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ORNL awarded two Energy Frontier Research Centers

Posted at 6:00 pm June 20, 2014
By Oak Ridge National Laboratory Leave a Comment

David Wesolowski and Yanwen Zhang

Pictured above are David Wesolowski, left, director of the Fluid Interface Reactions, Structures, and Transport Center; and Yanwen Zhang, director of the Energy Dissipation to Defect Evolution Center. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be home to two Energy Frontier Research Centers announced this week by U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. The Department of Energy awarded a total of $100 million to 32 EFRC projects to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build the 21st-century energy economy. 

“Today, we are mobilizing some of our most talented scientists to join forces and pursue the discoveries and breakthroughs that will lay the foundation for our nation’s energy future,” Secretary Moniz said. “The funding we’re announcing today will help fuel scientific and technological innovation.”

The two ORNL EFRCs are a renewal of the Fluid Interface Reactions, Structures, and Transport (FIRST) Center, which is led by David Wesolowski, and a new award to the Energy Dissipation to Defect Evolution (EDDE) Center, led by Yanwen Zhang.

ORNL scientists also partnered on successful proposals to lay the groundwork for fundamental advances in solar energy, electrical energy storage, carbon capture and sequestration, materials and chemistry by design, biosciences, and extreme environments. Those proposals include three new projects (led by the Georgia Institute of Technology, the State University of New York–Stony Brook, and Pennsylvania State University) and three renewals (led by Washington University in St. Louis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Argonne National Laboratory, David Wesolowski, Drexel University, EDDE, EFRC, energy dissipation, Energy Dissipation to Defect Evolution Center, Energy Frontier Research Centers, energy technologies, Ernest Moniz, FIRST, Fluid Interface Reactions Structures and Transport Center, fluid-solid interfaces, irradiation, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Michelle Buchanan, nanoscale, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Office of Science, ORNL, Pennsylvania State University, Thom Mason, U.S. Department of Energy, University of California–Berkeley, University of California–Davis, University of California–Riverside, University of Delaware, University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Vanderbilt University, Yanwen Zhang

DOE advisory board welcomes new student representatives

Posted at 10:24 am June 20, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Aditya Chourey and Claire Rowcliffe

Aditya Chourey of Oak Ridge High School and Claire Rowcliffe of Hardin Valley Academy, are the new student representatives to the Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board for Fiscal Year 2014-15. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board welcomed two new student representatives, Aditya Chourey and Claire Rowcliffe, at its May meeting. They will serve on the board through April 2015.

ORSSAB is a federally chartered citizens’ panel that provides recommendations to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management.

“We’re very happy to welcome two new student representatives to the board,” said Dave Adler, the board’s DOE alternate deputy designated federal officer, as he introduced the students to the board. “Thank you for coming to work with us for a year. It’s great you’ll be taking the time from your high school schedules to be part of the board.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Oak Ridge Office, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Aditya Chourey, Claire Rowcliffe, Dave Adler, Dave Hemelright, DOE, Hardin Valley Academy, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board, ORSSAB, SSAB, U.S. Department of Energy

With help from ORNL, UT’s bandwidth hits 100 gigabits-per-second milestone

Posted at 9:43 am June 20, 2014
By University of Tennessee Leave a Comment

Joint Institute for Computational Sciences

The Joint Institute for Computational Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is pictured above. (Photo courtesy of ORNL)

KNOXVILLE—For some, getting on the Internet can be a blast.

Now, thanks to the Bandwidth for Leadership in Advancing Science and Technology project—known as BLAST—it can also be faster for computer users at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

A lot faster.

“This is quite an accomplishment, for both UT and for the researchers who use the network,” said Victor Hazlewood, chief operating officer at the Joint Institute for Computational Sciences and the National Science Foundation’s principal investigator on BLAST. “This really positions UT well to continue to be at the forefront of innovation.”

The upgrade, completed May 25, is a combined effort between JICS and UT’s Office of Information Technology and makes it possible for UT users to make use of Internet speeds up to 100 gigabits per second. JICS is an institute of UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Bandwidth for Leadership in Advancing Science and Technology, BLAST, data, fiber optic, gigabits per second, Internet, Joint Institute for Computational Sciences, Larry Jennings, National Science Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Office of Information Technology, ORNL, University of Tennessee, UT, Victor Hazlewood

Spotlight: Y-12 employees bike to work for National Bike Month

Posted at 1:28 pm June 19, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Y-12 Employees Bike to Work

Seven Y‑12 employees biked to work from Oak Ridge on May 22 in recognition of National Bike Month. From left to right are Jay Snyder, Uvalde Mendez, Stephen Charles, Todd Mills, Susan Baker, David Mosby, and Libby Clemens. (Photo by Kathy Fahey)

 

Seven Y‑12 National Security Complex employees biked to work from Oak Ridge on May 22 in recognition of National Bike Month.

