Idaho company finds innovative solution for builders
Idaho National Laboratory
Changing the world’s energy future and securing our nation's critical infrastructure ??
Builders typically rely on a set of printed, complicated blueprints at the job site to communicate complex architectural building designs. Builders are often left interpreting the designer’s intent rather than building per the plan, which can result in costly mistakes and delayed timelines. Now, the Integrated Layout System developed by Boise-based Flashpoint Building Systems is a “paint by numbers” approach to building that sets aside traditional blueprints and provides builders with a better method of executing the work at the job site. Flashpoint utilized the laboratory’s Technical Assistance Program to tap into INL’s world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced research capabilities to evaluate the product.
A team of electric vehicle (EV) researchers and stakeholders has released recommendations designed to help the industry improve the charging experience for EV owners. In the new Customer-Focused Key Performance Indicators for Electric Vehicle Charging report, the National Charging Experience Consortium, or ChargeX Consortium, defined two sets of recommended key performance indicators that will help measure the charging experience. The broad implementation of those key performance indicators provides industry with the basis for common performance targets for EV charging. Currently, the industry lacks common standards to measure the charging experience and existing metrics focus mostly on business operation.
Over 40 clean energy scientists and engineers from INL traveled to Golden, Colorado, on Sept. 3 for a two-day exploration of innovations in science and technology with students and faculty of the Colorado School of Mines (Mines). Under an agreement signed last fall, the collaboration aims to bridge the gap between students and potential career opportunities at the laboratory. The kickoff event, held on the Mines campus, provided educational and networking opportunities for students looking to embark on a career with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) .
Kenya Stump, an executive with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet for over 17 years and executive director of Kentucky’s Office of Energy Policy since 2020, is a cheerleader for diversified energy sources like coal, natural gas, wind, hydroelectric and solar. But what was missing in Kentucky’s “all of the above portfolio?” Nuclear energy. A partnership between Kentucky’s Energy Office and the U.S. Department of Energy’s GAINnuclear , led to GAIN co-hosting a series of webinars with utilities, culminating in a June 2022 workshop in Kentucky’s capital. Utility executives, state government leaders, elected officials and environmental non-profits decided the time was right to pursue nuclear energy. The state’s largest utilities are now looking at siting an advanced nuclear reactor at one of their existing power plants.
In 2021, INL committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2031. The laboratory occupies a space roughly 85% the size of Rhode Island and rivals the size and complexity of a small city in terms of people and infrastructure, including four landfills that cover about 200 acres. An EPA model for municipal solid waste landfills estimated that INL’s landfills would be emitting about 8,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gasses each year. So, when analysts with INL’s Net-Zero team began looking at options to reduce emissions at the laboratory’s landfills, they first hired a contractor to get a better idea of INL’s true landfill emissions. The results were significantly lower than the EPA model predicted — a huge win that will save millions for INL’s net-zero efforts.
INL's Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) stands as a lasting monument to an innovative idea born on a twilight ride home across the Snake River Plain. The word “cloverleaf” best describes ATR’s innovative core design. Early nuclear engineers built ATR to improve fuel performance in the US Navy 's nuclear fleet. Fifty-seven years later, the test reactor has never been more in demand. INL and the Department of Energy have planned experiments in ATR through 2040. To commemorate INL’s 75 years of innovation, the lab released custom smart watch faces of the ATR cloverleaf for anyone to download for their Apple iWatch or Samsung Galaxy.
Jisong Ryu, Jhanavi Hegde and Chance Krueger are winners of the 2024 Bright Future in Energy Scholarship Competition. Ryu, Hegde and Krueger impressed the judges with standout research and presentations, which focused on how nuclear energy and carbon capture technologies could move the nation closer to net-zero emissions. The Bright Future in Energy Scholarship Competition is an annual competition open to 11th- and 12th-grade students interested in a postsecondary education and career focused on science, technology, engineering or math.
