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Every episode
Big Ideas Lab
30 episodes
STARMOC
Ep 57 · Aug 4, 2026 · 21 min
The number of objects in orbit is doubling every two years, and the systems built to keep watch still run on formats designed around 1960s punch cards. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a mission operations center called STARMOC is proving that the future of space operations can be built fast, affordable and in-house - by testing new ways to fly satellites, train AI and stay ahead in a crowded, contested sky. This is STARMOC at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Guests featured (in…
The Postdoc Journey
Ep 56 · Jun 30, 2026 · 15 min
What happens after a PhD, but before a scientist is fully established? At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, that in-between stage is treated as a proving ground. LLNL postdocs are given rare facilities, hard problems, mentorship, career development time, and a community built around collaboration. The result is more than professional development. It’s the moment a scientist starts becoming the person others look to for answers. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Tomi Akindele - Syst…
SLAM
Ep 55 · Jun 16, 2026 · 22 min
At the National Lab Research SLAM, scientists from all 17 Department of Energy national laboratories get three minutes and a single slide to explain years of complex research to people who aren't scientists. This is the story of how Lawrence Livermore built a program to teach its researchers a skill that turns out to be as essential as the science itself: making the work understandable. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Brandon Zimmerman - Staff Scientist, LLNL Christine Zachow - Operati…
The Bennu Asteroid
Ep 54 · Jun 2, 2026 · 17 min
In September 2023, a small NASA capsule streaked through Earth’s atmosphere and landed in the Utah desert, carrying 122 grams of material from the asteroid Bennu. That material has existed for more than four and a half billion years, preserving clues from the earliest moments of the solar system. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a team of scientists is now studying tiny fragments of the sample with extraordinary precision, examining isotopes and microscopic minerals to read the stories…
Genesis Mission
Ep 53 · May 19, 2026 · 24 min
The Genesis Mission is a national effort to accelerate discovery by uniting AI, supercomputing, experiments, and the infrastructure of the national laboratories. This episode explores the problem Genesis is trying to solve, the growing gap between the pace of scientific discovery and the scale of the challenges facing the nation. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, this vision is turning into a reality through infrastructure, workforce training, and governance. Guests featured (in order o…
Skyfall
Ep 52 · May 5, 2026 · 17 min
Scientists are simulating cyber attacks and system failures on real-world energy infrastructure - without ever putting the actual grid at risk. This is Skyfall at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. From real-world incidents like the Ukraine power grid cyberattack 2015 to cascading failures across interconnected systems, this episode explores how cyber-physical incidents can disrupt critical infrastructure in the United States - and how scientists at Skyfall are working to understand and pre…
JASPER
Ep 51 · Apr 21, 2026 · 17 min
In a remote corner of the Nevada desert, scientists at JASPER study one of the most consequential materials on Earth: plutonium. This is the story of how a bold experimental concept became a trusted national asset. By utilizing a two-stage gas gun, researchers create extreme conditions for less than a microsecond, generating the precise data that helps to validate and strengthen U.S. science-based stockpile stewardship. The work demands extraordinary precision, complete containment, and an unwav…
HPC4EI
Ep 50 · Apr 7, 2026 · 21 min
From corrosion-resistant coatings to next-generation batteries and stronger wind turbines, some of today’s toughest industrial challenges share a surprising common thread: they’re being solved inside a computer. In this episode, we explore the High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation program. This collaboration between U.S. national laboratories and private industry uses advanced supercomputing to tackle real-world problems in manufacturing, energy, and materials science. With nearly 200…
Energetic Materials
Ep 49 · Mar 24, 2026 · 22 min
Behind every safeguard of national security lies a world few ever see. Inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists and engineers are redefining how explosions are developed, modeled, and tested to ensure the United States maintains a safe, secure, and reliable deterrent. From molecule-level physics to exascale computing systems, the Energetic Materials Center is the hub of subject matter expertise in explosive science at LLNL. EMC is partnering in global scientific collaborations a…
Target Fabrication
Ep 48 · Mar 10, 2026 · 14 min
At the center of every experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility is a target - a tiny, precisely engineered object built to withstand the intensity of the world’s highest energy laser system. Join us as we explore target fabrication: the craft behind capsules made of diamond, their intricate assemblies, and cross continental journeys that make fusion experiments possible. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Michael Stadermann, Target Fabrication Prog…
