As a medical isotope, thorium-228 has a lot of potential – and Oak Ridge National Laboratory produces a lot.

That’s one reason ORNL researchers are especially excited about studies looking at different medical applications for the radioisotope. ORNL produces large quantities of Th-228 for the Department of Energy’s Isotope Program as a byproduct of actinium-227 production.

Moving to landlocked Tennessee isn’t an obvious choice for most scientists with new doctorate degrees in coastal oceanography.

But for environmental scientist Teresa Mathews, making that move launched a rewarding career at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she leads the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Group. As group leader, Mathews oversees diverse projects with a common theme: Understanding how different energy strategies impact the natural world – especially water.

Improved data, models and analyses from Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists and many other researchers in the latest global climate assessment report provide new levels of certainty about what the future holds for the planet and highlight the urgency of decarbonization to avoid the most severe impacts.

As the United States transitions to clean energy, the country has an ambitious goal: cut carbon dioxide emissions in half by the year 2030, if not before. One of the solutions to help meet this challenge is found at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of the Better Plants Program.

The receipt of a nuclear fuel canister is boosting the research of an Oak Ridge National Laboratory team investigating methods to help the nation effectively dispose of nuclear waste for the long term.