EPB QuantumSM adds hybrid computing to comprehensive quantum development platform
Key Points
- This effort leverages historical industrial partnerships between ORNL and NVIDIA, EPB and IonQ, which represent a combined 30-plus years of cutting-edge R&D in both the quantum and classical computing spaces.
- ORNL’s computing strategy emphasizes hybrid high-performance computing and includes a future of CPUs, GPUs, QPUs and other technologies to solve different aspects of challenging computer problems.
- Hybrid computing has the potential to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing American industries, and ORNL is excited to bring its deep expertise to the partnership in the electric grid, mathematics and optimization, and classical-quantum computation.
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New ORNL Inventions
Inductively Coupled Electric Energy Storage System
202305482 // Energy and Utilities // Transportation
This technology introduces a safer, modular approach to battery energy storage by using inductive coupling to transfer power through magnetic field, without direct electrical connections. By eliminating exposed high-voltage conductors, the system reduces risks such as arc flash and electric shock, while supporting flexible deployment. The approach enhances grid resilience and renewable integration by providing safe, scalable, and rapid-to-deploy energy storage including multi-chemistry battery systems.
Hybrid Ceramic Dielectric Composites
202305520// Energy and Utilities // Transportation
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed advanced hybrid ceramic dielectric composites that enhance capacitor performance for demanding power electronics applications. by combining desirable attributes from multiple material classes, this innovation enables capacitors to operate reliably at high temperatures with reduced size and improved efficiency. This advancement addresses the need for compact, durable, and cost-effective energy storage components critical to electrified transportation and other high-performance systems.
CHAMP: Configurable, Hot-Swappable Architectures for Machine Perception
202405713 // Analytical Instrumentation //Security and Defense
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed CHAMP, a configurable and portable low-power edge computing architecture designed for computer vision and biometric applications. This system addresses the challenge of rapidly adapting to changing mission requirements in the field by allowing quick reconfiguration without extensive technical expertise. By enabling real-time analysis of complex data streams, CHAMP supports faster decision-making and operational flexibility for national security and related domains
Chlorine-37 Enrichment
202405721 // Chemicals // Energy and Utilities
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a process to increase the availability of chlorine-37, an isotope critical for molten salt reactor fuels. This technology addresses supply limitations of chlorine-37 by enabling its recovery from common, low-cost chemical sources. The advancement supports nuclear energy applications by improving access to this scarce isotope, ultimately aiding the development of next-generation reactors.
A Method for Designing Microstructure with Increased Resistance to Hydrogen Attack
202405841 // Manufacturing // Materials
Hydrogen embrittlement is a critical issue for metals and alloys used in hydrogen-rich environments, where grain boundary segregation of hydrogen leads to premature failure. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a scalable method to design microstructures with significantly reduced susceptibility to hydrogen attack. This approach improves durability and performance of structural components exposed to hydrogen, supporting the advancement of hydrogen storage, transport, and energy applications.
A Method to Measure Hydrogen Binding Energy in Microstructure of Face-Centered-Cubic Metallic
202405842 // Manufacturing // Materials
This technology provides a method to more accurately evaluate hydrogen binding energy in face-centered-cubic (FCC) metals, which are widely used in energy and structural applications. Traditional thermal desorption techniques often produce ambiguous results in these materials, limiting their usefulness for alloy design. The ORNL-developed method overcomes this barrier by clarifying how hydrogen interacts with specific microstructural features. This improved understanding can help industries mitigate hydrogen embrittlement risks, enhance materials for hydrogen storage and transport, and extend the safe use of alloys in demanding energy environments.
Standoff Distance Determination in Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition Systems
202505881 // Manufacturing
This technology provides a reliable method for determining the standoff distance in Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition (LP-DED) systems. Standoff distance—the space between the deposition nozzle and build surface—is critical for ensuring consistent part quality and efficiency. Current monitoring methods are costly, intrusive, or slow. This invention offers a real-time, cost-effective solution that maintains build speed while improving part accuracy and reducing defects. The approach enhances both process efficiency and product reliability, supporting broader adoption of advanced additive manufacturing.
RF-Shimming-DL
202505893 // Healthcare & Biology
Ultra-high field MRI provides exceptional resolution but suffers from uneven magnetic field distribution, leading to image artifacts and reduced diagnostic reliability. This invention introduces a learning-based framework that dramatically accelerates and improves RF shimming, enabling more consistent image quality. By addressing one of the major technical barriers to ultra-high field MRI, the technology enhances both research and clinical imaging workflows.
IoT Intrusion Detection Using Federated TinyML
202505911 // Security and Defense
The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has significantly expanded the attack surface for cyber threats. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed an intrusion detection approach that leverages lightweight machine learning models and federated learning collaboration across distributed devices. This three-layer framework enhances IoT security by enabling real-time threat recognition while preserving device efficiency and data privacy. The approach reduces reliance on centralized processing and offers a scalable method to detect both known and novel cyber intrusions, helping safeguard critical infrastructure, smart environments, and connected systems
Airborne Acoustic Emission-Based Determination of the Standoff Distance in WAAM System
202505949 // Manufacturing
This technology introduces a novel method for maintaining precise standoff distance in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) systems. By leveraging airborne acoustic emissions, the system enables continuous, real-time monitoring that improves manufacturing accuracy, efficiency, and part quality. The approach addresses longstanding challenges with current measurement techniques that are slow, inaccurate, or prone to equipment wear, ultimately reducing errors and downtime while supporting advanced additive manufacturing applications.
