Archived News Releases for 2007

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.

 
Shopping on-line reduces a midnight clear's carbon dioxide
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Dec. 21, 2007 — Holiday shoppers who do most of their gift gathering on-line are saving more

Nevada company, ORNL develop potential lifesaver
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Dec. 20, 2007 — A Las Vegas business and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are improving the odds for people medically at risk from dehydration or congestive heart failure.

Audio Spot: Energy Bill may benefit ORNL technology research
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Dec. 20, 2007 — The new Energy bill signed by President Bush emphasizes the need for greater energy efficiency and promoting alternative fuel technology.

Mason, Rykaczewski, Budai honored by American Physical Society
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Dec. 10, 2007 — Three scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory--including the laboratory's director--have been elected fellows of the American Physical Society (APS).

Audio Spot: Oak Ridge reactor sets neutron world record
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 29, 2007 — The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has set a world record for concentration of cold neutrons that are used to study materials.

ORNL super water repellent could cause big wave in market
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 29, 2007 — A water repellent developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory outperforms nature at its best and could open a floodgate of commercial possibilities.

Vinod Sikka honored as ORNL's top scientist for 2007
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 16, 2007 — Vinod Sikka, one of ORNL's most prolific and internationally recognized

Audio Spot: Retired general stresses commitment at ORNL Veterans Day event
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 12, 2007 — Retired U.S. Army Gen. Carl Stiner of LaFollette told a Veterans Day audience at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory that the United States must persevere and succeed in the war on terrorism for the sake of future generations.

ORNL training program recognized by professional society
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 12, 2007 — The American Society for Training & Development has recognized Oak Ridge National Laboratory as one of its 2007 BEST Awards Program winners. The 2007 BEST Awards received entries from 103 organizations in eight countries.

UT-Battelle contributes $25,000 to Veterans Memorial
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 8, 2007 — UT-Battelle will contribute $25,000 to a new East Tennessee Veterans Memorial planned for the northern end of World's Fair Park in Knoxville.

UT-Battelle raises $12,000 for Komen breast cancer race
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 6, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Team UT-Battelle has raised more than $12,000 for the Susan G. Komen Knoxville Race for the Cure.

ORNL's Ho Nyung Lee cited as top early career scientist
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher Ho Nyung Lee is one of eight Department of Energy scientists to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

ORNL's Herb Mook elected AAAS fellow
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 29, 2007 — Herbert A. Mook Jr., a senior researcher at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

DOE, ORNL host 1,200 students and faculty at Day of Science
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 29, 2007 — More than 1,200 students and faculty from 125 U.S. colleges and universities gathered here Monday for one of the largest Department of Energy science education events ever held.

Audio Spot: ORNL dedicates new solar energy power system
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 26, 2007 — A new system to convert sunlight into electricity that will provide power to two buildings at Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is an early step to a technology of the future, according to laboratory director Thom Mason.

Audio Spot: Nickel aluminide technology improve steel industry efficiency
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 18, 2007 — A technology that provides an improved method to heat treated steel has been developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Audio Spot: New imager can detect small, weak radiation sources
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 18, 2007 — Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have helped develop a vehicular instrument capable of locating small and weak radiation sources on a 100-meter stretch of land.

Third U.S. Climate Change Science Program Report Issued
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 18, 2007 — The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) today released a report, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), titled "Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United States." The report summarizes what is known about potential effects of climate change on energy production and use in the United States and identifies where research could reduce uncertainties about impacts.

ORNL partnership reaches across Atlantic
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 11, 2007 — Scientists in London will be able to use and manipulate, in real-time, leading multi-million dollar scientific instruments and technology in the United States, following this week's official launch of the Global Lab at Imperial College London.

Audio Spot: Superconducting wire could increase energy efficiency
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 10, 2007 — A new superconducting wire that can carry increasing loads of electricity has been developed and tested at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL United Way campaign raises more than $900,000
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 10, 2007 — The United Way campaign at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has experienced another record year, raising $916,298 for East Tennessee agencies.

ORNL joins universities, industry in nuclear education initiative
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 8, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory has joined a group of southeastern universities and companies to promote growth of the region's nuclear technologies and education programs.

Audio Spot: Oak Ridge hosts Solar Summit Oct. 24-25
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 8, 2007 — Spotlighting solar energy opportunities will be the focus of the first Southeast Solar Summit scheduled Oct. 24 -25 at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Audio Spot: ORNL director discusses future challenges during community forum
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 5, 2007 — Speaking at an Oak Ridge community forum, recently named Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason said new world challenges have opened exciting opportunities for his facility and its many expanding programs.

