Archived News Releases for 2008

For more information on ORNL and its research and development activities, please refer to the resources listed below or to one of our Media Contacts. If you have a general media-related question or comment, you can send it to news@ornl.gov.

 
Audio Spot: ORNL engineer studying Texas construction damage
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 18, 2008 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory Buildings Technology Center engineer Andre Desjarlais is part of a team of national roofing experts sent to Texas, studying construction damage from Hurricane Ike.

Oak Ridge High School student contributes to ORNL alternative energy research
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 11, 2008 — Oak Ridge High School student Nadya Ally interned at ORNL this summer as a participant in the Science, Engineering, Communications and Mathematics Enrichment (SECME) High School Program.

Miller named TMS fellow
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2008 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher Mike Miller has been elected a fellow of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) for his leadership in developing and utilizing the atom probe tomography a process that characterizes the composition of materials.

Scraps of ORNL history now downtown
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2008 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory's history room recently donated a scrapbook from the lab's earliest days to the Oak Ridge Public Library.

Audio Spot: Alexander speaks at National Science and Technology at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 20, 2008 — Sen. Lamar Alexander told a National Science and Technology Summit audience in Oak Ridge that scientists need to try to solve some new energy challenges in addition to the older ones already being taken on.

Summitt encourages ORNL employees to back United Way
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 13, 2008 — Speaking to hundreds of UT-Battelle employees at a United Way campaign rally, University of Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball Coach Pat Summitt said she has used United Way to motivate her team in ways that go beyond winning on the basketball court - even for a national champion.

Audio Spot: ORNL steam plant will convert to bioenergy
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 11, 2008 — Changes to a 50-year-old steam plant at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Natural Laboratory will result in burning wood products provided from sawmills and pallet makers, producing steam from bio-energy.

Audio Spot: ORNL may assist Volkswagen with new plant set-up
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 31, 2008 — Automotive technology capabilities at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are credited with helping nearby Chattanooga, Tenn., land the new Volkswagen Plant.

Audio Spot: Appalachian Regional Commission students, teachers at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 31, 2008 — Forty-two students and 19 teachers from high schools in areas covered by the 13-state Appalachian Regional Commission recently spent two weeks learning about science opportunities at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL researchers analyze material with 'colossal ionic conductivity'
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 31, 2008 — A new material characterized at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory could open a pathway toward more efficient fuel cells.

Revolutionary green technology bus has DOE roots
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 28, 2008 — Insight from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, commitment from two Michigan companies and funding from the Department of Energy have led to the commercialization of a lightweight urban transit bus with double the fuel efficiency of conventional hybrid buses.

Audio Spot: UT-Battelle corporate fellow suggests fuel savings to Congress
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 24, 2008 — UT-Battelle Corporate Fellow David Greene told a U.S. Senate committee drivers can determine a more accurate fuel mileage by the way they drive while not relying so much on Environmental Protection Agency numbers assigned their particular model.

Bass, Daw, Goyal named UT-Battelle Corporate Fellows
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 21, 2008 — Three researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been named UT-Battelle Corporate Fellows. B. Richard Bass, C. Stuart Daw and Amit Goyal are recognized for sustained outstanding achievements in their scientific and technical fields.

ORNL program manager honored for helping small businesses
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 2, 2008 — Keith Joy, Small Business Program manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, recently has been named the Management and Operating (M&O) Program Manager of the Year by the Department of Energy.

ORNL researchers win six R&D 100 awards
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 1, 2008 — Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have won six R&D 100 Awards for innovative technologies in areas ranging from national security to the advanced materials industry.

Oak Ridge pegged for national ecological network
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 26, 2008 — Dozens of instruments to be deployed on the Oak Ridge Reservation and other sites around the nation will provide valuable information related to climate change, biodiversity and invasive species, infectious diseases and other areas of interest.

Audio Spot: ETSU Governor's School visits ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 26, 2008 — Thirty high school students attending East Tennessee State University's five-week Governor's School for Mathematics and Biology got a vision of possible career opportunities during a recent visit to the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL demonstrates super-sensitive explosives detector
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 25, 2008 — Using a laser and a device that converts reflected light into sound, researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory can detect explosives at distances exceeding 20 yards.

New ORNL process brings nanoparticles into focus
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 23, 2008 — Scientists can study the biological impacts of engineered nanomaterials on cells within the body with greater resolution than ever because of a procedure developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

UT-Battelle donates $100,000 to Roane State Campaign
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 17, 2008 — UT-Battelle has announced a $100,000 gift to help build new laboratories at Roane State Community College's Oak Ridge campus. The gift is part of the college's fundraising campaign to build new classrooms and science laboratories.

Oak Ridge National Lab wins White House pollution prevention award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 16, 2008 — The Green Transportation Initiative at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has received a White House Closing the Circle Award, recognizing outstanding federal environmental stewardship practices.

