ORNL

How do you control a nuclear space propulsion system? Very carefully. To help with this, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has built a simulated nuclear reactor test bed to develop the engines that could send astronauts to Mars and beyond.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Sierra Space Corporation have developed a new heat shield based on venerable 1980s Space Shuttle technology to protect the next generation of reusable spacecraft from the deadly heat of reentry.

To make the United States self-sufficient in rare exotic elements, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a latest generation electromagnetic isotope separator (EMIS) to harvest stable isotopes across the entire periodic table.

ORNL has developed a 3D-printed nuclear reactor core prototype, with the ultimate goal of creating an advanced, full-sized, 3D-printed reactor with integrated sensors and controls from fewer components by 2023.

To help power American's deep space probes, The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has automated key steps in the process to make plutonium-238 (PU-238) nuclear fuel for radiothermal generators (RTG).

Carbon capture technology typically takes the form of sponge-like materials that are used to trap excess CO2 at the places it is released. Now, scientists have created a means of drawing it right out of the ambient air – and the technology involves using a liquid to turn the CO2 gas into crystals.

In an effort to avert an outer space energy crisis, the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has restarted production of plutonium-238 (PU-238) after almost 30 years.

A team of researchers is seeking to challenge the theory that the anode, cathode and electrolyte of a battery can only work independently, experimenting with a dual functioning electrolyte that supplements the cathode, resulting in a significant improvement of the battery's capacity and lifespan.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has introduced Titan, the world’s most powerful supercomputer.

Scientists have created a method of producing carbon fiber from scrap polyethylene plastic.

A new "culturomics" research project has used a supercomputer to examine a dataset made up of a quarter-century of worldwide news coverage to forecast and visualize human behavior.

In a step towards synthetic solar conversion systems to generate hydrogen, researchers have now developed a biohybrid photocoversion system inspired by photosynthesis that can convert visible light into hydrogen fuel.