A Treasure Trove…
Every technology resource needed to perform collaborative and proprietary research and development or prototype manufacturing can be found in the Innovation Valley—there is no other place like it.
The facilities in the Innovation Valley can bring to your project are unparalleled. Both user facilities and research labs are featured; access requirements vary by institution and resource. To send an e-mail requesting further information about the facility or obtaining access, click the link to reach the appropriate contact.
Click on any (or all) to see the array of possibilities for yourself!
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
The Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a research facility for the synthesis,
characterization, theory/ modeling/ simulation, and design of nanoscale
materials and structures and the understanding of nanoscale phenomena.
It’s scientific pr ogram focusess on fundamental nanoscale science
and technology opprotunities and needs. Find more information about becoming a user.
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NanoApplications Center
The NanoApplications Center
at Oak Ridge National Laboratory employs state-of-the-art facilities
and multidisciplinary R&D capabilities to transition the
discoveries of science to innovative technologies for energy
environment, and economic competitiveness. The NanoApplications Center
fosters innovation of new energy-related nanotechnologies and helps
transform industry by enabling the responsible development of processes
for mass production and application of nano-scale materials,
structures, devices, and systems that provide unprecedented energy,
cost, and productivity benefits.
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Nanoscale Science and Technology Laboratory Clean Room Facility
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Nanoscale Science and Technology Laboratory Clean Room Facility
offers users superior expertise in compound semiconductor-based device
fabrication providing a full range of processes to the scientific and
research communities. The ORNL NSTL facility supports a wide variety of
thin-film and solid state electronic research projects and provides
expertise in compound semiconductor-based device fabrication. A full
range of processes are available including: lithography, thin-film
deposition and etching. The NSTL facility offers users state-of-the-art
processes and fabrication techniques including genome research, SEM,
AFM and other microscopic evaluation techniques. Find user information.
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Spallation Neutron Source
The Spallation Neutron Source is
an accelerator-based neutron source that will provide the most intense
pulsed neutron beams in the world for scientific research and
industrial development. The SNS will produce pulses that each contain a
neutron intensity 50 to 100 times higher than that obtainable from the
best continuous source. Contact Al Ekkebus for more information.
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High Temperature Materials Laboratory
High Temperature Materials Laboratory
addresses materials problems that limit the efficiency and reliability
of automotive systems. It includes six user centers that provide
electron microscopy, measurement equimpent, X-ray andneutron
diffraction, and high-speed grinding machines. Learn how to gain access.
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National Center for Computational Sciences
The National Center for Computational Sciences
has been designated as teh Leadership Class Computing Facility for the
nation. Its resources include a 25-teraflop Cray XT3 supercomputer and
an 18.5 teraflop Cray X1E vector supercomputer. Learn how to get started.
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High Flux Isotope Reactor
The High Flux Isotope Reactor
(HFIR) is an 85-MW isotope production and test reactor capable of a
wide variety of irradiation experiments. It has a peak thermal
neutron flux of 2.6x1015 neutrons per square centimeter per second -
highest in the western world. Contact Steve Burnette for more information.
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Center for Neutron Scattering
HFIR Center for Neutron Scattering
provides the highest-flux reactor-based source of neutrons for
condensed matter research in the United States. Thermal and cold
neutrons are used to study physics, chemistry, materials science,
engineering, and biology. Find user information.
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Shared Research Equipment Collaborative User Facility
The Shared Research Equipment Collaborative User Facility
offers advanced capabilities in transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atom probe field ion
microscopy, and mechanical properties microanalysis (MPM). Contact Edward Kenik for more information.
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Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator
The Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator
produces intense, nanosecond pulses of neutrons with an energy specrum
of 10-3 to 10-8 eV. Using time-of-flight techniques, researchers can
study different types of neutron reaction with high resolution and
precision. Contact P. E. Koehler for more information.
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Californium User Facility for Neutron Science
The Californium User Facility for Neutron Science
is a neutron irradiation facility that uses compact californium-252
neutron source capsules, which are stored at the facility for the
U.S. Department of Energy 252Cf distribution program. Two
uncontaminated hot cells are available for entry and experimental setup
by researchers, after which 252Cf sources capable of emitting >1011 neutrons can be used for irradiations. Contact Cathy M. Simmons for more information.
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Large Chamber Scanning Electron Microscope
Large Chamber Scanning Electron Microscope
has the largest chamber in the world. At magnifications from 10x to
200,000x, the instrument can examine specimens measuring up to 1 m high
by 1 m in diameter and weighing 300 kg. The LC-SEM is designed to
accommodate special fixtures and allows for nondestructive evaluation
of full-size components. The instrument’s variable-pressure option
enables researchers to perform critical surface characterization
studies on conductive and non-conductive surfaces like steel and
ceramics. The LC-SEM is equipped also with a Backscatter Detector,
Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), Electron Backscatter
Diffraction (EBSD), a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR),
and a Focused Ion Beam (FIB). Learn how to gain access.
