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.

Localized gradients in magnetic fields have long-range effects on the concentration of rare earth ions in solution, facilitating field-driven extraction of critical minerals.

Studying a series of rare earth element compounds revealed differences in their magnetic behavior that will be leveraged for separations.

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 brings its expertise to the space domain by joining an organization that facilitates collaboration across the global space industry.

Nanoscale domains of magnetically susceptible critical materials encounter enhanced magnetic interactions under external magnetic fields, providing a promising new avenue for separations.

David Heldebrant was selected for the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the American Chemical Society Division of Energy & Fuels, recognizing his impact to energy and fuels chemistry.

Researchers have begun a series of experiments that could bring about more energy for grid, thanks to a special delivery of 11 "high burnup" rods.

The size of graphene oxide sheets affects the ability of assembled membranes and adsorbents to separate rare earth elements.

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

Scientists have tapped AI and powerful computing to speed up how quickly officials are able to learn important details about nuclear events.

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

This study used historical data, remote sensing, and aquatic sensors to measure how far wildfire impacts propagated through the watershed after the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire, New Mexico’s largest wildfire in history.

The Coastal Observations, Mechanisms, and Predictions Across Systems and Scales: Field, Measurements, and Experiments project established a network of observational field sites across Chesapeake Bay and western Lake Erie.

Researchers at PNNL studied the effects of high temperatures and ionizing radiation on tungsten heavy alloys.

A PNNL team has developed an energy- and chemical-efficient method of separating valuable critical minerals from dissolved solutions of rare earth element magnets.

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