ORNL wins nine R&D 100 awards

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have received nine more R&D 100 awards, bringing their total to 173.

The awards, presented by R&D Magazine, recognize the top 100 innovations of the year and are sometimes referred to as the “Academy Awards of Science,” according to an ORNL press release.

“Congratulations to this year’s R&D 100 award winners,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. “The research and development at the Department of Energy’s laboratories continues to help the nation meet our energy challenges, strengthen our national security, and improve our economic competitiveness.”

ORNL researchers and engineers received awards for the following technologies:

NanoSHIELD Coatings, a protective coating that can extend the life of expensive cutting and boring tools by over 20 percent, potentially saving millions of dollars over the course of a project, the press release said.

RCSim (Radio Channel Simulator) Software, which provides information needed to offer wireless networks to challenging areas such as factory floors, underground mines, and offshore drilling platforms.

HiCap Adsorbents, low-cost reusable materials that selectively remove metals from watery environments.

Low-Cost, Lightweight Robotic Hand Based on Additive Manufacturing, which costs approximately 10 times less than similar devices while commanding 10 times more power than other electric systems.

Asymmetric Rolling Mill: A Novel Route for Processing Sheet and Plate, a technology to efficiently process sheet and plate materials.

Low-Cost Plasma Processing System for Research and Pilot Production, or LFRF-501, a low-cost plasma generator for research, development and production of nanometer scale materials.

Broadband Micromechanical Antenna, a small electronic device that can replace traditional long metal antennas.

Wavelength-shifting scintillator neutron detector, or WLS detector, a breakthrough technology for replacing large area helium-3 detectors at neutron scattering facilities throughout the world.

Highest Pinning Force, High-Temperature Superconducting Wires with Double-Perovskite Tantalate Nano-Pinning Centers, a technology that allows high-temperature superconducting wires to carry more current in high, applied magnetic fields by incorporating controlled nanostructures of a new phase within the superconducting wire.