Laboratory Directed Research 

and Development

In accordance with US Department of Energy (DOE) requirements, LDRD projects support the following goals:

 • Enable agile responses to energy, environmental, and national security challenges

 • Advance the frontiers of science, technology, and engineering

 • Attract, retain, and develop scientific and technical workforce

“LDRD investments are enabling us to develop a ‘One ORNL’ ecosystem that will connect 

computing, scientific instruments, and edge devices across science domains to facilitate new 

innovations not possible with current technology.”

Mission Agility

Alex Plotkowski and team led the development of a 2023 

R&D 100 award-winning platform, OpeN-AM. The platform 

is used for performing operando neutron diffraction studies 

of metals during additive manufacturing, also known as 3D 

printing. OpeN-AM is made up of a deposition head, machining 

capabilities, and infrared monitoring, which can be coordinated 

with operando engineering neutron diffraction measurements 

at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source. This combination of capabilities provides unparalleled insight into 

the evolution of phase transformations and stressors that occur during the AM process, allowing for 

continued improvement of AM processing and accelerating the development of new materials. 

OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

The Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) funds creative and innovative 

R&D that positions the Lab for the future through strategic investment in research, capabilities, and expertise. 

Advancing Frontiers

Denise Antunes da Silva and team are conducting research to assess 

the technical and environmental feasibility of using harvested coal 

ashes to produce alkali-activated binders (AABs), such as fly ash 

and other coal combustion residues. These AABs can then be used 

to produce a robust, durable, and low carbon binder for construction in mixtures with water and strong alkali materials. If used to 

replace Portland cement as a building material, this could reduce the 

embodied carbon of construction components by as much as 90%. AABs can also offer a potential safe path 

to immobilize most of the heavy metals present in the coal ash.

181

projects

986

contributors

176

publications

10

patents and

35 invention

disclosures 

FY AT-A- GLANCE

 Ben Mintz, Co-Lead for the Self-Driven Experiments for Science/

Interconnected Science Ecosystem (INTERSECT) Initiative
CONTACT:

ldrd@ornl.gov

One Bethel Valley Road, 

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy September 2023

www.ornl.gov

John Field

R&D Staff Member

BESSD

STRATEGIC HIRE

Tricia Schulz

Group Lead, Embedded

Systems Security

NSSD

STRATEGIC HIRE

Kathryn Peruski

Radiochemist/

Radiochemical Engineer

FFESD

EARLY CAREER

COMPETITION

Frankie White

R&D Associate

Staff Member

ISED

EARLY CAREER

COMPETITION

Marm Dixit

R&D Associate

Staff Member

ESTD

DISTINGUISHED

STAFF FELLOWSHIP

Yue Yuan

Distinguished Staff

Fellow

PSD

DISTINGUISHED

STAFF FELLOWSHIP

Exceptional Scientific and Technical Workforce

The Strategic Hire Program, LDRD Early Career Competition, and Distinguished Staff Fellowships attract and develop a diverse and 

talented workforce of innovators and problem solvers. Principal investigators in these programs, including over 50 early career scientists 

and established researchers, represent a broad range of disciplines and research groups spanning the Laboratory’s missions. 

Funding Opportunities Through LDRD 

To help address the Laboratory’s strategic objectives, ORNL manages five complementary programs within LDRD.

Director’s R&D Program (DRD)

Develops new capabilities in support of the Laboratory’s 

science and technology initiatives

Seed Program 

Supports innovative ideas that have the potential for 

enhancing the Laboratory’s core scientific and technical capabilities and addresses emerging sponsor 

priorities and needs

Strategic Hire Program 

Attracts talent to add critical skills in research areas 

aligned with ORNL’s strategic direction

Distinguished Staff Fellowship Program 

Allows the Laboratory to hire exceptional early-career scientists to expand its 

scientific and technical expertise and build future scientific leadership

Early Career Competition 

Invests in early-career scientists at ORNL to cultivate new research

 leadership; awardees receive funding to lead a 2-year project and 

join the ORNL Early Career Development Program, which

focuses on professional training, networking, and

exposure to ORNL and DOE elements