2025 in review: ORNL’s top science news stories

The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory marked another year of research driven by innovation and collaboration in 2025, as reflected in the laboratory's most-read stories. The year's top story announced two new AI supercomputers, establishing ORNL's vital role as part of DOE's Genesis Mission, a national initiative to accelerate science through artificial intelligence. From leveraging AI and advancing quantum technologies to strengthening materials and modernizing nuclear and advanced manufacturing, the year's top stories highlight how ORNL applies big science for real-world impact.

ORNL, AMD and HPE to deliver DOE's newest AI supercomputers: Discovery and Lux

The Department of Energy, in collaboration with ORNL, AMD and HPE, announced two next-generation AI supercomputers - Lux and Discovery - to advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The systems will enable AI-capable research across energy, manufacturing, medicine and national security, with Lux launching in 2026 and Discovery following in 2028. Together, they represent a major step toward integrating large-scale AI with leadership-class supercomputing to accelerate scientific discovery.

ORNL, Atomic Canyon to accelerate nuclear licensing with AI

ORNL and artificial intelligence company Atomic Canyon signed an agreement to streamline nuclear power plant licensing using AI. By combining high-performance computing, simulations and AI-capable document analysis, the collaboration aims to accelerate regulatory reviews while ensuring the safety of reactor designs.

4 innovative ways ORNL quantum tech supports industry

ORNL researchers are advancing quantum technologies that support industry across healthcare, communications, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship. ORNL-developed tools enable faster medical research, quantum networking over existing fiber-optic infrastructure, more secure data encryption and the launch of new quantum startups, connecting quantum research with real-world industry needs.

3D printing reshapes construction for nuclear energy

In a bold step toward transforming how nuclear infrastructure is built, the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL, in partnership with Kairos Power and Barnard Construction, has successfully developed and validated large-scale, 3D-printed polymer composite forms for casting complex, high-precision concrete structures that would be technically challenging and costly to produce using conventional methods. The concrete forms are being used at Kairos Power's Oak Ridge campus, where the Hermes demonstration reactor is currently under construction - a milestone for the future of American nuclear energy.

ORNL partnership with EPB tests new method for protecting quantum networks

Oak Ridge National Laboratory collaborated with commercial utility EPB and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga to develop and test the first transmission of an entangled quantum signal using multiple wavelength channels and automatic polarization stabilization over a commercial network with no downtime. The successful trial of this innovation marks another step toward the eventual creation of a quantum internet that could prove to be more capable and secure than existing networks.

Simulations reveal the secret to strengthening carbon fiber

ORNL researchers found a way to double the tensile strength of carbon-fiber composites by reinforcing the material with a thin layer of PAN nanofibers. Using molecular dynamics simulations on ORNL's Frontier supercomputer, the team revealed how the nanofiber layer improves stress transfer at the atomic scale. The findings could lead to stronger and more affordable materials for aerospace, vehicles and manufacturing applications.

How Beehive Industries, ORNL are advancing aerospace additive manufacturing

Beehive Industries partnered with the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL to use additive manufacturing to produce precision jet engine components. Through collaboration with MDF experts, Beehive scaled metal 3D-printing technologies from research to production, supporting defense, aviation and energy applications. The partnership demonstrates how public-private collaboration can strengthen manufacturing capabilities and drive workforce and economic growth.

Quantum Brilliance, ORNL pioneer quantum-classical hybrid computing

ORNL, in partnership with Quantum Brilliance, installed its first on-site commercial quantum computer cluster to advance hybrid quantum-classical computing for scientific discovery. The room-temperature, diamond-based quantum system enables researchers to explore integrating quantum processors with high-performance computing infrastructure. This milestone supports the development of scalable hybrid computing architectures that could significantly accelerate future scientific and industrial applications.

Nanofibers yield stronger, tougher carbon fiber composites

A new composite-materials technique developed at ORNL uses carbon nanofibers to strengthen the bond between carbon fibers and the surrounding polymer matrix. By combining chemical and mechanical bonding at the fiber-matrix interface, the approach boosts tensile strength by about 50 percent and nearly doubles toughness. The advance shows promise for making products that are stronger and more affordable, opening new options for U.S. manufacturers to use carbon fiber in applications such as energy and national security.

Energy Secretary focuses on American leadership during ORNL visit

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited ORNL to see firsthand its pioneering work in AI, quantum computing and nuclear energy. Calling the AI race "Manhattan Project 2.0," Wright stressed the importance of U.S. leadership in these fields. Joined by Sen. Bill Hagerty and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Wright highlighted Oak Ridge's critical role in advancing energy independence and national security through innovations in nuclear and AI research.

3D-printed steel capsules endure nuclear reactor testing

ORNL successfully tested two 3D-printed stainless steel experimental capsules in the High Flux Isotope Reactor, marking a major milestone for additive manufacturing in nuclear applications. The capsules withstood a month-long irradiation intact, demonstrating that 3D-printed components can meet stringent nuclear safety and performance requirements. The DOE-sponsored work shows how additive manufacturing could reduce cost and time while accelerating innovation in nuclear materials research.

ORNL, NVIDIA, HPE advance quantum computing, AI and HPC for science

ORNL, NVIDIA, and HPE are partnering to develop a next-generation hybrid computing platform that integrates quantum processors with AI and high-performance computing systems. Installed at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility in 2026, the new system will enable side-by-side comparisons and advanced research in quantum-HPC convergence and error correction.

Discover even more milestones and moments from across the lab in ORNL's year in review on LinkedIn.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE's Office of Science, 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 energy.gov/science.