What Does ORNL Do? @OakRidgeNationalLab

Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

In the eight decades since Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s founding, our research has advanced understanding of the world around us — while building foundational infrastructure and expertise to support scientific discovery globally. From energy and the environment to human health and national security, ORNL is committed to solving the challenges that matter to you. Learn more: ornl.gov/bigscience #science #energy #research

$Promethium unveiled: Rare earth element’s secrets exposed Scientists have uncovered the properties of a #rareearth element that was first discovered 80 years ago at the very same laboratory, opening a new pathway for the exploration of elements critical in modern #technology, from #medicine to #spacetravel. #Promethium was discovered in 1945 at Clinton Laboratories, now Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and continues to be produced at ORNL in minute quantities. Some of its properties have remained elusive despite the rare earth element’s use in medical studies and long-lived nuclear batteries. It is named after the mythological Titan who delivered fire to humans and whose name symbolizes human striving. The ORNL-led team of scientists prepared a chemical complex of promethium, which enabled its characterization in solution for the first time. Thus, they exposed the secrets of this extremely rare lanthanide, whose atomic number is 61, in a series of meticulous experiments. Learn more: https://www.ornl.gov/news/promethium-bound-rare-earth-elements-secrets-exposed This work was primarily co-sponsored by DOE’s Office of Science for ligand synthesis, lanthanide complexation studies, crystallization processes, spectroscopic analyses and simulation efforts. The production, purification and preparation of the promethium sample were supported by the DOE Isotope Program, managed by the Office of Science for Isotope R&D and Production. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collection and refinement were supported by the DOE Office of Science.$

Advancing clean energy at the first-ever Innovation Days event

Computational chemist secures the nation

A Climate Science Journey with Asmeret Asefaw Berhe

The MDF didn’t just advance technology—it kickstarted an industry rewriting the rules of production

Meet Nathaniel Root - ORNL Summer Intern