ORNL "resilience" plan to help Tennessee, Mississippi and South Carolina communities beat disaster
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2007 — A new Oak Ridge National Laboratory initiative could help avert disasters in Tennessee, Mississippi and South Carolina and also lead to more information about climate change.

ORNL's SensorPedia targets national security mission
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2007 — SensorPedia, a writeable Web site in development at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, solves a huge problem by giving emergency responders and decision-makers access to data from diverse sensor networks in near real time.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Mirzadeh Wins Seaborg Medal Award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2007 — Saed Mirzadeh, whose work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has led to development of new treatments for cancer and other diseases, is the recipient of the American Nuclear Society's 2007 Seaborg Medal Award.

Global Venture forum to focus on business of energy
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2007 — Energy is the theme of a business competition and venture forum to be held for the second year at Oak Ridge National Laboratory under a new name, Global Venture Challenge.

Interacting protein theory awaits test from new neutron analysis tools
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 27, 2007 — An international collaboration directed by an Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher has performed the first-ever atomic-detail computer simulation of how proteins vibrate in a crystal.

ORNL Director Thom Mason's community update on lab Oct. 4 at AMSE
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 27, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason will present a Community Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 4, at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

$6.7 million kick-starts DOE BioEnergy Science Center
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 24, 2007 — The Department of Energy's new BioEnergy Science Center, to be located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will receive its first funding of $6.7 million. The fiscal year 2007 funds put the BioEnergy Science Center on a fast track to begin research on development of plant-derived biofuels. The center is one of three nationwide, part of a $375 million federal investment in basic research on biofuels.

Audio Spot: New imager can detect small, weak radiation sources
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 20, 2007 — Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have helped develop a vehicular instrument capable of locating small and weak radiation sources on a 100-meter stretch of land.

Solar experts gathering at ORNL for summit
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 14, 2007 — Solar energy will be in the spotlight as researchers, engineers, architects and other renewable energy experts from the region convene at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oct. 24-25 for the first Southeast Solar Summit.

Audio Spot: Wamp says bio-energy will help Tennessee economy
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Sep. 4, 2007 — U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp says bio-energy technology developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory will provide a boost to all aspects of Tennessee's economy.

America regains neutron science leadership with world record
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 30, 2007 — The Spallation Neutron Source, the Department of Energy's $1.4 billion research facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has established a new record as the world's most powerful accelerator based source of neutrons for scientific research.

ORNL sweeps regional tech transfer awards
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 29, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory has won six awards, including project of the year, from a federal laboratory group for transferring technologies to the private sector.

Collaborative Cross attracting diverse genetics experiments
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 29, 2007 — Mice that are part of the Collaborative Cross project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are helping scientists around the world learn more about possible causes of drug abuse, diabetes, sleep disorders, stress and pain, kidney disease and a number of other conditions that affect millions of people.

New ORNL roof system means savings for homeowners
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2007 — Homeowners could see their summer utility bills fall by 8 percent or more with a new roof and attic system being developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

UT Coach Bruce Pearl tips off ORNL United Way campaign
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 20, 2007 — University of Tennessee men's basketball Coach Bruce Pearl tipped off Oak Ridge National Laboratory's United Way campaign Monday.

Oneida science teacher receives UT-Battelle $10,000 bonus
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2007 — For the second year in a row, an innovative teacher bonus program from UT-Battelle is helping recruit math and science teachers to rural East Tennessee schools.

New nanotoxicology study delivers promising results
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2007 — Findings by a team of researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee bode well for using single-walled carbon nanohorns, a particular form of engineered carbon-based nanoparticles, for drug delivery and other commercial applications.

ORNL earns award from HBCU's for support
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 6, 2007 — Support for efforts to advance educational and career opportunities for students has resulted in the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory being designated as a 2007 Top Supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

ORNL, Morehouse sign Mentor-Protege agreement
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 27, 2007 — A new joint initiative between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Morehouse College will assist students in the College's science programs, and promote research collaboration at both institutions.

Fuel cell development bolstered by ORNL, Julich agreement
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 10, 2007 — An agreement between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Research Centre Julich in Germany could ultimately lead to lower cost, higher performance fuel cells for transportation and portable power applications.

Grilling with charcoal can benefit environment long-term
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 4, 2007 — While grilling outdoors with natural gas during the summertime is considered environmentally cleaner than burning with charcoal, Tris West, a researcher with the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, says using charcoal does have a long-range advantage.

