PNNL researchers are advancing AI-assisted nuclear fuel recycling to tap more than 90% of the energy potential left in used fuel, reduce waste and support secure, cost-effective next-generation reactors.

Award-winning research advances AI applications for environmental cleanup.

A newly published custom collection of glass formulas for nuclear waste vitrification — developed and validated by PNNL over the past three years — was made possible in that timeframe with AI tools, including a PNNL machine learning model.

The Hanford Site is now immobilizing radioactive waste in glass: a process known as vitrification. PNNL contributed 60 years of materials science expertise—and is providing operational support—to help the nation meet this cleanup milestone.

Mystery of how important aluminum minerals form and dissolve solved with materials science and advanced imaging studies.

Nanosize platelets of an aluminum material slide and join in a staggered orientation to form larger crystals.

Early career researchers recognized with Team Science Award by the Department of Energy for presentation highlighting the collaborative science performed by IDREAM.

IDREAM researchers uncovered how dimeric complexes control how aluminum hydroxide minerals dissolve.

PNNL researchers continue to deliver high-quality, high-impact research on radioactive waste and nuclear materials management, earning “Papers of Note” and “Superior Paper” awards.

The Department of Energy Art of Science contest entry focuses on the extraordinary universe of chemical bond making and breaking under irradiation.

Trace amounts of iron and chromium can incorporate into gibbsite, affecting how the mineral dissolves.

Increasing concentrations of ions slows the rate of particle aggregation in boehmite suspensions.

For PNNL’s Jonathan Evarts, Hope Lackey, and Erik Reinhart, this partnership with WSU opened doors and provided opportunities for their scientific careers to flourish.

Four engineers at PNNL received awards for nuclear science presentations related to Hanford Site cleanup at the annual meeting of the world's leading organization for chemical engineering professionals.

New IDREAM research explores the effects of electrolyte species on boehmite nanoparticle aggregation in legacy wastes.

Hydrogen atoms released and trapped in irradiated gibbsite are destabilized by synthetic-precursor residuals.

PNNL researchers earned five Papers of Note, 17 Superior Papers, and one poster award for their environmental remediation, radioactive waste, and nuclear energy-related presentations.

New funding spurs a new approach to researching the effective retrieval and processing of legacy radioactive waste. Four-year focus of the IDREAM EFRC will link attosecond timescales to decades-long chemical processes.

Recycling polyolefin materials is challenging. One waste management strategy is plastic upcycling. New work demonstrates a single-step upcycling route coupling cracking and alkylation, recycling carbon and keeping valuable resources active.

Kriston Brooks received the 2023 Department of Energy Office of Classification Outstanding DC Award, which is given to those in the classification community who have made significant contributions.