Fusion energy project among six ORNL Federal Laboratory Consortium wins
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development were recognized by the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for their efforts to develop Tennessee as a national leader in fusion energy. Five other ORNL-led projects were also recognized.
The FLC awards recognize significant accomplishments in transferring federal laboratory technologies to the marketplace and are among the most prestigious in the technology transfer industry.
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Holocene, an Innovation Crossroads Cohort 2022 graduate, has been acquired by energy giant Oxy. This milestone will support Holocene’s goal in scaling DAC technology and is a testament to the power of hard tech innovation and the impact of public-private partnerships in advancing energy solutions.
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Ateios Systems, an Innovation Crossroads Cohort 2022 graduate, was awarded a $1M investment in the inaugural TitletownTech Startup Draft, a new initiative designed to spotlight high-potential startups building the future of innovation.
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The U.S. Air Force has awarded Safire Technology Group Inc., which licenses ORNL technology, a $4.5M contract to develop ruggedized electrified products and systems.
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New ORNL Inventions
Accelerated Optimization and Production of Gas Distributors and Reaction Chambers for Chemical Vapor Deposition
202305309 // Materials // Energy and Utilities
The use of Fluidized Bed Chemical Vapor Deposition to coat particles or fibers is inherently slow and capital intensive, as it requires constant modifications to the equipment to account for changes in the characteristics of the substrates to be coated. The limitations in the number of variables that can be simultaneously tested and the complexity of machining high-temperature ceramics used for the construction of CVD systems has led to the use of components with simple geometries. In this new process, we combine computer modeling and additive manufacturing to move beyond this limitation, by allowing for the first time the rapid design, prototyping, and testing of multiple components, without any geometrical constraint. Initial designs are 3D printed and tested at room temperature to accelerate the down selection of components that can be later be produced and tested at high temperatures also using additive manufacturing or any other traditional fabrication for metals and ceramics.
Molten Salt Ferrofluid
202305381 // Energy and Utilities // Manufacturing
This invention is a magnetic molten salt, also known as a ferrofluid. Utilizing molten salt as the base fluid with suspended magnetic nanoparticles enables the ferrofluid to maintain magnetic properties up to a temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius. This invention will allow for the removal of internal pumps from high temperature heat transfer fluid applications and allow the heat transfer fluid to be pumped with external magnetic fields. Additionally, this invention potentially allows for movement of the fluid at the microscopic level and is therefore ideal solution to complex heat transfer systems. There is also evidence of control of physical properties of this solution such as viscosity, density, heat transfer, and more all with an external magnetic field.
Technique for Size-Segregated Collection of Trace Material in Aerosol Particles
202305396 // Security and Defense // Healthcare and Biology
An aerosol sampling technique has been developed to collect actinide materials in the atmosphere. The overall system architecture is based on the principle of multi-jet virtual impaction. This unique device separates a large quantity of aerosol particles into selected size bins in a relatively short period of time.
Method for Batch Processing of Cathode/composite Polymer Electrolyte Stacks for Solid State Batteries
202305400 // Manufacturing
The co-processing of cathode and composite electrolyte for solid state polymer batteries has been developed. A traditional uncalendared cathode of e.g. NMC622 active material is used as a support on top of which the particles of ceramic electrolyte are deposited via either tape casting or spray coating. Subsequent flash sintering using intense pulse light improves connectivity among the ceramic electrolyte particles which results in better ion transport through the ceramics. The structure is then infiltrated with the polymer electrolyte which fills the pores in the cathode and in the ceramic electrolyte layer. The resulting cathode/composite electrolyte stack is then integrated into the battery cell.
Recycled Glass Fiber Composite
202305510 // Energy and Utilities // Materials
This invention incorporates fiberglass and semi-structural insulation made from recycled glass fiber, along with low-cost silicone for pultruded rods. It also uses low-cost polyester resin for additional pultruded rods, providing an economical solution for construction. This approach significantly reduces the reliance on wood, which is flammable, while ensuring that the resulting materials maintain their structural integrity.
Universal Window Installation Adapter with Air and Water Sealing
202305525 // Energy and Utilities // Manufacturing
The traditional window installation process involves many steps. These are becoming even more complex with newer construction requirements such as installation of windows over exterior continuous insulation walls.
