Recent News & Features

News Releases Archive | Features Archive

 

News Release

  • ORNL researchers probe invisible vacancies in fuel cell materials
    OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 22, 2012 — Knowing the position of missing oxygen atoms could be the key to cheaper solid oxide fuel cells with longer lifetimes. New microscopy research from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is enabling scientists to map these vacancies at an atomic scale.

Features

  • Mars 'Curiosity' has ORNL tech
    Key components of probe's Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator produced at ORNL.
    Aug. 6, 2012 — Editor's note: With the successful landing of the Mars Curiosity probe, we are reprising and updating from last November this feature on ORNL's role in the U.S. space exploration mission.

 

 

Formed on March 1, 2006 from a merger of the former Condensed Matter Sciences and Metals & Ceramics Divisions, the Materials Science and Technology Division conducts fundamental and applied materials research for basic energy sciences programs and a variety of energy technologies, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, conservation, fossil energy, fusion energy, nuclear power, and space exploration. Basic and applied research programs are focused on the thrust areas of

  • theory and modeling at multiple scales,
  • designed synthesis of condensed matter physics systems, alloys, structural ceramics, and specialized crystals,
  • structural characterization via electron, ion, photon and neutron sciences,
  • comprehensive physical and mechanical property characterization,
  • interaction with extreme environments (temperature, corrosive media, radiation), and
  • applied materials physics (superconductivity, thermoelectrics, hydrogen storage, photovoltaics, catalysis, energy storage)

The MST division is a matrix organization made up of 22 research & development groups, three program offices, and two major user facilities. MST division research staff have strong interactions with the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences and the neutron scattering facilities located at the High Flux Isotopes Reactor Center for Neutron Scattering and the Spallation Neutron Source.

The MST division mission is to conduct basic and applied research and development on materials in order to improve the understanding of physical phenomena and to develop advanced materials and processes to enable energy-efficient, cost-competitive and environmentally acceptable materials technologies for a variety of important national priorities.

We perform this work for numerous government programs as well as in support of industry needs. We also enhance science education and improve scientific awareness of students from precollege to postdoc levels through a variety of intern and postgraduate programs.

Division Office Contacts

ICE, Gene E.
Division Director
 icege@ornl.gov 865.574.4065  865.574.4066
TORTORELLI, Peter F.
Deputy Division Director
tortorellipf@ornl.gov 865.574.5119  865.574.4066 

SIMONSON, Karen P.
Administrative Assistant

 simonsonkp@ornl.gov 865.574.4067  865.574.4066
WADDELL, Betty J.
Division Secretary
waddellbj@ornl.gov 865.574.4065  865.574.4066
BURN, Gabrielle L.
Secretary
burngl@ornl.gov 865.574.5060 865.574.4066