July 2024

Brooks Receives Department of Energy Award for Information Security

Kriston Brooks received the 2023 Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Classification Outstanding Derivative Classifier Award, which is given to those in the classification community who have made significant contributions. Read more about his recognition and impact to the derivative classifier community here.

Characterizing Tungsten-Based Materials in a Simulated Fusion Environment

Researchers studied the boundary precipitation of tungsten heavy alloys in an extended high-temperature irradiation environment. Read more about the research highlight here.

Ionizing Radiation Stabilizes Gibbsite and Boehmite Against Decomposition

A fundamental understanding of the effects that ionizing radiation has on materials will support the safe storage of nuclear waste over the timescales required for processing and disposal. Read more about the research highlight here.

Fiscal Year 2024 Core Laboratory Infrastructure for Market Readiness Projects

PNNL, in collaboration with Curio Solutions, is awarded for the project, Economic Assessment of Noble Gas Separation Using Metal Organic Frameworks from Nuclear Re-Processing Plants. This project will assess the economic viability of room temperature metal organic framework-based adsorption process to evaluate the energy cost and economic impacts with those of cryogenic distillation. Read more about the Technology-Specific Partnership Projects Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) section here.

PNNL Involved in Two Department of Energy Nuclear Science User Facilities

The DOE has chosen 33 Rapid Turnaround Experiment user access projects to investigate the capabilities of promising materials, fuels, and sensors to support the current reactor fleet and promote next-generation nuclear technologies. Two of the winning selections include PNNL Materials Scientist Ramprashad Prabhakaran. Read full the DOE announcement here.

• "APT study of HT-9 to evaluate the effect of neutron irradiation temperature, alloying elements and heat treatment," led by Principal Investigator Ramprashad Prabhakaran.
• "TEM characterization of neutron irradiated HT-9 as a function of irradiation temperature and dose," Prabhakaran involved as a team member with expertise in advanced fuels, friction stir welding, fuel cladding, irradiation damage behavior, mechanical properties, and small-scale mechanical testing. The project is led by the University of Idaho.

Full Steam Ahead:

DOE-NE Certifies

Atlas Railcar

The newly designed railcar for transporting spent nuclear fuel is approved for operation, marking a significant milestone in nuclear waste management. This innovative railcar, developed with contributions from PNNL, meets rigorous safety and operational standards. PNNL’s expertise was instrumental in assuring the railcar’s compliance with stringent regulations and optimizing its design for secure transportation. This development is crucial in safely transporting spent nuclear fuel to interim storage and disposal sites. Read the full DOE announcement here.

PNNL Events

RemPlex Seminar: Workforce Development in the Environmental Remediation Field

Join international experts on August 13 from 8:00–9:30 a.m. PT on Zoom for a panel discussion about workforce development challenges and opportunities in environmental remediation efforts worldwide. The event is co-hosted by the Center for the Remediation of Complex Sites and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Network of Environmental Remediation and NORM Management. View the PNNL event page to learn more about the seminar and the speakers.

Nuclear Career Opportunities Across PNNL Research and Operations Missions

• Chemist 2, 3, and 4: Conduct fundamental and applied research exploring trace element and radionuclide detection, apply by August 1, Req IDs 9259, 9263, 9193.
• Post Doctorate RA - Advanced Mass Spectrometry: Focus on advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches towards the application of multiple cellular systems, apply by August 8, Req ID 9462
• Advisor 4: Support the Plutonium Disposition mission for National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Material Management and Minimization and the local Office of Plutonium Disposition at the Savannah River Site (Aiken, South Carolina), apply by August 8, Req ID 357

• Chemical Engineer 2 – Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems: Support development and verification of nuclear waste processing technologies, apply by August 15, Req ID 9376.

• DOE-EM Graduate Fellow Program – Post Master Fellow – Mineral Aggregation and Dissolution: Work on aluminum mineral synthesis, aggregation, and dissolution related to Hanford Site tank waste using advanced characterization capabilities, apply by August 12, Req ID 9242.

See full details on these and additional opportunities on the Careers website, search for “nuclear.” Join our Talent Community and upload your resume to receive updates on future PNNL job postings.

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 the PNNL's News Center. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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