Jay Snyder coordinated the ride with LiveWise, Industrial Safety and Safeguards, Security and Emergency Services to ensure all safety rules and procedures were followed.

The group is committed to bike to work at least one day each month during the summer and fall months.

Filed Under: Honors and Spotlight, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: bike to work, David Mosby, Jay Snyder, Libby Clemens, National Bike Month, Stephen Charles, Susan Baker, Todd Mills, Uvalde Mendez, Y‑12 National Security Complex

ORISE recognized by EPA as Federal Green Challenge award winner

Posted at 1:19 pm June 19, 2014
By Oak Ridge Associated Universities Leave a Comment

ORISE Logo

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education received a 2014 Federal Green Challenge award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for improving its water consumption levels and its electronic sustainability and recycling efforts in 2013 by the highest percentage increase compared to the previous year in the Southeast region. ORISE is managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities for the U.S. Department of Energy.

According to the EPA website, the 2014 Federal Green Challenge award winners are recognized “for their outstanding efforts and for their leadership in reducing the environmental footprint of federal government activities.”

“ORISE reduced its water consumption by 60 percent in 2013 with the majority of the improvement resulting from a more efficient, automated sprinkler system with a moisture sensor used for some of its landscaping, which would only irrigate when the soil was dry,” said Tom Wantland, director of ORAU’s environment, safety, and health programs. “If moisture from rain was present, the irrigation system would automatically detect it, and the system would not operate.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: award, electronic sustainability, environmentally friendly, EPA, Federal Green Challenge, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, ORISE, recycling, Southeast, sprinkler system, Tom Wantland, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water consumption

DOE’s Oak Ridge Office names safety, technical services manager

Posted at 1:09 pm June 19, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Mildred López-Ferré

Mildred López-Ferré (DOE photo/Lynn Freeny)

Mildred López-Ferré has been named deputy assistant manager for safety and technical services at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

In this position, López-Ferré will be responsible for leading the development and execution of the requirements and guidelines for environment safety and health and quality assurance for ORO and for multiple DOE site offices nationwide under the purview of the department’s Office of Science Integrated Support Center.

López-Ferré will assist ORO in all aspects of the Integrated Safety Management System, or ISMS, to ensure that DOE operations provide adequate protection to employees, the general public, the environment, and DOE property, effectively and efficiently, a press release said.

López-Ferré began her career at the DOE-ORO in 1991 as a program manager in the former Environmental Restoration Division. Since that time, she has held several leadership positions at ORO, including team leader for Y-12 National Security Complex projects, and ORO federal project director responsible for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 environmental management operations. She has also served as special projects manager in the ORO Manager’s Office, and most recently special projects assistant for the assistant manager for safety and technical services within the DOE Oak Ridge Office. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge Office, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: DOE, environmental management, environmental safety and health, Integrated Safety Management System, ISMS, Mildred López-Ferré, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office, Office of Science Integrated Support Center, ORO, ORO Manager's Office, quality assurance, safety, technical services, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex

ORNL awarded $2.75 million for fuel cell research

Posted at 8:56 am June 19, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sign

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sign

DOE’s ARPA-E announces 13 new projects at New York Energy Week

New York, N.Y.—ARPA-E Acting Director Cheryl Martin has announced $33 million in funding for 13 new projects aimed at developing transformational fuel cell technologies for low-cost distributed power generation.

The funding was announced Thursday at New York Energy Week. ARPA-E is Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy.

The projects, which are funded through ARPA-E’s new Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems, or REBELS, program, are focused on improving grid stability, balancing intermittent renewable technologies, and reducing CO2 emissions using electrochemical distributed power generation systems, a press release said.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory received $2.75 million for a project titled “Nanocomposite Electrodes for a Solid Acid Fuel Cell Stack.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Science, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, ARPA-E, catalysts, Cheryl Martin, distributed generation, DOE, fuel cell electrode, Nanocomposite Electrodes for a Solid Acid Fuel Cell Stack, New York Energy Week, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, power generation, rebels, Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems, U.S. Department of Energy

Energy policy professor, former ORNL manager to discuss sustainable energy

Posted at 8:22 am June 19, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Marilyn Brown

Marilyn Brown

The 17th Annual Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series opens on Thursday, June 26, featuring Professor Marilyn Brown, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Lab in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The title of her June 26 lecture is “Technologies and Policies for a Sustainable Energy Future.” It’s sponsored by Friends of ORNL. The event is free of charge and will be held at the American Museum of Science and Energy at 300 S. Tulane Ave. in Oak Ridge.