ORNL wins six R&D 100 Awards, pushing total to 134
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., July 2, 2007 — Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have won six R&D 100 Awards, given annually by R&D Magazine to the year's most technologically significant new products.

ORNL supercomputer rises to No. 2 worldwide - Leadership computing system promises to accelerate scientific discovery
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 27, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL's) Cray XT4 supercomputer, known as Jaguar, is now the second fastest system in the world, according to a semiannual list of the world's fastest computers.

ORNL-led team wins DOE bioenergy center
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 26, 2007 — A team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory has won an award from the Department of Energy for a $125 million bioenergy research center that will seek new ways to produce biofuels.

ORNL receives $1 million for biofuels research with poplars
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 19, 2007 — Through a better understanding of photoreceptors that influence the shape and growth of poplar trees, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory hope to improve crop yields for ethanol production.

EPA "Performance Track" recognizes ORNL outstanding environmental compliance
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 12, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been recognized for its outstanding environmental compliance record by being accepted into the Environmental Protection Agency's National Performance Track Program.

New ORNL theory aims to explain recent temperature, climate extremes
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 12, 2007 — Using an ocean of data, sophisticated mathematical models and supercomputing resources, researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are putting climate models to the test with particular focus on weather extremes.

UT-Battelle improves energy efficiency at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 11, 2007 — UT-Battelle has achieved improved energy efficiency at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory through infrastructure improvements and new buildings that are replacing many facilities more than 50 years old.

DOE study shows potential industrial savings
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 6, 2007 — A DOE study of 200 U.S. industrial sites has found these facilities could reduce their annual energy costs by $494 million. ORNL's Tony Wright heads a team that manages the nationwide study, noting these energy savings are good for improving the U.S. business climate.

Hybrid solar lighting earns national technology transfer award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 1, 2007 — An Oak Ridge National Laboratory-developed technology collecting sunlight connected to special indoor light fixtures has earned an Excellence in Technology Transfer Award from the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.

Wadsworth bids farewell with $50,000 UTB gift to Oak Ridge schools
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 31, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Jeff Wadsworth is leaving the community the same way he arrived here -- leading the charge to improve public education and renovate Oak Ridge High School.

Nagler, Norby named Corporate Fellows at Oak Ridge National Lab
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 29, 2007 — Stephen E. Nagler and Richard J. Norby have earned the highest level of recognition for career achievements in science and technology leadership at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Roane County's Platfoot recipient of UT-Battelle scholarship
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 25, 2007 — Mark Platfoot of Roane County High School has received the 2007 UT-Battelle Scholarship worth up to $20,000.

Thom Mason Named Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 25, 2007 — UT-Battelle announced today the selection of Dr. Thom Mason as Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Novel sugar-to-hydrogen technology promises transportation fuel independence
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 24, 2007 — Researchers at Virginia Tech, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the University of Georgia propose using polysaccharides, or sugary carbohydrates, from biomass to directly produce low-cost hydrogen for the new hydrogen economy.

ORNL laser-based device offers alternative to video surveillance
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 17, 2007 — Surveillance systems take on a new look with a technology developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Revamped, Renewed, Restarted: Oak Ridge High Flux Isotope reactor back on line
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 17, 2007 — The research reactor at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is back in action and better than ever.

UT-Battelle earns SBA's Frances Perkins Award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., May 7, 2007 — UT-Battelle's interaction with more than 270 women-owned small businesses, totaling more than $45.1 million in subcontract work, has resulted in the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory earning the prestigious 2007 Frances Perkins Vanguard Award for Exemplary Utilization of Women-Owned Small Businesses by Industry.

Small businesses recognized by ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 26, 2007 — Seven businesses have been recognized by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory with its Small Business Subcontract Awards.

Audio Spot: ORNL researcher focuses on fossil energy alternatives
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 23, 2007 — Focusing on energy sources besides fossil fuels should be the goal of attaining global sustainability to thwart climate change, according to UT-Battelle Corporate Fellow and environmental sciences researcher Tom Wilbanks.

Energy conservation is ongoing commitment at ORNL
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 17, 2007 — Every day is Earth Day for an ever-increasing portion of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is on a path to become one of the nation's most energy-efficient research facilities.

ORNL, Air Force agreement leverages R&D capabilities
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 12, 2007 — An agreement between the Air Force Research Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory promises to save taxpayer dollars and speed the delivery of technological advances to U.S. air, cyber and space forces.

