Research in Basic Sciences is fundamental to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) mission of developing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and advancing the science behind them. In this area, NREL scientists apply their talents and expertise to the in-depth study of energy-related materials and devices. This research extends the frontiers of basic scientific knowledge in the physical and biological world and in the nature of matter and energy.
Basic research starts at the cellular or atomic level. Our scientists explore phenomena, investigate existing materials and synthesize new ones, and model devices and approaches. Research at this fundamental level is key to the renewable energy technologies that will someday fulfill the world's energy needs.
Basic Sciences at NREL is in the Energy Sciences Directorate with Ray Stults as the associate director. Within this directorate, there are two centers: Chemical and Biosciences and Materials Science. The center directors are Jim Brainard and Steve Hammond, respectively.
All other staff within the directorate can be located on the A-Z List. Find former staff in the 'Where are they now?' directory.
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