Science & Technology https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us PNNL energy grid tool goes to market A tool developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory aimed at helping utilities evaluate and identify problems with power plants as they respond to power grid disturbances is going commercial.

A tool developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory aimed at helping utilities evaluate and identify problems with power plants as they respond to power grid disturbances is going commercial. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8402 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-energy-grid-tool-goes-to-market Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland Pretreatment facility restarts at Hanford site The system that pretreats hazardous tank waste at the Hanford site before it can be transformed into glass is back online after a more than six-month shutdown. The system that pretreats hazardous tank waste at the Hanford site before it can be transformed into glass is back online after a more than six-month shutdown. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8401 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pretreatment-facility-restarts-at-hanford-site Vit plant July 26 PNNL researchers reflect on national security, safety efforts since 9/11 Twenty-five years ago, the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City deeply impacted communities and families across the nation. It also changed the course of numerous institutions and organizations, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has innovated various technologies and efforts for national security and safety to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. Twenty-five years ago, the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City deeply impacted communities and families across the nation.  
It also changed the course of numerous institutions and organizations, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has innovated various technologies and efforts for national security and safety to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8386 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-researchers-reflect-on-national-security-safety-efforts-since-9-11 PNNL-911 Amazon works to stem data center fears at Burbank open house ty@tcjournal.biz Amazon hosted an open house in Burbank about its proposed data center in the Wallula Gap. Attendees questioned Amazon staff about reported issues connected to the company’s other data center facilities and shared their reservations about the project.

 

Amazon hosted an open house in Burbank about its proposed data center in the Wallula Gap. Attendees questioned Amazon staff about reported issues connected to the company’s other data center facilities and shared their reservations about the project. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8340 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8340-amazon-works-to-stem-data-center-fears-at-burbank-open-house AmazonOpenHouse Forget the Band-Aid: this concrete from PNNL heals itself The days of having to worry about a crack in a concrete wall or driveway may soon become a thing of a past, thanks to a new self-healing material developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The days of having to worry about a crack in a concrete wall or driveway may soon become a thing of a past, thanks to a new self-healing material developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8356 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/forget-the-band-aid-this-concrete-from-pnnl-heals-itself Molecular-Velcro PNNL at forefront of nuclear rebirth As nuclear energy continues its nascent rise across the country, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory find themselves entrenched in various efforts aimed at growing and advancing the power source. As nuclear energy continues its nascent rise across the country, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory find themselves entrenched in various efforts aimed at growing and advancing the power source. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8353 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-at-forefront-of-nuclear-rebirth Nuclear-Power-Plant-Restarts WSU offering master’s in AI As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, Washington State University is offering a new master’s degree starting this fall to help students meet industry demands. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, Washington State University is offering a new master’s degree starting this fall to help students meet industry demands. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8307 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8307-wsu-offering-masters-in-ai AI-Master-Degree AG: $700M settlement reached in Google antitrust lawsuit If you use an Android device, the Washington state attorney general and a coalition of other state justice officials may have just secured you a few bucks of compensation. If you use an Android device, the Washington state attorney general and a coalition of other state justice officials may have just secured you a few bucks of compensation. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8287 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ag-700m-settlement-reached-in-google-antitrust-lawsuit stock-market investing retirement DOE pushes for expanded Hanford grouting, awards $4B in contracts ty@tcjournal.biz The U.S. Department of Energy has officially reclassified some waste being stored in tanks at the Hanford site, paving the way for it to be treated by a means different than vitrification. The U.S. Department of Energy has officially reclassified some waste being stored in tanks at the Hanford site, paving the way for it to be treated by a means different than vitrification.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8244 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/expanded-hanford-waste-grouting Hanford Grouting Benton County follows Kennewick with crypto kiosk ban ty@tcjournal.biz Cryptocurrency continues to face pressure in the Mid-Columbia from government officials concerned about its use by criminals to allegedly scam residents. Cryptocurrency continues to face pressure in the Mid-Columbia from government officials concerned about its use by criminals to allegedly scam residents.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8192 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/benton-crypto-ban Crypto-Machine Next-generation rooftop HVAC systems near commercial rollout Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and their partners have been working on the next generation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units and are now ensuring they provide the energy efficiency and reliability they were designed for. