Big Ideas Lab

HPC4EI

info@mission.org (LLNL, Mission.org) — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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 projects across 12 Department of Energy labs, the program is helping companies reduce energy use, cut carbon emissions, and strengthen American manufacturing by tackling complex industrial challenges with computational science.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Brandon Wood, Project Lead, LLNL
Aaron Fisher, HPC4EI Director, LLNL
Yeping Hu, Project Lead, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Energetic Materials

info@mission.org (LLNL, mission.org) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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 aimed at reducing risk, advancing security, and shaping the future of deterrence in a rapidly changing world.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Lara Leininger, Director of Energetic Materials Center, LLNL
Alex Gash, Deputy Director of Energetic Materials Center, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Target Fabrication

info@mission.org (LLNL, Mission.org) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

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 Program Manager, LLNL
Jared Hund, LLNL Contract Manager at General Atomics

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Dara Bates.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Hour Operations

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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 Management Department Head, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Elizabeth Sherman.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discovery Science at NIF

info@mission.org (LLNL, Mission.org) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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 ground for the next generation of scientists who will evaluate the safety, security and effectiveness of our nation’s nuclear deterrence.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Dan Kalantar, Chief Systems Engineer for Experimental Systems at NIF, LLNL
Tilo Doeppner, Experimental Physicist at NIF, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drones

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Brian Wihl, Associate Program Lead for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL
James Reimer, Mechanical Engineer for Autonomous Sensors Program, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dark Matter

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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 understand the mass that makes up most of our universe.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Greg Sallaberry, Staff Scientist at LLNL
Gianpaolo Carosi, Staff Scientist at LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Neutrinos

info@mission.org (LLNL, Mission.org) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

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 of everything around us.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Mike Heffner, Staff Scientist, LLNL
Nathaniel Bowden, Physicist, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Offsite Assignments

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

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 directly into decisions that protect our nation.

Hear from Offsite Fellows themselves, as we follow their journeys - where they move through the halls of government, informing and strengthening national security.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Energy Flow Charts

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 2 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

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 original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CAMS

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

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 insights from CAMS researchers, we follow the journey of rare isotopes as they become time-stamps, and vital clues, challenging our understanding of the past and shaping what’s possible in the future.

Guests featured (in order of appearance):

Bruce Buchholz, Staff Scientist, Cold Case Discoveries Lead, LLNL
Susan Zimmerman, Staff Scientist, White Sands National Park Footprints Study Lead, LLNL

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Script by Caroline Kidd

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Advanced Lasers

info@mission.org (Mission.org, LLNL) — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jackson Williams, Physicist at LLNL
Tom Spinka, Laser Physicist at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Element Discovery

info@mission.org (LLNL, Mission.org) — Tue, 9 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Roger Henderson, Senior Radiochemist, LLNL
Dawn Shaughnessy, Division Leader for Nuclear and Chemical Sciences, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

World’s Largest Camera

info@mission.org (Mission, LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 upcoming data, we delve into the observatory’s camera and learn about LLNL’s role in making this system a reality.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Megan Eckart - Director, Space Science Institute, LLNL
Vincent Riot - Former LSST Camera Project Manager and Vera Rubin Observatory Deputy Project Manager, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Laser Guide Star

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 stars.

But how do you go from a concept that once filled a building with laser equipment to something compact, reliable, and safe enough for observatories around the world?

And what role did scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory play in making that technological leap possible?

Tune in to hear the story behind one of astronomy’s most transformative innovations and the team that helped bring it to light.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Written by Caroline Kidd.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Claire Max, Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at UC Santa Cruz and Director of the University of California Observatories
Deanna Pennington, Senior Scientist with the Global Security Directory, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interns

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jarrod Farmer, Scholar Program Manager, LLNL
Jaya Sicard, Graduate Appointee, LLNL, and former Livermore Lab Foundation Fellow
Monica Moya, Group Leader of Bioengineering and Advanced Fabrication, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Forensic Science Center (Part 2)

info@mission.org (llnl, Mission.org, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Audrey Williams, Director of the FSC, LLNL
Carlos Valdes, Lead Chemist, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Forensic Science Center (Part 1)

info@mission.org (llnl, Mission.org, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 1 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 microscopic clues into courtroom evidence.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Brian Andresen, Founder and Former Director, Forensic Science Center, LLNL
Armando Alcarez, International Programs Lead, Forensic Science Center, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Polymer Enclave

