National Renewable Energy Laboratory

It has been a great day with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Wright hearing from NREL researchers and scientists about the groundbreaking work coming from the lab. NREL’s work to address the entire energy spectrum from generation to distribution to end use will increase the abundance and security of our nation’s energy.

We are excited to have U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright join us today at our Golden, Colorado campus. We look forward to showcasing the unique role NREL plays in bridging foundational research with real-world applications—highlighting not only our broad array of energy technologies and resilient systems, but also the experts whose passion and innovation drive this work forward.

How can autonomous experimentation transform materials science and chemistry? By leveraging AI and automation, researchers could optimize processes and test their hypotheses faster than ever before. Join leading experts at our Autonomous Research for Real-World Science Workshop on May 19-21 to discuss how these technologies are shaping the future of scientific discovery. Learn more and register to attend ➡️ https://bit.ly/3FHvecV

IN2’s 10th year was not about celebration—it was about action. The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) expanded its reach in 2024, launching a new track to accelerate technology adoption while continuing to support startups developing cutting-edge solutions. The Scalable Tech Track engaged 10 partners to tackle deployment challenges, culminating in a pitch competition that awarded $750,000 for pilot projects. Meanwhile, three new startups joined IN2’s portfolio, receiving research and development support at NREL. They enter an elite network—IN2’s 74 portfolio companies have collectively raised more than $2.5 billion in follow-on capital. By bridging startups, adopters, and industry leaders, IN2 is turning big ideas into real-world impact. Read the 2024 annual report ➡️ https://bit.ly/42kAdIe

Growing up, Effie Kisgeropoulos used a small telescope to catch a glimpse of faraway constellations in the night sky. Today, as an NREL researcher, she uses an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer to peer into the minute interactions between subatomic particles. Learn about Effie’s unique journey from curious homeschooler to passionate bioscience researcher here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iSkrv4

For the Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL (GCxN), which started in 2018, 2024 was a year marked by innovation and growth, made possible through an expanded agreement between Shell and NREL. With the addition of four companies in Cohort 6, our portfolio now totals 23 companies including 17 graduates, two of whom successfully graduated just this year: Induction Food Systems and Resonant Link. Also, for the first time, GCxN is offering strategic awards for competitively selected channel partners to undertake initiatives that advance shared priorities. We have also coalesced a global network of entrepreneurial support organizations to help promising startups—regardless of location—obtain funding, connections, and market access necessary to encourage their success. Looking forward, we are excited to welcome our new startups in Cohort 7 who begin their onboarding journey this April! Read the 2024 GCxN Year in Review,https://bit.ly/42kqbHW

Join us for the Autonomous Research for Real-World Science Workshop on May 19-21. This event will bring together experts in materials science, chemistry, and automation to explore how autonomous experimentation can accelerate scientific discovery. AI-driven autonomy in materials science could offer a path to new discoveries that enhance the performance, cost-effectiveness, and resilience of energy materials. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3FHvecV

We’re thrilled to share that NREL researcher Steven R. Spurgeon has been awarded the Burton Medal— the highest honor for early-career scientists in microscopy! Spurgeon’s innovative research blends AI with microscopy, speeding up experiments and unlocking new possibilities for energy materials. His work demonstrates how AI can help to accelerate scientific discovery. Learn more about his inspiring journey and vision for the future of microscopy ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iEyQen

🌱✨ These Populus saplings do more than bring good vibes to our greenhouse— they’re helping us understand the composition of plants’ support structures at an atomic level! The trees contain a unique carbon marker that our researchers use to study the building blocks of wood. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which is similar to an MRI, they mapped out the arrangement of the trees’ polymers—leading to the creation of the VERY FIRST computational atomistic model of the plant’s secondary wall! Check out the model here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iALZVK

NREL researchers set new records in FY 2024, submitting 294 innovations and securing 46 patents through our Technology Transfer Office. Their work is leading the charge toward more affordable, secure energy solutions, one breakthrough at a time. From cybersecurity to solar energy, read about a few of these patents ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iqNs0G