3,600+

Guest 

researchers 

annually

6,500+

#1

#1

2,600+

Scientific

publications

in 2023

Employees, 

representing

over 75 countries

Conducting R&D with Impact

ORNL researchers apply unique facilities, sophisticated tools, and signature strengths 

in neutron science, high-performance computing, advanced materials, biology and 

environmental science, nuclear science and engineering, isotopes, and national security 

research to benefit science and society, making it possible to

• Advance understanding, design, and use of new materials and chemical processes 

• Reveal unmatched insights through computing and data

• Ensure safe, clean nuclear power and secure nuclear materials

• Produce rare isotopes for medicine, industry, security, research, and space exploration

• Increase and exploit understanding of biological and environmental 

systems from genes to ecosystems

Addressing National Needs

Established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, ORNL is building on a legacy of 

discovery and innovation to continually address the nation’s most urgent R&D needs. 

• The Proton Power Upgrade and Second Target Station will open new 

frontiers in materials research at the Spallation Neutron Source

• Frontier, ORNL’s exascale computer, is delivering world-leading performance

• ORNL assets are focusing on national artificial intelligence and quantum initiatives 

• New materials, software, and systems for advanced manufacturing 

developed at ORNL are transforming nuclear energy technology

• Cybersecurity technologies developed by ORNL are improving the

resilience of the nation’s electric grid and other critical infrastructure

• Researchers are advancing biotechnology to convert plastics into valuable chemicals

Solving Big Problems

OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

World’s fastest

supercomputer

World’s most

intense neutron

source

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in 

energy and national security and provide economic benefit to the nation. ORNL addresses national needs through impactful 

research and world-leading research centers. A wide range of partnerships with other US Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories 

and programs, universities, and industry pairs ORNL’s strengths with others for outstanding contributions to science.

“At the top of the list of ORNL strengths is the ability to 

deliver, to do great work and to actually get things done 

that matter to the country and to the world.”

—Laboratory Director Stephen Streiffer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in 

energy and national security and provide economic benefit to the nation. ORNL addresses national needs through impactful 

research and world-leading research centers. A wide range of partnerships with other US Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories 

and programs, universities, and industry pairs ORNL’s strengths with others for outstanding contributions to science.
October 2023

Partnerships and Collaborations

• Hosting the DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration Exascale Computing Project Office

• Managing US contributions to the international ITER fusion project and leading DOE’s 

Innovation Network for Fusion Energy 

• Leading the multi-institutional Center for Bioenergy Innovation, one of four DOE 

Bioenergy Research Centers 

• Leading two DOE Energy Frontier Research Centers

• Partnering with academia to help build a robust pipeline of scientific and technical talent

• Partnering with industry to accelerate innovation

• Collaborating with other DOE laboratories and major universities on the Cybersecurity 

Manufacturing Innovation Institute

• Partnering with other national laboratories, universities, and industry on the National 

Alliance for Water Innovation, a DOE Energy–Water Desalination Hub

Major R&D Facilities

ORNL’s world-class scientific user facilities are 

available to users from universities, industry, and 

other institutions. 

• Building Technologies Research 

and Integration Center

• Carbon Fiber Technology Facility

• Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences

• High Flux Isotope Reactor

• Manufacturing Demonstration Facility

• National Transportation Research Center

• Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility

• Spallation Neutron Source

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

www.ornl.gov

jobs.ornl.gov

CONTACT:

David Keim

Director

ORNL Communications

keimdm@ornl.gov

865-576-9122

One Bethel Valley Road

Oak Ridge, TN 37831

Recent R&D Highlights

• Using supercomputing and neutrons to create the most accurate 3D model of a 

major signaling protein in humans

• Collaborating with Google to demonstrate the power of quantum computing

• Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to better match cancer patients with 

clinical trials

• Inventing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly process to extract high-value rare 

earth elements from the scrapped magnets of used hard drives

• Developing a process to convert ethanol into fuels suitable for aviation, shipping, and 

heavy-duty vehicles

• Restoring the nation’s ability to produce plutonium-238 for deep space missions

• Applying human geography data and analytics for humanitarian, disaster response, 

and national security missions

R&D 100 

awards, more than 

any other national

laboratory

US patents

(2010–2023)

Active

licenses

245

1,046

142

Funding by DOE mission

FY 2023 $2.78B