From studying the multisector ripple effects of extreme events to exploring the chemical reactions that underlie life on Earth, two up-and-coming PNNL scientists were recognized for their scientific vision and prowess.

Researchers discovered that frustrated electric forces drive a novel precipitation pathway called microphase separation and identified a precursor intermediate state of ordered ion networks.

Assistant Secretary Katie Jereza toured PNNL capabilities that translate laboratory innovation into operational and industry impact.

Existing stream monitoring efforts capture some fire-affected regions, but most fires are in places without ongoing water quality monitoring.

A new modeling approach uses burn severity maps to test how reduced infiltration shifts surface water from soil penetration into streams after wildfire.

Model simulations in humid and semi-arid basins revealed distinct thresholds where wildfires begin to significantly alter river water flows and dissolved nutrient transport.

Across 47 sites in the Yakima River Basin of Washington State, faster oxygen consumption occurred with warmer water, more nutrients, and more suspended solids.

Researchers reveal how uncharacterized molecules affect the diversity and composition of dissolved organic matter in rivers.

Measurements show river flow volumes and seasonal timing have shifted; models project where flows will rise, fall, or shift in the future.

Yong Wang’s joint appointment connects PNNL, WSU, and the next generation of scientists.

Artificial intelligence helps analyze images and reduce uncertainty for a key measure of watershed function.

Dynamic organic matter traits tied to reactions can surpass static descriptors in explaining decomposition rates and responses to environmental change.

Using an AI approach to combine outputs from microbial models and apply them as inputs to reactive-transport models reduces computational time by several orders of magnitude.

Using multiple specialized techniques, IDREAM researchers gained a better understanding of how trace impurities within gibbsite affect the hydrogen yield.

Five PNNL innovations earned 2026 R&D 100 Awards for advances in biotechnology, manufacturing, critical minerals, and nuclear security.

An innovative new approach enables direct measurements of electronic effects at solid–liquid interfaces.

Chiral nanotubes facilitate the direction-specific diffusion of carbon dioxide to be faster than nitrogen gas.

Researchers at PNNL have developed an interpretable, lightweight AI model that can easily predict weld microstructure features using only basic machine sensor inputs.

At the summit, PNNL engaged with partners and investors, highlighting seven projects that accelerate the deployment of new energy technologies.

PNNL has developed a next-generation electrical resistivity tomography system for DOE that uses E4D software and AI-enhanced modeling to produce real-time subsurface images that help guide environmental remediation decisions.