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 …
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 …
Imagine if cells and computers could talk. That might allow doctors to implant patients with a single programmed cell capable of measuring health data, such as blood sugar or hormone levels, and communicating those results in real-time. With no delay for tests or lab work, intervention could be immediate. Nicole McFarlane, an associate professor of …
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 …
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 …
Vanshika Singh, a Ph.D. student in Energy Science and Engineering at the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Bredesen Center at UT Knoxville, hopes to work in a national laboratory or in an industry where she can design lower-emission energy systems for high-temperature applications. “My research revolves around developing novel structural designs for energy systems, like coal-biomass …
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. UT-ORII is leading the research aspect of the project with Tom Zawodzinski, UT Knoxville-Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Governor’s Chair for Electrical Energy Conversion and Storage heading the effort. The …
Tennessee Partners Launch ‘Second-Life’ Battery Project Read More »
Erica Grant is the inventor and founder of Quantum Lock Technologies LLC. Grant’s company uses quantum physics to create better security for door locks and equipment access in facilities that store proprietary information, or which may be at risk for terrorist attacks. Now in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory‘s Innovation Crossroads program, Grant completed her …
Erica Grant – Inventor and Founder of Quantum Lock Technologies LLC Read More »
Upfront Funding Accelerates Plans to Make Tennessee Hub for STEM Talent KNOXVILLE, TN – April 22, 2022 —The Tennessee General Assembly included $72 million for the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute in its approved FY22-23 state budget Thursday. This contribution completes the state’s $80 million commitment in the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory …
State of Tennessee Approves $72 million for UT-ORII Read More »
UT-ORII is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-ORII is an E-Verify employer.