Lauren Charles, a chief data scientist at PNNL, showcased the vital research coming out of her program at The National Academies Forum workshop in Washington, D.C., January 15–16, 2025.

PNNL biodefense experts seek to identify, understand and mitigate the risks of biological pathogens—whether naturally occurring or intentionally created—so steps can be taken to prepare and respond.

Scientists have developed a way to detect tiny amounts of hard-to-detect explosives more than eight feet away.

Researchers will explore climate, pathogens and energy-efficient microelectronics using 3 million node hours on the nation’s supercomputers.

Research at PNNL and the University of Texas at El Paso are addressing computational challenges of thinking beyond the list and developing bioagent-agnostic signatures to assess threats.

Beyond melting ice and higher temperatures: On Earth Day, scientists consider how climate change will affect national security.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the construction permit for Kairos Power’s Hermes molten salt test reactor project in Tennessee.

Bradley Crowell with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission sees advanced materials integrity, radiological measurement, and environmental capabilities on his first visit to PNNL.

PNNL’s ARENA test bed analyzes how electrical cables degrade in extreme environments and how nondestructive examination inspection technologies can detect and locate damage.

PNNL researchers explore the feasibility of using low-flying drones to survey sites for low levels of radiation.

As the world races to discover solutions for reaching net zero carbon emissions, a PNNL analysis quantifies the economic value of the existing nuclear power fleet and its carbon-free energy contributions.

Microbes that were previously frozen in soils are becoming more active. This study demonstrates the diverse RNA viral communities found in thawed permafrost.

New PNNL research makes it easier to differentiate between chemical and nuclear explosions.

PNNL gathered researchers from eight national laboratories plus the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to share ideas and build synergy at the Energy Equity and Environmental Justice Summit.

Scientists can detect the virus that causes COVID-19 by using a bubble that spills its contents like a piñata when encountering the virus.

TransMED analyzes patient data from similar diseases across multiple sources to understand COVID-19 patient outcome risk factors.

Eight PNNL research papers were recognized by the 2022 Waste Management Symposia as “Papers of Note” and “Superior.” One paper received a Best Oral Paper/Presentation Award.

PNNL’s Rob Howard received the 2022 Fuel Cycle and Waste Management Award from the American Nuclear Society.

The virus that causes COVID-19 takes over the body’s fat-processing system and boosts cellular triglycerides as it causes disease.

PNNL Materials Scientist Leo Fifield recognized for contributions to the field of nuclear instrumentation and control.