Achievements

Recent Highlights

Date	News
Oct 6, 2020 8:00 AM	Could Argonne’s mini nuclear reactor solve the e-truck recharging dilemma? Electric semitrucks could revolutionize the transportation industry. But not until a convenient source of electricity is found. Could mini nuclear reactors at rest stops solve this problem? :: Read full story »
Sep 24, 2020 8:00 AM	Dept. of Energy takes next step in Versatile Test Reactor program Versatile Test Reactor gets next approval from the Department of Energy… :: Read full story »
Jul 10, 2020 8:00 AM	Argonne to explore how digital twins may transform nuclear energy with $8 million from ARPA-E’s GEMINA program ARPA-E’s GEMINA funding will allow Argonne’s nuclear scientists to partner with industry and develop tools for the advanced reactors of tomorrow… :: Read full story »
Jun 4, 2020 8:00 AM	Argonne's Mitch Farmer honored for addressing challenges to U.S. nuclear energy industry Nuclear engineer Mitch Farmer has been selected as a fellow by the American Nuclear Society for his work to improve light water reactor development, design and safety.… :: Read full story »
Mar 27, 2020 8:00 AM	Argonne uses artificial intelligence to improve the safety and design of advanced nuclear reactors Argonne scientists are starting to use AI — specifically, machine learning — to analyze more efficiently the mechanics that govern nuclear reactors. These machine learning tools will reduce the total time required to quantify uncertainty and optimize reactor design… :: Read full story »
Mar 11, 2020 8:00 AM	How decades of work at Argonne led to a pivotal moment for U.S. nuclear plants The laboratory’s research helped avoid $1 billion in potential costs for boiling water reactors in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, keeping power plants running while ensuring safety… :: Read full story »
Feb 13, 2020 8:00 AM	Argonne leads award-winning collaboration with Kairos Power that unveils new simulation of nuclear power plants Argonne scientists won a 2019 R&D 100 award for collaborating with Kairos Power to create software that simulates entire nuclear power plants.… :: Read full story »
Nov 20, 2019 8:00 AM	Two Argonne projects earn Secretary of Energy Honor Awards Two groups from Argonne National Laboratory have received the 2018 Secretary of Energy Honor Award, the Department’s highest honor.… :: Read full story »
Oct 29, 2019 8:00 AM	Argonne and partners awarded nine R&D 100 Awards in 2019 Technologies developed by Argonne researchers and partner organizations have won nine 2019 R&D 100 awards, including one for the SAM reactor system analysis code, a modern system analysis tool for analyzing the safety of advanced nuclear reactors… :: Read full story »
Oct 29, 2019 8:00 AM	Transforming nuclear research through industry collaboration led by Argonne Argonne nuclear scientists and engineers are collaborating with private partners in cutting-edge initiatives that will have meaningful impact.d… :: Read full story »
Sep 18, 2019 8:00 AM	Argonne harnesses virtual power to address the most complex challenges in nuclear science Argonne researchers maximize efficiencies by running a broad suite of computational codes on supercomputers that offer power available at only a few sites worldwide.… :: Read full story »
Sept 4, 2019 8:00 AM	Argonne discovery offers new way to coat nuclear materials Argonne scientists have discovered a new way to coat nuclear materials that supports efforts to minimize use of high-enriched uranium.… :: Read full story »
Jul 16, 2019 8:00 AM	Department of Energy awards $4.6 million to Argonne to support collaborations with industry Multiple Argonne projects focusing on improvements to nuclear power generation are receiving funding as part of the latest round of Technology Commercialization Fund awards.… :: Read full story »
July 3, 2019 8:00 AM	Argonne's Jim Morman elected American Nuclear Society Fellow Jim Morman has been elected a fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) in recognition of his outstanding scientific and professional contributions to his field, specifically those related to criticality safety, or the prevention of nuclear and radiation-related accidents.… :: Read full story »
May 1, 2019 3:00 PM	Argonne's role in the Versatile Test Reactor Program to provide platform for future nuclear reactor technologies Argonne nuclear engineers are working with Idaho National Laboratory and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to develop the Versatile Test Reactor, a new testbed for advanced nuclear reactor concepts… :: Read full story »