ORNL Cray supercomputer doubles performance
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 11, 2007 — Science is the big winner as Oak Ridge National Laboratory's supercomputer has moved up in location and performance and is now the most powerful open scientific computing system in the world.

Audio Spot: DOE's Oak Ridge Reservation is valuable nature preserve
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 10, 2007 — The first of five public spring nature walks occurs April 21 in the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation.

ORNL accelerator earns nuclear historic site designation
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 5, 2007 — A 38-year-old accelerator at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been recognized as a Nuclear Historic Landmark.

Audio Spot: Corker praises ORNL for pushing energy security
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 3, 2007 — U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee says Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a key to make possible United States energy security.

Nature walks and research area tours planned for spring 2007
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 20, 2007 — Five opportunities for the public to explore parts of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Reservation are planned this spring.

ORNL helps develop next-generation LEDs
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 19, 2007 — Nanotechnology may unlock the secret for creating highly efficient next-generation LED lighting systems, and exploring its potential is the aim of several projects centered at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL turkey hunts mark 11th year
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 13, 2007 — The first and the third weekends in April will mark the 11th year of wild turkey hunts on the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area.

Mine runoff continues to provide clues to microbial diversification
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 7, 2007 — Pink slime at the surface of water trickling through an old mine in California is proving to be a treasure for researchers in their quest to learn more about how bacterial communities exist in nature.

ORNL announces semi-finalists for Nano Idea to Product Competition
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 2, 2007 — Fifteen teams from 12 universities have been selected to present their new product ideas at the Nano Idea to Product Competition April 2-4, part of a nanotechnology research and industry event to be hosted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL part of team to win 2006 Ohio Governor's Award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 28, 2007 — For the second year in a row, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have been part of industry teams to win the Ohio Governor's Award for Energy Efficiency.

ORNL's Mook elected neutron scattering society fellow
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 26, 2007 — Herbert A. Mook Jr., a senior researcher at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been elected to the Neutron Scattering Society of America's inaugural group of fellows.

Audio Spot: ORNL helps truck manufactures adapt to new emissions rules
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 26, 2007 — Research to characterize and reduce the amount of air pollution being emitted by trucks is ongoing at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

ORNL researcher earns prestigious award for paper
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 22, 2007 — An Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist has won the inaugural Nuclear Fusion Award from the International Atomic Energy Agency for a paper on making fusion reactors efficient enough to produce power in this century.

Department of Energy awards Lab high marks for scientific research
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2007 — The Department of Energy has awarded UT-Battelle a performance evaluation of "A" for the quality and productivity of the company's research and development and for its science and technology program management at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. DOE's "report card" comes after an evaluation of performance from October 2005 though September 2006.

Head of U.S. ITER project named IEEE Fellow
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 15, 2007 — Ned Sauthoff, an Oak Ridge physicist leading the U.S. role in a global fusion energy project, has been named a Fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

ORNL's Zinkle receives E.O. Lawrence Award
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 7, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher Steven J. Zinkle has been named a winner of the Department of Energy's Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award, which honors midcareer scientists and engineers for exceptional contributions in research and development.

ORNL scores hit with National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2007 — An electronic accountability system developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will result in savings of more than $2 million per year at one federal facility alone and will ensure 100 percent accountability of employees.

ORNL seeks nanotech start-ups for venture forum
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 24, 2007 — Oak Ridge National Laboratory has opened a call for promising early- and growth-stage nanotechnology companies seeking venture capital to apply to present their business plans at the Nano Venture Showcase on April 4, part of a nanotechnology research and industry event to be hosted at the lab.

Audio Spot: UT-Battelle names Second Harvest Corporate Donor of the Year
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2007 — Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee has awarded UT-Battelle its Corporate Donor of the Year Award.

Audio Spot: Greenhouse gas emissions entangled within international economy
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 19, 2007 — Greenhouse gas emissions and global warming have become entangled within international economic issues, according to researcher Gregg Marland of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL researchers, supercomputer have large roles in DOE projects
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 9, 2007 — Eight projects led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have been awarded more than 27 million hours of computing time at the lab's Center for Computational Sciences.

Audio Spot: Teams, volunteers sought for Feb. 24 Tennessee Science Bowl
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 8, 2007 — High school teams from across the Volunteer State are eligible to compete in the annual Tennessee Science Bowl Feb. 24 at the Pellissippi State Community College campus in Blount County.

ORNL team discovers new way to spin up pulsars
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Jan. 5, 2007 — A team of scientists using Oak Ridge National Laboratory supercomputers has discovered the first plausible explanation for a pulsar's spin that fits the observations made by astronomers.