Energetic materials

Behind every safeguard of national security lies a world few ever see. Inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists and engineers are redefining how explosions are developed, modeled and tested to ensure the United States maintains a safe, secure and reliable deterrent. From molecule-level physics to exascale computing systems, the Energetic Materials Center is the hub of subject matter expertise in explosive science at LLNL. EMC is partnering in global scientific collaborations aimed at reducing risk, advancing security and shaping the future of deterrence in a rapidly changing world.

Target fabrication

At the center of every experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility is a target — a tiny, precisely engineered object built to withstand the intensity of the world’s highest energy laser system. Join us as we explore target fabrication: the craft behind capsules made of diamond, their intricate assemblies and cross-continental journeys that make fusion experiments possible.

24 hour operations

The world’s most demanding science never sleeps.

From facilities that operate around the clock to the people monitoring safety, power, and infrastructure overnight, this episode goes behind the scenes of the invisible operations at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that keep critical science moving forward - even when nothing appears to be happening.

Discovery science at NIF

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility (NIF), scientists re-create the most extreme conditions in the universe. Through the Discovery Science Program, researchers and students from around the world gain rare access to this machine to run experiments that exist for only a fraction of a second, yet reshape what we know about stars, planets and matter itself. These experiments don’t just explore the cosmos; they create a shared laboratory for discovery and the training ground for the next generation of scientists who will evaluate the safety, security and effectiveness of our nation’s nuclear deterrence.

Drones

Drones, or autonomous sensing systems, step in where humans can’t. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing machines that can see, decide and act in real time. In this episode, we explore how drones expand the frontier of possibility: scanning hidden pipelines underground, navigating dangerous terrain and coordinating swarms across land, air and water. These aren’t just flying cameras. They’re intelligence-gathering systems, force multipliers and life-saving tools.

Dark matter

Dark matter is one of the universe’s greatest mysteries. It’s the invisible force that glues galaxies together and sculpts cosmic structure. In this episode, we trace the journey of discovery from massive objects in the Milky Way to particle-scale experiments designed to reveal what dark matter really is. From gravitational microlensing to cutting-edge detectors at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are pushing the limits of technology and imagination to uncover the unseen and understand the mass that makes up most of our universe.

Neutrinos

Neutrinos are particles that defy expectations. They slip through matter effortlessly, changing identities and traveling vast cosmic distances. In this episode, we explore the surprising ways they connect the tiniest scales of physics to the grandest structures in the universe. From deep underground detectors to experiments designed to observe the unobservable, scientists at Lawrence Livermore are working to uncover secrets that could reshape our understanding of matter, energy and the origins of everything around us.

Offsite assignments

Every decision in national security hinges on knowledge, insight and expertise — some of that expertise starts in a lab in Livermore. The Offsite Fellows Program places Lawrence Livermore scientists inside government agencies, where their work helps shape policy, strategy and the future of national defense.

In this episode, we dive deep into the Offsite Fellows Program and how it positions Lab researchers shoulder-to-shoulder with government leaders who bring critical scientific insight directly into decisions that protect our nation. Hear from Offsite Fellows themselves, as we follow their journeys — where they move through the halls of government, informing and strengthening national security.

Energy flow charts

LLNL’s energy flow charts have become one of the clearest ways to understand the nation’s energy system. Learn how these diagrams capture everything from pandemic shutdowns and shifting fuels to wasted energy we never see. From classrooms to Capitol Hill, these charts help the country plan for what comes next.

CAMS

Ancient footprints, unidentified remains, brain cells — they're all part of the story told through atoms, and at the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, those atoms speak volumes.

In this episode, we explore how Accelerator Mass Spectrometry is helping scientists solve mysteries across time: from rewriting the timeline of human arrival in North America to closing decades-old cold cases and even advancing biomedical breakthroughs.

With insights from CAMS researchers, we follow the journey of rare isotopes as they become timestamps and vital clues, challenging our understanding of the past and shaping what’s possible in the future.

Advanced lasers

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing high-repetition-rate lasers that fire thousands of times per second. In this episode, we’ll explore what these advanced lasers are and how they’re being used. From thermal challenges to breakthrough designs like the BAT laser, we’ll dive into what makes this new generation of lasers so powerful.

