NEWS

Recent News

  • GPSAW 2023: Bingrui Li
    “Being able to work in UT and ORNL simultaneously is a game changer for my research,” Bingrui Li said.   Li is pursuing a doctorate […]
  • GPSAW 2023: Maggie Spangler
    Maggie Spangler is an East Tennessee native and has been curious about science her whole life. That curiosity led her to the University of Tennessee, […]
  • GPSAW 2023: Emily Herron
    PhD student Emily Herron wants to design machine learning systems that can help solve scientific mysteries. She is pursuing her doctorate through the University of […]
  • GPSAW 2023: Zabrenna Griffiths
    Zabrenna Griffiths is using bioremediation to address pollution and other environmental issues. She is pursuing her doctorate in the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute […]
  • GPSAW 2023: Stephen Fatokun
    Stephen Fatokun is working on ways to keep the electrical power grid secure and reliable. He is pursuing a doctorate through the University of Tennessee-Oak […]
  • GPSAW 2023: Enzo Dinglasan
    Enzo Dinglasan is working on ways to advance biomanufacturing, the harnessing of biological systems that run on renewable feedstocks, like glucose or carbon dioxide, to […]
  • GPSAW 2023: James Brackett
    James Brackett wants to develop new technology and materials for 3D printing. He focuses on thermoplastic composites, plastics filled with another material such as carbon […]
  • Mina Sartipi Uses ‘Smart City’ Research to Improve City Life
    What if your vehicle could “converse” with city streets or highways to help ensure traffic flows safely and with maximum efficiency? Or if your electric […]
  • Tennessee Partners Launch ‘Second-Life’ Battery Project
    UT-ORII is teaming up with Nissan, Middle Tennessee Electric, Tennessee State University and Seven States Power Corporation to launch an innovative second-life battery storage project. […]
  • Tony Schmitz to Help Revive US Mfg, Machine Tool Industry
    Tony Schmitz is working to help rebuild America’s manufacturing industry. A University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute fellow, Schmitz is a professor in UT Knoxville’s […]
  • State of Tennessee Approves $72 million for UT-ORII
    Upfront Funding Accelerates Plans to Make Tennessee Hub for STEM Talent KNOXVILLE, TN – April 22, 2022 —The Tennessee General Assembly included $72 million for […]
  • UT-ORII Executive Director Joan Bienvenue is Ready for the Marathon
    Whether at work or enjoying her downtime, Joan Bienvenue is a marathoner. Bienvenue has just completed her first year as the first executive director of […]

Power Players


  • Power Player: Tomonori Saito

    Power Player: Tomonori Saito

    From upcycling polymers to making ultra-tough adhesives, much of Tomonori Saito’s research has focused on making stronger and more functional polymer materials that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. “We tailor polymer chemistry for many energy-related applications such as plastic recycling, batteries, building materials, and manufacturing,” said Saito, who is a senior scientist at Oak […]

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  • Power Player: Jian Liu

    Power Player: Jian Liu

    In 2021, more than 1,862 data breaches affected nearly 294 million Americans.  This is troublesome for researchers working with machine learning since they use enormous data sets which may contain sensitive personal information.  Jian Liu, an assistant professor in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, is looking for a reliable […]

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  • Power Player: Luke Scime

    Power Player: Luke Scime

    Luke Scime, an associate staff scientist and part of the energy systems analytics team, is one of three new University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute fellows. He uses complex algorithms to program computers to use artificial intelligence to search for flaws in 3D printed items. Appointed for one-year renewable terms, UT-ORII Fellows are responsible for […]

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  • Power Player: Tony Schmitz

    Power Player: Tony Schmitz

    Schmitz is working to help rebuild America’s manufacturing industry.A University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute fellow, Schmitz is a professor in Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee‘s Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering and joint faculty for Oak Ridge National Laboratory‘s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. He focuses on manufacturing research in support of the […]

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  • Power Player: John Brantley

    Power Player: John Brantley

    Plastic is everywhere―from food and drink containers to kids’ toys to car parts.  “We produce billions of tons of plastic waste every year, and many of these materials end up in landfills and they eventually infiltrate the environment,” said Brantley, an assistant professor of chemistry. His StART project focuses on developing new techniques for breaking […]

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  • Power Player: Mike Kilbey

    Power Player: Mike Kilbey

    Designing New Materials for Energy, Sustainability, Additive Manufacturing UT Knoxville Chemistry Professor Mike Kilbey received one of UT-ORII’s first seed grants, right after the institute launched. That funding, renewed for 2022, was used to bring together a team of UT faculty, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers and PhD students specializing in polymer synthesis, computation and […]

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Media Contact:

Bridget Waller
Director of Communications, UT-ORII
bwaller5@tennessee.edu
Phone:  865-466-2649

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PUBLICATIONS

To learn more about the creation of UT-ORII, download the 2019 UT-ORNL Steering Committee’s Dec. 31, 2019, report.

Download the Recommendations of the Steering Committee (PDF)