First-of-its-kind automated root imaging platform speeds plant discoveries
Business Announcement
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 28-Apr-2026 13:16 ET (28-Apr-2026 17:16 GMT/UTC)
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has launched a novel robotic platform to rapidly analyze plant root systems as they grow, yielding AI-ready data to accelerate the development of stress-tolerant crops for new fuels, chemicals and materials.
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a new method that more than doubles computer processing speeds while using 75 percent less memory to analyze plant imaging data. The advance removes a major computational bottleneck and accelerates AI-guided discoveries for the development of high-performing crops.
ORNL and Kyoto Fusioneering are partnering to develop critical fusion technologies that will accelerate the deployment of commercial fusion energy. The collaboration will leverage ORNL's expertise in supercomputing, advanced manufacturing, materials science, and fusion research, and complement KF's UNITY test facilities. The partnership will focus on developing a fusion blanket test facility, fulfilling a critical need identified in DOE's Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap.
After more than 25 years of experience in condensed matter physics, as a student, researcher and in high-ranking executive roles at neutron scattering sources around the globe, Jon Taylor brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments to his new position as Associate Laboratory Director for the Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.