24 Hour Operations
Ep 47 · Feb 24, 2026 · 12 min
The world’s most demanding science never sleeps. From facilities that operate around the clock to the people monitoring safety, power, and infrastructure overnight, this episode goes behind the scenes of the invisible operations at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that keep critical science moving forward - even when nothing appears to be happening. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Cynthia Rivera, Principal Associate Director of Operations & Business, LLNL Robert Scripp, Emergency…
Discovery Science at NIF
Ep 46 · Feb 10, 2026 · 15 min
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility, scientists recreate the most extreme conditions in the universe. Through the Discovery Science Program, researchers and students from around the world gain rare access to this machine to run experiments that exist for only a fraction of a second, yet reshape what we know about stars, planets, and matter itself. These experiments don’t just explore the cosmos; they create a shared laboratory for discovery and the training gro…
Drones
Ep 45 · Jan 27, 2026 · 15 min
Drones, or autonomous sensing systems, step in where humans can’t. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing machines that can see, decide and act in real time. In this episode, we explore how drones expand the frontier of possibility: scanning hidden pipelines underground, navigating dangerous terrain and coordinating swarms across land, air, and water. These aren’t just flying cameras. They’re intelligence-gathering systems, force multipliers and life-saving tools. G…
Dark Matter
Ep 44 · Jan 13, 2026 · 18 min
Dark matter is one of the universe’s greatest mysteries. It’s the invisible force that glues galaxies together and sculpts cosmic structure. In this episode, we trace the journey of discovery from massive objects in the Milky Way to particle-scale experiments designed to reveal what dark matter really is. From gravitational microlensing to cutting-edge detectors at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are pushing the limits of technology and imagination to uncover the unseen and un…
Neutrinos
Ep 43 · Dec 30, 2025 · 17 min
Neutrinos are particles that defy expectations. They slip through matter effortlessly, changing identities and traveling vast cosmic distances. In this episode, we explore the surprising ways they connect the tiniest scales of physics to the grandest structures in the universe. From deep underground detectors to experiments designed to observe the unobservable, scientists at Lawrence Livermore are working to uncover secrets that could reshape our understanding of matter, energy, and the origins…
Offsite Assignments
Ep 42 · Dec 16, 2025 · 18 min
Every decision in national security hinges on knowledge, insight, and expertise - some of that expertise starts in a lab in Livermore. The Offsite Fellows Program places Lawrence Livermore scientists inside government agencies, where their work helps shape policy, strategy and the future of national defense. In this episode, we dive deep into the Offsite Fellows Program (OFP) and how it positions Lab researchers shoulder to shoulder with government leaders who bring critical scientific insight d…
Energy Flow Charts
Ep 41 · Dec 2, 2025 · 15 min
LLNL’s Energy Flow Charts have become one of the clearest ways to understand the nation’s energy system. Learn how these diagrams capture everything from pandemic shutdowns and shifting fuels to wasted energy we never see. From classrooms to Capitol Hill, these charts help the country plan for what comes next. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Hannah Goldstein, System and Policy Analysis Group Leader, LLNL Kimberly Mayfield, Research Scientist, LLNL -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org orig…
CAMS
Ep 40 · Nov 18, 2025 · 17 min
Ancient footprints, unidentified remains, brain cells - they're all part of the story told through atoms, and at the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, those atoms speak volumes. In this episode, we explore how Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is helping scientists solve mysteries across time: from rewriting the timeline of human arrival in North America to closing decades-old cold cases, and even advancing biomedical breakthroughs. With…
Advanced Lasers
Ep 39 · Sep 23, 2025 · 15 min
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing high-repetition-rate lasers that fire thousands of times per second. In this episode, we’ll explore what these advanced lasers are and how they’re being used. From thermal challenges to breakthrough designs like the BAT laser, we’ll dive into what makes this new generation of lasers so powerful. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch. Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brun…
Element Discovery
Ep 38 · Sep 9, 2025 · 18 min
Scientists are still adding to the periodic table and expanding what we know about matter. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are creating entirely new elements that can’t be found in nature and exist for only moments. In this episode, we step into the world of superheavy element discovery to understand how these rare atoms are made, why they matter, and what they can teach us about the building blocks of the universe. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Execut…
