A monthly recap of studies, news, and events at

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), based in Richland, Washington

December 2023

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PNNL Creates Center for Artificial Intelligence

Scientists at the Center for AI @PNNL apply artificial intelligence to important challenges, such as energy resilience and security—and they also transform the fundamentals of AI for researchers around the globe.

PNNL has created the Center for AI @PNNL to coordinate the pioneering research of hundreds of scientists working on a range of projects in artificial intelligence. READ MORE

Supercharged Heat Waves Like Washington’s Deadliest Will Strike Harder and More Often; New Study Reveals How

If current warming trends continue, heat waves like Washington's deadliest could grow stronger and afflict the Pacific Northwest more often. READ MORE

“Energy Droughts” in Wind and Solar Can Last Nearly a Week, Research Shows

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. READ MORE

An Electrifying Improvement in Copper Conductivity

A newly developed, highly conductive copper wire could find applications in the electric grid, as well as in homes and businesses. The finding defies what's been thought about how metals conduct electricity. READ MORE

More Range for Electric Vehicle Batteries on the Horizon

A seemingly simple shift in lithium-ion battery manufacturing could pay big dividends, improving electric vehicles’ ability to store more energy per charge and to withstand more charging cycles. READ MORE

Staff Highlights & More

More than a dozen PNNL scientists were named among the world’s most influential researchers on Clarivate’s 2023 Highly Cited Researchers List. READ MORE

A team of researchers received an award from the Department of Homeland Security for their evaluation of firefighter safety technology. READ MORE

Harish Gadey, David Peeler, and Tom Brouns were named to Waste Management Symposia Program Advisory Committee positions to help develop radioactive waste management discussions. READ MORE

Explore Upcoming PNNL Events Here

Join us on Tuesday, January 9 for our next Community Science & Technology Seminar. Commercialization Manager Kannan Krishnaswami will discuss PNNL's long history of collaborating with and transferring technology to industry—from security scanners at airports that keep millions of passengers safe every day to producing plant-based commodity chemicals at industrial scale. LEARN MORE

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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science. For more information about PNNL, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow PNNL on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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