PNNL

RICHLAND, Wash.—A longstanding research partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Georgia Institute of Technology got a boost from a formal agreement to work together long-term.

Friday's signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions leverages an existing relationship that has been growing informally for more than a decade.

Leaders from the two institutions pledged to continue working together and to expand research collaborations on areas of mutual interest and complementary strengths.

These include:

• Electrical grid
• Data sciences and visual analytics
• Cybersecurity of critical physical infrastructure
• Chemical processing and synthesis of alternative fuels, chemicals, and materials

“I believe passionately that a successful partnership requires a few key ingredients which are present in this case,” said Tony Peurrung, PNNL’s deputy director for science and technology in a statement at the signing ceremony. “One is what I call cultural alignment and compatibility. Georgia Tech and PNNL are similar in ways that matter. We’re focused on mission impact first and foremost. We have a very high diversity of programs. We do a lot of different things and we blend those together successfully.”

The other two ingredients, as described by Peurrung, are mutual respect and a win-win purpose. “The partnership has to clearly benefit both sides, and I believe we have that here,” Peurrung added.

Learn more about existing research collaborations between PNNL and Georgia Tech: 
https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/pnnl-sandia-and-georgia-tech-join-forces-ai-effort