Nanofibers yield stronger, tougher carbon fiber composites
In a win for chemistry, inventors at ORNL have designed a closed-loop path for synthesizing an exceptionally tough carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer, or CFRP, and later recovering all of its starting materials.
Electric vehicles can drive longer distances if their lithium-ion batteries deliver more energy in a lighter package. A prime weight-loss candidate is the current collector, a component that often adds 10% to the weight of a battery cell without contributing energy.
The 21st Symposium on Separation Science and Technology for Energy Applications, Oct. 23-26 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton West in Knoxville, attracted 109 researchers, including some from Austria and the Czech Republic. Besides attending many technical sessions, they had the opportunity to tour the Graphite Reactor, High Flux Isotope Reactor and both supercomputers at ORNL.
âThree-Dimensional Breast Cancer Spheroidsâ submitted by radiotherapeutics researcher Debjani Pal is stunning. Brilliant blue dots pop from an electric sphere threaded with bright colors: greens, aqua, hot pink and red.
Four scientists affiliated with ORNL were named Battelle Distinguished Inventors during the labâs annual Innovation Awards on Dec. 1 in recognition of being granted 14 or more United States patents.
Michael McGuireâs recognition as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's top scientist headlined the annual awards. ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer also presented Directorâs Awards to two teams, for operational performance and continuous improvement, and to the nightâs science communicator awardee
Raina Setzer knows the work she does matters. Thatâs because sheâs already seen it from the other side. Setzer, a radiochemical processing technician in Oak Ridge National Laboratoryâs Isotope Processing and Manufacturing Division, joined the lab in June 2023.
The Hub & Spoke Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Alliance for Renewable Technologies, or SM2ART, program has been honored with the composites industryâs Combined Strength Award at the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, or CAMX, 2023 in Atlanta. This distinction goes to the team that applies their knowledge, resources and talent to solve a problem by making the best use of composites materials.
Researchers at ORNL are extending the boundaries of composite-based materials used in additive manufacturing, or AM. ORNL is working with industrial partners who are exploring AM, also known as 3D printing, as a path to higher production levels and fewer supply chain interruptions.
In response to a renewed international interest in molten salt reactors, researchers from the Department of Energyâs Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel technique to visualize molten salt intrusion in graphite.