Our Mission

DOE’s Office of Science has a mission to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. We are the nation’s largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and are a major supporter of research in such key scientific fields as physics, materials science, computing, and chemistry. We are also the lead federal agency supporting fundamental scientific research related to energy.

To keep America in the forefront of discovery and innovation, we sponsor research at hundreds of universities, national laboratories, and other institutions across the country. We also build and maintain a vitally important array of large-scale scientific facilities at the DOE national laboratories, which are used by thousands of researchers every year.

About the Office of Science

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science is the nation’s largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences, the steward of 10 DOE national laboratories, and the lead federal agency supporting fundamental research for energy production and security. Our job is to keep America at the forefront of discovery. This video is an overview of the Office of Science’s mission, people, and resources.
Video courtesy of DOE's Office of Science

Science Headlines

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New Model Explains Missing Aerosol and Cloud Condensation Nuclei
Incorporating new particle formation mechanisms improves aerosol and cloud simulations and quantifies distinct dominant mechanisms worldwide.
2024 SLAC Panofsky Fellow Judy Ji Pursues New Connections in the Quantum World
During her fellowship, Ji will continue research that aims to deepen our understanding of quantum materials.
Argonne and a Moroccan University Sign Agreement to Advance Green Energy Tech and Computing
Argonne and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic signed a MOU to collaborate on key areas of mutual interest related to green energy technology.
Argonne Training Series Gives Students Hands-On Experience Using AI for Science
Argonne Leadership Computing Facility’s ​“Intro to AI-Driven Science on Supercomputers” series has hosted over 600 attendees from across the nation.

University and Stakeholder News

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Nebraska Team Develops Technique to Speed Up Corn Gene Identification
The team developed and tested an innovative gene-analysis method, focusing on RNA, that greatly boosts the ability to identify corn genes.
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How a Tiny Device Could Lead to Big Physics Discoveries and Better Lasers
Researchers created the first topological quantum simulator device in the strong light-matter interaction regime that operates at room temperature.
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What Happens When Neutron Stars Collide?
Simulations show that neutrinos created during these cataclysmic events are out of thermodynamic equilibrium with the cold cores of the merging stars.
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Frenkel Leads Study Revealing Reversible Assembly of Platinum Catalyst
Stony Brook professor Anatoly Frenkel is part of a team that has uncovered new details of the reversible assembly & disassembly of a platinum catalyst
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Science Highlights

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Dept. of Energy Office of Science delivers scientific discoveries, tools for the nation via programs in Advanced Scientific Computing Research; Basic Energy Sciences; Biological & Environmental Research; Fusion Energy Sciences; High Energy Physics; Nuclear Physics. Also supports Accelerator Research; Isotope Research; Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer; 5 national quantum centers; 2 energy innovation hubs. Stewards 10 DOE national labs. 100-plus Nobel Prizes, $8.1 billion budget.

The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Image courtesy of the Department of Energy Office of Science