PNNL has created and licensed a system that sniffs out trace levels of fentanyl, other drugs and explosives through the air.

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’s year in review includes highlights ranging from advancing soil science to understanding Earth systems, expanding electricity transmission, detecting fentanyl, and applying artificial intelligence to aid scientific discovery.

Scientists are developing ways to detect previously unseen forms of fentanyl as well as other synthetic opioids known as nitazenes.

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.

National laboratory expertise was on display at the 2024 Department of Homeland Security Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Summit.

In the latest issue of the Domestic Preparedness Journal, Ashley Bradley and Kristin Omberg share how new research is shedding light on the scientific and technological challenges with detecting fentanyl.

PNNL and collaborators developed new models—recently approved by the U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)—to help utilities understand how new grid-forming inverter technology will enhance grid stability.

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.

PNNL’s patented Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE™) technique is an advanced manufacturing technology that enables better-performing materials and components while offering opportunities to reduce costs and energy consumption.

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.

Americans produce enough waste every year to replace up to a quarter of the country’s jet fuel with sustainable alternatives, new research shows.

If you’re not sure whether rooftop solar panels and battery energy storage systems are right for you, start with this new guide from PNNL researchers.

PNNL is supporting the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's Chemical Security Analysis Center in improving capabilities to enhance detection and analysis of chemical threats.

A new report highlights the results of an assessment PNNL conducted of field-portable detection products used by first responders to detect illicit substances like fentanyl in the field.

The 50th anniversary of the Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention was recently celebrated in Helsinki, Finland. PNNL's Jonathan Forman and Raul Aranzazu attended this international event.

Understanding the risk of compound energy droughts—times when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow—will help grid planners understand where energy storage is needed most.