RICHLAND, WA--Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have been recognized for developing four of the 100 most significant innovations of 2000. These technologies are reducing harmful exhaust emissions, improving energy efficiency in factories, improving the quality of glass and metal products, and helping to quickly locate and monitor nearly anything from produce to people.

PNNL's winning technologies for 2000 include: materials that convert harmful engine emissions into components of clean air; a suite of analysis procedures, software and hardware that can reduce energy and maintenance costs of factory equipment by as much as 25 to 50 percent; long-range semi-passive radio frequency identification systems; and a high-temperature viscosity measurement technology for molten materials.