Science Archives - Idaho National Laboratory

Future of mining is microreactors: Idaho National Laboratory sees big benefits

October 2, 2023 7:55 am

Powering a remote zinc mine located roughly 600 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, is a Herculean task. Governments and industry have taken a particular interest in remote arctic mining locations, not only because of the region’s vast mineral resources, but also because of shipping routes that are opening through the ice due to climate change. Still, getting energy to those

Four from Idaho National Laboratory named Diversity MBA ‘Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leaders’

September 27, 2023 7:56 am

Four Idaho National Laboratory leaders have been named to Diversity MBA’s Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leaders list for their outstanding achievements in leadership, education and in the community. Diversity MBA, a national leadership organization integrating diversity and inclusion with talent management, recognized this year’s winners for their impacts on leadership in their companies and communities. INL’s 2023 awardees are:

Idaho National Laboratory’s Family Nuclear Science Night invites students to explore STEM

September 26, 2023 5:53 am

Note: Registration for INL’s 2023 Family Nuclear Science Night is now closed. You may fill out the waitlist form to be considered. IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Idaho National Laboratory invites local students and their families to attend Family Nuclear Science Night, a STEM event that introduces visitors to nuclear science, engineering and more. The event will be held at University Place

TETI 2.0: Understanding nuclear fuel behavior at the atomic level

September 25, 2023 7:55 am

Transporting heat is an essential part of our daily life – from boiling a pot of water to creating complex carbon-free energy technologies that power our cellphones, laptops and home appliances. Nuclear energy, an example of heat transfer, has a proven track record spanning over 70 years. It currently provides approximately 20% of the total electric energy generation in the

Idaho National Laboratory engages with Arctic communities at global assembly

September 18, 2023 7:43 am

Idaho National Laboratory’s Frontiers Initiative will take center stage when climate scientists and policymakers from around the world convene at the 2023 Arctic Circle Assembly in October in Iceland. University partners and defense experts with INL-led Emerging Energy Markets Analysis (EMA) initiative will participate in panel discussions. They’ll highlight their work on the INL Frontiers Initiative, which is enabling global

Researchers irradiate chloride-based molten salt in first-of-a-kind experiment

September 12, 2023 8:54 am

For decades, light-water nuclear power plants have provided safe, reliable carbon-free energy in the United States and around the world. But in the early days of nuclear energy research, light-water reactors were just one of several promising reactor types. Nuclear energy pioneers also designed and tested high-temperature reactor technologies that use gas, liquid metal and molten salt as coolants. One

Big brake for small business: Sintering tech could make rotors 90% cheaper and faster

August 28, 2023 6:48 am

The race car driver careens around the track, narrowly missing the walls along the side. They make the turn expertly and quickly and slide across the finish line, wheels squealing as they hit the brakes. Excited spectators in the audience probably don’t realize that those brakes are able to operate seamlessly around tight turns and high speeds because of silicon

Idaho technologies clinch five R&D 100 Awards

August 22, 2023 1:20 pm

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Five Idaho National Laboratory technologies earned five 2023 R&D 100 Awards – marking another triumphant year for the laboratory. The competition, now in its 61st year, celebrates technology innovations from across the public and private sectors. Winning an award is a prestigious distinction for inventors. Laboratories and companies from 12 countries submitted nominations in 2023, and

A FORCE to be reckoned with: Computer modeling for optimal energy partnerships

August 21, 2023 7:13 am

Imagine modern computing as the conductor of an orchestra. Just as a conductor brings harmony to a complex musical arrangement, modern computing is crucial to harmonizing the intricate mix of energy producers and users, optimizing the use of precious resources for the greater good. One strategy for establishing that harmony would pair the nuclear energy industry with other utilities and

Watching trends: How INL helps the NRC model risk and reliability

August 14, 2023 7:57 am

Since the 1990s, Idaho National Laboratory has helped the Nuclear Regulatory Commission understand the safety and reliability of all U.S. nuclear power plants. Supporters of nuclear energy tout the safety and reliability of nuclear power, and data supports their claims. According to detailed studies, nuclear power accounts for 0.03 deaths per terawatt-hour of electricity generated, when including both accidents and

Category: Science