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Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory are pioneering the design and synthesis of quantum materials, which are central to discovery science involving synergies with quantum computation. These innovative materials, including magnetic compounds with honeycomb-patterned lattices, have the potential to host states of matter with exotic behavior.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory has released a new version of its advanced slicing software, ORNL Slicer 2, which accelerates and simplifies the creation of large 3D printed parts.

A historic legacy now translates to pioneering capabilities in electric grid technology at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The secure electrical infrastructure that enabled World War II nuclear advances under the Manhattan Project has evolved into the ideal test bed for modernizing the nation’s grid for the 21st century. One of the first technologies being validated within this field-testing site is a grid management platform built around coordinated resource “hubs,” or clusters of resources that work together to meet utility needs by streamlining equipment energy management, communication and controls. 

Starting January 12, through March 16, 2026, researchers will have the opportunity to apply to be the first users on the Discovery supercomputer, arriving in 2028 at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Discovery will play a key role in the Genesis Mission — DOE’s bold new endeavor to advance American leadership in AI and quantum computing. Information and instructions for submitting applications are available at the Discovery Center for Application Readiness (CAAR) — Call For Proposals website.

The partnership began by adapting robotic arc welding into a new form of large-scale metal 3D printing, enabling complex geometries, multi-material deposition and dramatically shorter production timelines. Joint research led to breakthroughs in real-time monitoring, materials qualification and multi-robot coordination, culminating in a system capable of depositing up to 100 pounds of metal per hour. Outcomes from the collaboration are already being applied across U.S. industry, including rapid fabrication of large molds, tooling and replacement parts that would traditionally require months or years to source overseas.

Shaun Gleason, director of the Partnerships Office at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been appointed to Tennessee’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. Council members are appointed by the governor and provide a collaborative source of knowledge, expertise and information sharing to advance the state’s use of AI technologies.

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an innovative energy storage system design that introduces a safer, more efficient method for electrical charge transfer. This study advances fundamental understanding of how functional groups impact the mechanical and electrochemical performance of highly charged polyelectrolyte membranes — thin, charged polymer sheets that help control the movement of ions in energy devices.

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used specialized tools to study materials at the atomic scale and analyze defects at the materials’ surface. Results of their research help to better understand these materials used for advance electronics, enabling innovative data storage and computation methods.

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory partnered with the University of Tennessee to develop a secure, affordable sensing device that delivers unprecedented real-time insight into electric grid behavior. The innovation, called a Universal GridEdge Analyzer, recently won an R&D 100 Award as one of the world’s top inventions.