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and their partners have been working on the next generation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units and are now ensuring they provide the energy efficiency and reliability they were designed for.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8191 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-hvac HVAC Technology Lower Energy Costs ‘The Oregon Trail, but for fish’ You may not be able to die of dysentery in a new video game recently developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, but its aquatic setting is no less perilous. You may not be able to die of dysentery in a new video game recently developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, but its aquatic setting is no less perilous. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8226 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/the-oregon-trail-but-for-fish Fish Trails Rising tension in central WA as farmland is eyed for energy and data center projects Klickitat County is covered by rolling hills of hay production, vineyards and grazing livestock. But the county, which is roughly the size of Delaware and has about 24,300 residents, is also an epicenter in the region’s battles over clean energy facilities and more recently, data centers. Klickitat County is covered by rolling hills of hay production, vineyards and grazing livestock. But the county, which is roughly the size of Delaware and has about 24,300 residents, is also an epicenter in the region’s battles over clean energy facilities and more recently, data centers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8204 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/rising-tension-in-central-wa-as-farmland-is-eyed-for-energy-and-data-center-projects Nine Canyon Wind Project Amazon to host Wallula Gap data center open house ty@tcjournal.biz Amazon will host a community open house for its proposed data center near the Tri-Cities at Wallula Gap for those interested in learning about the project. Amazon will host a community open house for its proposed data center near the Tri-Cities at Wallula Gap for those interested in learning about the project. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8199 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazon-to-host-wallula-gap-data-center-open-house Amazon Data Hanford site team, partners complete melter test ahead of schedule Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule. Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8177 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hanford-site-team-partners-complete-melter-test-ahead-of-schedule Hanfored_Vitreous_Lab PNNL, Amazon look at AI to solve grid challenges Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming up with one of Amazon’s companies to find artificial intelligence tools that can help make the electric grid more reliable and secure. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming up with one of Amazon’s companies to find artificial intelligence tools that can help make the electric grid more reliable and secure. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8166 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-amazon-look-at-ai-to-solve-grid-challenges Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland WSU unveils AI-focused career certificate programs Washington State University’s Carson College of Business now has opportunities for those looking to bolster their skills or break into new roles in the realms of artificial intelligence, automation, analytics and project management. Washington State University’s Carson College of Business now has opportunities for those looking to bolster their skills or break into new roles in the realms of artificial intelligence, automation, analytics and project management. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8155 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wsu-unveils-ai-focused-career-certificate-programs Work-From-Home Effort to end AI-driven Medicare program fails ty@tcjournal.biz A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being. A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8152 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/effort-to-end-ai-driven-medicare-program-fails Hospital-Stock A call to accelerate Hanford cleanup now For the first time in years, we have a realistic opportunity to move much faster, without sacrificing safety or effectiveness. The only unacceptable option now is inaction. For the first time in years, we have a realistic opportunity to move much faster, without sacrificing safety or effectiveness. The only unacceptable option now is inaction.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8084 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/walsh-july-2026 TimWalsh.jpg PNNL, OpenAI team up on AI tool for federal permitting Environmental impact statements can take federal agencies months or years to draft. A new tool from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and OpenAI is testing whether AI can speed that process up – without cutting corners on rigor. Environmental impact statements can take federal agencies months or years to draft. A new tool from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and OpenAI is testing whether AI can speed that process up – without cutting corners on rigor.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8071 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8071-pnnl-openai-team-up-on-ai-tool-for-federal-permitting PNNL AI composite image $51.3M deal advances Atlas Agro’s fertilizer plant, data center plans rachel@tcjournal.biz A Swiss company’s plans for a zero-carbon fertilizer plant and a data center north of Richland are moving forward despite citizens voicing concerns about the projects. A Swiss company’s plans for a zero-carbon fertilizer plant and a data center north of Richland are moving forward despite citizens voicing concerns about the projects. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8066 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/deal-advances-atlas-agros-fertilizer-plant Atlas-Agro-fertilizer-plant-rendering A rare look at the lab driving Hanford’s cleanup rachel@tcjournal.biz Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory celebrates 75 years as nuclear waste cleanup accelerates and DOE moves toward a new operating contract. Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory celebrates 75 years as nuclear waste cleanup accelerates and DOE moves toward a new operating contract.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8065 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/222-s-lab-turns-75 222S-Laboratory Who needs an attorney when you’ve got AI? Be careful what you ask AI, because what you ask and what AI answers may come back to bite you later. Be careful what you ask AI, because what you ask and what AI answers may come back to bite you later.


