 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
 |
||
|
||
 |
Expertise
-
Materials Processing and Fabrication
-
gas-phase processes
-
thin films
-
self-assembly and chemical processing
-
bulk materials
-
nanomaterials design and process modeling
-
-
Characterization
-
state-of-art tools for analysis and development
-
real-time measurement
-
-
Responsible Development
-
effective monitoring of processes and workplace
-
process development for efficiency improvement and reduced waste and emissions
-
risk evaluation
-
-
Rapid Prototyping for Development and Deployment
-
process development
-
scale up
-
Superconducting Wires |
ORNL has developed High Temperature Superconducting wires which are enabled via 3D self-assembly of insulating nanodots. Nanodots arrays distributed throughout the entire thickness of a thick-film superconducting second-generation wire act as effective flux pinning centers, satisfying the requirements of most practical power applications. In 2006, this achievement earned an international Nano 50™ Technology Award from Nanotech Briefs® Magazine as one “Best of the Best”. In 2008 ORNL’s Dr. Amit Goyal received an Innovator Award for the Fact Sheet on this Nano50-award winning technology |
Contact: Dominic Lee, 865-241-0775, leedf@ornl.gov |
development of this technology.Superhydrophobic Materials |
|
Contact: John Simpson, 865-574-5565, simpsonjt@ornl.gov |
ORNL has developed nanostructured superhydrophobic (water-repelling) materials with the potential to reduce energy losses through reduced friction and reduced corrosion. ORNL is working to commercialize superhydrophobic oxide-based powders with nano features that are precisely repeated and of highly uniform dimensions on the surface of each particle. These features are coated with a monolayer of a fluorinated compound treatment. There are a number of common and advanced uses for these ultra-waterproof materials, including energy-efficient applications for drag reduction and enhanced heat transfer, novel sensors, and biomedical applications. ORNL is currently working to improve the quality of the powders and to develop binder systems.Nanostructured Architectures for Controlled Gene Expression |
ORNL is developing and implementing nanostructured devices for the direct manipulation of transcriptional processes – whereby genes within cells may be induced or repressed via electronic control. The approach is to exploit the nanoscale features of cell penetrant nanoelectrodes as an interface to cells, so that tethered genetic material may be introduced into a cell and regulated by external stimuli applied through the platform of the multiscale device. This research platform is a powerful tool for a wide variety of applications including understanding individual gene function within a single cell.
|
Contact: Gary Alley, 865-574-5725, alleygt@ornl.gov |
Metal Infusion Surface Treatment Technology |
C3 International, LLC's MIST (Metal Infusion Surface Treatment) technology is a low-temperature coating process that infuses a new alloy several hundred nanometers (nm) deep into the surface of a metal to create enhanced durability and extend the service life of equipment. By working with ORNL, C3 has m
|
Contact: Craig Blue, 865-574-4351, blueca@ornl.gov |
oved from a start-up company to an industry leader, with two dedicated plants serving 35 aluminum die-casting companies and a $1M payroll and hundreds of millions of dollars in expected sales.Rapid Infrared Heating |
ORNL’s revo |
Contact: Craig Blue, 865-574-4351, blueca@ornl.gov |
lutionary rapid infrared heating process controls grain refinement at the nanoscale to produce high-performance forgings with superior tensile and fatigue properties. ORNL is working with the Forging Industry Association to commercialize this R&D 100 award winning technology.Nano-Composite Coatings from Iron-Based Glassy Powder |
ORNL has developed scaled melting, powder fabrication, and laser processing techniques that fuse and devitrify iron-based amorphous powders into ultra-hard nano-composite coatings which are harder than conventional tool steels. Use of high heating/cooling rate furnace technologies at ORNL enables:
An ORNL-led team developed process techniques to laser fuse the amorphous po |
| Bill Peter, 865-241-8113, peterwh@ornl.gov |
wders to a demonstration on state-of-the-art disc cutters used in tunnel-boring applications. The nanocomposite coatings were the first coatings of any kind to survive rigorous testing in hard rock simulations.Self-Assembled, Nanostructured Carbon Materials |
ORNL has developed a capability to synthesize novel carbon materials with tailored energy-storage performance to serve as electrodes in electrochemical capacitors (supercapacitors). Carbon materials with controllable, nanoscale pore size can now be produced by self-assembly using conventional manufacturing processes. The new materials have competitive energy and power densities relative to commercial activated carbon m |
Contact: David DePaoli, 865-574-6817, depaolidw@ornl.gov |
aterials. ORNL is working with industrial collaborators to develop materials and devices that are expected to impact electrical grid, renewable energy, transportation, and water treatment applications.Pulse Thermal Processing (PTP) of Microelectronics |
ORNL has developed a unique high-density plasma arc-based pulse thermal processing technology for rapid thermal annealing of thin-film light-emitting diod |
Contact: Ron Ott, 865-574-5172, ottr@ornl.gov |
es and thin-film and nano-particle photovoltaic (PV) materials. This process has the potential to significantly increase PV collection efficiency and LED electrical properties while increasing production rates and decreasing production costs. ORNL is working with a multitude of companies that are on the leading edge of their respective technologies.Advanced Laser Structuring |
ORNL has setup an Advanced Laser Structuring Facility in which interfering high-power laser beams provide a 2-dimensional periodic high-speed thermal or chemical treatment to surfaces. This leads to a direct structuring with perfect long-range ordered perio Contact: Claus Daniel, 865-241-9521, danielc@ornl.gov |