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 culture shift that’s changing the future of defense technology.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Robert Maxwell, Program Director, Manufacturing and Materials Transformation, LLNL
Jessica Bailey, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Kansas City National Security Campus

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Quantum Computing

info@mission.org (LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 3 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 quantum computers work, why they need to be colder than deep space, and what it will take to bring their full potential to life.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Yaniv Rosen, Group Leader for the Quantum Coherent Device Physics Group, LLNL
Kristi Beck, Director, Livermore Center for Quantum Science

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI at the Lab

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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 Hanusch and Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Brian Spears, Director of the AI Innovation Incubator, LLNL
Kelli Humbird, Group Leader, Computational Physics, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jupiter Laser Facility

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 6 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Félicie Albert, Director, Jupiter Laser Facility
Elizabeth "Liz" Grace, High Energy Density Science Center Fellow, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Spring Break - We'll Be Back Soon!

Tue, 8 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +0000

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.

Machinists

Tue, 1 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Before a laser fires or a rocket launches, machinists make the mission possible. This episode explores the world of machining at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory—where skilled craftspeople transform raw materials into components for fusion research, national security, and space exploration. From time-tested manual tools to advanced digital manufacturing, machinists at the Lab combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to solve some of the most complex engineering challenges on Earth.

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.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Drew Hash - Apprentice Machinist, LLNL
Dawn Hill - Senior Machinist, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Space Security

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In the vast silence of space, security is anything but quiet. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, cutting-edge science and strategic defense converge to protect the satellites we rely on—guarding them from cyber threats, kinetic attacks, and space debris. As the risks above grow more complex, we’ll uncover the evolving dangers and the invisible shield being built to defend against them.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Ben Bahney - Program Leader for Space, LLNL
Willem DeVries - Associate Program Leader for Mission Support, Space Science and Security Program, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tech Transfer

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Today we’ll explore how technologies developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory make their way from the Lab into industry — impacting lives every day, in ways that might surprise you. We’ll explore how scientific breakthroughs like high-peak-power laser peening, 3D metal printing, and more spotlight LLNL’s Innovation and Partnerships Office - and how this vital connection between groundbreaking research and industry creates far-reaching impact through technology transfer and entrepreneurship.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Matthew Garrett - LLNL Director of the Innovation and Partnerships office
James DeMuth - CEO, Co-Inventor and Co-Founder, Seurat Technologies

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inertial Fusion Energy

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000

What if we could harness the same energy that powers the stars to fuel our world? Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are working towards turning this vision into reality.

In this episode, we explore how fusion works, why it’s fundamentally different from today’s nuclear energy, and how the groundbreaking achievement of ignition at the National Ignition Facility is paving the way for future fusion power plants. Join us as we discuss the challenges, breakthroughs, and the global race to bring fusion energy to the grid.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Tammy Ma, Lead, Inertial Fusion Energy Institutional Initiative, LLNL
Issa Tamer, Laser Scientist, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Community Giving

Tue, 4 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is celebrated for its groundbreaking science - from Fusion Ignition to safeguarding the nuclear stockpile. But there’s another story - grounded in community, connection, and a deep culture of giving.

In this episode, we’ll explore how the same passion that drives scientific discovery fuels the Lab’s commitment to making a difference beyond its walls.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Trey Johnston, Director, Lawrence Livermore National Security Corporate Office
Kellie Glaser, Program Manager, HOME, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drug Discovery

info@mission.org (Mission.org, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, llnl) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

For centuries, drug discovery was a slow, trial-and-error process—sometimes taking decades to develop life-saving treatments. But what if we could speed up that timeline? At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are using supercomputing, machine learning, and AI to revolutionize how new medicines are found, tested, and developed.

In this episode, we dive into the cutting-edge technology behind faster drug discovery, how researchers are using high-performance computing to target diseases more precisely, and the potential to bring new treatments—from cancer drugs to viral countermeasures—to patients in record time.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jim Brase, Deputy Associate Director for Computing, Lead of the Bio Resilience Initiative, LLNL
Felice Lightstone, Leader, Biochemical and Biophysical Systems Group, LLNL
Jonathan Allen, Informatics Scientist, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Optics Recycle Loop

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Inside the National Ignition Facility, 192 laser beams push the limits of science and technology, supporting critical national security and scientific research. But the extreme energy takes a toll, leaving tiny cracks and damage on the system’s delicate optics.

