ORNL is the DOE’s largest science laboratory. Six core competencies underpin activities at ORNL - neutron science, leadership computing and simulation science, energy engineering sciences, advanced materials and interfacial chemical processes, biological and environmental systems, and science and technology for national security.
ORNL has applied substantial resources to modernize its facilities and infrastructure to ensure continued support of the science mission in these areas. Today, many of ORNL’s scientific facilities are new or have been recently upgraded. However this is not the case for facilities housing the materials and chemical sciences organizations, the Chemical Sciences and Materials Science and Technology Divisions.
The Modernization of Laboratory Facilities (MLF) Project will provide modern, 21st-century laboratories and associated space for support functions for materials and chemical research and development. In addition to the research laboratories, the facility will include lab offices for researchers, small group conference rooms, equipment areas, restrooms, circulation space and needed supporting infrastructure. The project's objective is to provide 120,000 - 160,000 gsf of modern laboratories for material and chemical research and development. The MLF will be designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Efficiency Design (LEED) Gold Certification.