Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
(LLNL) is a premier research and development institution
for science and technology applied to national security. We are responsible
for ensuring that the nation’s nuclear weapons
remain safe, secure, and reliable. LLNL also applies
its expertise to prevent the spread and use of weapons
of mass destruction and strengthen homeland security.
Our
national security mission requires special multidisciplinary
capabilities that are also
used to pursue programs in advanced defense technologies,
energy, environment, biosciences, and basic science
to meet important national needs. These activities
enhance the competencies needed for our defining national
security mission.
The Laboratory serves as a resource
to the U.S. government and is a partner with industry
and academia. Safe, secure, and efficient operations
and scientific and technical excellence in our programs
are necessary to sustain public trust in the Laboratory.
National
Security. The Laboratory
was established in 1952 to help ensure national security
through the design, development, and stewardship
of nuclear weapons. National security continues
to be
Livermore’s defining responsibility.
Nuclear
Weapons Stockpile Stewardship.
Livermore plays a prominent role in NNSA’s Stockpile
Stewardship Program. Laboratory scientists and engineers
must assure the safety and reliability of the nation’s
nuclear weapons and certify weapon performance in
the absence of nuclear testing.
Nonproliferation
and Homeland Security.
Nuclear weapons expertise and extensive capabilities
in physical and life sciences are applied to meet the
challenge of weapons-of-mass-destruction (WMD) proliferation
and terrorism. For example, the Laboratory develops
advanced technologies such as real-time, portable detectors
of nuclear materials and biological agents.
Advanced
Defense Capabilities. Livermore
provides the Department of Defense, the intelligence
community, and other agencies with analytical support
and advanced technologies to meet current and emerging
national security needs.
Enduring
National Needs. The Laboratory
pursues research and development in areas of enduring
importance to the nation. In support of DOE mission
priorities in energy and environment, bioscience, and
fundamental science and applied technology, Livermore
seeks challenges that reinforce its national security
mission and have the potential for high-payoff results.
Energy
and Environment. Long-term
research is needed to provide the nation with abundant,
reliable energy and a clean environment. Livermore’s
programs contribute to the scientific and technological
basis for secure, sustainable, and clean energy
resources for the U.S. and to reducing environmental
risks.
Bioscience
and Biotechnology.
Bioscience research at Livermore is directed at understanding
the causes and mechanisms of ill health, developing
biodefense capabilities, improving disease prevention,
and lowering health-care costs. Projects leverage
the
Laboratory’s extensive physical science,
computing, and engineering capabilities.
Fundamental
Science and Applied Technology. Scientists and engineers pursue projects
in fundamental science and applied technology that
build on the Laboratory’s core strengths
and take advantage of the unique research capabilities
and facilities at Livermore. Many projects entail
collaborations
with universities, industry, and/or other laboratories.