Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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2020

3D-Printed Nuclear Reactor: Faster, Economical Path to Nuclear Energy

Researchers are refining their design of a 3D-printed nuclear reactor core, scaling up the additive manufacturing process necessary to build it, and developing methods to confirm the consistency and reliability of its printed components.

Graphene Forms Under Microscope's Eye

You don't need a big laser to make laser-induced graphene. Scientists are using a very small visible beam to burn the foamy form of carbon into microscopic patterns.

Eliminating Cobalt Metal in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Energy storage startup SPARKZ Inc has exclusively licensed five battery technologies from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed to eliminate cobalt metal in lithium-ion batteries. The advancement is aimed at accelerating the production of electric vehicles and energy storage solutions for the power grid.

Thinfilm to Energize Innovation in the Wearables and Sensor Markets

Thin Film Electronics ASA announced its updated corporate strategy focused on the design, development, and production of innovative battery solutions targeting existing market demand with differentiated solutions to power wearable devices and connected sensors.

Engineers Examine Lithium Battery Defects

Solid-state lithium batteries are the Holy Grail of energy storage. With potential impacts on everything from personal mobile devices to industrial renewable energy, the difficulties are worth overcoming. The goal: Build a safe and long lived lithium battery. The challenge: Use a solid-state electrolyte and stop short circuiting from the formation and growth of lithium dendrites.

Finalists Announced for 2019 R&D 100 Awards

Finalists for the venerable R&D 100 Awards have been announced by R&D World magazine and its new parent company, WTWH Media, LLC.

2019

Encouraging The Broader Adoption of Additive Manufacturing

GE Additive has entered into a five-year cooperative research and development agreement with the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The agreement focuses on processes, materials and software to drive industrialization and encourage the broader adoption of additive manufacturing technology.

Patrol boat created in 72 hours by 3D printer

The new 3D printer is designed to print objects as long as 100 feet by 22 feet wide by 10 feet high, and can print at 500 pounds per hour. The one-of-a-kind printer will support several ambitious initiatives, including development of biobased feedstocks using cellulose derived from wood resources, and rapid prototyping of civilian, defense and infrastructure applications.

General Graphene Corporation

The company founded in 2014 using technology developed at ORNL in the US

Right electrolyte doubles material's ability to store energy

Scientists have discovered a way to improve the energy density of promising energy-storage materials, conductive two-dimensional ceramics called MXenes.

USA DOE launches lithium ion battery recycling R&D Centre: ReCell

The use of lithium-ion batteries has surged in recent years, starting with electronics and expanding into many applications, including the growing electric and hybrid vehicle industry. But the technologies to optimize recycling of these batteries has not kept pace.

2018

120-kilowatt wireless charging for vehicles

Researchers have demonstrated a 120-kilowatt wireless charging system for vehicles—providing six times the power of previous ORNL technology and a big step toward charging times that rival the speed and convenience of a gas station fill-up.

Manganese may finally solve hydrogen fuel cells' catalyst problem

Manganese is known for making stainless steel and aluminum soda cans. Now, researchers say the metal could advance one of the most promising sources of renewable energy: hydrogen fuel cells.

New material, manufacturing process, uses sun's heat for cheaper power

Researchers have developed a new material and manufacturing process that would make one way to use solar power - as heat energy - more efficient in generating electricity.

Safer, more efficient rechargeable batteries

Materials scientists have sussed out the physical phenomenon underlying the promising electrical properties of a class of materials called superionic crystals. A better understanding of such materials could lead to safer and more efficient rechargeable batteries than the current standard-bearer of lithium ion.

Lithium-ion batteries can't catch fire because they harden on impact

Lithium-ion batteries commonly used in consumer electronics are notorious for bursting into flame when damaged or improperly packaged. Inspired by the weird behavior of some liquids that solidify on impact, researchers have developed a practical and inexpensive way to help prevent these fires.

Front Edge Technology

Front Edge Technology (FET) develops a LiPON-based NanoEnergy product for micro power applications.

Ilika Technologies

Ilika is a public company that focuses on innovative approaches for technology accelerated innovation. They are affiliated to the University of Southampton in the UK and have worked in the development of solid state batteries. They have collaborated with Toyota in SSB material developments.

World's first medium/large-scale 3D thermoset printer

Magnum Venus Products, in partnership with the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, installed the first commercially available medium/large-scale thermoset 3D printer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Manufacturing Demonstration Facility in Tennessee.

Novel method for energy-efficient deep neural networks

A method to improve the energy efficiency of scientific artificial intelligence is showing early promise in efforts to parse insights from volumes of cancer data.