Instead of replacing these costly components, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a high-tech repair process: the Optics Recycle Loop. Like a Formula 1 pit stop for lasers, this system inspects, restores, and reintegrates damaged optics with precision—keeping NIF firing at peak performance.

In this episode, we explore how researchers extend the life of these vital components, the cutting-edge science behind laser damage repair, and why maintaining NIF’s optics is key to its success.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Tayyab Suratwala, Program Director for Optics and Materials Science, LLNL
Laura Mascio Kegelmeyer, Former NIF Team Leader for Optics Inspection and Data Management, LLNL
Wren Carr, Science and Technology Leader for the Optical and Material Science and Technology Group, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Planetary Defense (Part 2)

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Asteroids have reshaped Earth before—and scientists know another impact is inevitable. When traditional deflection methods won’t work, what’s the last resort?

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, experts are exploring nuclear deflection: using nuclear energy to alter an asteroid’s path or break it apart before impact. But how does it work, what are the risks, and how prepared are we to use it when the time comes?

This is the second episode in our Planetary Defense series.
--

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Cody Raskin, Design Physicist, LLNL
Mary Burkey, Staff Scientist, LLNL
Mike Owen, Computational Physicist, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Planetary Defense (Part 1)

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 4 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In 2013, a house-sized asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, with the force of 30 atomic bombs. A century earlier, an asteroid impact flattened 830 square miles of Siberian forest. And while Hollywood loves to dramatize asteroid threats, the real work of planetary defense isn’t happening in action movies—it’s happening in research labs.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a team of scientists is racing against time to track, deflect, and prepare for the next asteroid threat. They’re using cutting-edge simulations, kinetic impact tests, and global collaborations to ensure Earth is ready before disaster strikes. In this episode, we uncover how planetary defense has evolved from theory to reality—why asteroid threats are more real than most people think—and what it will take to stop a civilization-ending impact.

Because the next asteroid isn’t a question of if—but when.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jason Pearl, Physicist at the Planetary Defense Group, LLNL
Megan Bruck Syal, Former Leader of the Planetary Defense Program, LLNL
Katie Kumamoto, Leader of the Planetary Defense Program, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NIF Sustainment

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

How do you maintain a facility built to achieve the impossible? In this episode, we explore the National Ignition Facility Sustainment Project—an undertaking to ensure that the world’s most energetic laser continues to deliver on its mission. Discover how scientists at the National Ignition Facility keep this technological marvel running, overcoming challenges of aging systems to ensure it remains a cornerstone of innovation and a vital asset to the nation’s security.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace and Levi Hanusch.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jean Michel Di Nicola, Co-Program Director for Laser Science and Systems Engineering at NIF, LLNL
Gordon Brunton, National Ignition Facility Director, LLNL
Jeff Horner, Project Manager for the NIF Sustainment Project, LLNL
Larry Pelz, Deputy Group Leader for Laser Science Systems Engineering, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Earthquake Modeling

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The ground beneath us is always moving—but what can it reveal about our future? At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, seismic monitoring has evolved into a cornerstone of national security and disaster preparedness. From detecting nuclear tests halfway across the globe to simulating the devastating effects of earthquakes before they strike, this episode explores how LLNL’s work is making the world a safer place—one seismic wave at a time.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Bill Walter, Geophysical Monitoring Programs Focus Area Lead, LLNL
Arben Pitarka, Seismology Group Leader, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Next Gen Innovators

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

What happens when you bring a group of fifth graders into one of the world’s most advanced science labs? It’s not just magic—it’s mission-critical.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, student outreach programs, from elementary school activities to graduate internships, are designed to spark curiosity and foster a lifelong love of science. These programs aren’t just about teaching; they’re about preparing the U.S. to tackle tomorrow’s greatest challenges. With the global stakes higher than ever, hear how sparking curiosity in young minds today is essential to developing the innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers who will lead the world tomorrow.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Joanna Albala, Science Education Programmer at LLNL
Patrick Poole, Experimental Physicist at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Roads to Removal

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 7 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Entire communities erased by hurricanes. 240,000 square kilometers burned. Floodwaters swallowing towns. Extreme weather isn’t a distant threat—it’s reshaping our world. But here’s the good news: we’re not powerless. Enter the Roads to Removal report, a new strategy for combating climate change.

