Commentary - Mission First, People Always

Mission First, People Always

In today’s evolving landscape, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s scientific research and development efforts are more critical than ever. From energy security to AI, high-energy-density physics to additive manufacturing (AM), we are advancing solutions that address immediate national security needs, and we seek to anticipate over-the-horizon global security challenges and create strategic advantage to address them.

Energy security remains a cornerstone of national security. As future energy demands grow and as threats increase, Lawrence Livermore leads efforts to ensure that the nation’s critical power infrastructure remains reliable and resilient. The feature article in this issue of Science & Technology Review presents the work of a multidisciplinary Laboratory team to develop models and data-integration methods to anticipate and optimize grid investments in light of low-frequency, high-impact threats such as wildfires and floods. California’s dynamic geophysical features, varying weather patterns, and expanding energy demands provide the perfect test bed for applying the team’s predictive modeling and uncertainty analysis. Statistical bias correction and high-resolution data analysis enable more accurate predictions of these high-impact weather events and pave the way for actionable solutions to secure the nation’s power grid beyond the state’s borders.

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) Discovery Science Program exemplifies the Laboratory’s commitment to advancing fundamental scientific knowledge while investing in workforce development. By setting aside a portion of NIF’s experiments for basic science campaigns, we provide opportunities for external partners and early-career scientists to explore high-energy-density regimes that push the boundaries of physics. As the first research highlight in this issue describes, these experiments not only yield groundbreaking data but also serve as a recruiting tool for the Laboratory. Two scientists featured in the highlight—Alison Saunders and Max Boehme—began their Livermore careers through the Discovery Science Program, demonstrating how the initiative fosters the next generation of scientific expertise.

The Laboratory further drives transformational change, embraces meaningful risk, and demonstrates agility in the field of AM. The second research highlight presents how AM-crafted inertial confinement fusion target capsules required for NIF laser shots open new possibilities for faster, affordable, and more flexible production options. Application of the Laboratory’s dual-wavelength two-photon polymerization printer and utilization of complementary photo resin has optimized target capsule quality and printing speed, promising to meet NIF’s increasing demand for high-repetition shot rates. Further, the technology unlocks new opportunities for innovation in fusion energy as researchers adapt target capsule designs on the fly.

The final research highlight explores how Lawrence Livermore stands at the forefront of leveraging AI for its national security mission. Through initiatives such as the opening of our AI Innovation Incubator (AI3) we are forging public–private partnerships with industry leaders including OpenAI, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise to scale up AI technologies for national security missions. These collaborations ensure that Lawrence Livermore remains connected to cutting-edge advancements while providing value to the national security community by addressing their real-world challenges. Complementary to AI3, the Laboratory’s Data Science Institute cultivates a partnership with the University of California system to engage students in solving challenging, real-world data science and AI problems—a relationship that further develops Lawrence Livermore’s data-science workforce pipeline. The Laboratory’s internal AI education platform, aiEDGE, empowers the workforce to harness AI tools for scientific innovation, operations, project management, and communications, among other applications, through accessible training and shared success stories. 

The Laboratory’s mission is clear: to enable U.S. security and global stability by empowering multidisciplinary teams to pursue bold and innovative science and technology. This mission drives us to prioritize innovation and embrace meaningful risk while maintaining a steadfast commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Whether ensuring energy security, advancing fundamental physics, revolutionizing AM, or leveraging AI, we strive for agility in fulfilling the Laboratory’s national security mission and remain dedicated to the development of our excellent workforce. 

My mantra, “Mission First, People Always,” encapsulates an effective approach to tackling these challenges facing our nation and the world. Together, we are not only safeguarding the nation but also inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers to dream big, innovate, and achieve the impossible.