LLNL Receives Energy Department Funding for Fusion Energy Research

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $134 million in funding for two programs designed to secure U.S. leadership in emerging fusion technologies and innovation: FIRE and INFUSE.

Molecular Simulations Reveal Why Graphite Outshines Diamond

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that graphite can spontaneously nucleate. Understanding the fine lines that separate graphite from diamond from liquid molten carbon is critical for modeling experiments at NIF.

LLNL Physicist Receives Edward Teller Award

LLNL physicist Hye-Sook Park has been awarded the Edward Teller Award for 2025 by the American Nuclear Society.

New Book Documents Optics Innovations That Were Integral to Ignition

Just published: In Optic Technologies Enabling Fusion Ignition, veteran LLNL optics and laser experts tell the comprehensive story of how they were able to push the performance of those optics beyond what many thought was possible.

LLNL Researchers Employed an AI-Driven Model to Predict Fusion Ignition Shot

LLNL researchers employed an AI-driven model that used deep learning and a “cognitive simulation” framework to successfully predict fusion ignition days ahead of the historic 2022 shot at NIF, according to a new study in Science.

Science & Technology Review: Beyond Ignition

The July/August 2025 edition of LLNL's Science & Technology Review magazine examines the many facets of ignition research in the era beyond ignition. Read more ...

LLNL Pushes Frontier of Fusion Target Design with AI

Researchers at LLNL have reached a milestone in combining AI with fusion target design by deploying AI agents on two of the world’s most powerful supercomputers to automate and accelerate inertial confinement fusion experiments at NIF.

LANL, LLNL Achieve Fusion Ignition with Groundbreaking Approach

A Los Alamos National Laboratory-led team working in conjunction with LLNL has achieved ignition at NIF. The team conducted an experiment that generated a yield of 2.4 MJ of energy and created a self-sustaining feedback loop called a burning plasma. Read more ...

Big Ideas Lab Podcast: How AI Is Reshaping Science at LLNL

As the world moves from the Information Age to the Data Age, AI is not only revolutionizing society—it’s fundamentally transforming how LLNL researchers approach science and played a key role in the achievement of fusion ignition.

LLNL Research Sets New Gold Standard to Narrow ICF ‘Drive Deficit’

LLNL researchers have identified the primary physical contributor to discrepancies between simulations and experimental results in inertial confinement fusion experiments.

LLNL Experts Foster National Fusion Energy Ecosystem at IFE-STAR Conference

More than 200 fusion energy experts from LLNL and other national labs, academia, and the private sector gathered in Colorado to assess the state of the art in inertial fusion energy.

Nuclear Fusion Journal Recognizes LLNL Paper

LLNL nuclear engineer Charles Yeamans and co-authors G. Elijah Kemp, Zachary Walters, Heather Whitley, Patrick McKenty, Emma Garcia, Yujia Yang, Stephen Craxton, and Brent Blue.have been recognized with the 2024 Nuclear Fusion Award for outstanding work published in the journal.

LLNL Hosts Workshop to Shape the Future of Diode-Pumped Laser Technology

LLNL recently hosted a workshop to assemble the world’s top experts in diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) systems, a key technology for the future of inertial fusion research and energy.

Big Ideas Lab Podcast Takes on Tech Spinoffs and Partnerships

The Big Ideas Lab podcast takes a deep dive into how the Innovation and Partnerships Office (IPO) facilitates tech transfer at LLNL and some of the most impactful success stories, including one startup inspired by research into protecting NIF's optical components from laser damage.

Big Ideas Lab Podcast Explores the Future of Fusion Energy

In the latest episode of “The Big Ideas Lab” podcast, learn the next steps needed to turn the dream of fusion energy into reality.

Prominence of LLNL Laser Science on Display at NIF-JLF User Groups Meeting

The progress made to capitalize on and sustain NIF’s capabilities, and the scientific advancements made during JLF’s first full year of operations following a major refurbishment, were highlighted during this year’s NIF and JLF User Groups Meeting.

Introducing El Capitan

One of the world’s most powerful and energy-efficient supercomputers helps scientists safeguard the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Read more ...

Three LLNL Scientists Honored with Presidential Early-Career Award

Design physicist Kelli Humbird, who has been recognized for her innovative application of machine learning in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) physics, was one of three distinguished LLNL researchers honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) award.

Big Ideas Lab Podcast Takes on NIF Sustainment

LLNL is home to NIF, the only lab on earth where fusion ignition has been achieved and repeated. The latest episode of the Big Ideas podcast tackles the work necessary to keep such a facility running. Listen on Apple or Spotify.

From Ignition in the Laboratory to Fusion Energy

LLNL physicist Dan Casey outlined the challenges involved in moving from the achievement of fusion ignition at LLNL’s National Ignition Facility to practical inertial fusion energy at a recent Kavli Frontiers of Science symposium in Kyoto, Japan.