How to Work With Us

Industrial and other agency scientist and engineers can collaborate with the Diffraction and Thermophysical Properties Group staff and facilities through a number of mechanisms. The list below describes the most commonly used mechanisms available at ORNL. In each case a link to background information and/or detailed instructions for user proposals is provided. If there are any questions concerning which is most appropriate for your situation please contact Camden Hubbard, Group Leader, or any of the staff directly.

1. High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML) User and Fellowship Programs
   (DOE-EE-Office of Transportation Technologies)
   • Users conducting nonproprietary research must agree that results will be submitted for publication in the open literature no more that 6 months after such research is concluded, and must be co-authored by the appropriate HTML researchers. Nonproprietary research at the HTML is usually conducted at no direct cost to the user, although occasionally charges are assessed for unusual services.
   • Users conducting proprietary research must pay a full cost recovery fee. In proprietary projects all the data and results are the property of the user and there is no publication requirement.
   
   
2. Metals-Processing Laboratory User Center (MPLUS)
   (DOE-EE-Office of Industrial Technology)
   
   • Provides access to the specialized technical expertise and equipment needed to solve metals processing issues. Projects requiring both MPLUS and HTML capabilities are welcome.
   
   
3. Work for Others
   
   • This mechanism is used for direct contract work between industry or other federal agency with ORNL. The proposed characterization and research must be jointly agreed upon and funded by the sponsoring organization.
   Examples of projects recently conducted are:
   • Aircraft engine fan blade hub
   • NAVAIR stator vane segment
   • Sandia National Laboratory - reactor core shroud residual stresses
   • NASA - Ti-Al-O
   
   
4. Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technologies (ORCMT) - Technical Assistance Program
   
   
5. Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA)
   
   • Reynolds Metal Company
   
   
6. DOE Projects
   • A portion of the research time of the group is devoted to DOE projects. Recent DOE projects are described in Group Research Programs.
   
   
7. Support from other ORNL research activities
   
   • Other researchers at ORNL can utilize the expertise and facilities of the Group through sponsored collaborative research and/or being trained in use of our facilities and using them independently at agreed upon times.
   Examples of a few of these interactions are:
   
   • Thermophysical properties for casting modeling - S. Viswanathan (Metals & Ceramics Division)
   • DOE-BES programs - Michael Hu (Chem Tech Division)
   • DOE System of Laboratories - Phil Maziasz (Metals & Ceramics Division)