Big Ideas Lab

From corrosion-resistant coatings to next-generation batteries and stronger wind turbines, some of today’s toughest industrial challenges share a surprising common thread: they’re being solved inside a computer. In this episode, we explore the High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation program. This collaboration between U.S. national laboratories and private industry uses advanced supercomputing to tackle real-world problems in manufacturing, energy, and materials science. With nearly 200 projects across 12 Department of Energy labs, the program is helping companies reduce energy use, cut carbon emissions, and strengthen American manufacturing by tackling complex industrial challenges with computational science. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Brandon Wood, Project Lead, LLNL Aaron Fisher, HPC4EI Director, LLNL Yeping Hu, Project Lead, LLNL -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch. Script by Caroline Kidd. Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell. Story Editing by Levi Hanusch. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lara Leininger, director overseeing LLNL's energetic materials research hub. Alex Gash, deputy director and technical lead on detonation physics and experiments. They explore molecule-to-megascale science, how detonations behave under extreme conditions, advanced testing facilities and diagnostics, exascale simulations, robotics for consistent materials prep, rapid field ID tools, and cross-lab collaborations.

Tiny, hand-crafted fusion targets made from lab-grown diamond and complex assemblies take center stage. The journey spans transcontinental supply chains, delicate inspections that map surface flaws, and painstaking transport methods to protect fragile capsules. Listeners hear about cryogenic fuel handling, single-use designs, and how precise fabrication enables high-energy laser experiments.

Robert Scripp, Emergency Management lead at LLNL who runs realistic drills and emergency coordination. Cynthia Rivera, operations chief overseeing 24/7 teams that keep the lab functioning. They tour night shifts, nonstop systems, rapid alert and accountability routines, volunteer response teams, and the logistics and security work that quietly enable high-stakes science around the clock.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility, scientists recreate 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.Guests featured (in order of appearance): Dan Kalantar, Chief Systems Engineer for Experimental Systems at NIF, LLNLTilo Doeppner, Experimental Physicist at NIF, LLNL--Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Script by Caroline Kidd.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell. Story Editing by Levi Hanusch. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.Guests featured (in order of appearance):Brian Wihl, Associate Program Lead for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNLJames Reimer, Mechanical Engineer for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL--Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Script by Caroline Kidd.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell. Story Editing by Levi Hanusch. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.Guests featured (in order of appearance):Greg Sallaberry, Staff Scientist at LLNL Gianpaolo Carosi, Staff Scientist at LLNL --Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.Script by Caroline Kidd.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell. Story Editing by Levi Hanusch. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Heffner, a particle physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Nathaniel Bowden, a fellow physicist specializing in neutrino experiments, delve into the world of neutrinos. They explore their elusive nature, discussing beta decay, neutrino oscillation, and the mystery of matter versus antimatter. The duo reveals groundbreaking experiments like PROSPECT and BEAST, aiming to uncover sterile neutrinos and dark matter's secrets. They also highlight how neutrinos act as cosmic messengers, offering insights from the universe.

Explore the Offsite Fellows Program, where Lawrence Livermore scientists collaborate closely with government leaders to shape national defense strategies. Hear firsthand accounts of how these fellows navigate agency halls, bridging the gap between science and policymaking. Discover the challenges they face in communication and training, especially during remote assignments amid the pandemic. The program has expanded significantly, illustrating its vital impact on national security decisions and the career growth opportunities it creates for participants.

Hannah Goldstein, a system and policy analysis group leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Kimberly Mayfield, a research scientist, dive into the significance of energy flow charts. They explore how these diagrams visualize sources and wasted energy, emphasizing lessons from the 1970s oil shocks. The discussion highlights insights from the pandemic's impact on energy usage and innovative collaborations like Hawaii's live energy flow dashboard. They also touch on future scenarios, including how these tools can guide energy policy and investment decisions.