Nuclear reactors need tough alloys that can withstand extreme conditions. PNNL researchers developed a computational approach called robust alloy design (RAD) to search for materials that meet multiple nuclear requirements.

Tailored peptoid-based assemblies mimic metal-free enzymes with significantly higher stability.

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

PNNL partners with SRNL, FIU, and industry to test fixative technologies that could be used to immobilize radioactive contaminants on the surface of building materials during the deactivation and decommissioning of DOE legacy facilities.

Award-winning research advances AI applications for environmental cleanup.

The new Washington State Academy of Sciences electees from PNNL represent expertise in nuclear forensics, soil sciences, electricity infrastructure, and more.

Graduate student researcher wins best poster awards from the American Ceramic Society.

PNNL chemist Sarah Saslow received the ACS Rising Star Award for her research supporting environmental cleanup, including work on legacy waste and subsurface contamination.

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.

An AI program called AtomAI helped PNNL researchers reveal key design principles for protein interfaces with mineral surfaces.

PNNL’s Center for the Remediation of Complex Sites inducted leaders Director David Peeler, Deputy Director Carolyn Pearce, Operations Director Christian Johnson, and advisors with multidisciplinary subsurface research expertise.

Researchers discovered that a polymer additive promotes smooth, layer-by-layer deposition on metal electrodes by tuning interactions with the substrate.

Anisotropies in surface potential driven by competitive ion adsorption can alter facet selectivity during oriented attachment.

RemPlex 2025 Global Summit on Environmental Remediation attendees share knowledge about cleanup and monitoring of complex sites worldwide; more than 100 presentations are posted online.

From exploring the development of transformative materials to strengthening biotechnology, six up-and-coming PNNL scientists were recognized for their scientific vision and prowess.

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.

Summarizing the state of designed protein hybrid materials, researchers celebrate both the 50th anniversary of the MRS Bulletin and the 2025 Fred Kavli Distinguished Lecturers in Materials Science, Jim De Yoreo and David Baker.

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

Researcher and graduate student Renyu Zheng selected for premier research recognition from the University of Washington Chemical Engineering Department.

Specially designed histidine-containing peptoids mimic carbonic anhydrase to accelerate calcite step growth.