The mission of the Science and Technology principal directorate is to support and advance the scientific and technological foundations of the Laboratory. Our
mission directed research requires state-of-the-art capabilities in a broad range of scientific
and technical disciplines. We also anticipate future national security needs and
develop the new science and technologies required to meet those needs.
In chemistry, materials, and life science, our research focuses on chemical
engineering, nuclear chemistry, materials science, and biology and bionanotechnology.
Thrust areas in physics include condensed matter and high-pressure
physics, optical science and high-energy-density physics, medical physics and biophysics, and
nuclear particle and accelerator physics.
In the area of energy and environmental science, our emphasis is on
carbon and climate, energy, water and the environment, and the national nuclear waste
repository.
Engineering activities include micro and nanotechnology, lasers and
optics, biotechnology, precision engineering, nondestructive characterization, modeling
and simulation, systems and decision science, and sensors, imaging and communications.
The Laboratory is a world leader in computer science, with thrust
areas in computing applications and research, integrated computing and communications systems,
and cyber security.
The various discipline organizations that comprise the Science and Technology
principal directorate recruit and support the career development of their staffs of
scientists and engineers. The multidisciplinary team nature of LLNL’s programs
promotes professional cross-fertilization, synergy, and continuous learning.