In this episode, we delve into the science, strategy, and stories behind this effort. Join us as we explore how scientists, farmers, and policymakers are uniting to turn the tide on climate change.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Lead of the LLNL Carbon Initiative
Simon Pang, Associate Group Leader in the Materials for Energy and Climate Security Group at LLNL
Kimberley Mayfield, Staff Scientist of Energy Equity & Carbon Management at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Additive Manufacturing

info@mission.org (LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Once a concept in 1940s science fiction, additive manufacturing—better known as 3D printing—has become a game-changer in modern production. Unlike traditional methods that cut away material, additive manufacturing builds components layer by layer, enabling intricate designs, reduced waste, and faster production.

In this episode, we uncover how this technology evolved, why it’s transforming industries like aerospace and healthcare, and what the future holds as researchers push its boundaries.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Hayden Taylor, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
Chris Spadaccini, Materials Engineering Division Leader, Engineering Directorate, LLNL
Caitlyn Krikorian Cook, Polymer Engineer, LLNL
Maxim Shusteff, Group Leader, Materials Engineering Division, LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stockpile Modernization

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In the mid-1990s, global treaties and a U.S. moratorium on nuclear testing marked a turning point in reducing the nuclear threat. As Cold War tensions eased, U.S. nuclear test and production sites fell silent for the first time since 1945. But, as the years passed, a new threat to U.S. nuclear deterrence emerged—one that no technology has ever escaped: time.

To address this, the U.S. government launched the Stockpile Stewardship Program. This groundbreaking initiative shifted the focus from building new weapons to using cutting-edge science and technology to maintain the nation’s nuclear stockpile. By leveraging advanced, science-based methods, the program ensures the safety, security, and reliability of its aging weapons—all without the need for nuclear testing.

Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a key component of the Stockpile Stewardship Program: modernization. We’ll explore how this effort works, why it’s essential, and what it means for the future of national security.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Derek Wapman, Associate Deputy Director for Stockpile Modernization at LLNL
Peter Raboin, Program Manager for the W80-4 Life Extension Program at LLNL
Juliana Hsu, Program Manager for the W87-1 Warhead Modification Program at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Site 300

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 3 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

After the first successful atomic bomb test in 1945, code-named Trinity, a new era in global politics began. Unlocking the power of the atom sparked a race among world governments—not just to build bigger weapons, but smaller, cheaper, and more agile ones. Achieving this would require rapid iteration to stay ahead.

In 1955, the Atomic Energy Commission purchased 3,400 acres of farmland near Livermore. This barren stretch, later known as Site 300, became the proving ground for the Lab’s most ambitious innovations. What unfolded there would shape the future of weapons development—and change the course of history.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Valerie Dibley, Site 300 Manager at LLNL
Brian Cracchiola, Explosive Operations Manager for the Strategic Deterrence Directorate at LLNL
Jeff Florando, Associate Program Director for Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiments in the Weapons Physics and Design Program at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NARAC

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In the 1960s and 70s, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory were pushing the boundaries of nuclear weapons technology. But these breakthroughs came with a daunting question: Now that nuclear technologies existed, how could the world manage their risks and keep people safe?

Enter NARAC, the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center. Built on Livermore’s expertise in nuclear physics and supercomputing, NARAC was created to predict the spread of hazardous materials in the atmosphere during emergencies. From Chernobyl to Fukushima to Three Mile Island, NARAC’s scientists have worked on some of the hardest problems of our time—helping to assess risks, save lives, and inform critical decisions.

This episode dives into the origins of NARAC, its groundbreaking mission, and how it continues to prepare for the unthinkable.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

John Nasstrom, Chief Scientist for NARAC at LLNL
Lydia Tai, Health Physicist at LLNL
Lee Glascoe, Program Leader at LLNL for the Nuclear Emergency Support Team
Katie Lundquist, Model Development Lead for NARAC at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

El Capitan

info@mission.org (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

For decades, it was an ambitious dream: to create a supercomputer powerful enough to tackle humanity's most complex problems. Now, that dream is a reality. On November 18, 2024, El Capitan made history as the world’s fastest supercomputer, surpassing two exaflops of speed. Join us as we explore how this monumental achievement is set to redefine national security, revolutionize scientific research, and spark breakthroughs that could change the world as we know it.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

DYNA3D

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

What does designing hurricane-proof buildings have to do with heart surgery and light beer? Surprisingly, the answer lies in a groundbreaking computer code developed more than 50 years ago.

