 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
 |
||
|
||
 |
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™ Award from Nanotech Briefs® Magazine as one “Best of the best” technologies.
|
Contact: Dominic Lee, 865-241-0775, leedf@ornl.gov |
Superhydrophobic Materials |
ORNL has developed the capability to produce macroscopic objects having nanos |
Contact: John Simpson, 865-574-5565, simpsonjt@ornl.gov |
cale features that impart superhydrophobicity. There are a number of everyday and advanced uses for these ultra-waterproof materials, including energy-efficient applications for drag reduction and enhanced heat transfer, novel sensors, and biomedical applications. Several patents have been filed, and ORNL is actively pursuing commercialization with multiple companies. 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.Nanocomposites for Tunnel Boring |
ORNL has developed scaled melting, powder fabrication, and laser processing techniques that fuse and devitrify Fe-based amorphous powders into ultra-hard nano-composite coatings which are harder than conventional tool ste |
| Bill Peter, 865-241-8113, peterwh@ornl.gov |
els. An ORNL-led team developed process techniques to laser fuse the amorphous powders to 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.Novel Carbon Materials for Electrical Energy Storage |
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 carbo |
Contact: David DePaoli, 865-574-6817, depaolidw@ornl.gov |
n materials. ORNL is working with industrial collaborators to develop materials and devices that are expected to impact electrical grid, distributed energy, and transportation 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. 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 |