This universal adapter enables the installation of windows with or without trims in any rough opening of the building envelope. The system is also a unique solution for window installation in building envelopes having external continuous insulation walls.
Autonomous Bioenergy Field
202405639 // Healthcare and Biology // Energy and Utilities
We present the design, assembly and demonstration of functionality for a new custom integrated robotics-based automated soil sampling technology as part of a larger vision for future edge computing- and AI- enabled bioenergy field monitoring and management technologies called SMART Plant F-series technologies.
Grid Parameters and Voltage Estimation Approach Integrating Data-Driven Converter Model
202405653 // Energy and Utilities // Security and Defense
This invention presents a method for accurately measuring grid voltage and current to enhance grid protection and control (P&C) systems. In power grids rich in converter interfaced resources (CIRs), parameters fluctuate, particularly during faults. The proposed method uses a moving horizon estimation (MHE) technique to estimate grid line parameters and voltages. By utilizing a black-box model to represent CIR dynamics and easily accessible measurements of output current and voltage at the point of common coupling, the method effectively estimates grid impedance and voltage under both normal and faulty conditions, improving P&C system performance.
UN Sintering Additives
202405663 // Energy and Utilities // Materials
Sintering additives to improve densification and microstructure control of UN provides a facile approach to producing high quality nuclear fuels.
LCC-based Induction Cooktop Architecture for Non-Ferromagnetic Pan
202405690// Energy and Utilities // Manufacturing
This innovation enables efficient and clean induction heating for cookware made of nonferromagnetic materials – traditionally incompatible with standard induction systems. The approach addresses a growing need in both industrial and domestic applications for safer and more energy-efficient heating solutions that work across a broader range of materials.
A Device to Detect Counterfeit Refrigerants
202405818 // Detectors and Sensors // Chemicals
Counterfeit refrigerants pose increasing risks to HVACR systems, leading to equipment failure, safety concerns, and environmental violations. This portable detection technology provides a cost-effective solution to quickly and accurately identify unauthorized refrigerant blends, improving safety and compliance in both industrial and commercial applications.
3D Printable Al-Zr-Ce-Cu-Sn Conductor Alloys with Improved Strength and Creep Resistance
202405838 // Materials // Transportation
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel aluminum alloy engineered for additive manufacturing that achieves a rare combination of high strength, electrical conductivity, and superior creep resistance. This alloy addressees the growing demand for advanced conductor materials in electric vehicles and other high-performance systems where lightweighting, thermal management, and durability are essential.
Circuit Configuration for All-metal Induction Cooking
202405848 // Energy and Utilities // IT and Communications
Induction cooking offers energy efficiency and precision, but traditional systems are limited to ferromagnetic cookware. This new technology overcomes that limitation, enabling the use of a wider range of metal cookware, including non-ferromagnetic materials, without sacrificing performance or control. It expands the accessibility and flexibility of induction cooking for residential and commercial applications.
Carbanion Ionic Liquid for Carbon Capture
202405853 // Materials // Chemicals
A new ionic liquid system has been developed to enhance carbon capture performance by leveraging a cascade CO2 chemisorption mechanism. The system uses a specially designed sorbent that facilitates the sequential capture of multiple CO2 molecules under mild conditions. This innovation addresses the high energy costs and limited uptake capacity of traditional sorbents and presents a promising pathway for industrial-scale carbon management.
Regeneration of Anion-Exchange Resin
202505869 // Chemicals // Analytical Instrumentation
The technologies provides for regeneration of anion-exchange resin.
Laser Beam Position Detection and Pointing Stabilization
202505876 // Detectors and Sensors // Security and Defense
We presented a novel apparatus and method for laser beam position detection and pointing stabilization using analog position-sensitive diodes (PSDs). The system demonstrated an order of magnitude improvement in both radiation tolerance and bandwidth compared to traditional image sensor-based methods. It is particularly well-suited for applications requiring high-bandwidth tracking and stabilization of laser beam positions in high-radiation environments, such as nuclear reactors, fusion reactors, synchrotrons, colliders, neutron sources, and other hazardous or irradiated areas.
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