Mar 5, 2019 8:00 AM	Transitions: Argonne’s pioneering study of nuclear energy future Broad collaborative research effort offers glimpse into the future of nuclear energy.… :: Read full story »
Sep 26, 2018 11:00 AM	Energy Secretary awards researchers for global threat reduction Seven Argonne employees were among those presented with a Secretary of Energy Achievement Award at the Secretary’s Honors Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on August 29… :: Read full story »
Sep 20, 2018 8:00 AM	Algorithms for Atoms Argonne nuclear engineers have developed an algorithm for estimating the capital cost of building advanced nuclear reactor designs… :: Read full story »
Aug 28, 2018 8:00 AM	Argonne hosts Modeling, Experimentation and Validation (MeV) Summer School Argonne hosted the ninth annual MeV school in July, connecting early-career nuclear engineers with experts from national laboratories, universities, government and business to discuss industry trends... :: Read full story »
Apr 26, 2018 8:00 AM	Balancing nuclear and renewable energy Power plants that balance nuclear and renewable energy could increase revenues from electricity markets and reduce variable operating and maintenance costs… :: Read full story »
Jan 4, 2018 8:00 AM	New Argonne decontamination system improves safety and eases complexity Argonne researchers have created a new technique that decontaminates urban areas faster than any other approach… :: Read full story »
Dec 5, 2017 8:00 AM	Department of Energy supports Argonne nuclear technologies The U.S. Department of Energy funded four projects, representing more than $1 million, for Argonne’s Nuclear Engineering Division… :: Read full story »
Dec 1, 2017 8:00 AM	10 Intriguing Facts About the World's First Nuclear Chain Reaction On December 2, 1942, the world’s first self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction took place, paving the way for a variety of advancements in nuclear science… :: Read full story »
Nov 3, 2017 8:00 AM	Argonne researchers receive DOE Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle R&D Excellence Awards Darius Lisowski and Nicolas Stauff were recently recognized by DOE-NE with Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle R&D Excellence Awards during an ANS Winter Meering panel session on "Progress in DOE's Nuclear Technology Research and Development Program"… :: Read full story »
Oct 19, 2017 1:00 PM	Department of Energy awards flow into Argonne Four Argonne nuclear projects were awarded DOE Office of Technology Transition’s Technology Commercialization funding… :: Read full story »
Oct 16, 2017 11:00 AM	Demystifying Nuclear Energy Argonne, University of Chicago host interns leading up to the 75th anniversary of first atomic chain reaction… :: Read full story »
Oct 4, 2017 8:00 AM	Chicago Pile 1 (CP-1) 75th Anniversary: Future of Nuclear Energy Argonne honors the 75th anniversary of the world's first self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction with a symposium exploring the future of nuclear energy from many perspectives. Video of the event is now available… :: Read full story »
Sep 15, 2017 8:00 AM	Small businesses to GAIN from Argonne nuclear expertise The U.S. Department of Energy announced that six small businesses recognized as nuclear energy innovators will have a chance to work with Argonne National Laboratory through the department’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative… :: Read full story »
Sep 14, 2017 8:00 AM	IAEA Concludes Four-year Research Project on Fast Reactor Safety Features Results of a four-year IAEA Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on improving system and safety analysis of sodium cooled fast reactors (SFRs) are now available… :: Read full story »
Sep 7, 2017 5:00 PM	U.S.-China mission rushes bomb-grade nuclear fuel out of Africa — Chinese, U.S. and Ghanaian experts successfully convert Chinese-made miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) in Ghana to use low-enriched uranium fuel… :: Read full story »
Aug 1, 2017 5:00 PM	Nuclear energy comes full circle: Argonne takes part in the start-up and shut down of nuclear reactors Argonne’s Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) Program has led the way in decommissioning nuclear facilities at the lab and around the world for over 40 years.… :: Read full story »
Jul 26, 2017 1:00 PM	Scientific Playgrounds Accelerating Clean Energy Research Department of Energy user facilities, such as Argonne's Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscopy (IVEM)-Tandem Facility, provide extraordinary resources integral to many Energy Frontier Research Center scientific breakthroughs… :: Read full story » | More on IVEM »
