Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory said UT and ORNL are working together to try to find a solution to the world's energy crisis at a lecture Wednesday. Dr. Thom Mason spoke as part of the College of Engineering Distinguished Lecturer Series.

"Energy has moved to the top of the international policy agenda," Mason said. "We have a more complex problem now."

According to Mason, the heart of the problem is the world's use of energy, specifically fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels leads to CO2 emissions, and America is currently leading the world in CO2 emissions. Mason said the only solution is to use less oil and find other sources of energy.

Energy has moved to the top of the international policy agenda, we have a more complex problem now. Dr. Thom Mason, director of ORNL "ORNL is uniquely positioned to deliver science and technology for energy," said Mason.

ORNL is partnering with UT to research alternative energy sources. ORNL also offers opportunities for students to get involved in this research, Mason said.

ORNL is researching the use of ethanol and other substances to help find a solution to the energy crisis.

Mason said even with continued research, this is not a problem that will be solved in the next four or eight years.