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8056 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/meehan-july-2026 SheaMeehan.jpg DOE pushes dual-path Hanford cleanup plan ty@tcjournal.biz Months after denying a strategy shift, DOE is advancing a plan to grout more Hanford tank waste instead of vitrifying it – drawing state and watchdog pushback. Months after denying a strategy shift, DOE is advancing a plan to grout more Hanford tank waste instead of vitrifying it – drawing state and watchdog pushback.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8107 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8107-doe-pushes-dual-path-hanford-cleanup-plan Vit plant July 26 Washington college grads adapt to AI-era job market Software development consistently ranks among the jobs that artificial intelligence is most likely to displace over the next decade, with customer service, graphic design, accounting and data entry also topping the vulnerability lists. Entry-level workers and those in Generation Z — people in their teens and 20s today — also could be hit hard, as experts predict AI will most easily automate the type of repetitive work they tend to do starting out. Software development consistently ranks among the jobs that artificial intelligence is most likely to displace over the next decade, with customer service, graphic design, accounting and data entry also topping the vulnerability lists. Entry-level workers and those in Generation Z — people in their teens and 20s today — also could be hit hard, as experts predict AI will most easily automate the type of repetitive work they tend to do starting out.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8037 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washington-college-grads-adapt-to-ai-era-job-market Artificial-intelligence-AI Federal energy bill brings mixed news for Hanford, PNNL workers ty@tcjournal.biz Thousands of Tri-Cities workers at the Hanford nuclear site and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are watching a federal budget process that could determine whether a second consecutive year of deep job cuts can be avoided. Thousands of Tri-Cities workers at the Hanford nuclear site and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are watching a federal budget process that could determine whether a second consecutive year of deep job cuts can be avoided.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7990 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/federal-energy-bill-brings-mixed-news-for-hanford-pnnl-workers Hanford-Vit-Plant AI could help PNNL pack more nuclear waste into glass rachel@tcjournal.biz With the help of artificial intelligence, research from scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland could help optimize the vitrification of nuclear waste at Hanford and other nuclear sites. With the help of artificial intelligence, research from scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland could help optimize the vitrification of nuclear waste at Hanford and other nuclear sites.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7961 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-nuclear-waste-glass PNNL-Vitrification-Xiaonan-Lu Pasco schools to begin $13.6 million in classroom upgrades ty@tcjournal.biz Pasco School District has kicked off projects aimed at supporting career and technical education, or CTE, in its high schools using proceeds from the bond approved by voters three years ago. Pasco School District has kicked off projects aimed at supporting career and technical education, or CTE, in its high schools using proceeds from the bond approved by voters three years ago.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7953 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/psd-cte-projects PHS_Remodle_2026 PNNL, partners release guide for data center development As data centers increasingly dominate conversations around the country, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two partners have published a one-stop shop to help guide development. As data centers increasingly dominate conversations around the country, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two partners have published a one-stop shop to help guide development. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7982 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pnnl-partners-release-guide-for-data-center-development Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland Data centers are driving demand for gas from Northwest utilities, reports find abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Hermiston is one of six utilities across Washington and Oregon that have absorbed the bulk of energy demands of data centers in the region. A growing number of utilities are using booming data center demand to justify skirting climate rules in both states that mostly ban the build-out of new gas infrastructure, citing the need for regional energy reliability. Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Hermiston is one of six utilities across Washington and Oregon that have absorbed the bulk of energy demands of data centers in the region. A growing number of utilities are using booming data center demand to justify skirting climate rules in both states that mostly ban the build-out of new gas infrastructure, citing the need for regional energy reliability. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7957 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/data-centers-are-driving-demand-for-gas-from-northwest-utilities-reports-find Data-center