A code so powerful that automakers use it for car crash simulations, beer manufacturers rely on it to design cans, and surgeons turn to it to understand how fluid flows through the heart.

This is the untold story of DYNA3D—a revolutionary code that transformed industries by simulating real-world physics and reshaped innovation as we know it.

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

John Hallquist, Inventor of DYNA3D
Roger Werne, LLNL’s Senior Advisor for Innovation and Partnerships
Kim Budil, Director of LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Implantables

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Imagine an artificial retina that restores sight or micro-devices implanted to monitor health in real time. This isn’t science fiction—it’s our new reality.

In this episode, we journey into the groundbreaking world of implantable technology. Discover the science driving these innovations, explore the life-changing devices already in use, and glimpse the remarkable advancements still on the horizon. How will these tiny marvels shape our understanding of human potential and redefine what it means to be human?

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Alison Yorita, Staff Engineer for Lawrence Livermore’s Implantables Microsystem Group
Matthew Leonard, Associate Professor at the University of California, San Francisco in the Department of Neurosurgery
Razi Haque, Implantable Microsystems Group Lead at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beyond Ignition

info@mission.org (LLNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Over millennia, humanity has mastered fire, wind, steam and even the atom to fuel its progress. Now, we stand on the brink of the next monumental leap: fusion.

At the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a team of scientists and engineers has been working tirelessly to achieve Fusion Ignition, an achievement that could redefine energy as we know it. The road has been long and filled with challenges, but the promise of unlocking the energy that powers the stars is within reach.

As we revisit the groundbreaking efforts at NIF, the question remains: Can they overcome the final hurdles to create a fusion breakthrough, and what will that mean for the future of power on Earth?

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Kim Budil, Director of LLNL
Michael Stadermann, Program Manager for Target Fabrication at LLNL
Teresa Bailey, Associate Program Director for LLNL's Computational Physics in the Weapons Simulation and Computing Team
Tayyab Suratwala, Program Director for LLNL’s Optics and Materials Science and Technology Team
Richard Town, Associate Program Director for Inertial Confinement Fusion Science at LLNL
Jean-Michel Di Nicola, Program Co-Director for Laser Science and System Engineering at LLNL
Kelly Hahn, Experimental Physicist and Diagnostician at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fusion Ignition

info@mission.org (kim budil, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Step inside LLNL’s National Ignition Facility, home to the world’s largest and most powerful laser. It’s a building as vast as three football fields, with beams amplified a million times in strength, all focused on a tiny target no bigger than a centimeter. The scale is immense, but the goal is even bigger: to create the most extreme conditions in the universe and unlock a revolutionary energy source.

But what does it really take to reach fusion ignition?

Join us as we explore the science, the stakes, and the people behind this incredible pursuit. Tune in to discover how a fleeting moment of triumph could change the future of energy forever.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Kim Budil, Director of LLNL
Jean-Michel Di Nicola, Program Co-Director for Laser Science and System Engineering at LLNL
Michael Stadermann, Program Manager for Target Fabrication at LLNL
Richard Town, Associate Program Director for Inertial Confinement Fusion Science at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day in a Life of Deterrence

info@mission.org (llnl, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 8 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Strategic deterrence is the foundation of U.S. national defense, but it’s only as strong as the nuclear triad that supports it.

Think of the nuclear triad—land, sea and air—as a three-legged stool that holds up the entire strategy. For this "stool" to remain steady, the weapons, systems and devices within each leg must be credible.

But what does it take to ensure that credibility? And what role do the teams at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory play in keeping the U.S. secure? Tune in to find out.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Michael Zika, Principal Associate Deputy Director for Strategic Deterrence at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Dr. Marvin Adams, Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration
Brad Wallin, Deputy Director for Strategic Deterrence at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Jong Oliver, Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff of LLNL’s Strategic Deterrence Directorate

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Strategic Deterrence

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 1 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In October 1962, a U-2 reconnaissance plane captured images of Soviet missile sites under construction in Cuba. What followed was a tense 13-day standoff between the US and the Soviet Union—an event that became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