Before moving to Georgia Tech in 2006, Brown managed the Efficiency, Renewables, and Electric Grid Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She is also a board member of the Tennessee Valley Authority. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Community, Education, Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Science, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: climate, Climate and Energy Policy Lab, climate change, Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series, energy, fossil fuels, Friends of ORNL, Georgia Institute of Technology, Marilyn Brown, Nobel Peace Prize, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, School of Public Policy, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, sustainable energy, Technologies and Policies for a Sustainable Energy Future, Tennessee Valley Authority

NNSA dedicates nation’s largest federal wind farm

Posted at 7:28 pm June 18, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Pantex Wind Farm

The National Nuclear Security Administration dedicated the nation’s largest federally owned wind farm on Tuesday at the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas. The NNSA also oversees work at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photos courtesy NNSA)

 

Pantex wind farm complete

Retired Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the new administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration, dedicated the nation’s largest federally owned wind farm Tuesday at the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas.

Klotz, who is also the U.S. Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security, was joined at the ceremony by Kevin Knobloch, DOE’s chief of staff; NNSA Production Office (NPO) Manager Steven Erhart; Siemens Government Technologies President and Chief Executive Officer Judy Marksl and Texas Tech University Associate Vice Chancellor Russell Thomasson.

The mission of the NPO is to ensure the safe, secure, and cost-effective operation of the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

The NNSA said Pantex will now be powered largely by the Pantex Renewable Energy Project, or PREP, an 11.5-megawatt, five-turbine wind farm that has been under construction since August on 1,500 acres of DOE-owned land adjacent to the Pantex Plant. [Read more…]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: CO2 emissions, DOE, electricity, energy research center, energy savings, Energy Savings Performance Contract, Environmental Protection Agency, Frank Klotz, Judy Marks, Kevin Knobloch, National Nuclear Security Administration, National Wind Institute, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, NPO, Pantex Plant, Pantex Renewable Energy Project, PREP, Russell Thomasson, Siemens, Siemens Government Technologies, Steven Erhart, Texas Tech University, TTU, U.S. Department of Energy, wind energy, wind farm

White House Maker Faire: High school team with ET ties competes with cutting-edge 3D

Posted at 12:43 pm June 18, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

White House Maker Faire 3D Exhibitor

Photo courtesy WhiteHouse.gov

From WhiteHouse.gov

A high school team with East Tennessee ties, including in Oak Ridge, was among the exhibitors and honored “makers” at the White House Maker Faire on Wednesday.

The team includes Fletcher Blue, 17, of Hardin Valley Academy FIRST RoHAWKtics Team 3823 in Knoxville; Joshua St. John, 33, a teacher in New York, N.Y.; and Scott Turner, 48, 3D Systems of Venice, Calif., and Knoxville. They received mentoring help from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Here is more information about the team’s project: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Education, Federal, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: 3D modeling, 3D printed polymer robot, 3D printing, 3D Systems, FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST RoHAWKtics Team, Fletcher Blue, Hardin Valley Academy, Joshua St. John, makers, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Scott Turner, White House Maker Faire

Mayor Beehan represents Oak Ridge at White House Maker Faire

Posted at 10:03 am June 18, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Tom Beehan

Tom Beehan

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan is representing Oak Ridge at the White House Maker Faire today (Wednesday). It’s part of the Mayors’ Maker Challenge, which the Oak Ridge City Council approved at the June 2 Council meeting.

Here’s an e-mail about it from the White House:

Tune in to the White House Maker Faire!

We’ve got another big first happening at the White House (Wednesday, June 18) and our guests are making a lot of things besides history.

President Obama will celebrate innovators, entrepreneurs, and tinkerers of all ages from across the country at the first-ever White House Maker Faire. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: 3D printers, Maker Faire, Mayors' Maker Challenge, National Day of Making, Oak Ridge, President Obama, Tom Beehan, White House, White House Maker Faire

Battling cancer but planning to help build 59th home for Habitat

Posted at 9:45 am June 18, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Tim and Teresa Myrick Home Build

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County is building a new home on Valley View Lane in Heiskell in honor of longtime volunteers Tim and Teresa Myrick, pictured at right. A family of five will live in the four-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot home. From left, they are Alexia, Amanda Cook, Edward Brown (back), Eddie (front), and Ethan.

 

HEISKELL—He’s worked on all 58 homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County during the past two decades. If his health allows, he’ll work on No. 59.

Tim Myrick, 60, is known for his community involvement, charitable contributions, and key role in the renovation of the Oak Ridge High School and modernization work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. But now he’s battling prostate cancer. His doctor said it’s the fastest-growing he’s seen. Myrick said it spread to his bones and elsewhere within three months. In December, he was given a year to live.

“I told them that’s not going to happen,” Myrick said during a Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking ceremony this month. “I told them I have too much work to do.”

Habitat is honoring Myrick and his wife Teresa by building a home in their honor on about 1.5 acres on Valley View Lane near East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell.

“We can’t think of anyone who has worked harder for us for a longer period of time,” said Pat Fain, HFHAC board president. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Community, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Amanda Cook, Anderson County, cancer, Edward Brown, groundbreaking, Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, Heiskell, HFHAC, Jim Hardy, Mary Ann Hardy, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Pat Fain, prostate cancer, Randy McNally, Teresa Myrick, Tim Myrick, Valley View Lane

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