World’s Largest Camera
Ep 37 · Aug 26, 2025 · 14 min
Supernovas, asteroids, dark matter, and dark energy… the universe is constantly changing. Today we’ll dive into how we track what’s shifting in the night sky and how it shapes our understanding of The Universe. Through decades of experience in astrophysics, planetary science, and instrumentation, we explore Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s role in a groundbreaking project that will shape the future of astronomy: the Vera Rubin Observatory. While LLNL astronomers eagerly prepare for the u…
Laser Guide Star
Ep 36 · Aug 12, 2025 · 22 min
For decades, Earth’s atmosphere has blurred images of both stars and galaxies, greatly restricting our ability to see the universe clearly from the ground. But that all changed with the invention of the laser guide star. Think of it as building an artificial star in the sky—one that helps telescopes correct atmospheric distortion in real time. It’s a technology that revolutionized ground-based astronomy, enabling discoveries from distant black holes to the discovery of planets around nearby star…
Interns
Ep 35 · Jul 29, 2025 · 16 min
What’s it really like to intern at one of the nation’s premier science and national security labs? In this episode of The Big Ideas Lab, we follow the journey from first-day nerves to high-impact research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Featuring stories from fusion diagnostics to bioengineering breakthroughs, we hear from interns and mentors about the challenges, the discoveries - and the culture that makes it all possible. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive…
Forensic Science Center (Part 2)
Ep 34 · Jul 15, 2025 · 20 min
The modern world is an onslaught of threats – from biological and radioactive to nuclear and chemical. At the Forensic Science Center at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, chemists are working night and day to prevent the next catastrophe. In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the world of Forensics and how its study can impact not only the quality of life – but the safety of every American. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch. Sound Design,…
Forensic Science Center (Part 1)
Ep 33 · Jul 1, 2025 · 23 min
A mysterious package. A silent explosion. And a phone call that would change the course of forensic science forever. In this gripping first part of our series, we trace the origins of the Forensic Science Center at Lawrence Livermore National Lab through a decades-spanning investigation that began with the Unabomber and grew into a global hub for solving the most complex scientific mysteries. From moon rocks to murder cases, drug overdoses to nuclear smuggling, meet the scientists who turn micro…
Polymer Enclave
Ep 32 · Jun 17, 2025 · 18 min
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, engineers and scientists are reimagining the way critical components for the U.S. nuclear stockpile are designed, tested, and produced. In this episode, we explore the Polymer Enclave - a groundbreaking collaboration with the Kansas City National Security Campus that has slashed production timelines from years to months. Discover how this partnership is transforming national security manufacturing through rapid innovation, real-time collaboration, and a…
Quantum Computing
Ep 31 · Jun 3, 2025 · 21 min
What if scientists could use the peculiar world of quantum mechanics to design solutions once thought impossible - changing how we build, heal, and communicate? At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers are developing quantum systems that could help us do just that. These machines think differently, tapping into the strange rules of quantum mechanics to simulate atomic interactions, unlock new materials, and reveal hidden patterns in nature. In this episode, we’ll explore how quantu…
AI at the Lab
Ep 30 · May 20, 2025 · 19 min
Artificial intelligence is transforming how science is conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. From accelerating drug discovery to optimizing complex experiments, AI is helping researchers work faster, smarter and with greater precision. Today we’ll explore how scientists are using Cognitive Simulation - an AI-driven approach that combines physics, data, and machine learning - to model the real world. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanu…
Jupiter Laser Facility
Ep 29 · May 6, 2025 · 22 min
From fusion experiments to cancer-fighting tech, the Jupiter Laser Facility is where bold ideas meet billion-watt lasers. In this episode, we go inside the lab where students and scientists alike get hands-on with some of the most powerful laser systems on Earth - turning science fiction into real-world breakthroughs, one laser shot at a time. -- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch and Lacey Peace. Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle…
Spring Break - We'll Be Back Soon!
Ep 28 · Apr 8, 2025 · 1 min
Big Ideas Lab is taking a quick spring break, but the story is far from over. We're continuing to uncover the untold breakthroughs and hidden histories of Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Stay tuned — there’s so much more ahead! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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