Element discovery

Scientists are still adding to the periodic table and expanding what we know about matter. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are creating entirely new elements that can’t be found in nature and exist for only moments. In this episode, we step into the world of superheavy element discovery to understand how these rare atoms are made, why they matter and what they can teach us about the building blocks of the universe.

World's largest camera

Supernovas, asteroids, dark matter and dark energy...the universe is constantly changing. Today we’ll dive into how we track what’s shifting in the night sky and how it shapes our understanding of the Universe. Through decades of experience in astrophysics, planetary science and instrumentation, we explore Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s role in a groundbreaking project that will shape the future of astronomy: the Vera Rubin Observatory.

Laser guide star

For decades, Earth’s atmosphere has blurred images of both stars and galaxies, greatly restricting our ability to see the universe clearly from the ground. But that all changed with the invention of the laser guide star.

Think of it as building an artificial star in the sky — one that helps telescopes correct atmospheric distortion in real time. It’s a technology that revolutionized ground-based astronomy, enabling discoveries from distant black holes to the discovery of planets around nearby stars.

But how do you go from a concept that once filled a building with laser equipment to something compact, reliable and safe enough for observatories around the world? And what role did scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory play in making that technological leap possible? Tune in to hear the story behind one of astronomy’s most transformative innovations and the team that helped bring it to light.

Interns

What’s it really like to intern at one of the nation’s premier science and national security labs? In this episode of The Big Ideas Lab, we follow the journey from first-day nerves to high-impact research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Featuring stories from fusion diagnostics to bioengineering breakthroughs, we hear from interns and mentors about the challenges, the discoveries and the culture that makes it all possible.

Forensic Science Center (Part 2)

The modern world is an onslaught of threats from biological and radioactive to nuclear and chemical. At the Forensic Science Center at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, chemists are working night and day to prevent the next catastrophe.

In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the world of forensics and how its study can impact not only the quality of life, but the safety of every American.

Forensic Science Center (Part 1)

A mysterious package. A silent explosion. And a phone call that would change the course of forensic science forever.

In this gripping first part of our series, we trace the origins of the Forensic Science Center at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory through a decades-spanning investigation that began with the Unabomber and grew into a global hub for solving the most complex scientific mysteries. From moon rocks to murder cases, drug overdoses to nuclear smuggling, meet the scientists who turn microscopic clues into courtroom evidence.

Polymer Enclave

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, engineers and scientists are reimagining the way critical components for the U.S. nuclear stockpile are designed, tested and produced. In this episode, we explore the Polymer Enclave — a groundbreaking collaboration with the Kansas City National Security Campus that has slashed production timelines from years to months.

Discover how this partnership is transforming national security manufacturing through rapid innovation, real-time collaboration and a culture shift that’s changing the future of defense technology.

Quantum computing

What if scientists could use the peculiar world of quantum mechanics to design solutions once thought impossible, changing how we build, heal and communicate?

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are developing quantum systems that could help us do just that. These machines think differently, tapping into the strange rules of quantum mechanics to simulate atomic interactions, unlock new materials and reveal hidden patterns in nature. In this episode, we’ll explore how quantum computers work, why they need to be colder than deep space and what it will take to bring their full potential to life.

AI at the Lab

Artificial intelligence is transforming how science is conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. From accelerating drug discovery to optimizing complex experiments, AI is helping researchers work faster, smarter and with greater precision. Today we’ll explore how scientists are using cognitive simulation — an AI-driven approach that combines physics, data and machine learning — to model the real world.

Jupiter Laser Facility

From fusion experiments to cancer-fighting tech, the Jupiter Laser Facility is where bold ideas meet billion-watt lasers. In this episode, we go inside the lab where students and scientists alike get hands-on with some of the most powerful laser systems on Earth, turning science fiction into real-world breakthroughs, one laser shot at a time.

Machinists

Before a laser fires or a rocket launches, machinists make the mission possible. This episode explores the world of machining at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory — where skilled craftspeople transform raw materials into components for fusion research, national security and space exploration. From time-tested manual tools to advanced digital manufacturing, machinists at the Lab combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to solve some of the most complex engineering challenges on Earth.