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National Prototype Center
In partnership with other federal agencies and industry, Y-12 applies
the best scientific discoveries to real-world manufacturing challenges,
developing processes and producing prototypes that meet critical
national security needs. Its unique capabilities and accomplishments
were recognized through designation by Congress in 1997 as the National Prototype Center.
Y-12’s all-inclusive expertise proceeds from concept
through detailed design and specification to building prototypes.
Partnering: Contact Duane Bia for more information.
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These facilities in our region, while not directly related to technology, may be of interest to researchers and industry.
Bioprocessing Research Facility
Bioprocessing Research Facility
combines laboratories for investigating advanced bioprocessing
concepts using stirred-tank and columnar bioreactors with a
fermentation pilot plant for large-scale batch and columnar
experiments. Visit assignment access.
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Buildings Technology Center
The Buildings Technology Center
is used to identify, develop, and deploy sustainable energy-efficient
building technologies and systems. It offers tools and expertise on
building envelopes, heating and cooling, equipment, and monitoring
and systems analysis of existing buildings performance. Learn how to do business with us.
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Computational Center for Industrial Innovation
Computational Center for Industrial Innovation
Thanks to our computational capabilities, CCII users are solving
challenging, industrially relevant problems--problems that have
previously eluded solution because of insufficient computational power
or inadequate software availability. Contact Jeff Nichols for more information.
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Cooling, Heating and Power Integration
Cooling, Heating and Power Integration Laboratory enables
researchers to conduct performance and reliability tests on distributed
energy products and systems for building applications. Contact Michael A. Karnitz for more information.
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Fuels, Engines, and Emissions Research Center
Fuels, Engines, and Emissions Research Center
specializes in detailed characterization of internal combustion engine
emissions and efficiency. It boasts specialized diagnostic and
measurement tools for developing and evaluating engine and emission
control technologies. Contact Ron Grave for more information.
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Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility
Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility
provides high quality beams of short-lived radioactive isotopes
produced when intense beams of light ions from the Oak Ridge
Isochronous Cyclotron strike highly refractory targets. The ion beam is
injected in the 25-MV Tandem and is provided for nuclear reaction,
structure, and astrophysics research. Contact this facility for more information.
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Manufacturing Technologies at the Y-12 National Security Complex
Manufacturing Technologies at the Y-12 National Security Complex:
Specific technology research at Y-12 currently focuses on the
development of advanced cutting tools; the creation of super materials,
which exhibit significantly increased strength and decreased weight;
and the study of the interactions of single-walled carbon nanotubes
(SWCNTs) and metal-alloy and ceramic-matrix materials in composite
structures, as well as the enhancement of those structures. Partnering:
Contact Duane Bias for more information.
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Metals-Processing Laboratory Users Facility
Metals-Processing Laboratory Users Facility provides
specialized equipment for studies of materials synthesis, deformation
processing, materials characterization, joining, and mathematical
modeling leadership class supercomputers and specialized
computing codes developed by ORNL staff. Learn how to gain access or contact Peter Angelini for more information.
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Mouse Genetics Research Facility
Mouse geneticists and molecular biologists at the Mouse Genetics Research Facility
use it’s standard and mutant strains of lab mice gfor basic research in
analyzing gene function and identifying mouse models of human genetic
disease. The facility occupies a new 36,000-ft2 vivarium operated as a
specifc-pathogen-free barrier facility with a capacity for 70,000 mice.
Learn how to gain access or contact Joseph M. Scimeca, DVM, Ph.D. for more information.
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National Transportation Research Center
The National Transportation Research Center
develops and evaluates advanced transportation technologies and
systems. It provides state-of-the-art hardware and computational
resources to address issues such as fuel economy, emissions, traffic
congestion, evacuation planning and highway safety. Contact this facility for more information.
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Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park
Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park
is an outdoor laboratory. Its field research sites contain maintenance
and support facilities that permit sophisticated and well-instrumented
environmental experiments. Among these facilities are elaborate
monitoring systems that enable users to precisely and accurately
measure environmental factors for extended periods of time. Much of the
research is long term, and a comprehensive database of information is
available. Various sites in the park offer opportunities for aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystem analyses such as biogeochemical cycling of
pollutants resulting from energy-producing facilities, landscape
alterations, and forest and wildlife management. Contact Pat Parr for more information.
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Physical Properties Research Facility
Physical Properties Research Facility
is dedicated to physiochemical properties measurements that can obtain
unique data, modeling (macro- and micro-scale) to derive fundamental
physical properties, and evaluating their impact on industrial process
optimization. Contact Bill Steele for more information.
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Power Electronics and Electric Machinery Research Facility
The Power Electronics and Electric Machinery Research Facility
provides expertise in developing and prototyping advanced power
converters and adjustable speed drives; electric machines; power
transmission and distribution R&D; and power quality , efficiency,
and measurement. Contact Don Adams for more information.
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Technical Computing at Y-12
Technical Computing at Y-12:
Applications range from modeling to virus propagation analysis tools,
collaboration technologies, cyber security, diskless technology,
knowledge management/data mining, and product information management.
Technical Computing leverages our capabilities by providing
applications to support external clients through the Work for Others
program. Partnering: Contact Duane Bias for more information.
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