Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL was established in 1943 as a part of the secret Manhattan Project to pioneer a method for producing and separating plutonium. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, ORNL was an international center for the study of nuclear energy and related research in the physical and life sciences. The creation of the Department of Energy in the 1970’s led to an expansion of ORNL’s research program into areas of energy production, transmission, and conservation. By the turn of the century the laboratory supported the nation with a peacetime science and technology mission that was just as important, but very different from, the days of the Manhattan Project.

National Security
ORNL provides federal, state and local government agencies and departments with technology and expertise to support national and homeland security needs. This technology and expertise is also shared with industry to enhance America’s economic competitiveness in world markets.

Super Computer
ORNL's Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate conducts state-of-the-art research and development in computer and computational sciences in support of DOE's missions and programs. ORNL has on site the world’s fastest computer.

ORNL also focuses on Biological Systems, Energy, and Advanced Materials.

Research Facilities
ORNL is home to a number of highly sophisticated experimental research facilities. These research laboratories are designed to serve staff scientists and engineers, as well as researchers from universities, industry, foreign institutions, and other government laboratories.

For a full list of research facilities, visit http://www.ornl.gov/ornlhome/research_facilities.shtml

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)

The U.S. government spent $1.4 billion on the SNS, a project that will bring in researchers from all over the globe to study neutron science. The first neutrons were produced at SNS on April 28, 2006.

Although not obvious to most people, the benefits of neutron-scattering research are improvements in the range and quality of products used in our everyday lives.

A few examples include:

cars and airplanes
electronics such as computers and cell phones
medicines and other health care-related products
paints, shampoos, and other fluids

Neutrons are also an essential tool for researchers studying ways of improving materials used in high-temperature superconductors, powerful lightweight magnets, aluminum bridge decks, and stronger, lighter plastic products.

For more information, visit www.sns.gov.

BWXT Y-12

The Y-12 National Security Complex is a premier manufacturing facility dedicated to making our nation and the world a safer place. Operated by BWXT Y-12 for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Y-12 plays a vital role in the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Weapons Complex.

Y-12 helps ensure a safe and reliable U.S. nuclear weapons deterrent. They also retrieve and store nuclear materials, fuel the nation’s naval reactors, and perform complementary work for other government and private-sector entities.

Since the end of WWII, the Y-12 Complex has evolved into a high-precision manufacturing assembly and inspection facility while maintaining the nation’s uranium and lithium technology base. Missions have expanded since the end of the Cold War and the ensuing easing of international tensions. Y-12’s national defense missions focus on weapon components and production of nuclear weapon secondaries and prevention of the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

For more information, visit www.y12.doe.gov.

K-25 – East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP)

ETTP was built to produce highly enriched uranium for use in nuclear weapons. The Plant later produced low assay uranium for use as commercial nuclear power reactor fuel. Production ceased in 1985, and the Plant was permanently shutdown in 1987.

The mission of ETTP is to reindustrialize and reuse the assets (i.e., facilities, equipment, materials, utilities, and trained work force) of the shut-down gaseous diffusion plant formerly known as the Oak Ridge K-25 Site.

ETTP serves as the base of operations for environmental management and diffusion technology development at DOE Oak Ridge Operations. Specifically, these activities include management of the Toxic Substances Control Act Incinerator (TSCA) located at ETTP, which is the only U.S. facility capable of incinerating certain radioactive and/or hazardous wastes within permitted air emission requirements; support of risk-based environmental cleanup programs for contaminated facilities and natural resources at DOE facilities in Oak Ridge, Paducah, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio; treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous and radioactive wastes; support of the Hazardous Waste Remedial Actions Program; and cost-effective support for ETTP users.