INL technologies win two R&D 100 Awards
Idaho National Laboratory
Changing the world’s energy future and securing our nation's critical infrastructure ⚛️
Two technologies developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have been named as winners for the 2025 R&D 100 Awards, sometimes referred to as the “Oscars of innovation.” Since they were established by R&D Magazine in 1963, the R&D 100 Awards have identified and celebrated the top technology products from the public and private sectors. It is the only competition that recognizes new commercial products, technologies and materials for their technological significance and potential impact. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ’s national laboratories typically have dozens of finalists every year.
This past month, College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) unveiled the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech building in partnership with Frontier Credit Union . This new chapter in workforce development and STEM education includes finishing the construction of the Future Tech Building at CEI, and creating the BEA Applied STEM Institute and Frontier Credit Union’s STEM Scholarship initiative. This is a major win for our community here in east Idaho!
The event featured remarks from CEI President Lori Donica-Barber, Ed.D. , INL Director John Wagner , Frontier Credit Union CEO Daniel Thurman , Idaho Rep. Wendy Horman , and Battelle Executive Vice President of Laboratory Operations Juan Alvarez .
Meet some of the talented INL experts charged with bringing the world's first test of a fast-spectrum, salt-fueled reactor design to life. Along with Southern Company , TerraPower and Core Power, researchers will use a mixture of molten sodium and uranium chloride salts to evaluate a molten chloride fast reactor right here at INL.
We gathered last month for a ribbon cutting at the new Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center, a collaboration between Idaho State University and INL, aiming to secure the U.S.'s critical materials supply chain. Critical materials are necessary for nuclear reactors, grid-scale energy storage, defense technologies and many of the technologies that make modern life possible. Formerly known as the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, this center will combine academic and research expertise to drive innovations in materials science and promote and enhance domestic extraction and production of critical materials.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming widely adopted across multiple industries, including the critical field of grid operations. The integration of AI into grid systems promises enhanced efficiency and reliability, but it also brings a host of new challenges. To address these challenges, INL has launched the Testing for AI Grid Resilience (TAIGR) initiative, a first-of-its-kind effort aimed at identifying and mitigating the risks of AI-enhanced grid management systems.
Researchers at INL and Argonne National Laboratory have created a new technology, called HydroBoost, that is helping optimize the hydropower industry. HydroBoost utilizes advanced forecasting methods to allow hydropower operators to make more informed decisions, maximize energy production, and capitalize on market fluctuations. This new technology integrates weather data, historical records, and machine learning algorithms to provide accurate and actionable insights, ultimately leading to increased revenue and better resource management for hydropower facilities.
INL recently hosted the first-ever National Laboratory Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roundtable event, bringing together AI leaders from eight national labs and research centers to align on standards, security and strategy for AI across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex. With event discussions ranging from enterprise architecture to legal guardrails and more, this collaboration is helping shape the future of AI in science and national security.
We recently hosted soldiers from the US Army 's 20th CBRNE Command for a radiological response field exercise. This partnership ensures Army Nuclear Disablement Teams are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed for mission success. INL has decades of nuclear and radiological expertise and unique operational capabilities, providing soldiers and other first responders with real-world exposure to nuclear technology, at-scale scenarios, and classroom instruction and support from world-class researchers.
Idaho Falls Power and INL, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ’s Water Power Technologies Office, have unveiled a new interactive exhibit in the city’s Heritage Park. The exhibit will promote understanding of hydropower and its importance to regional power generation.
BWXT began work on the reactor core for Project Pele’s mobile nuclear reactor, destined for INL. This project, led by the United States Department of War (DoD), aims to demonstrate a transportable microreactor which also has commercial applications in disaster response, remote power generation and more.
Aalo Atomics recently broke ground near INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex to start construction on Aalo-X, the first experimental extra modular nuclear reactor. Aalo plans to complete construction and operate this reactor by July 4, 2026. The reactor will be manufactured in Austin, Texas, then transported and installed.
In this month’s Research Highlights from INL: A look into high-temperature steam electrolysis for hydrogen production, understanding cesium transport in TRISO particle fuel, new spectrum waveform research and more.
INL staff specialist Darby Taylor was recognized for making a difference in our community by researching and taking the steps to set up successful local summer lunch program for kids ages 1-18. Her commitment to gather volunteers, find donors, advertise and more is a great example of community involvement and INL's values in action.
With summer drawing to a close, we hosted a career fair to provide our INL interns the opportunity to network with other lab professionals. This year, we have welcomed nearly 600 high school and university interns with education backgrounds in nuclear, national security, communications and more. INL internships provide students opportunities to collaborate with experts to develop innovative solutions for real-world applications.
Last month, our interns participated in a Team INL project at the Idaho Falls Zoo to paint a new exhibit currently under construction. The Team INL volunteer program offers opportunities like this one to dedicate time to community service projects. We value involvement within our community and building long-lasting relationships throughout it.
INL sponsored the 2025 American Nuclear Society Advances in Nuclear Fuel Management conference, showcasing recent research and discussing advanced nuclear fuels and artificial intelligence (AI) in fuel management. Along with Westinghouse Electric Company , we conducted a workshop on their machine learning-driven tools and our scientists demonstrated significant advancements in AI-assisted fuel reloading and core design optimization.
Meet INL scientist Pierre-Clément (PC) Simon . He studies fusion and fission energy materials and systems through modeling and simulations. PC leads advanced modeling efforts for light water reactor fuel performance, including the development of multiscale fission gas capabilities in the BISON fuel performance code. Additionally, he leads the development of software that is key to accelerating fusion energy deployment. His work exemplifies INL's commitment to advancing nuclear energy technologies.
