Oak Ridge Today

‘Zoomable’ map of poplar proteins offers new view of bioenergy crop

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Poplar Proteins Molecular Map

An extensive molecular map of poplar tree proteins from Oak Ridge National Laboratory offers new insight into the plant’s biological processes. The study is featured on the cover of January’s Molecular and Cellular Proteomics. (Submitted photo)

Researchers seeking to improve production of ethanol from woody crops have a new resource in the form of an extensive molecular map of poplar tree proteins, published by a team from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Populus, a fast-growing perennial tree, holds potential as a bioenergy crop due to its ability to produce large amounts of biomass on non-agricultural land. Now, a study by ORNL scientists with DOE’s BioEnergy Science Center has provided the most comprehensive look to date at poplar’s proteome, the suite of proteins produced by a plant’s cells. The study is featured on the cover of January’s Molecular and Cellular Proteomics.

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Energy Secretary Chu will not serve a second term

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Steven Chu

Steven Chu

After serving one term, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Friday morning that he will not serve a second four-year term in the Obama administration.

In an announcement posted on the U.S. Department of Energy website, Chu said he will continue to serve as secretary through the ARPA-E Summit at the end of February and may stay beyond that “so that I can leave the department in the hands of the new secretary.” ARPA-E stands for Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.

Chu said he would like to return to an academic life of teaching and research, and he informed President Barack Obama of his decision to return to California shortly after the Nov. 6 election.

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DOE sponsors middle school science bowl Saturday

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The third annual U.S. Department of Energy’s East Tennessee Middle School Science Bowl will be hosted Saturday at the Oak Ridge campus of the Roane State Community College.

Starting at 9 a.m., students from 12 local middle schools will participate in a fast-paced academic competition offering students the opportunity to match their wits in math and science, a press release said.

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Senate officials expect Manhattan Project park bill to be reintroduced

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Building 9204-3 at Y-12

Building 9204-3 at the Y-12 National Security Complex could be included in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park under legislation that could be reintroduced in Congress early this year. (Photo courtesy of Y-12 National Security Complex.)

A U.S. Senate committee assistant said officials expect a bill to be reintroduced early this year to create a Manhattan Project national park that could include sites in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash.

An earlier bill to create the park died in the last session of Congress, and one of its key sponsors, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat, has retired.

Bingaman was chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, has replaced him as chair.

“As you know, Sen. Bingaman sponsored the bill to create a Manhattan Project National Historical Park with components in New Mexico, Washington, and Tennessee, because one of the areas to be included (Los Alamos, N.M.) was in his home state,” said Sam Offerdahl, press assistant for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “We expect the bill to be reintroduced early this year, likely with a member from one of the states that is home to the proposed parks as lead sponsor (following Senate custom).”

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Second protest challenges Y-12, Pantex contract award

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Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 National Security Complex (Submitted photo)

A second protest has been filed challenging the federal decision to award a five-year contract to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC to manage and operate the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas.

The second protest was filed Jan. 25 by Integrated Nuclear Production Solutions LLC.

The first was filed Jan. 17 by Nuclear Production Partners LLC, a team led by Babcock and Wilcox.

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Dead for now, Manhattan Project national park bill could be reintroduced

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K-25 Building Aerial View

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. The site could be included in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

A bill to create a Manhattan Project national park that would include Oak Ridge died in the last session of Congress, but the legislation could be revived this session.

“It will be reintroduced,” said Cindy Kelly, founder and president of the Atomic Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. “We are very optimistic that the bill will move through the process.”

Besides Oak Ridge, the park would also include sites in Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash.

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Seven graduate from Y-12 apprentice program

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Y-12 Apprentice Graduation Ceremony

Brett Spradlen, third adult from left, was presented his carpenter’s certificate by Y-12 Vice President and Facilities, Infrastructure and Services Director Linda Bauer, third from right. Also pictured from left are Vivian Spradlen (Brett’s mother), Alison Spradlen (wife), Hunter and Brody Spradlen (sons), Eddie Spradlen (father and Y-12 Security and Emergency Services employee), and Wayne Jobe (Y-12 journeyman carpenter). (Submitted photo)

Seven people recently graduated from the Y-12 National Security Complex Apprentice Program at a ceremony held at the site’s New Hope Center.

Each graduate spent three to four years with a journeyworker and attended between 144 and 246 hours of classroom training each year on his own time, usually in the evenings at local union halls.

This is the second graduation ceremony for the restarted apprentice program at the site. Previously, Y-12 had not graduated an apprentice for almost 30 years.

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County Courthouse, schools closed; DOE Oak Ridge Office opens late

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Originally scheduled to open two hours late, the Anderson County Courthouse is closed today due to the winter storm that dropped a sheet of ice on local homes, driveways, and roads Thursday night.

Schools in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson and Roane counties are closed. The Y-12 National Security Complex has restricted access to essential employees, and Oak Ridge municipal offices are scheduled to open at noon.

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office announced that it had delayed its opening until 10 a.m. for employees of the Oak Ridge Office, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Site Office, Oak Ridge Environmental Management Site Office, Oak Ridge Nuclear Energy Site Office, and Office of Scientific and Technical Information.

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Oak Ridge city offices open late, Y-12 access restricted Friday

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Winter Storm WatchOak Ridge municipal offices will open at noon Friday and access to the Y-12 National Security Complex will be restricted to essential employees due to the wintry, icy weather that is forecast to begin tonight in the southern Appalachians.

A winter storm watch is in effect through Friday evening across the region, including in Anderson and Roane counties, and the National Weather Service in Morristown said significant icing is possible across the East Tennessee Valley.

In a press release Thursday, the city of Oak Ridge said it is preparing for possible disruptions to city services, including widespread and extended power outages.

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ORNL research paves way for larger, safer lithium ion batteries

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Solid Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries

Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers developed a nanoporous solid electrolyte (bottom left and in detail on right) from a solvated precursor (top left). The material conducts ions 1,000 times faster than its natural bulk form and enables more energy-dense lithium ion batteries. (Submitted photo)

Looking toward improved batteries for charging electric cars and storing energy from renewable but intermittent solar and wind, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed the first high-performance, nanostructured solid electrolyte for more energy-dense lithium ion batteries.

Today’s lithium-ion batteries rely on a liquid electrolyte, the material that conducts ions between the negatively charged anode and positive cathode. But liquid electrolytes often entail safety issues because of their flammability, especially as researchers try to pack more energy in a smaller battery volume. Building batteries with a solid electrolyte, as ORNL researchers have demonstrated, could overcome these safety concerns and size constraints.

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ORAU promotes Miller to talent management director

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LaShanda Miller

LaShanda Miller

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has announced the promotion of LaShanda Miller to director of talent management.

In her new role, Miller will manage and provide leadership for the talent management department, programs, and staff, as well as develop and implement workforce restructuring strategies, plans, programs, and policies.

Prior to her promotion, Miller served as manager of development and performance at ORAU.

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Video: K-25 North End Demolition

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It took about 20 minutes to demolish the last section of the North End of the historic K-25 Building in west Oak Ridge on Wednesday morning. Shut down for several decades, K-25 was built to enrich uranium during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, and it was once the world’s largest building under one roof.

Watch the last section of the North End crash to the ground in this video: