Oak Ridge National Laboratory officially opened its 100,000-square-foot Translational Research Capability facility in Tennessee, uniting multidisciplinary scientists to accelerate breakthroughs in quantum computing, advanced materials, and next-generation battery storage just hundreds of yards from the historic Graphite Reactor.
Consolidating Battery Research Inside an Ultra-Arid Dry Room
The newly operational facility houses one of the driest laboratory environments in the entire Department of Energy complex. Engineered specifically for battery synthesis, the ultra-specialized dry room maintains a dew point of minus 75 degrees and a moisture concentration of only 20 parts per million.
The atmosphere is so devoid of moisture that researchers feel the air pulling hydration from their mouths and skin. Consequently, strict buddy-system safety protocols and limited shift durations are required to prevent dehydration. Materials scientist Andrew Westover noted that while the battery portfolio previously spanned 10 different laboratories, the consolidation allows teams to scale up manufacturing from microscopic atomic arrangements to thousands of daily experimental coin batteries.
Powering Electric Vehicles, Smartphones, and AI Data Centers
Inside the battery labs, scientists manufacture next-generation solid-state and lithium-ion cells targeted at electric vehicles, smartphones, and aviation. The facility also addresses surging energy demands driven by the artificial intelligence sector.
A prototype redox flow battery sits tucked in a laboratory corner, serving as a large-scale storage system designed to stabilize power grids and back up massive data centers. According to Westover, the redox flow system specifically addresses the ongoing AI revolution by helping manage power consumption and improving overall grid reliability.
Deploying the Pathfinder Quantum Computing Testbed
Beyond energy storage, the Translational Research Capability building functions as the nerve center for the laboratory’s quantum information science initiatives. The structure features specialized quantum labs purpose-built to isolate sensitive equipment from outside electromagnetic noise and ground vibration.
Teams deployed the “Pathfinder” quantum computing testbed inside the building a few months ago, allowing computer scientists, material scientists, and experimentalists to collaborate under one roof. Gina Tourassi, Associate Laboratory Director for Computing and Computational Sciences, stated that the multidisciplinary approach is vital for making quantum computing the next important chapter in scientific computing.
Timeline for a Large-Scale Scientific Quantum Computer
Scientists and researchers have set a long-term goal to deploy a large-scale scientific quantum computer dedicated to open science within the next five to 10 years. Tourassi explained that the institution has historically deployed “serial number one” technologies at the bleeding edge, and quantum computing is viewed as the next frontier for accelerating discoveries across chemistry, physics, and national energy priorities.
Details of the Translational Research Capability facility
What is the size of the Translational Research Capability facility?
The facility spans 100,000 square feet and is located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
How dry is the facility’s specialized battery synthesis room?
The dry room maintains a dew point of minus 75 degrees and a moisture concentration of 20 parts per million, making it one of the most arid working environments in the Department of Energy complex.
What is the Pathfinder testbed used for?
The Pathfinder is a quantum computing testbed deployed inside the facility’s vibration- and electromagnetic-isolated labs to support quantum information science research.
What is the long-term timeline for quantum computing at the facility?
Researchers plan to deploy a large-scale scientific quantum computer dedicated to open science within the next five to 10 years.