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With director search under way, Jeff Smith leads ORNL for now

Posted at 3:30 pm January 19, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jeff Smith

While UT-Battelle searches for a new director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, it has appointed former chief operating officer Jeff Smith to serve as interim lab director.

Smith retired in April 2021. He had been ORNL’s chief operating officer when UT-Battelle began managing ORNL for the U.S. Department of Energy in 2000, and he served in the position until his retirement.

To help find the next lab director, UT-Battelle has hired executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates.

The company will help find a successor to Thomas Zacharia, who retired at the end of 2022 after a 35-year career at ORNL, including five years as director.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: director search, executive search, Jeff Smith, Lou Von Thaer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Randy Boyd, Russell Reynolds Associates, Thomas Zacharia, U.S. Department of Energy, UT-Battelle

President appoints ORNL researcher to National Science Board

Posted at 11:08 pm January 18, 2023
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Image courtesy Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Note: This story was updated at 2 p.m. Jan. 22.

President Joe Biden will appoint Merlin Theodore of Oak Ridge National Laboratory to the National Science Board, the White House said in an announcement last week.

Theodore is the first full-time researcher from a national laboratory to serve on the National Science Board, the governing board for the National Science Foundation, according to ORNL.

“Merlin’s appointment to the National Science Board is indicative of her accomplishments as a researcher, her contributions to national missions, and her advocacy for women and minorities in science,” said interim ORNL Director Jeff Smith.

Theodore is one of eight new board members. The National Science Board is made up of 25 members appointed by the president, and they serve six-year terms.

The National Science Board pursues the goals and function of the NSF, including the duty to “recommend and encourage the pursuit of national policies for the promotion of research and education in science and engineering,” according to the White House news release.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Science, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: advanced manufacturing, Jeff Smith, Joe Biden, material research, National Science Board, National Science Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, University of Tennessee

ORNL isotope center estimated to cost $250 million

Posted at 12:17 am January 14, 2023
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory had a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 24, 2022, for the U.S. Stable Isotope Production and Research Center. A design image of the new center is pictured above.

Note: This story was last updated at 4 p.m.

A new center to research and produce isotopes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory could cost an estimated $250 million.

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Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Premium Content, Science, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Inflation Reduction Act, isotopes, Jennifer Granholm, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, SIPRC, stable isotopes, U.S. Stable Isotope Production and Research Center, Y-12 National Security Complex

Cold, powerful magnet will help control hot plasma in fusion reactor

Posted at 8:39 am January 13, 2023
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A team at ITER, an international experimental fusion reactor in southern France, prepare on Feb. 10, 2022, to move one of six modules for a central solenoid, a powerful superconducting magnet being built by General Atomics in California under the management of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo used with permission. © ITER Organization, http://www.iter.org/)

A magnet so powerful it could lift an aircraft carrier six feet into the air was designed in a project managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. It will be used in an international experimental reactor in southern France to produce energy using fusion, the same process used by the sun and other stars to create heat and light. If successful, the reactor could revolutionize energy production, potentially showing how to provide a nearly limitless energy supply without planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions or long-lived radioactive wastes.

Six modules for the reactor’s central superconducting magnet, plus a spare, are being made by General Atomics in Poway, California. Two of the modules have already been shipped to France. Two more are completed, with one of those expected to ship this year. The remaining three are more than 60% complete, and manufacturing should be done this year, said John Smith, General Atomics senior director of engineering and projects. 

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Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Premium Content, Slider, State, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: central solenoid, Department of Energy Office of Science, electron cyclotron, fusion, fusion plasma, fusion power, fusion reactor, General Atomics, inertial confinement fusion, Inflation Reduction Act, ion cyclotron, ITER, JET, John Smith, Joint European Torus, Kathryn McCarthy, magnet, magnetic confinement fusion, National Ignition Facility, NIF, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, plasma, superconducting cable, superconducting magnet, tokamak, US ITER

Thornton named director of ORNL Climate Change Science Institute

Posted at 4:12 pm January 5, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Peter Thornton has been named director of the Climate Change Science Institute at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory appointed Peter Thornton as director of its Climate Change Science Institute, or CCSI, effective November 1.

“CCSI was launched at ORNL in 2009, bringing together the lab’s multidisciplinary expertise and big science capabilities to predict the future of the planet’s climate and to evaluate potential mitigation solutions at the intersection of climate, clean energy, national security, and environmental justice,” a press release said. “ORNL’s modeling work informs solutions to meet the nation’s climate goals of a 40% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.”

“I am very pleased that Peter will help develop and guide new local, regional, and national activities within CCSI,” said Stan Wullschleger, associate laboratory director for Biological and Environmental Systems Science. “Peter’s extensive expertise will ensure that our Earth system models provide the best projections of our changing planet and potential resilience strategies for our citizens, industry and society.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: CCSI, Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Peter Thornton, Stan Wullschleger, U.S. Department of Energy

Busby named ORNL associate lab director for fusion, fission energy & science

Posted at 2:07 pm January 5, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jeremy Busby will oversee Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s research directorate focused on fusion and fission energy. (Photo credit: ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy)

Jeremy Busby has been named associate laboratory director for the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His appointment became effective January 1.

Busby will oversee the directorate’s “unique facilities, capabilities and talented scientists and engineers who are tackling such challenges as extending operations of the current U.S. nuclear reactor fleet; investigating economical and flexible advanced reactor systems; and making fusion energy a viable part of the nation’s energy portfolio,” a press release said.

