News & Notes | ORNL receives record number of R&D 100 Awards
East Tennessee Economic Council soliciting nominations for its two premier awards.
From Oak Ridge:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has set a new lab record with 20 R&D 100 Awards in this year’s global competition, announced by R&D World magazine.
ORNL led 17 of the winning innovations and co-developed three more, highlighting its leadership in advancing science and technology to create breakthroughs that strengthen U.S. security, energy resilience, and competitiveness across multiple industries. The awards span a wide array of fields, from advanced materials and additive manufacturing to energy storage, computing, and emerging technologies, reflecting ORNL’s relentless drive to push the boundaries of research and translate discoveries into real-world impact.
Since 1963, R&D Magazine’s R&D 100 Awards have spotlighted the most innovative technologies and materials from around the world. Now in its 63rd year, the competition continues to celebrate breakthroughs — including 29 finalist technologies from ORNL.
“ORNL researchers had a record-breaking year, contributing to 20 R&D 100 Awards,” said ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer. “These honors recognize technological advances across computing, physical sciences, energy and biology — and highlight how ORNL is strengthening the nation’s scientific leadership, security, and economy through innovation.”
From Maryville:
The Daily Times reported last week that Maryville College is moving forward with plans for its long-anticipated new science building.
Named after one of the state’s most well-known political figures, the 65,000-square-foot Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences will sit at the intersection of Washington Street and Lamar Alexander Parkway. It is projected to cost $80 million and will include 12 fully equipped teaching labs and six classrooms.
The facility is named for Maryville native and former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, who also served as Secretary of Education and a U.S. Senator.
Earlier this month, the Maryville City Council approved on first reading an ordinance to accept $12 million in grant funds from the state on behalf of the college for use in the construction of the new building.
“Depending on fundraising, we hope to break ground in a little less than a year,” President Bryan Coker said. “Construction is going to last anywhere between 18-24 months, and there’s some contingency built in that just in case.”
From Knoxville:
The Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated podcast, “Office Hours: Business Edition,” which premiered its inaugural version last week. Monica Langley, Professor of Practice in the college and a former The Wall Street Journal Reporter and corporate executive, serves as host.
Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JPMorgan Chase, joins Langley in the inaugural episode. Future guests will include Ford CEO Jim Farley and CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman Becker.
Building on the college’s strong relationships with business and industry, the podcast brings listeners inside Langley’s unfiltered discussions with CEOs, founders, and innovators who are shaping today’s business landscape.
“At UT Haslam, we focus on connecting top-quality graduates and impactful research with the business world,” said Stephen L. Mangum, Dean of the Haslam College. “‘Office Hours’ pulls back the curtain and offers the opportunity to learn from the world’s top executives. We are especially excited to have Monica Langley returning to her alma mater to lead these conversations.”
From Harriman:
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings has appointed Roane State Community College’s Teresa Duncan as Nuclear Workforce Lead Strategist for the system of two-year colleges and technology centers. In addition to remaining in her current role as Vice President of Workforce Development at Roane State, Duncan will help lead the College System of Tennessee’s nuclear strategy to continue building a highly-skilled nuclear workforce in Tennessee.
“Tennessee is experiencing a nuclear renaissance, and we must be ready to meet immediate, emerging, and long-term demands in this growing industry,” said Chancellor Tydings. “Teresa Duncan is the ideal leader to strengthen our workforce pipeline because she has forged effective partnerships with industry leaders. I am confident Teresa’s expertise will benefit the System’s workforce development efforts to enhance the nuclear development and manufacturing ecosystem already established in our great state.”
Throughout her career, Duncan has focused on workforce training and development, with a particular emphasis on supporting the region’s unique economic landscape. Roane State operates a campus in Oak Ridge, a city widely recognized as a hub for the nuclear industry and central to the college’s service area. Thanks to the location of this important campus, Duncan has been able to work closely with businesses large and small to develop programs tailored to meet critical workforce demands.
Another from Oak Ridge:
LIS Technologies Inc., a proprietary developer of advanced laser technology, has announced that Lieutenant General S. Clinton “Clint” Hinote, USAF (Ret.), has been appointed as its Chairman of the Executive Advisory Board of Federal and Defense Initiatives.
As the former Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration, and Requirements, Lieutenant General Hinote served at the Pentagon from June 2020 to June 2023, spearheading Air Force Futures and acting as the senior advocate for the future force. In that capacity, he shaped long-range concepts, steered wargames, and aligned future-force design and acquisition priorities before retiring after more than three decades in uniform.
“As we look forward, our country faces the twin imperatives of meeting an ever-increasing energy demand while rebuilding our nuclear deterrent,” said Hinote. “LIST’s core technology has strong potential to fulfill the growing demand for enriched nuclear fuel. By doing this, the company can establish itself as a critical partner in creating a secure and efficient nuclear supply chain, thereby enhancing our nation’s energy sovereignty. I’m excited to join the team, and I will apply decades of experience and deep understanding of federal security priorities to help align the company’s efforts with national objectives.”
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