Feature Stories

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory led studies of the radioactive isotope beryllium-10, which existed when the solar system came into being some 4.5 to 5 billion years ago. They probed whether this isotope can be formed in sufficient quantities during the massive explosions of gigantic stars in their death throes, called supernovae.

This article features Jefferson Lab's SRF Operations Department’s cryomodule assembly technicians, a team of master craftsmen who build, test and install cryomodules in particle accelerators. Their work enables scientific discoveries at Jefferson Lab and beyond.

Substances called polyethylene glycols, or PEGs, are widely used in industry, medical, cosmetics and personal care products. The problem is, when they enter the environment and build up, they can harm ecosystems and natural resources. Existing approaches to detecting these environmentally unfriendly chemicals — such as chromatography or bulk mass spectrometry — fall short because they lack the necessary sensitivity. However, new research led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory has demonstrated an effective technique for identifying PEGs in the environment.

Yuan Ping developed a suite of measurement methods and produced data that scientists used to benchmark energy transport models. These models increase scientists’ control of fusion energy losses. The research team improved the efficiency of the energy conversion from the lasers to the final hot fuel.

Ph.D. student and summer interns at Brookhaven National Laboratory study how fire impacts notorious disease vectors. 

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed new software using electromagnetic transient analysis, a type of electric grid simulation, to speed up calculations that more accurately predict how modern power electronics will affect grid operations. This provides an essential tool for planning, design and operation of the modern power grid as it incorporates new renewable power generation and electric vehicle chargers. 

Our bioproduct experts collaborated with industry to help scale-up a promising microbe-made plastic alternative built from the carbon in methane gas.

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and partner institutions have launched a project to develop an innovative suite of tools that will employ machine learning algorithms for more effective cybersecurity analysis of the U.S. power grid.