“ORNL has a proud history of addressing compelling challenges in both fusion and fission energy systems, and I’m honored to contribute to our success moving forward,” Busby said. “ORNL’s Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate has the world-leading expertise to advance the development and deployment of both fusion and fission. Combined with the additional strengths across ORNL’s research and support organizations and ORNL’s unique capabilities, we will fortify our nation’s energy transition.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: associate laboratory director, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate, Jeremey Busby, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Thomas Zacharia, U.S. Department of Energy

Langan returning to ORNL as associate lab director

Posted at 9:51 pm January 3, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Paul Langan will oversee Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s research directorate focused on biological and environmental systems science. (Photo credit: ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy)

Paul Langan will return to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the spring as associate laboratory director for the Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate.

Langan is a former associate lab director for neutron sciences.

In his new role, he will lead the directorate’s convergence research in biology, ecology, engineering, data discovery, physical sciences, and computing that “advances U.S. competitiveness in the global bioeconomy and Earth system sustainability,” a press release said. “This diverse research portfolio encompasses efforts to develop renewable energy solutions, improve Earth system models, and push the frontiers of systems and synthetic biology.”

Langan will succeed Stan Wullschleger, who will retire in 2023 after 33 years at ORNL.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate, Neutron Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Paul Langan, Stan Wullschleger, Thomas Zacharia, U.S. Department of Energy

ETEC announces Muddy Boot, Young Professional winners

Posted at 2:45 pm January 3, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Image by East Tennessee Economic Council

The East Tennessee Economic Council in December announced two winners of its Muddy Boot Award: Chris Whaley, president of Roane State Community College, and Jim Rushton, who is retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Katherine Roberts, deputy director of Y-12 Production Operations for Consolidated Nuclear Security, was named the 25th recipient of the Postma Young Professional Medal.

The Muddy Boot Award pays tribute to people who make East Tennessee better through their work and community activities.

The Postma Young Professional Medal recognizes a young professional making a difference in their workplace and the community.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, College, Community, Education, Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Chris Whaley, East Tennessee Economic Council, ETEC, Jim Rushton, Katherine Roberts, Muddy Boot Award, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Postma Young Professional Medal, Roane State Community College, Tracy Boatner, Y-12 National Security Complex

Test reactor would help with decarbonization, supporters say

Posted at 3:55 pm November 23, 2022
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Kairos Power has proposed a Hermes test reactor at the Heritage Center, the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge. A model of the test reactor is pictured at a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission meeting in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was updated at 11:20 a.m. Dec. 1.

A nuclear test reactor proposed in west Oak Ridge could help as the United States tries to lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the effects of climate change, supporters said during a public meeting last week.

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Filed Under: Business, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Premium Content, Slider Tagged With: construction permit, DOE, EIS, environmental impact statement, fluoride salt-cooled reactor, HALEU, Heritage Center, Hermes, Hermes test reactor, high-assay low-enriched uranium, Jim Hopf, K-31, K-33, Kairos Power, Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, NRC, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Peyton Doub, Scott Burnell, test reactor, Tracy Boatner, TRISO, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

ORNL center will make isotopes for medicine, research, security

Posted at 12:48 pm November 21, 2022
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory had an October 24 groundbreaking ceremony for the U.S. Stable Isotope Production and Research Center. A design image of the new center is pictured above.

Note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. Nov. 22.

For decades, Oak Ridge made stable isotopes. Those are non-radioactive forms of atoms that can be used in medicine and industry, and for research and national security.

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Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Premium Content, Science, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, DOE, Geraldine Richmond, Inflation Reduction Act, isotope separation, Jennifer Granholm, Johnny Moore, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Office of Science, ORNL, stable isotope center, stable isotopes, Thomas Zacharia, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Stable Isotope Production and Research Center

ORNL to receive $497 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding 

Posted at 3:50 pm November 12, 2022
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory will receive $497 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for projects that include nuclear fusion and neutron research, supercomputing, materials science, and radioisotope production. More than half of the money, 52% of it, will be used for U.S. contributions to an international nuclear fusion project.

ORNL’s $497 million is about one-third of the $1.55 billion provided to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science by the Democrat-led Congress under the IRA. President Joe Biden signed the IRA, which included a range of provisions and passed along party lines, into law in August. It provides money for more than 52 DOE projects already in the works.

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Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Premium Content, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Chuck Fleischmann, DOE, Inflation Reduction Act, ITER, Jennifer Granholm, Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay, LEGEND, Marsha Blackburn, Materials Plasma eXposure Experiment, materials science, MPEX, neutron research, nuclear fusion, Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Office of Science, ORNL, Radioisotope Processing Facility, radioisotope production, Second Target Station, Spallation Neutron Source, Stable Isotope Production and Research Center, supercomputing, Thomas Zacharia, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. ITER

Crews demolish ORNL reactor once used for aircraft nuclear propulsion research

Posted at 3:05 pm November 11, 2022
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Demolition began in September 2022 on the Bulk Shielding Reactor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and it was completed in November. It was the first teardown of a former reactor at the site. (Photo by U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management)

Workers have demolished a nuclear reactor that was built at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the 1950s for studies that were part of the federal aircraft nuclear propulsion program.

It’s the first demolition of a reactor in the ORNL central campus area. The demolition was reported to be completed ahead of schedule.

The Bulk Shielding Reactor, also known as Building 3010, was built in the 1950s for radiation shielding studies as part of the federal aircraft nuclear propulsion program. It included a 27-foot-deep reactor pool filled with water to shield the radioactive components contained in the pool, according to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management. Its mission changed to a general-purpose research reactor in 1963, and it was shut down permanently in 1991.

The reactor was demolished by cleanup contractor UCOR, working for DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM).

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: aircraft nuclear propulsion, Building 3010, Dan Macias, demolition, Nathan Felosi, nuclear reactor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Office of Environmental Management, OREM, ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR

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AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

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Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

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