This pivotal moment in the Cold War revealed the catastrophic potential of nuclear war and the urgent need for diplomacy. Today, we're diving deep into the national security principle of strategic deterrence—a policy designed to win wars not by preparing for their inevitability, but by preventing them outright.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Dr. Marvin Adams, Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration
Michael Zika, Principal Associate Deputy Director for Strategic Deterrence at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Brad Wallin, Deputy Director for Strategic Deterrence at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Supercomputing

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In the 1960s, a quiet revolution was taking shape behind the scenes—one that would eventually touch every corner of our modern world. As Cold War tensions rose and the future grew more uncertain, scientists embarked on a mission to harness a new kind of power: high performance computing. What began as an effort to solve complex nuclear challenges would soon transform the way we think, work, and live.

From early machines like the UNIVAC-1, nicknamed an "oversized toaster," to today’s supercomputers capable of simulating entire worlds, this episode explores how Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s relentless innovations have transformed technology—and continue to shape the future of our everyday lives.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Michel Mccoy, Former Director of LLNL's Advanced Simulation and Computing Program
Rob Neely, Associate Director for Weapon Simulation and Computing at LLNL
Becky Springmeyer, Division Leader for Livermore Computing.

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

History of the Lab

info@mission.org (Mission.org) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In the wake of the Soviet Union's first atomic bomb test, the looming threat of nuclear war sent shockwaves through the United States. Air raid sirens blared, bomb shelters were built, and schoolchildren were drilled in "Duck and Cover" tactics. But the U.S. government knew preparation wasn’t enough—they needed a breakthrough, something far more powerful to shift the balance of power.

Their answer was nuclear deterrence: the idea that the best protection against a nuclear attack is the fear of retaliation. This sparked a race to develop a weapon so powerful that the Soviets wouldn’t dare challenge it.

At the center of this effort was physicist Ernest Lawrence, whose visionary leadership not only pushed the boundaries of nuclear science but also laid the foundation for a lab that would revolutionize both national security and scientific discovery. This is the story of how Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was born—and how it began to change the world.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Tom Ramos, LLNL Physicist & Author of From Berkeley to Berlin
Bruce Tarter, Former LLNL Director & Author of The American Lab
Rob Neely, Associate Director for Weapon Simulation and Computing at LLNL

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meet the Lab

info@mission.org (Mission.org, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

What if one square mile could change the world?

Welcome to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where groundbreaking scientific discoveries are transforming the way we understand, interact with and shape our reality.

Tucked just beyond the San Francisco Bay, this hub of innovation is home to some of the brightest minds tackling humanity's toughest challenges. In this episode, we pull back the curtain for a rare insider’s tour. You’ll hear stories of breakthrough innovations, the science that powers them, and the people brave enough to push the limits of what's known. Step inside a world where the future is being written—one discovery at a time.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Kim Budil, LLNL Director
Pat Falcone, LLNL Deputy Director of Science and Technology
Brian Cracchiola, LLNL Explosive Operations Manager for the Strategic Deterrence Directorate
Razi Haque, LLNL Implantable Microsystems Group Lead
Carolyn Zerkle, LLNL Principal Deputy Director
Tom Ramos, LLNL Physicist & Author of From Berkeley to Berlin

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

About Big Ideas Lab

info@mission.org (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) — Tue, 3 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Big Ideas Lab, a weekly podcast that takes you inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hear untold stories, meet boundary-pushing pioneers and get unparalleled access to groundbreaking science and technology. From national security challenges to computing revolutions, discover the innovations that are shaping tomorrow, today.

New episodes release weekly. Subscribe now.

---

Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Kim Budil, LLNL Director
Pat Falcone, LLNL Deputy Director of Science and Technology
Brian Cracchiola, LLNL Explosive Operations Manager for the Strategic Deterrence Directorate
Razi Haque, LLNL Implantable Microsystems Group Lead
Jeff Florando, LLNL Associate Program Director for Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiments in the Weapons Physics and Design Program
Tom Ramos, Former LLNL Physicist
Carolyn Zerkle, LLNL Principal Deputy Director
Michel Mccoy, Former Director of LLNL's Advanced Simulation and Computing Program
Teresa Bailey, LLNL Associate Program Director for Computational Physics in the Weapons Simulation and Computing Team
Michael Stadermann, LLNL Program Manager for Target Fabrication
Caitlin Silberman, LLNL Archivist

Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.