorithm developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory to check for flaws in additively manufactured components as part of the process of identifying promising metals and alloys for 3D printing the next generation of nuclear reactors.

Back in the early days of his college career, Chad Parish realized his curiosity and interests were drawing him to the type of work he performs today in the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis, or LAMDA, laboratory at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Using microscopy and microstructural characterization, he reveals the intricate atomic structures of materials essential for developing safer and more economical nuclear reactors. His talents and expertise place him at the center of many collaborations that pertain to materials for extreme environments and national security.

For homeowners, moisture buildup can cause the biggest headaches. Mold grows on drywall and wood-based materials, creeping along walls, floors and ceilings. Building materials begin to erode and rot. As insulation becomes damaged, the home’s energy-efficiency decreases. Even human health suffers, as moisture also leads to air-quality issues.

The key to preventing extensive moisture damage is discovering it early, when it can be easily fixed.

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using microwave radar reflection to nondestructively detect and measure the moisture content of materials within walls without removing drywall or cladding. This also expedites moisture identification and enables mold growth to be treated in the early stages.

 

Throughout the United States, more than 100 million buildings tap into electrical energy to keep heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration units functioning. HVAC systems cause most of the peak load demand on the electric grid; one way to alleviate the grid burden is to develop new storage options for heating and cooling.

As a partner in the Department of Energy’s Stor4Build Consortium, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is co-leading research with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy to develop thermal energy storage as a complement to electrical battery storage. 

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently demonstrated an autonomous robotic field monitoring, sampling and data-gathering system that could accelerate understanding of interactions among plants, soil and the environment.

Yesterday’s polluting fuel could be transformed into a valuable material for tomorrow’s electric vehicle batteries, thanks to a wide-ranging research project that utilizes expertise spanning the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. ORNL researchers created and tested two methods for transforming coal into the scarce mineral graphite, which is used in batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. 

The IBM Power System AC922 Summit supercomputer at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility was scheduled to be retired in 2023, but program managers had other ideas. A new DOE Office of Science-backed allocation program called SummitPLUS extended Summit's services for another year. What did we learn during Summit’s bonus year of scientific discovery? Here are five sample projects with impactful results.

Early forms of recycling shredded old wool and spun it with new wool to form a fabric. Nearly two centuries later, textile recycling still follows a similar process. But today’s textiles are blends of different materials, from synthetics to natural materials. Additionally, garments are dyed or include hardware such as buttons or rivet closures. When clothing is sent to a textile recycler, the consumer might assume their item will be repurposed, however without knowing what a shirt or pair of socks is made of, the textile recycler is at a loss. This gap is where Brian Iezzi, founder of Fibarcode, sees opportunity. 

A team of Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers reached a significant milestone by building and testing an entire 6.5-foot turbine blade tip using fully recyclable materials that can withstand lightning voltage. ORNL’s recent demonstration highlighted the possibilities of a new approach to protecting blades using conductive materials or coatings.

ORNL's Peter Fuhr continues pushes boundaries of optical and sensor technology in applications ranging from fighting wildfires to operating the immense floodgates protecting Venice, Italy. Fuhr’s path is marked by an oddball creativity that can’t confine itself to challenges in a single field. No idea is too far out to try out. His many inventions and start-ups before joining ORNL proved his ability to bring bold ideas to life. His influence is likely to be lasting, as his imagination and infectious zeal have driven him to mentor generations of new engineers.