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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. 

Four researchers from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory were recognized as Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, a data analytics firm that specializes in scientific and academic research; Clarivate calculates impact factor using data from Web of Science. Highly Cited Researchers rank in the top 1% by citations for their field and publication year.

Teletrix, a company specializing in radiation training tools, has transitioned from a research and development license to a commercial license for its augmented reality, or AR, platform that simulates ionizing radiation. This advanced platform, known as VIZRAD AR, was developed using technologies licensed from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and allows users to interact with virtual radiological environments in real time. 

Seven scientists affiliated with the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been named Battelle Distinguished Inventors in recognition of being granted 14 or more United States patents. Since Battelle began managing ORNL in 2000, 104 ORNL researchers have reached this milestone.

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.

A team of scientists with two Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers — the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, or CBI, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, or CABBI, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — identified a gene in a poplar tree that enhances photosynthesis and can boost tree height by about 30% in the field and by as much as 200% in the greenhouse.

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. 

A chemical reaction can convert two polluting greenhouse gases into valuable building blocks for cleaner fuels and feedstocks, but the high temperature required for the reaction also deactivates the catalyst. A team led by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has found a way to thwart deactivation. The strategy may apply broadly to other catalysts.