June 2024

Whitworth University Students Present Projects to Address Nuclear Safeguards Research Challenges

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) teams with regional universities and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of International Nuclear Safeguards to have engineering students address research challenges for their capstone projects. Recently, two teams from Whitworth University brought their fresh eyes to two projects in the area of nuclear safeguards research and delivered their solutions to PNNL researchers. Read more about the project and teams involved.

Metal Alloys that Can Take the Heat

A multidisciplinary research team has developed an evidence-based predictive tool for designing complex metal alloys that can withstand extreme environments. The team is working toward developing an atomic-scale model for material degradation of these complex alloys. Read more about how complex metal alloys enter a new era of predictive design.

Enabling Nuclear Physics Discoveries with Quantum Computing

A new approach validates quantum algorithms for nuclear physics applications. With the advent of exascale computing, scientists can perform complex calculations to solve difficult challenges in research for energy and national security. Read more on how scientists are preparing and verifying the quantum algorithms that will run on this hardware.

Award-Winning Air Force Video Explains Micro-Reactors

A video produced by PNNL for the U.S. Air Force won the Tri-Cities Association of Advertising Agencies’ 2024 Chinook Addy Award. The video aims to educate the public on the Air Force’s decision to place its first nuclear micro-reactor at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. This next-generation energy capability will provide the remote installation with a clean, reliable, and resilient energy supply to support critical national security infrastructure. Check out the video here.

PNNL's Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Video Wins Telly Award

PNNL has been awarded the 2024 Bronze Telly Award in the Science & Technology category for its compelling video, “Advancing Science and Technology for Nuclear Explosion Monitoring.” The Telly Awards celebrate excellence in video and television across all screens, and this recognition underscores PNNL's vital work in global nuclear explosion monitoring. Such monitoring is crucial for ensuring that nations do not conduct clandestine nuclear tests to develop or enhance nuclear weapons, thereby supporting international nonproliferation efforts. Visit the PNNL Nuclear Explosion Monitoring page to learn more.

PNNL Events

PNNL researchers will be featured at these upcoming events, conferences, and meetings. Also stop by our recruiting booths to learn about exciting career opportunities.

Institute of Nuclear Materials Management Annual Meeting 2024

Join PNNL experts at the 65th Annual Meeting in Portland, OR, July 21-25. This meeting is an international forum for the exchange of the newest technical information related to all aspects of nuclear materials management.

View the PNNL event page to learn more about the variety of sessions being offered here.

Gen IV International Forum: Advances in Online Monitoring for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Streams

On July 31, beginning at 5:30 a.m. PDT, PNNL chemists Amanda Lines and Samuel Bryan will present “Advances in On-Line Monitoring for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Streams,” a free webinar for policymakers, managers, regulators, students, and the general public. View the PNNL event page to learn more about the GEN IV webinar here.

IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Summit

The 2024 Women in Engineering International Leadership Summit August 1-2 seeks to empower women researchers, engineers, students, leaders, innovators, and others with actionable tools and strategies for leadership and career development, collaboration, and networking. Everyone in any discipline or field and at any level in their career is invited to join for an inspiring day focused on inclusion, leadership, mentorship, and more. View the PNNL event page to learn more about the event and the speakers here.

Learn more about past events PNNL has recently attended.

2024 American Nuclear Society Annual Conference

PNNL was at the American Nuclear Society (ANS) annual conference, June 16–19, in Las Vegas, NV. Our experts shared a range of research on nuclear fuel and efforts to resolve the back end of the fuel cycle, such as disposal, storage, transportation, and consent-based siting. View the PNNL event page to learn more about our ANS presence.

ACS Northwest Regional Meeting 2024

The 78th Northwest Regional Meeting (NORM) of the American Chemical Society, was held at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, June 23–25. With the meeting theme of “Breaking Borders, Building Bonds,” NORM 2024 brought together scientists and engineers from academia, industry, and government to discuss interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and cross-disciplinary topics and studies in chemistry. View the PNNL event page to learn more about featured PNNL presenters and their topics.

Nuclear Career Opportunities Across PNNL Research and Operations Missions

Chemist 2, 3, and 4: fundamental and applied research exploring trace element and radionuclide detection, apply by July 10, Req IDs 9259, 9263, 9193.
Manager, Nuclear Facilities 3: Radiochemical Processing Laboratory Building, Engineering, and Maintenance Manager, apply by July 12, Req ID 9336.
Nuclear Engineer 4 – Isotopes Program: develop and analyze components utilized in nuclear applications and nuclear nonproliferation, apply by July 10, Req ID 9251.
Post Doc RA – Radiological Mass Spectrometry (multiple): research related to nuclear forensics, nuclear fuel fabrication, and post-irradiation examinations, apply by July 10, Req ID 9332.

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.

PNNL's multidisciplinary expertise in nuclear science provides solutions to some of the world’s most complex environmental, radiological, and national security challenges.

Nuclear@PNNL gives readers a firsthand look at PNNL's focus on nuclear materials behavior, chemistry, forensics, and processing to advance nuclear energy, resolve legacy waste, and support national security. Each issue highlights the expertise of our researchers, their contributions to the nuclear mission space, and our state-of-the-art research facilities where discoveries and advancements are made.

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

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