Sensitivity Analysis and Control of Induction Cooktop for Non-Ferromagnetic Cookware
202505977 // Energy and Utilities
Induction cooktops are widely used for efficient and safe cooking but are typically limited to ferromagnetic cookware. This technology addresses the challenge of reliably heating non-ferromagnetic cookware, which is prone to inefficiencies caused by cookware misalignment. By analyzing system sensitivity and introducing a control approach, the method ensures consistent power delivery and stable operation. This advancement supports the development of all-metal induction cooktops that expand consumer choice while improving reliability and energy performance.
Adaptive Synchronization for Network Microgrids with Grid-Forming Inverters
202505979 // Energy and Utilities
This technology provides a synchronization control method for microgrids with grid-forming inverters that enhances both the stability and speed during interconnection, whether between microgrids or with the main utility grid. By reducing harmful transients, the method enables seamless transitions across operating modes. This approach minimizes power quality disruptions and unplanned black start caused by inverter tripping and supports resilient uninterrupted power delivery. This method strengthens the reliability and robustness of distributed energy systems during transition events.
Inverse Segmented Drive for Common-mode Voltage and Neutral Point Current Cancellation
202505984 // Energy and Utilities // Transportation
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed an advanced motor drive system that addresses two major challenges in multi-phase motor drives with active neutral point clamped (ANPC) inverters: excess common-mode voltage and neutral point current imbalance. By reconfiguring the way dual inverters interact with motor windings, this approach cancels both undesirable effects at the system level. The result is improved reliability, reduced stress on critical components, and extended equipment lifetime. This innovation is especially valuable in high-performance applications where power quality, efficiency, and durability are key concerns.
System for Predictive Control of Coherent Quantum-Optics Networks
202506002 // IT & Communications
This system addresses the challenge of maintaining coherence across distributed quantum-optics networks. By anticipating rather than reacting to environmental disturbances, it provides a predictive framework for stabilizing quantum emitters. The approach reduces signal degradation and enhances synchronization, enabling more scalable and reliable quantum technologies. Potential impact spans quantum communication, sensing, and computation, where long-term coherence is essential.
Material Removal Tool for In-Process Embedding in Additive Manufacturing
202506003 // Manufacturing
This technology provides a novel method for removing unbound material during additive manufacturing to enable in-process embedding of components. By using directed air streams to clear powders, resins, or slurries from targeted regions, the system allows precise cavity preparation without disturbing surrounding structures. This approach expands the design possibilities for 3D-printed parts, supporting advanced manufacturing needs in areas such as electronics, biomedical devices, and multi-material integration. The tool reduces post-processing requirements, improves embedding accuracy, and enhances the adaptability of additive manufacturing platforms.
Printed Features to Enable TRISO Particle Placement for Additive Fuel Pellet Fabrication
202506004 // Manufacturing
This technology introduces printed surface features within additively manufactured fuel pellets that enable precise placement of TRISO fuel particles. By improving particle alignment and stability during fabrication, the invention reduces voids and enhances structural integrity. The result is more reliable, high-performance nuclear fuel pellets that support advanced reactor applications and automated additive manufacturing workflows.
Enhanced TRISO Pellet Properties via Designed Particle Arrangements
202506005 // Manufacturing
This technology introduces a new approach for structuring TRISO nuclear fuel pellets to improve performance, efficiency, and safety. By strategically arranging fuel particles within the pellet, the design addresses limitations of conventional random packing. The result is enhanced fuel integrity, improved thermal management, and greater neutron economy, which collectively extend fuel life and support advanced nuclear systems such as small modular reactors, microreactors, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, and space reactors
Layer-Wise Particle Embedding Process for TRISO Fuel Pellets
202506006 // Manufacturing
This technology provides a method for embedding nuclear fuel particles into pellets during additive manufacturing to achieve structured, repeatable arrangements. By eliminating the randomness of conventional processes, the approach enhances pellet quality and reactor performance. The process offers greater design flexibility for advanced nuclear systems while reducing variability in fuel fabrication.
Ordered TRISO Fuel Particle Placement Technology
202506007 // Manufacturing
This technology provides a precision tool for embedding TRISO fuel particles into nuclear fuel pellets during additive manufacturing. By enabling ordered placement rather than random distribution, the invention improves consistency and supports advanced fuel designs for high-performance reactors. This approach addresses longstanding challenges with fuel efficiency, heat transfer, and structural reliability in nuclear energy systems.
Anode Protective Layer to Improve Metal-Hybrid Redox Flow Batteries Performance
202506024 //
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