Americaâs National Laboratory
system has been changing and improving the lives of millions for more than 80 years. Born at a
time of great societal need, this network of Department of Energy Laboratories has now grown
into 17 facilities, working together as engines of prosperity and invention. As this list of 50 Breakthroughs attests, National Laboratory discoveries have spawned industries, saved lives, generated
new products, fired the imagination, and helped to reveal the secrets of the universe. Rooted in the
need to be the best and bring the best, Americaâs National Laboratories have put an American
stamp on the past century of science. With equal ingenuity and tenacity, they are now engaged in
winning the future.
At Americaâs National Laboratories, weâve:
Shown that fusion is not fantasy.
From a fusion test reactor that
produced enough power to meet
the energy needs of 3,000
homes to the fusion-ignition
potential of the worldâs
largest and most energetic
laser, fusion science is
moving closer to commercial
reality because of National Lab
scientists.
Tamed hydrogen with nanonparticles.
To replace gasoline, hydrogen must be safely stored
and easy to use, but this has proved elusive. National
Lab researchers have now designed a new pliable
material using nanoparticles that can rapidly absorb
and release hydrogen without ill effects, a major step
in making fuel-cell powered cars a commercial reality.
Made wind power mainstream.
Increasing wind-turbine efficiency with high-efficiency
airfoils has reduced the cost of wind power by more
than 80% over the past 30 years. Now deployed
in wind farms nationwide, these turbines owe their
existence to National Lab research.
Created a pocket-sized
DNA sampler.
A tool developed by National Lab
scientists that identifies the microbes
in air, water, and soil samples is fast
becoming a workhorse in public
health, medical, and environmental
cleanup projects. Only a few years
old, the credit-card-size PhyloChip
is already pinpointing the diseases that
kill coral reefs, and cataloging airborne bacteria over
U.S. cities. It was also used to quickly categorize the
oil-eating bacteria in the deep water plumes of the
Deepwater Horizon spill.
Revolutionized medical diagnostics.
From the original scintillation camera that detected
gamma rays emitted by radioactive isotopes to
todayâs cancer-detecting, compact nuclear-imaging
devices and the magnets in MRI scannersâNational
Lab discoveries have revolutionized medicine and
saved countless lives.
Redefined cancer therapy.
A proton accelerator that treats patients with
advanced forms of cancer owes its existence to
National Lab researchers, as does software that
targets radiation treatments while sparing
healthy tissue.
Fabricated the smallest machines.
The worldâs smallest synthetic motor, as well as
radios, scales, and switches that
are 100,000 times finer than
a human hair, were engineered
at a National Lab. These and
other groundbreaking forays into
nanotechnology could lead to lifesaving pharmaceuticals and more
powerful computers.Americaâs National Laboratory
system has been changing and improving the lives of millions for more than 80 years. Born at a
time of great societal need, this network of Department of Energy Laboratories has now grown
into 17 facilities, working together as engines of prosperity and invention. As this list of 50 Breakthroughs attests, National Laboratory discoveries have spawned industries, saved lives, generated
new products, fired the imagination, and helped to reveal the secrets of the universe. Rooted in the
need to be the best and bring the best, Americaâs National Laboratories have put an American
stamp on the past century of science. With equal ingenuity and tenacity, they are now engaged in
winning the future.
At Americaâs National Laboratories, weâve:
Explained photosynthesis.
Ever wonder how plants turn
sunlight into energy? A National
Lab scientist determined the path
of carbon through photosynthesis, a
scientific milestone that illuminated one of
lifeâs most important processes. Today, this
work allows scientists to explore how to
derive sustainable energy sources from
the sun.
Exposed explosives.
A credit-card-size detector developed by National
Lab scientists can screen for more than 30 kinds of
explosives in just minutes. The detector, called ELITE,
requires no power and is widely used by the military,
law enforcement and security personnel.
Put the jolt in Chevyâs Volt.
The Chevrolet Volt would not be able to cruise on
battery power were it not for the advanced cathode
technology that emerged from a National Lab. The
same technology is also sparking a revival of
Americaâs battery manufacturing industry.
Confirmed the Big Bang, and discovered
dark energy.
National Lab detectors aboard a NASA satellite revealed
the birth of the galaxies in the echoes of the Big Bang. Dark
energyâthe mysterious something that makes up threequarters of the universe and causes
it to expand at an accelerating
rateâwas also discovered by
National Lab cosmologists.
Found lifeâs mystery messenger.
National Lab scientists discovered how genetic instructions
are carried to the cellâs protein-manufacturing center,
where all of lifeâs processes begin. Subsequent
light-source research on the genetic courier,
called messenger RNA, has revealed how
the information is transcribed and how
mistakes can cause cancer and birth defects.
Identified good and bad cholesterol.
The battle against heart disease received a boost in the
1960s when National Lab research unveiled the good and
bad sides of cholesterol. Today, diagnostic tests that
detect both types of cholesterol save lives.
Created the toughest ceramic.
National Lab scientists mimicked the structure
of mollusk shells to create what might well be the toughest
ceramic ever produced. The material could lead to incredibly
strong yet light composites that are perfect for energy and
transportation applications.
Helped catch criminals.
To DNA testing, we can now add human antibody detection, a
precise method of matching suspects to crime scenes. The
technique, created by National Lab scientists, also foils wouldbe drug test cheaters.
Made refrigerators cool.
Next-generation refrigerators will likely put the
freeze on harmful chemical coolants in favor of an
environmentally friendly alloy, thanks to National Lab
scientists.
Brought safe water to millions.
Removing arsenic from drinking water is a global priority. A
long-lasting particle engineered at a National Lab can now do
exactly that, making contaminated water safe to drink. Another
technology developed at a National Lab uses ultraviolet light
to kill microbes that cause water-borne diseases such as
dysentery. This process has reduced child mortality in the
developing world.
Delivered troops safely.
National Laboratory researchers have developed
computer models that effectively manage the complex
logistical tasks of deploying troops and equipment to
distant destinations.
Brought the Web to the U.S.
National Lab scientists, seeking to share particle physics
information, were the first to install a web server in North
America, kick-starting the development of the Web
as we know it.
Mapped the universeâand the dark side
of the moon.
Credit for producing a 3D map of the sky, and 230 million
celestial objects, goes to National Lab scientists, who also
developed a camera that mapped the entire surface of the
moon.
Found fuel in sewer slime.
National Lab scientists discovered how to use a catalyst to
turn gooey residue in food-service grease traps into clean,
high-quality biodiesel.
Unmasked a
dinosaur killer.
Natural historyâs greatest
whodunit was solved in 1980 when
a team of National Lab scientists
pinned the dinosaursâ abrupt
extinction on an asteroid collision with Earth.
Case closed.
Fought pump friction.
Friction generated by industrial hydraulic pumps costs industry
millions of dollars per year in energy bills. A National Lab
developed a ceramic coating from an alloy of boron-aluminummagnesium that reduces pump friction, decreases wear and
tear, and may one day pump money back into business.
Pitted cool roofs against carbon dioxide.
National Lab researchers and policy experts
have led the way in analyzing and implementing
cool roofing materials that reflect sunlight,
lower surface temperature, and slash cooling
costs. Think globally: If all the worldâs roofs and
pavement used cool materials, the reduction in
carbon dioxide emissions would be equivalent to
taking the worldâs 600 million cars off the road for 18 years.
Toughened airplanes.
The list had to be shortened a lot to fit the 1000 word limit.