Custom-built by INL engineers and sponsored by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and DHS Science and Technology Directorate , the Tiger Skid has arrived at Louisiana State University (LSU). This skid, a movable platform holding testing equipment, offers a unique training environment for critical energy infrastructure. It prepares students and industry professionals to defend against cyber threats. Installed at LSU's PERTT Lab, the Tiger Skid simulates real-world cyberattacks on oil and gas pipeline networks, enhancing skills in threat hunting, incident response, and cybersecurity. We're proud to support LSU in nurturing a cybersecure workforce to protect our nation's critical infrastructure.
You’ve probably heard the buzz around artificial intelligence, but did you know it’s transforming nuclear energy research right here at INL? Data scientist Drake Folks is exploring how AI is reshaping our daily lives and revolutionizing research at the lab. From optimizing reactor performance to predicting maintenance needs, AI is helping us unlock safer, smarter nuclear energy. We’re partnering with fortune 500 companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft to enable the AI capabilities necessary for nuclear reactor developers to bring their concepts to market faster.
During an annual all-team meeting, INL Information Technology Chief Information Officer Mark Holtermann asked employees to participate in a team building exercise to assemble several STEM projects, totaling 2,000 kits for the United Way of Eastern Idaho’s "Think, Make, Create" program. The kits will be distributed throughout this upcoming school year, providing Eastern Idaho students hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Battelle Energy Alliance, operator of INL for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) , is a proud supporter of this activity.
Actinides aren’t just elements—they’re the VIPs of nuclear science. From fueling advanced reactors to enabling next-gen recycling technologies, actinides help us unlock reliable and efficient energy solutions. INL researchers use these tiny heavyweights, like uranium and plutonium, to make big energy moves (with possibilities in other industries too)! By mastering actinide science, we’re driving the breakthroughs that keep advanced nuclear at the forefront of energy innovation.
At INL, our work is more than research, it’s a commitment to building a better future for our communities, our country and the world. At the heart of our mission, our innovations are shaping everyday life, from powering homes and protecting infrastructure to enabling deep space exploration and advancing recycling.
The world’s first nuclear influencer, Isabelle Boemeke (aka Isodope), visited us at the nation’s nuclear lab this week for a tour exploring where the next generation of nuclear reactors will be tested. She even had the opportunity to step into a Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL) hot cell where advanced nuclear fuels will be studied! Boemeke played a key role in the fight to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant open and continues to champion the need for nuclear energy to secure our energy future. She joined two panel discussions, where we unpacked why building trust and communicating boldly is just as critical as the science itself.
The National Reactor Innovation Center | NRIC at INL is accelerating construction of the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) to complete the much-anticipated test bed ahead of schedule. The facility will be operational and ready to accept its reactor test in spring 2026. DOME, the repurposed containment structure of EBR-II at INL, will be the first microreactor test bed in the world to safely house and test fueled experiments. It will provide reactor developers critical data for the advancement of American nuclear energy. Watch the videos below to see the hatch door being fitted and get a glimpse at what DOME will look like when it’s completed.
INL recently held an intern poster session where nearly 200 INL interns presented their accomplishments working with experts in their field of interest this summer. This event also featured an awards ceremony recognizing interns’ outstanding achievements. Watch to hear from both the winning intern and mentor.
The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI), in partnership with Battelle Energy Alliance and Frontier Credit Union recently unveiled a new chapter in workforce development and STEM education. This joint effort includes finishing construction on the Future Tech Building at CEI, and creating the BEA Applied STEM Institute and Frontier Credit Union’s STEM Scholarship initiative. The facility will be formally known as the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech building in partnership with Frontier Credit Union.
INL's Chief Grid Scientist, Emma Stewart , spoke at the S4x25 Industrial Control Systems Security Conference earlier this year. Stewart, an expert on supply challenges addressed the security risks of relying on Chinese-made components in battery storage systems and the need for practical ways to protect the electric grid without removing all existing systems. A suite of practical solutions—including cyber-informed engineering, fire safety upgrades, and inspection rights—are being deployed to reduce vulnerabilities while maintaining grid reliability.
INL's University Days 2025 event connected national labs, federal sponsors and university partners to showcase collaborative research programs, mission-centric capabilities, share info on internships and more.
We had a blast at our STEM Scholars Camp, welcoming nearly 300 students in grades 1-6! The camp offered hands-on activities designed to spark students’ interest in pursuing STEM education and careers. We interviewed a few of our youngest STEM experts to tell us about their projects.
Our experts at INL leverage unique capabilities, strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technologies to create solutions that enhance resource efficiency. Watch as INL researcher Meng Shi demonstrates the recovery of critical materials from spent lithium-ion batteries using a mediator-assisted electrochemical leaching process.
What does it take to protect an entire state with over 21 million people and miles of critical infrastructure from a cyberattack? Join INL Chief Homeland Security Advisor Ollie Gagnon as he shares insights from our groundbreaking cyber readiness assessment with Cyber Florida at USF: The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida . Gagnon talks about a nationally aligned platform that supports data driven recommendations.
We recently welcomed Kris Singh, CEO of Holtec International to present to our staff as part of our Director's Distinguished Lecture Series. He shared more on Holtec’s mission to make nuclear reactors walk-away safe, and insight into why they chose to partner with us at INL.
Electronic Development Technician at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
1moCongratulations! 👏