As 17 students from three states headed back to school this fall, they took with them a broad array of knowledge they picked up this summer at INL’s Clean Energy Camp, a new addition to INL’s STEM Scholars Program. The camp ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24-27, offering high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) an introductory look into a range of topics related to clean energy technologies. Students got to meet with experts, participate in hands-on activities and go on site tours. The camp aims to pique interest in STEM-focused clean energy careers.
In 1949, the Atomic Energy Commission announced it would build the National Reactor Testing Station on the Naval Proving Ground in eastern Idaho, marking the beginning of what is today's Idaho National Laboratory. The work we do in support of our clean energy and national security missions today is built upon the research and development foundation established by INL employees over seven decades of achievement.
Check out our interactive timeline to see our story from the beginning and learn about the innovations that helped INL become the nation's nuclear energy research laboratory!
Congratulations to INL's Shannon Bragg-Sitton on her new role as associate laboratory director for the lab's Energy and Environment Science and Technology directorate. In her new role, Bragg-Sitton will steer our research efforts in delivering viable carbon-free energy solutions, focusing on microgrid systems, water treatment, critical materials, and sustainable chemical production while harnessing cutting-edge technology to integrate nuclear and renewable energy into the industrial sector more efficiently.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Shannon in her new role!
Across INL’s research campuses and facilities, more than 6,200 employees are united in a shared vision to change the world’s energy future and secure the nation’s critical infrastructure.
But what’s a day at work like at the nation’s nuclear energy research laboratory?
To find out, hear from two employees about their recent projects, what drew them to the laboratory and how their work is paving the way for a better tomorrow. Krystiane Otis , Miranda Kuns
As a dedicated nuclear facility operator at INL's Fuel Conditioning Facility, Jessica Cardona is at the forefront of nuclear energy innovation. She’s integral in converting legacy Experimental Breeder Reactor-II fuel into a vital resource for next-generation reactors. It's a source of pride for Jessica to know that the materials she processes today are key to powering the nuclear advancements of the future.
Congratulations to Kase Brock on his new role as executive director for the lab's Safeguards and Security directorate. In his new role, Brock will manage the development and application of systems that provide protection for INL facilities. He has been with INL since 2019 improving the security posture of special nuclear materials, transforming the culture and sharpening the mission focus of the Safeguards and Security workforce as a senior advisor. Prior to joining the lab, his distinguished career included serving as an intelligence professional and U.S. Army Special Forces officer.
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Meet Amy Kynman , a chemical scientist and INL postdoc supporting radiochemistry research at the lab. Her work focuses on the photochemistry of actinide elements. She has a keen interest in the study of americium, which contributes significantly to the radiotoxicity of used nuclear fuel. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from the 英国华威大学 , and finished Ph.D. studies at the 美国加州大学伯克利分校 .
Congratulations to INL Advanced Reactor Technology & Design Department Manager Vivek Agarwal for earning an Innovation Award from the International Network on Innovation to Support Operating Nuclear Power Plants. The award was presented at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 's General Conference, recognizing his innovative new system to help industrial plant operators monitor valve position, reducing human error and saving maintenance costs.
For more than 35 years, John Salinas has been a vital member of INL's Advanced Test Reactor machine shop team. Salinas and his team turn researchers' ideas into reality by tackling complex challenges and developing solutions to support groundbreaking experiments. They design and fabricate intricate tools and specialized components that only exist at the lab.
Congratulations to Ahmad Al Rashdan, Ph.D. , senior research and development scientist and advanced sensors and integration technical lead at INL, on his selection for the 美国德克萨斯A&M大学 2024 Young Former Student Award. This award honors his work in artificial intelligence technology for diverse applications in the energy sector, and automation activities in various industries.