dicity. Up to 50,000 lines or 2 billion dots can be created at a surface within a fraction of a second, turning ordinary surfaces into multi-functional composites and chemical structures. The feature sizes are nanoscaled, the feature spacing ranges from 0.2 to 50 µm while the structured area of a single shot lays in the range of mm² to cm². With this system it is possible to functionalize material‘s surfaces by manipulation of the topography, the phase-microstructure, the texture, the residual stress situation and the formation of new phases being utilized in automotive and industrial applications and for tissue engineering and biomedical devices. Microwave Activation of Nanostructured Catalysts for Crude Oil Processing |
Microwave activation of nanostructured metal oxide catalysts is expected to lower refinery process energy by selective heating and activation of catalyst surface sites that enables lower bulk process temperatures. Previous work has demonstrated that heavy oils are microwave transparent in industrially permitted frequencies which couple with refinery catalysts, and that microwave transmission distances in a catalyst-heavy oil system are sufficient for retrofit deployment in existing refineries. ORNL is working to develop data about process specifications; technology options; performance; markets; risks; and customers for this technology. |
Contact: W. L. Griffith, griffithwl@ornl.gov , (865) 574-4970 |
Large Scale Nanofermentation of Quantum Dot |
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed methods to control the properties of particles produced by particular strains of thermophilic anaerobic bacteria. Using a natural, fermentation process ONRL can control the size and shape of nanoscale magnetite produced in industrial size fermentors at low temperature. The ability to integrate a surfacant into the production enables a nanoproduct that is easily dispersed. This process is low cost, lo |
Contact: Lonnie Love, lovelj@ornl.gov , (865) 576-4630 |
w temperature and easily scalable, and was awarded an R&D 100 award. ORNL will apply this technology to the production of quantum dots for potential applications in energy efficient photovoltaics, such as CdS, CIGS, and CIGSe.Nano-scale Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPC’S) for Industrial Applications |
Nano-scale IPC’s show improved mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties over traditional refractory materials which can have limited use at high temperature. Nano-scale IPC’s have previously been demonstrated at the lab scale, but have been limited to thin films. IPC components of useable size have not been possible with current processes due to difficulties infiltrating preforms (low wetting) and closing pores within the pref |
Contact: James Hemrick, hemrickjg@ornl.gov, (865) 776-0758 |
orm. ORNL is exploring feasibility of producing nano-scale IPC components of a useable size for testing/implementation in real applications. The work will investigate methods to improve and scale up the current common low temperature IPC processing techniques, and evaluate the technical feasibility of modifying an alternative high temperature TCON process to produce nano-scale IPC components.Nanocatalysts for Diesel Engines |
Diesel engines offer 30% better fuel economy than gasoline engines, but their use is limited by the ability to meet emission regulations. This project will develop d |
Contact: Chaitanya Narula, narulack@ornl.gov, (865) 574-8445 |
urable zeolite nanocatalysts with broader temperature operating windows to treat diesel engine emissions. ORNL’s approach will analyze failure modes of zeolite catalysts under Urea-Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) operating conditions, then use this information to synthesize new nano-structure modified, hydrothermally stable, zeolite catalysts. The new catalysts will be evaluated under laboratory conditions, then undergo Dynamometer testing. Real-Time Characterization |
ORNL has developed a technology that uses a commercial differential mobility analyzer to sample and characterize in real time the nanoparticles produced in gas-phase processes. Demonstrations have been performed on proce Contact: David DePaoli, 865-574-6817, depaolidw@ornl.gov |
Chemical Industry Nanotechnology Roadmapping |
For the past several years, ORNL has s upported the forefront efforts of the Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Chemical Industry Vision2020 Technology Partnership in identifying key R&D goals accelerate the responsible development of nanotechnologies to commercial-scale implementation. More information may be found at the Chemical Industry Vision2020 Nanotechnology page. |
Contact: David DePaoli, 865-574-6817, depaolidw@ornl.gov |
sses for production of metal-oxide particles and carbon nanomaterials. The system was recently tested at a plasma arc reactor at Nanomaterials Environmental Safety and Health Research |
|
ORNL is active in developing knowledge and capabilities on health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials. The ability to deliver well-chara |
|
Contact: Mengdawn Cheng, 865-241-5918, chengmd@ornl.gov |
|
cterized nanoparticles in singlets and controlled aggregate states has been developed to facilitate ongoing research in biological impacts of nanoparticles. Unique exposure techniques combined with nose-only inhalation exposure are being applied to investigate biological responses at cellular and physiologic levels. Rapid Prototyping for Developmentand Deployment |
Next-Generation Prosthetic Devices |
A valuable output of energy R&D is application of knowledge to solve importan |
Contact: David Geohegan, 865-576-5097, geohegandb@ornl.gov |
t problems in other aspects of life. A prime example is Flexible Integrated Lightweight Multifunctional skin (FILMskin), a revolutionary concept for the “skin” used in human prosthetic devices. The nano-enabled FILMskin will contain pressure- and temperature-sensing capabilities, like human skin, yet will be tough and flexible. Oak Ridge scientists and engineers are using the novel properties of carbon nanotubes and aligned nanotube arrays to enhance electroactive polymers to provide multifunctional capabilities to next-generation prosthetic devices. Scientists at ORNL are also providing robotic and cognitive capabilities for the prosthetics.
About | Facilities | Expertise | News & Events | Working with Us | Contacts | ORNL | Disclaimer |