Jul 18, 2017 8:00 AM	US backs Ghana to convert nuclear research reactor Ghana is the first African country to successfully undergo a nuclear research reactor conversion to use low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in partnership with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Argonne National Laboratory… :: Read full story »
Jul 5, 2017 8:00 AM	Busan to strengthen cooperation with U.S. lab in reactor decommissioning The city of Busan, South Korea plans to strengthen cooperation with Argonne National Laboratory on decommissioning nuclear reactors following the shutdown of a commercial nuclear reactor in the city… :: Read full story » | More on ANL D&D »
Jun 27, 2017 1:00 PM	Florent Heidet receives ANS Early Career Reactor Physicist Award Argonne nuclear engineer Florent Heidet was recognized by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Reactor Physics Division with the inaugural Early Career Reactor Physicist Award… :: Read full story »
May 26, 2017 12:00 PM	The global reach of Argonne’s nuclear security training team Argonne supports the IAEA with organization of international training courses covering different areas of nuclear safety and security, nuclear energy and nuclear science and technology… :: Read full story »
Apr 27, 2017 3:00 PM	The Mo-99 Story Chemist Alex Brown talks about why isotopes matter in this interesting ANS Nuclear Cafe piece. "Even if your isotopes cure cancer, you still can’t talk about nuclear medicine without bringing up Mo-99." :: Read full story » | More on Mo-99 »
Apr 10, 2017 4:00 PM	Improving the Development of New Materials for Nuclear Energy Researchers from Argonne and Northwestern University developed a new technique for testing in-reactor performance of  new nuclear fuels and reactor structural materials by pairing Argonne’s ATLAS accelerator and Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source… :: Read full story » | More on XMAT »
Apr 6, 2017 4:00 PM	7 Things You Might Not Know about the World's First Nuclear Reactor Chicago Pile-1 created the first human-made controlled nuclear chain reaction exactly 75 years ago… :: Read full story »
Mar 31, 2017 8:00 AM	Into Kazakhstan to Convert a Reactor The world is dotted with research reactors that run on highly enriched uranium. Argonne engineers are traveling the world to convert them one by one… :: Read full story »
Feb 3, 2017 8:00 AM	PRISM: Waste not, want not GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy have developed the sodium-cooled fast reactor PRISM to advanced conceptual design, and the design is ready to start undergoing the regulatory process. Key features of the reactor are based on Argonne research… :: Read full story »
Feb 1, 2017 8:00 AM	Terrestrial Energy to Submit Design Certification to NRC for a Molten Salt Reactor in 2019 Terrestrial Energy USA Ltd has informed the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its plans to license IMSR400, a small modular, advanced nuclear reactor, in the United States. Terrestrial Energy has a grant from DOE's Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program to work with Argonne on molten salt technology… :: Read full story »
Jan 25, 2017 4:00 PM	Top U.S. Advanced Reactor Developers to Summit at Chicago Technology Showcase Emerging advanced nuclear energy technologies will be discussed at the fourth Advanced Reactors Technical Summit and Technology Trailblazers Showcase to be held at Argonne National Laboratory on February 8-9, 2017.… :: Read full story »
Nov 22, 2016 8:00 AM	General Electric and Southern Company Team Up to Power the Planet with Nuclear Waste Though high costs and inflexibility threaten deployment of traditional nuclear reactors, General Electric and Hitachi are betting on a next generation reactor developed by Argonne called the Generation IV PRISM, which is said to have the nearest term licensing and commercialization potential… :: Read full story »
Nov 17, 2016 8:00 AM	Robert Hill named Fellow of the American Nuclear Society Bob Hill, technical director of advanced nuclear energy R&D at Argonne, has been honored as a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS)… :: Read full story »
Nov 14, 2016 8:00 AM	“Accelerating” more reliable medical isotope production Argonne radioisotopes have potential for medical diagnosis and treatment… :: Read full story » | Mo-99 Technology Development »
Oct 12, 2016 8:00 AM	Argonne engineers honored for Iran nuclear deal support A group of Argonne nuclear engineers recently received the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretarial Honor Award for their work supporting the Iran nuclear negotiations.… :: Read full story »
