Energy Science at ORNL

It's National Engineers Week and we want to express our gratitude to the inspiring experts at the Energy Science and Technology Directorate here at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Their hard work and innovative mindset drives the success of critical research and technological advancements that continue to shape our world. #NationalEngineersWeek #ThankYou #ORNL #Innovation #EngineeringExcellence

Improving technologies to detect and manage vision loss and blindness due to diabetes: Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists used machine learning to develop a retinal scanning analysis software that detects diabetic retinopathy and other potentially blinding diseases. The innovation demonstrated an early medical application to benefit medically underserved populations that suffer disproportionate levels of chronic health conditions such as diabetes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eiBZqH_j #BigScience #ScienceWithImpact #ScienceSunday

That’s a wrap for the 2025 DOE IBUILD Symposium at Oak Ridge National Laboratory January 16 & 17th ⤵️   Graduate students from across the U.S. toured the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC), the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), and the Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center, (GRID-C).   The DOE Building Technologies Office-sponsored IBUILD Fellowship Program gave students an opportunity to network with researchers at BTRIC where they stepped inside experimental refrigeration chambers, viewed demonstrations on the latest building tools including a spray foam insulation robot and a moisture leak detector, and learned about ORNL’s expertise in grid-interactive controls.   ORNL’s Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Science and Technology Robert Wagner shared how the lab plays a pivotal role in securing America’s energy future by delivering scientific breakthroughs. Fellowship programs such as IBUILD help the lab translate science into solutions for the most critical problems facing the country.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gF_z9iYz

 Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently 3D-printed this new test capsule for use in its High Flux Isotope Reactor.   Lab researchers printed the stainless-steel capsule using a laser powder bed printer and exposed it to the high neutron flux environment of the test reactor for nearly a month.   The successful test is a BIG step forward in showcasing how additive manufacturing can be used to develop and qualify specialized parts for the industry in a faster timeframe.   Learn more: https://bit.ly/40x0KCm

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new automated platform for testing #semiconductor devices while they operate at different current, voltages and temperatures. This capability is now available to research and industry partners in the Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center, or GRID-C. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eahS75ZX This work was funded by the Office of Electricity | U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy, and the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER).

Kicking off the second annual Department of Energy’s two-day IBUILD Symposium January 16th at Oak Ridge National Laboratory ⤵️   DOE’s Technology Manager for Building Energy Modeling Amir Roth welcomed graduate research students in the IBUILD Fellowship to campus.    Sponsored by the Building Technologies Office, IBUILD, or Innovation in Buildings, works to strengthen the pool of well-trained, diverse graduate students who are equipped for research-intensive careers in fields supporting #EnergyEfficiency in #Buildings. Fellows receive financial support to conduct innovative research at their home institution in an area with demonstrated relevance to building energy efficiency.    Nineteen fellows presented their research findings on multi-functional equipment, building envelope, grid interactive controls, thermal energy storage, materials and manufacturing innovations, resiliency and economics, and building energy modeling. Attendees for the symposium included the ORNL research community, DOE officials, university professors, and mentors from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gF_z9iYz

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Ahmed Arabi Hassen, PhD was selected for the 2025 American Composites Manufacturers Association Emerging Leaders Program. Hassen leads ORNL’s development efforts in high-rate #manufacturing of advanced #composites structures and leads the molds and dies manufacturing portfolio for the composite manufacturing industry. Congratulations!

What’s ahead for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Chemical Catalysis for #Bioenergy Consortium? In the latest #ChemCatBio newsletter, consortium director Dan Ruddy reflects on the past six years of #catalysis accomplishments. Then, he outlines how ChemCatBio continues to leverage its powerful tools, capabilities, expertise, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory research staff to innovate new catalytic pathways to access fuel and chemical products to impact the U.S. #bioeconomy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_7hQfF6 Sign up: https://lnkd.in/ezGmA3Fz

🎉 Congratulations to Bryan P. Maldonado for earning a spot on this year’s 40 Under 40 list! At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Bryan is leading groundbreaking efforts in #buildings research, developing technologies that boost #EnergyEfficiency. His work automates construction processes, transforming how buildings are designed and built. https://lnkd.in/g6CxGjhh

Faster smoke detection saves lives 🔥 Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher Bruce Warmack led development of a Smart Smoke Alarm that used sophisticated algorithms to more accurately identify fires. The technology offered much faster detection of smoldering fires, while reducing or eliminating nuisance alarms. The algorithms are incorporated in many modern smoke detection systems. Read more: https://lnkd.in/en9Xy8Mb #BigScience #ScienceWithImpact