Small, modular nuclear fission reactors are emerging as a resilient energy option, offering a scalable, cost-effective path to reliable power for remote or infrastructure-limited locations. However, these advanced reactor facilities typically run hotter and longer than conventional light water reactors, so they will require a new type of nuclear fuel tough enough to withstand harsher operating conditions. Through a Strategic Partnership Project with micronuclear reactor startup AMPERA, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) engineers are applying a novel metallic-particle
While quantum computing could be the future, it is currently plagued by finicky hardware. To make the technology practical, researchers must demonstrate that it consistently and continuously works and performs at scale. In a new study, published in Physical Review Letters, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Ion Storage Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado, created a robust process for entangling trapped-ion qubits. The result means better building blocks for ion-based quantum computers. The approach creates a
"The history of failure in war can almost be summed up in two words: too late." General Douglas MacArthur's warning underscored the urgency and importance of the first Decision Superiority Summit, hosted this summer by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where Department of War (DOW) decision makers, scientists, engineers and analysts explored how computer modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and high-performance computing can enable faster, better-informed decisions in the increasingly competitive technological arena of near-peer conflict. "The
Astronomers can't see dark matter directly, but know it's there: its gravity shapes galaxies and the large-scale structure of the cosmos. In an effort to uncover the composition of this hidden mass, a team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is pursuing evidence of these particles that exist beyond the standard model of physics. In a new experimental campaign called Magnetometry for Neutrino physics (Magneto-ν), scientists at LLNL are searching for the sterile neutrino using nuclear beta decays of plutonium-241. This hypothetical neutrino species is significantly heavier than
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have found that implosions designed for inertial fusion energy (IFE) can tolerate significant imperfections before performance abruptly declines, a finding that could inform the design of fuel targets for future fusion power plants. The findings were detailed in a paper titled "Robustness of inertial fusion energy relevant implosions to low-mode asymmetries," published recently in Physics of Plasmas and selected for the journal's cover. The study was led by LLNL physicist Timothy Johnson, who directed the research and analysis
The FlowVAM system eliminates the need to manually exchange print volume in Tomographic Volumetric Additive Manufacturing and incorporates in situ metrology, yielding a 200-fold improvement in part production rates. Image credit: Hazel Rose Galvan/LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists and engineers have earned six R&D 100 Awards, which recognize the top 100 inventions worldwide. LLNL was the lead laboratory on four of the winning inventions and contributed to two multi-lab invention wins. Often called the "Oscars of innovation," the trade journal R&D World Magazine
For the second summer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) Space Science Institute (SSI) welcomed undergraduate and graduate students to a 10-week internship exploring astronomy, cosmochemistry and astrophysics. Throughout the summer, the 2026 student cohort worked alongside their LLNL mentors on projects reflecting the variety of capabilities available onsite at the Laboratory. "Here at the Lab, there is a huge breadth of research that lives under space science — from performing astrophysical data analysis with LLNL's high-performance computers to characterizing an instrument
At the bottom of the ocean, optical fibers transmit telecommunications and internet data across the world. Waveguides make that feat possible by channeling and amplifying the light — and therefore the data within — over enormous distances. And the technology goes beyond undersea cables. Waveguiding optics are among the most important advances in photonics since the invention of the laser. They are fundamental to the structure of glass fiber lasers, which are used for high-power national security applications like counter-drone laser systems and missile defense. Now, researchers at
The Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF) recently convened supporters, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) leaders, partners and community members to celebrate 10 years of philanthropic impact. The event recognized a decade dedicated to unlocking scientific potential, advancing groundbreaking research and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. "Ten years ago, we set out with a vision to connect philanthropic investments with cutting-edge scientific innovation," said LLF Board Chair Dona Crawford. "[This event] isn't just a milestone on a calendar; it's a reflection of what
How do you measure what can't be seen? In the medical field, this is routine. Thermometers check temperatures and X-rays can show broken bones. But what if you are trying to measure something hotter than the center of the sun that vanishes in 100 trillionths of a second? What if it's an experiment on Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF)? "We can't just stick a thermometer in our experiment because it's 200 million degrees. We can't use an X-ray machine because it's 50 times denser than lead," said experimental physicist Dave Schlossberg. "We had to
During summer 2026, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) hosted science education programs that provided students with hands-on experience related to several LLNL research themes. The science education offerings for this summer included four programs: SAGE, the Manufacturing Workshop, STEM with Phones and the Biotech Summer Experience. SAGE Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement (SAGE) is an experiential, one-week summer day camp for public high school students ages 14 to 17 in Northern California. The program is designed to empower students to explore a wide range of
Bart Lounsbury has been selected as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's general counsel, effective Aug. 23, 2026. In this role, Lounsbury will lead the Office of the General Counsel, providing strategic advice, representation and support on legal matters affecting the Laboratory. He and his team will provide the legal expertise necessary to support LLNL's national security mission, protect and utilize intellectual property and facilitate regulatory compliance and ethical conduct. "I am confident that Bart will be a tremendous asset to the Laboratory and the LLNS Board of Governors,"