Aug 24, 2016 8:00 AM	Elia Merzari to receive ASME George Westinghouse Silver Medal Nuclear engineer Elia Merzari receives the ASME George Westinghouse Silver Medal for his leadership and outstanding contributions to the simulation of complex thermal-hydraulic phenomena in advanced nuclear reactor fuel bundles to enhance the safety and efficiency of next-generation advanced reactor designs… :: Read full story »
Jul 13, 2016 8:00 AM	Employee Spotlight: Elia Merzari Elia Merzari is a principal nuclear engineer in Argonne’s Nuclear Engineering Division. Read what he says about working at Argonne… :: Read full story » | Other Employee Spotlights
Jul 6, 2016 8:00 AM	Argonne to work with small businesses on nuclear technologies Argonne National Laboratory will be working with four small businesses on nuclear technology projects under the auspices of DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN).… :: Read full story »
Jun 17, 2016 8:00 AM	$4M from DOE-NE R&D Funds to Argonne DOE-NE provided approximately $4M funding to Argonne for nuclear energy-related research through the Nuclear Energy University Program, Nuclear Science User Facilities, Nuclear Energy Enabling Technology programs, and the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative… :: Read full story »
Jun 14, 2016 8:00 AM	Temitope Taiwo named American Nuclear Society Fellow Temitope Taiwo, Nuclear Engineering Division Deputy Director, has been honored as a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS). Fellow is the highest member status presented by the society, and is granted for outstanding accomplishments in the areas of nuclear science and technology… :: Read full story »
May 23, 2016 2:00 PM	Analysis: Nuclear key component in fight against climate change Energy officials and legislators showed their support of nuclear energy at a summit on Capitol Hill last week. "We are supposed to be adding zero carbon sources, not subtracting or simply replacing by building to just kind of tread water," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. The US can't meet its climate change goals "unless we substantially support and even embolden the nuclear energy sector," said Sen. Cory Booker… :: Read full story »
May 4, 2016 8:00 AM	Argonne, NNSA collaborate with China to convert micro-reactor China commenced operations on a small research reactor that was converted to use low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in partnership with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Argonne, the first conversion of its kind... :: Read full story »
Mar 03, 2016 10:00 AM	Tomorrow’s Nuclear Reactors are Closer Than You Think The Department of Energy supports moving new nuclear reactor designs toward commercialization with the recently established Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN)… :: Read full story »
Jan 20, 2016 12:00 PM	NNSA Administrator Tours Argonne in Demonstration of Lab’s Critical Scientific Work Supporting Nuclear Threat Minimization NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz received a first-hand look at the role Argonne’s research and development work plays in this major national security mission during his recent visit… :: Read full story »
Nov 18, 2015 5:00 PM	It Takes Two: GE Healthcare and SHINE team up to solve longstanding radiopharmaceutical supply concerns in medical imaging A process developed by SHINE, and verified by Argonne, allowed the company to partner with GE Healthcare to provide medical isotopes used in more than 40 million medical imaging procedures annually… :: Read full story »
Nov 11, 2015 11:00 AM	Ed Hoffman receives DOE Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle R&D Excellence Award Ed Hoffman, nuclear engineer and manager of the Reactor & Fuel Cycle Analysis Section, was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) with a Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle R&D Excellence Award… :: Read full story »
Nov 10, 2015 8:00 AM	Nicolas Stauff receives ANS Young Member Excellence Award Nuclear engineer Nicolas Stauff has been honored by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) with the 2015 Young Member Excellence Award… :: Read full story »

[ More Highlights ]

Awards

For a list of honors and awards received by NE employees for their contributions to scientific research, see NE Awards (1980-present).

Recent Patents

For a list of patents issued to Nuclear Engineering Division staff members by the US Patent Office from 2000 to present, see NE Patents (2000-present).

Reactors Designed by Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne’s Nuclear Science and Technology Legacy