Oak Ridge Today

NNSA awards $25 million nonproliferation grant to group that includes ORNL

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sign

Federal officials on Wednesday announced they had awarded a $25 million nonproliferation grant to a consortium that includes ORNL.

The National Nuclear Security Administration on Wednesday announced a $25 million nuclear nonproliferation grant to a consortium that is led by North Carolina State University and includes Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The grant from the NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development is for research and development that will enable nonproliferation capabilities, a press release said. The consortium will receive $5 million per year for five years. The grant is in response to a funding opportunity announcement issued in May 2013.

“This grant will provide the U.S. government with cutting-edge research and development to identify and address multi-disciplinary and cross-functional technology and research needs that are critical to detecting foreign nuclear weapon proliferation activities,” the press release said. “Specifically, the research projects pursued by the consortium will include technologies to enhance simulation capabilities, algorithms, and modeling; new test and evaluation models for detection sensors; new remote sensing capabilities; and applications of data analytics and data fusion to better characterize and detect special nuclear materials.” [Read more…]

ORNL retiree Claud Pugh inducted into NC State Hall of Fame

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Claud Pugh

Claud Pugh

Claud Pugh, a retired program manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was scheduled to be inducted into North Carolina State University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Hall of Fame on Nov. 1.

At ORNL, Pugh served as director of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission program office, was head of the Engineering Technology Division’s pressure vessel technology section, directed the NRC-sponsored heavy-section steel technology program, and held various research and project management positions in programs sponsored by the NRC and DOE. [Read more…]

Bacterial research at ORNL could aid biofuel production

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Bacteria

Researchers at the BioEnergy Science Center analyze bacteria that could aid in the production of next-generation biofuels. (Photo submitted by ORNL)

Submitted by ORNL

The identification of key proteins in a group of heat-loving bacteria by researchers at the Department of Energy’s BioEnergy Science Center could help light a fire under next-generation biofuel production.

Scientists have long been on the hunt for cost-effective ways to break down complex plant material such as switchgrass in order to access sugars that are fermented to make biofuels. Conventional processes involve the addition of commercially produced enzymes to break down the cellulose.

[Read more…]