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ORNL-led team demonstrates desalination with nanoporous graphene membrane

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Desalination is an energy-intensive process, which concerns those wanting to expand its application. Now, a team of experimentalists led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has demonstrated an energy-efficient desalination technology that uses a porous membrane made of strong, slim graphene -- a carbon honeycomb one atom thick. The results are published in the March 23 advance online issue of Nature Nanotechnology.

Journal: Nature Nanotechnology

ORNL and SINAP cooperate on development of salt-cooled reactors

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Business Announcement

Representatives from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics are meeting at ORNL this week as part of an agreement between the two institutions to work together on the advancement of salt-cooled nuclear reactor technologies.

Part II, Tackling grand challenges in geochemistry: Q&A with Andrew Stack

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In this Q&A Andrew Stack, a geochemist at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, advances understanding of the dynamics of minerals underground. Stack and his team make discoveries that will help to improve our understanding of a wide range of energy-related issues, such as geologic storage of carbon dioxide, oil and gas discovery and development, and remediation of toxic contaminants. His current research spans three disciplines -- geology, chemistry and computing.

Graphene 'gateway' discovery opens possibilities for improved energy technologies

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Graphene, a strong, lightweight carbon honeycombed structure, only one atom thick, holds great promise for energy research and development. Recently scientists with the Fluid Interface Reactions, Structures, and Transport Energy Frontier Research Center, led by the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, revealed graphene can serve as a proton-selective permeable membrane, providing a new basis for streamlined and more efficient energy technologies such as improved fuel cells.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: US Department of Energy's Office of Science

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2015

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

March 2015 story tips include shielding against energy loss; and innovations showcase, and GE Appliances, ORNL sign an agreement.

ORNL microscopy directly images problematic lithium dendrites in batteries

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists have captured the first real-time nanoscale images of lithium dendrite structures known to degrade lithium-ion batteries.

Journal: Nano Letters

The making of a geochemist: Q&A with Andrew Stack

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In this Q&A Andrew Stack of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory calls on expertise in geology, chemistry and computing to advance understanding of the dynamics of minerals underground. He investigates chemical processes that take place on mineral surfaces at scales ranging from individual atoms to entire rocks. These processes can trap contaminants, such as nuclear waste, carbon dioxide and toxic by-products from hydraulic fracturing.

APLAIR partners with ORNL to commercialize weld inspection technology

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Business Announcement

ORNL's infrared imaging system can help automakers quickly determine whether a weld is good or bad without damaging the part. The infrared check can be performed in a few seconds, offering industry a low-cost and non-destructive alternative to monitor welds in real time.

Innovative, lower cost sensors and controls yield better energy efficiency

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Buildings are responsible for about 40 percent of the energy consumed in the United States. Studies indicate that advanced sensors and controls have the potential to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 20-30 percent.

ORNL signs agreement with Whirlpool Corp. to develop new energy-efficient refrigerator

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Business Announcement

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Whirlpool Corporation are collaborating to design a refrigerator that could cut energy use by up to 40 percent compared with current models.