Space security

In the vast silence of space, security is anything but quiet. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, cutting-edge science and strategic defense converge to protect the satellites we rely on — guarding them from cyber threats, kinetic attacks and space debris. As the risks above grow more complex, we’ll uncover the evolving dangers and the invisible shield being built to defend against them.

Tech transfer

Today we’ll explore how technologies developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory make their way from the Lab into industry, impacting lives every day in ways that might surprise you. We’ll explore how scientific breakthroughs like high-peak-power laser peening, 3D metal printing and more spotlight LLNL’s Innovation and Partnerships Office and how this vital connection between groundbreaking research and industry creates far-reaching impact through technology transfer and entrepreneurship.

Inertial fusion energy

What if we could harness the same energy that powers the stars to fuel our world? Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are working towards turning this vision into reality.

In this episode, we explore how fusion works, why it’s fundamentally different from today’s nuclear energy and how the groundbreaking achievement of ignition at the National Ignition Facility is paving the way for future fusion power plants. Join us as we discuss the challenges, breakthroughs and the global race to bring fusion energy to the grid.

Community giving

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is celebrated for its groundbreaking science, from fusion ignition to safeguarding the nuclear stockpile. But there’s another story grounded in community, connection and a deep culture of giving.

In this episode, we’ll explore how the same passion that drives scientific discovery fuels the Lab’s commitment to making a difference beyond its walls.

Drug discovery

For centuries, drug discovery was a slow, trial-and-error process — sometimes taking decades to develop life-saving treatments. But what if we could speed up that timeline? At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are using supercomputing, machine learning and AI to revolutionize how new medicines are found, tested and developed.

In this episode, we dive into the cutting-edge technology behind faster drug discovery, how researchers are using high-performance computing to target diseases more precisely and the potential to bring new treatments — from cancer drugs to viral countermeasures — to patients in record time.

Optics recycle loop

Inside the National Ignition Facility (NIF), 192 laser beams push the limits of science and technology, supporting critical national security and scientific research. But the extreme energy takes a toll, leaving tiny cracks and damage on the system’s delicate optics.

Instead of replacing these costly components, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a high-tech repair process: the optics recycle loop. Like a Formula 1 pit stop for lasers, this system inspects, restores and reintegrates damaged optics with precision — keeping NIF firing at peak performance.

In this episode, we explore how researchers extend the life of these vital components, the cutting-edge science behind laser damage repair and why maintaining NIF’s optics is key to its success.

Planetary defense (Part 2)

Asteroids have reshaped Earth before — and scientists know another impact is inevitable. When traditional deflection methods won’t work, what’s the last resort?

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, experts are exploring nuclear deflection: using nuclear energy to alter an asteroid’s path or break it apart before impact. But how does it work, what are the risks and how prepared are we to use it when the time comes?

This is the second episode in our planetary defense series.

Planetary defense (Part 1)

In 2013, a house-sized asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, with the force of 30 atomic bombs. A century earlier, an asteroid impact flattened 830 square miles of Siberian forest. And while Hollywood loves to dramatize asteroid threats, the real work of planetary defense isn’t happening in action movies — it’s happening in research labs.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a team of scientists is racing against time to track, deflect and prepare for the next asteroid threat. They’re using cutting-edge simulations, kinetic impact tests and global collaborations to ensure Earth is ready before disaster strikes. In this episode, we uncover how planetary defense has evolved from theory to reality, why asteroid threats are more real than most people think and what it will take to stop a civilization-ending impact. Because the next asteroid isn’t a question of if, but when.

NIF sustainment

How do you maintain a facility built to achieve the impossible? In this episode, we explore the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Sustainment Project — an undertaking to ensure that the world’s most energetic laser continues to deliver on its mission. Discover how scientists at the National Ignition Facility keep this technological marvel running, overcoming challenges of aging systems to ensure it remains a cornerstone of innovation and a vital asset to the nation’s security.

Earthquake modeling

The ground beneath us is always moving — but what can it reveal about our future? At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, seismic monitoring has evolved into a cornerstone of national security and disaster preparedness. From detecting nuclear tests halfway across the globe to simulating the devastating effects of earthquakes before they strike, this episode explores how LLNL’s work is making the world a safer place — one seismic wave at a time.