Advancing nuclear science: The contributions of INL’s Russell L. Heath Distinguished Postdoctoral Associates
Lisa Scott, an INL postdoc administrative assistant, grew up next to Russell L. Heath. “Our backyards touched,” Scott said. “As a young girl, I never knew the extent of Russ’ education and contributions to the INL research. He was always a kind, genuine neighbor and family friend. He had a talent for restoring old Model […]
Driving into the future: Four decades and counting of battery research
Known as the nation’s nuclear laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory is not as widely recognized for its leadership in battery research. Yet, INL experts have conducted energy storage systems research for four decades of the lab’s 75-year history, almost as long as the nation has invested in electric vehicle technologies. In 1976, Congress passed the Electric […]
The old, the new and the industry: Worlds collide through chemical separation
In July 2022, amidst a mechanical hum and complicated array of equipment filled with technicolor liquids, newly hired chemical engineering intern Rachel Umpleby learned, hands-on, about solvent extraction at one of Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) many pilot programs. What’s more, she was learning from experienced aqueous separations and radiochemistry scientists, whose industry connections put them […]
Idaho’s Wireless Test Bed provides 20 years of service to the nation
In early 2006, James Hanneman was 18 months into his first job at Idaho National Laboratory’s Wireless Test Bed when his program manager asked him to attend a trade show. With two hours’ notice, he hopped on a plane to San Jose, California, to learn about wireless “backhaul technologies” for cellular communications. INL’s test bed […]
Lab program offers free expertise to Idaho Falls Power
Utilities with hydroelectric power generation need solid data for day-to-day operations and long-term planning. So, when managers at Idaho Falls Power wanted to explore the potential of their power generation assets, they turned to Idaho National Laboratory for help. Because of location, the pairing is a natural one. Idaho Falls Power, an electrical utility owned […]
Idaho National Laboratory selects new deputy laboratory director, chief research officer
Todd Combs, a highly respected leader and seasoned national laboratory expert, was selected this week as Idaho National Laboratory’s next deputy laboratory director for science and technology and chief research officer. Combs replaces Marianne Walck, who left INL earlier this year to become the laboratory director at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Combs’ hiring follows […]
GAIN vouchers at INL support two dramatically different industry projects
With assistance from the Department of Energy’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) voucher program, Idaho National Laboratory researchers are lending their expertise to two very different companies. In one corner is Dow, the giant plastics and chemicals manufacturer, that is exploring using microreactors to reduce carbon emissions. In the other corner, Curio Solutions, […]
The true cost: Deploying electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide
When President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, he announced a goal to install 500,000 new electric vehicle chargers across the nation by 2030. The Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office has tasked the experts at Idaho National Laboratory to answer big questions surrounding this goal. One of those questions involves determining the […]
Idaho National Laboratory seeks small hydropower utility for case study
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking a hydropower utility to collaborate on a case study, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), to understand how small hydroelectric plants operating at 10 megawatts or less can be upgraded to provide emergency power to critical loads (e.g., hospitals and emergency service providers) […]
Family connection: EBR-I visit leads to unexpected emotions for atomic pioneer’s grandson
History has a way of sneaking up on a person. In Cuyler Cameron’s case, it was in the summer of 2022, when he was on a road trip from Colorado to Oregon. Westbound on U.S. Highway 20, he saw the Idaho National Laboratory sign, which made him think immediately of his grandfather, Reid Anderson Cameron […]
