Feature Stories

Scientists at ORNL have developed a first-ever method of detecting ribonucleic acid, or RNA, inside plant cells using a technique that results in a visible fluorescent signal. The technology can help researchers detect and track changes in RNA and gene expression in real time, providing a powerful tool for the development of hardier bioenergy and food crops and for detection of unwanted plant modifications, pathogens and pests.  

A research team from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in collaboration with North Carolina State University, has developed a simulation capable of predicting how tens of thousands of electrons move in materials in real time, or natural time rather than compute time.

The Heartbeat Detector, which utilizes an algorithm developed by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, detects individuals attempting to hide in vehicles at security checkpoints. The technology has become the industry standard since it was first licensed by Geovox Security Inc. from ORNL nearly 30 years ago and it continues to evolve.

Keeping the nation’s lights on is no small job. The grid we take for granted involves large, expensive equipment, most notably power transformers. If one goes down, it can take more than a year to replace and at massive costs. In heavily populated, seismically active areas like California or the Pacific Northwest, time is not a luxury.

Microbiologist and entrepreneur Jesse Labbé excels at cultivating discovery and innovation. As the new director of the Biosciences Division at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he’s leading a team focused on science and technologies to boost U.S. competitiveness, strengthen national and energy security and advance human health.

Camp Buehring, a United States military base nestled in northern Kuwait just 20 miles from the Iraqi border, faces a challenge: there are no wells, rivers or other easily accessible sources of water.

To create a more resilient electric grid that meets the nation’s increasing power demands, utilities are incorporating a wider array of energy sources. But this shift requires the ability to predict how the grid will react to fluctuations in the flow of electricity from new sources of power. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a dynamic modeling method that uses machine learning to provide accurate simulations of grid behavior while maintaining what is called a “black box” approach. This technique does not require details about the proprietary technology inside the equipment — in this case, a type of power electronics called an inverter. 

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have spent the last three years developing an ultra-low-power chemical sensor to detect sarin and other chemical warfare agents or gaseous industrial toxins, aiming to protect the public and warfighters.

Sandia National Laboratories serves a unique role in the nuclear security enterprise: lead systems integrator for the nuclear weapons program.

ORNL has developed a network of autonomous science laboratories outfitted with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and robotic systems and connected to the lab’s world-class user facilities. The goal is to supercharge the research process while producing scientific breakthroughs that would be unachievable in a traditional setting.