Audio Spot: New medicine therapeutics company is spinout from ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 10, 2008 — A Company, NellOne Therapeutics, has been formed through Battelle Ventures to research the potential for a new therapy that could help heart patients, according to Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist Cymbeline Culiat.

ORNL, General Electric collaborate on super efficient electric water heater
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 5, 2008 — The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and General Electric have collaborated to finalize, test and market the first product from a major brand to meet DOE's new Energy Star criteria for electric heat pump water heaters.

Audio Spot: New superconductor receives ORNL neutron analysis
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 4, 2008 — Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), a Department of Energy neutron science facility, have analyzed a newly discovered material with superconducting properties at relatively high temperatures.

GE Energy to market SNS-developed detector electronics system
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 3, 2008 — GE Energy, manufacturer of Reuter Stokes radiation detection equipment, has signed a technology transfer agreement to market the electronics and software associated with the SNS 8Pack neutron detector system, an award-winning design for a system of sensitive neutron detectors developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

New titanium manufacturing process saves energy, helps protect troops
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 20, 2008 — Whether for stopping cars or bullets, titanium is the material of choice, but it has always been too expensive for all but the most specialized applications.

Jaguar upgrade brings ORNL closer to petascale computing
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 15, 2008 — Upgrades to Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Jaguar supercomputer have more than doubled its performance, increasing the system's ability to deliver far-reaching advances in climate studies, energy research, and a wide range of sciences.

Alexander calls for new Manhattan Project on energy
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 9, 2008 — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander told an Oak Ridge National Laboratory audience the nation needs to embark on a five-year 21st century Manhattan Project toward national clean energy independence.

'Fit Friendly' ORNL employees recognized
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 7, 2008 — Employees of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been recognized by the American Heart Association for their efforts to keep fit.

Cyber security experts convening at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 1, 2008 — OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 1, 2008 - Cyber security will be in the spotlight as more than 100 researchers, professionals and educators from around the nation gather at Oak Ridge National Laboratory May 12-14 for the Fourth Annual Cyber Security and Information Intelligence Research Workshop.

Audio Spot: Energy -- Rubber hits the road…
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 1, 2008 — Tractor-trailers operating with single wider tires recorded improved fuel efficiency numbers between 7.2 and 10 percent when compared to rigs operating on standard sized dual tires.

Team UT-Battelle to help build Anderson Habitat house
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 28, 2008 — A crew of volunteers from Team UT-Battelle gathered this weekend to begin construction of a Habitat for Humanity house in Clinton's Hickory Ridge Subdivision.

ORHS student Katie Sloop receives UT-Battelle Scholarship
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 24, 2008 — Katharine Michelle Sloop, an Oak Ridge High School student who already sports an impressive portfolio of scientific research, is this year's UT-Battelle Scholarship winner.

Crop management strategies key to a healthy Gulf, planet
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 21, 2008 — Improved management of crops and perennials could go a long way toward alleviating the problem of hypoxia, which claims thousands of fish, shrimp and shellfish in the Gulf of Mexico each spring.

ORNL earns Heart Association fitness designation
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 17, 2008 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the first East Tennessee organization to earn the Fit Friendly Award from the American Heart Association.

ORNL team wins DOE Secretary's Achievement Honor Award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 14, 2008 — Gilbert G. Weigand of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate has received the inaugural James R. Schlesinger Award from Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory honors Small Businesses
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 11, 2008 — Seven local and national small businesses have been recognized by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for their work efforts and support of the laboratory's mission and operations.

UT Wins $65M National Science Foundation Supercomputing Grant For Next-Generation Computing System
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 3, 2008 — The University of Tennessee has entered the ranks of the nation's elite in using supercomputing to solve the most significant scientific questions facing humanity. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $65 million to UT to build and operate one of the world's most powerful supercomputers and lead a nationwide partnership to put it to use.

New UT supercomputer to be installed at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 3, 2008 — A $65 million National Science Foundation grant has been awarded to the University of Tennessee for construction of a second high-speed supercomputer at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Directors named for two new ORNL divisions
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 28, 2008 — Directors of two new divisions have been named at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Nature walks and research area tours planned for spring 2008
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 28, 2008 — Four different areas of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) are featured in this spring's series of five nature walks.

Trash Bash cleans up roadside near ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 28, 2008 — A group of Oak Ridge National Laboratory employees working through the volunteer service organization Team UT-Battelle recently spent two hours cleaning up along a roadway near the laboratory during the semiannual Trash Bash event.

ORNL part of project to help power developing nations
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 12, 2008 — With a proposed fiscal year 2009 budget of $20 million, the effort by the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and partners to develop grid-appropriate reactors is gaining steam.

Speaker, judges set for Global Venture Challenge
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 12, 2008 — Noted "green energy" entrepreneur K.R. Sridhar will be the keynote speaker at this year's Global Venture Challenge, a business competition and venture forum to be held April 2-4 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL study shows hybrid effect on power distribution
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 12, 2008 — A growing number of plug-in hybrid electric cars and trucks could require major new power generation resources or none at all— depending on when people recharge their automobiles.

