What did the declassified documents reveal?

AARO's Supplement to ORNL's Analysis of a Metallic Specimen, released through The Black Vault, is a companion to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) synopsis of the same metallic specimen. This document, dated July 2024, is a supplement to the ORNL analysis, providing historical context to account for the specimen's likely origin. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) contracted with ORNL to conduct materials testing on a magnesium (Mg) alloy specimen in 2022. The specimen has been publicly alleged to be a component recovered from a crashed extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, purportedly exhibiting extraordinary properties, such as functioning as a terahertz waveguide to generate antigravity capabilities. ORNL produced a summary of findings in April 2024, documenting the laboratory's methodology to assess the specimen's elemental and structural characteristics. AARO concurs with ORNL's assessment that the specimen is terrestrial in origin and does not meet the theoretical requirements to function as a terahertz (THz) waveguide. AARO contracted with ORNL to conduct materials measurements to determine whether the specimen is of terrestrial origin and whether it could serve as a THz waveguide. ORNL measured the isotopic ratios of Mg and lead (Pb) in the specimen and compared the values against mass standards. The specimen's Mg isotopic composition falls within the expected values for a terrestrial material that has undergone kinetic fractionation, suggesting likely terrestrial origin. Its Pb isotopic ratio is consistent with ratios found in terrestrial lead, further supporting this conclusion. ORNL found the isotopic composition of this material to be unremarkable. The specimen's Mg and Pb ratios fall within the standard values for manufactured materials, indicating that it is not a unique or unusual material. Elemental and structural analysis can help determine whether a structure has the characteristics of a waveguide. A waveguide is a structure that bounds and directs the propagation of waves. Waveguides are instrumental to many technologies. ORNL measured the specimen's top layer's elemental composition and crystal structure and found bismuth (Bi) colocated with nearly equal parts Pb. High-resolution elemental mapping shows repeating layers of Bi and Pb banding throughout the specimen and zinc (Zn) concentration varying from 1-4 wt%. Structural analysis shows columnar Mg grains perpendicular to the Bi and Pb banding. According to Podolskiy et al., Bi can theoretically function as a waveguide when it exists as a single crystalline layer between surfaces with sufficient dielectric () constants. As a single crystalline layer, Bi displays anisotropic  properties. Anisotropic  properties cause electromagnetic waves to propagate non-uniformly across different axes. Podolskiy et al. assert that a monocrystalline layer of Bi has sufficient  anisotropy to guide THz frequency waves. This specimen's intermixed composition of Pb…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

Case · DAILY-026

AARO's Supplement to ORNL's Analysis of a Metallic Specimen

JUL 5 · 2026Narrated by daily-declassified-aaro-s-supplement-to-ornl-s-analysis-of-a-metallic-specime8 minLast updated July 5, 2026

The short version

AARO's Supplement to ORNL's Analysis of a Metallic Specimen, released through The Black Vault, is a companion to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) synopsis of the same metallic specimen. This document, dated July 2024, is a supplement to the ORNL analysis, providing historical context to account for the specimen's likely origin.

Date: JUL 5 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

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What was AARO's Supplement to ORNL's Analysis of a Metallic Specimen about?: AARO's Supplement to ORNL's Analysis of a Metallic Specimen, released through The Black Vault, is a companion to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) synopsis of the same metallic specimen. This document, dated July 2024, is a supplement to the ORNL analysis, providing historical context to account for the specimen's likely origin.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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