One of our summer interns, and 美国北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校 junior, Nicholas Pell spent his internship driving forward INL's net-zero goals! He analyzed net-zero strategies for similar-sized companies and explored electric vehicle innovations to revamp our fleet. With continual growth in the energy sector, he took a look at workforce trends that can keep INL ahead in nurturing a diverse team of experts.
Meet Sabin Regmi , a physicist and postdoctoral research associate exploring the properties of rare-earth and actinide quantum systems. His team is focused on advancing foundational knowledge in the area of actinide quantum science and technology. Interest in quantum sciences is growing exponentially across the globe in this rapidly expanding area of research with critical importance to national security. He completed his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Central Florida with an Outstanding Dissertation Award.
INL researcher Casey Kovesdi was awarded the David Meister Award for best paper by the System Development Technical Group at the HFES - Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 's 68th Annual Meeting. This award is the premiere recognition for human factors method development. His paper, "Development of a Sociotechnical Methodology to Support Nuclear Power Plant Modernization," highlights recent work performed under the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program.
INL is in the process of developing and synthesizing the fuel salt for the first operational fast spectrum molten salt critical system in the world, the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment. Samantha Rencher got a first-hand look at this process through her internship with INL.
Meet Javier Martinez , an industry engagement marketing specialist at INL. He connects the lab's cutting-edge facilities and technologies with industry leaders by using data to craft compelling marketing materials and strategies that turn potential partnerships into powerful alliances. The strategic connections between INL's experts and industry leaders are laying the groundwork for research initiatives and collaborative projects that shape the future of technology.
Meet Parikshit Bajpai , an INL computational scientist and postdoctoral researcher focused on accelerating multiscale, multiphysics simulations involving computational thermochemistry through machine learning, active-learning surrogate models and advanced data handling techniques. He studied nuclear engineering at 意大利米兰理工大学 , and went on to obtain a Ph.D. in modeling and computational science from Ontario Tech University .
Congratulations to INL research scientist Prabhat Tripathy for securing a patent for a new durable metal coating designed to withstand extreme heat and corrosion. This could protect nuclear reactor components, improving their performance and durability.
Cathy Barnard is at the forefront of innovation as the operations manager for the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program at INL. She strategically allocates the program’s budget and collaborates with brilliant experts across U.S. Department of Energy labs to advance vital projects. Her efforts have funded work at INL supporting risk assessment, advanced modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, pushing the envelope of nuclear energy's capabilities to change the world’s energy future.
Take a look at the first new hot cell facility built at INL in 49 years!
The Sample Preparation Laboratory?is a new facility that will serve as a national asset for accelerated research, development and qualification of structural nuclear materials. SPL’s nuclear materials analysis capabilities will increase understanding of structural materials for nuclear power plants. It will also provide opportunities to accelerate research and deploy advanced materials that will extend the life of new and existing advanced reactors.
Meet Krystiane Otis , a visualization engineer in INL’s Digital Engineering Department. She uses 3D modeling and simulations to develop virtual replicas of things like critical infrastructure systems or nuclear reactors that can be used to study objects or assets without making changes to their real-life counterparts. Hear from her about a recent interactive puzzle game she helped developed that teaches users the basic concepts of control systems cybersecurity and why she loves working at INL.
Col. Mike Fossum recently joined us at INL to share about his two space shuttle missions as a spacewalker, and his role in helping build the International Space Station. He also shared the importance of always having a questioning attitude, a highly valued concept at INL. He currently serves as a vice president of Texas A&M University, the chief operating officer of the Galveston campus, and the superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
Over the weekend, INL and Idaho Falls Symphony celebrated shared 75th anniversaries with the Symphony in the Park: Legacy in Harmony concert. We enjoyed music from both organizations’ founding era through the present, narrative about INL's legacy connecting our past with our future and the opportunity to meet with our community.
Rich is available to write timely thought-leader white papers in the electric utility sector for proactive, eco-friendly companies.
1 个月Grid-Sharing VPPs in Lsrge Buildings?
Exciting developments this month! ??