ORNL study finds rivers play part in removing nitrogen
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 12, 2008 — Tiny organisms play a powerful role in removing nitrate, a form of nitrogen pollution caused by human activity, in streams, according to a study by a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and published in Nature.

Audio Spot: ORNL, JGI collaborate on study in Nature
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 11, 2008 — ORNL's collaborations with DOE's Joint Genome Institute, located in Walnut Creek, Calif., continue. The JGI-led genome analysis of the symbiotic fungus Laccaria bicolor was published in Nature early this month. The Environmental Sciences Division's Jerry Tuskan helped lead the international effort that included ORNL and a host of institutions from the United States, France, Belgium, Sweden and Germany.

Killer freeze of '07 illustrates paradoxes of warming climate
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 5, 2008 — A destructive spring freeze that chilled the eastern United States almost a

Thompson, Flowers join UT-Battelle
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 4, 2008 — UT-Battelle announced today that Blake Thompson, Deputy Staff Director of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, and Paula Flowers, former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, will join the management team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Imports from Latin America may help U.S. meet energy goals, study finds
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 4, 2008 — Latin American nations could become important suppliers of ethanol for world markets in coming decades, according to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory study released recently.

Disabled veteran-owned firm earns ORNL contract
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 3, 2008 — A Knoxville-based Service Disabled and Veteran Owned Business has been awarded a contract to provide office supplies and equipment to the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Audio Spot: Oak Ridge High School wins DOE's Tennessee Science Bowl
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 3, 2008 — Oak Ridge High School is the champion of the 2008 U.S. Department of Energy's Tennessee Science Bowl held recently in Knoxville.

Audio Spot: Guide dog undergoes socialization training at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 26, 2008 — A four-month old guide dog that will hopefully one day assist a blind person is undergoing socialization training during a daily routine at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Outstanding mentors and teachers honored at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 14, 2008 — The U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have recognized outstanding ORNL staff for mentoring students and teachers in laboratory education programs and throughout the community.

DOE gives UT-Battelle high marks for ORNL performance
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 7, 2008 — The Department of Energy's recent evaluation of laboratory performance awarded UT-Battelle a grade of A in the area of Science and Technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

James Hack to direct National Center for Computational Sciences at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2008 — James J. Hack, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo., has been appointed director of the National Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS), a leadership computing facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory , ORNL Associate Laboratory Director for Computing and Computational Sciences Thomas Zacharia has announced.

Audio Spot: Battelle CEO praises relationship with University of Tennessee
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 25, 2008 — Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt says his organization and the University of Tennessee enjoy a strong working relationship in managing Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the Department of Energy.

Department of Energy's ORNL, Jackson State sign mentor-protege agreement
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 24, 2008 — The U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Jackson State University have launched a joint initiative that will help expand the university's research programs and promote research collaboration at both institutions.

Joint Institute Breaks Ground on Expansion, International Partnership
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 23, 2008 — Twenty-five years after its founding, a joint research center in East Tennessee is taking on new growth and capabilities that will impact America's energy and security future.

Transportation -- Trucking data
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 23, 2008 — A year-long nationwide highway test of six instrumented heavy trucks and 10 instrumented trailers hauling freight over three quarters of a million miles has moved into the data assessment phase.

Audio Spot: Transportation -- Trucking data
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 23, 2008 — A year-long nationwide highway test of six instrumented heavy trucks and 10 instrumented trailers hauling freight over three quarters of a million miles has moved into the data assessment phase.

UT-ORNL researcher Sayler to head EPA advisory committee
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 21, 2008 — The leader of a University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory joint institute has been named chairman of an influential advisory committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Oak Ridge leads DOE INCITE effort in 2008
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2008 — Scientific studies on climate change, energy and alternative fuels are among the 30 projects awarded more than 145 million processing hours on supercomputers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory through the Department of Energy's Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program.

Oak Ridge to lead auto supplier R&D partnership
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2008 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory will lead research and development work for the automotive supplier industry initiated through the U.S. Automotive Partnership for Advancing Research and Technologies, or USAutoPARTs collaborative announced today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Ballard to head ORNL Partnerships Directorate
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 10, 2008 — Tom Ballard has been named director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Partnerships Directorate, formerly known as Technology Transfer and Economic Development.

ORNL, SuperPower Inc. Sign High Temperature Superconducting Wire Agreement
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 9, 2008 — The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) today announced that SuperPower Inc., a Schenectady, N.Y., superconducting wire manufacturer, has signed a license agreement to use an ORNL-developed technology that can lower the cost of producing superconducting wires for more efficient transmission of electricity.

Audio Spot: College business students invited to competition at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 3, 2008 — College and university teams from around the world interested in putting together a model energy-related company are being solicited to compete in the Global Venture Challenge next April at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.