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DOE OSTI2024

Quantum for Energy Systems and Technologies

Quantum Information Science (QIS) is expected to profoundly change the practice of science and engineering in the coming decades. QIS technology exploits quantum phenomena for performing tasks that are impossible to do today and is a rapidly progressing field, fueled by large investments from the private sector and governments. Its importance to the U.S. economy and national security is underscored by the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) passed in December 2018, which creates a coordinated multiagency program to support research and training in QIS. After the NIQA signed into law, NETL has launched an initiative to apply QIS to problems encountered in energy technology development. In Jan. 2020, an Quantum for Energy Systems & Technologies (QUEST) working group was formed to establish a workforce capable of developing, reviewing, managing, and advising on QIS-related technologies for NETL and FECM. Since then, the QUEST team have been working on developing quantum sensing technology and performing quantum computing to solve energy-related problems. This poster summarized the QUEST team’s activities & accomplishments on QIS targeting energy-related applications.

Paudel, Hari P.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Mapping the Gap: Analysis of Nuclear Cybersecurity Education in U.S. Universities

The U.S. nuclear sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the expansion of advanced reactors, digital modernization of legacy systems, and increasing interest in nuclear energy to meet AI-fueled energy demands. However, the cybersecurity talent pipeline is not keeping pace with this growth. This paper investigates the significant gap in nuclear cybersecurity education and proposes scalable strategies for colleges to address this critical need by promoting it as a viable and essential career path. Through a multi-institutional landscape analysis of 16 cybersecurity and 12 nuclear engineering programs, we found that nuclear cybersecurity is largely absent from university curricula. Most students are unaware of the field’s existence, and few institutions offer hands-on training or interdisciplinary exposure. This lack of awareness leads to a shortage of specialized talent, forcing nuclear facilities to retrain generalist hires or rely on costly external consultants. We present a framework for early pipeline cultivation grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory and workforce development principles. Proposed solutions include student-led clubs, guest lectures, modular classroom kits, and summer boot camps. By increasing visibility and access to nuclear cyber content, we aim to break the self-reinforcing cycle of low awareness and limited specialization. This work underscores the critical role of education and advocacy in cultivating early interest and guiding students toward this emerging field. We call on academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry stakeholders to collaborate in establishing nuclear cybersecurity as a distinct and accessible career path within the broader cybersecurity and nuclear engineering ecosystems.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Computational Modeling of Atmospheric Processes at Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University (TSU) is strengthening its research program in atmospheric chemistry and physics with a climate science emphasis by leveraging partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Facility, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), and the Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER). This RDPP-supported program focuses on secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) and reactive atmospheric species that influence cloud formation, precipitation processes, and radiative forcing. SOAs play a critical role in cloud microphysics and Earth’s energy balance, yet the chemical and physical mechanisms governing SOA–cloud interactions remain a significant source of uncertainty in predictive climate models. Through computational modeling, observational data analysis, and national laboratory collaboration, this program develops a skilled cohort of students trained in atmospheric science, environmental data analysis, and climate-relevant modeling. These research experiences build technical competencies that are transferable to careers in government laboratories, academia, and industry. By engaging students from historically underrepresented communities in high-impact climate research, TSU expands participation in the atmospheric sciences workforce while contributing meaningful scientific insights to DOE-supported ARM research activities. This partnership strengthens national capacity in climate science and supports the development of the next generation of atmospheric researchers.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) Handbook: CHIRP Program Document 2026

The Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) handbook outlines a comprehensive framework designed to advance space cybersecurity education, workforce development, recruitment efforts for United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of the Airforce, and foster students’ professional growth. It provides an overview of CHIRP's objectives and strategic focus, establishing the foundation for participant engagement through a network of collaborations with academic institutions, contracted industry partners, training and certification organizations, federal agencies, and community organizations. It states a clear participation strategy for SSC and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for program execution and successful support for student transition to a career in space cybersecurity.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

DOE OSTI2026

Data-Driven Modeling and Control of Systems with Plasma-Surface Interactions (Final Technical Report)

This final technical report summarizes the activities and accomplishments in the period from February 2023 thru January 2026. The objective of the proposed research is to investigate the physical mechanisms and processes underlying the formation of structures and patterns in systems with plasma-surface interactions. In the past decades, there have been extensive studies on the interaction of glow discharges, dielectric barrier discharges, and arc discharges with confining or intervening surfaces. The advancement of the understanding of these phenomena is not only of fundamental scientific interest and relevance to the knowledge of the plasma state, but also with profound implications in various technological applications. The research will integrate theoretical, computational, and experimental work within an innovative framework of data assimilation, i.e., optimally combining model predictions with measurements. The scientific merit of this research has three aspects. Firstly, it extends the studies of plasma-surface interactions to systems with insulator surfaces and multi-layer systems, while existing studies are predominantly on electrode surfaces. Secondly, it expects to develop a novel data-driven modeling approach based on data assimilation to enhance the predictive and control capabilities, which could make transformative contributions to basic plasma research. Thirdly, it will shed new light on outstanding problems related to formation of patterns interfacing plasmas. This project also aims to launch an education and outreach initiative at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a non-R1, minority-serving institution in South Texas. The initiative is structured as a four-tier pyramid. Tier one will be a webinar series for culture and capacity building to inform broader audience in the region about the research fields of plasma science and engineering. Tier two will be the creation and offering of an upper-level undergraduate course on introductory plasma physics, which will help with the recruitment for the upper tiers. On tier three, we will engage and mentor senior design students to conduct work toward the research goal of this project. There will also be a certificate program on general plasma science for undergrad and graduate students, part of which will be lab training at Princeton University. Tier four will be the supervision and mentoring of Ph.D. students. Therefore, this project will systematically expand the talent pipeline, broaden participation from communities historically and geographically underrepresented in DOE SC research portfolio, significantly improve the research and education capacity at the PI’s institution, and contribute to developing a diverse workforce in plasma science and engineering.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

A Guide for Public Utility Commissions: Building Internal Technical Capacity and Recruiting Talent for Grid Resilience

This guide offers insight into how PUCs can strategically expand their technical workforce to meet evolving gird resilience demands. It outlines critical skill sets needed to support informed regulatory decision-making around resilience, such as modeling and weather forecasting, electric power systems analysis, and advanced data interpretation. In addition, it provides strategies for developing technical talent both internally and through additional recruitment efforts. Two appendices provide a list of grid resilience training resources and a compendium of sample job descriptions that reflect grid resilience technical expertise for PUC consideration.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Novel ceramic capacitors with ultrahigh energy density and efficiency (Final Technical Report)

Antiferroelectric ceramics are a special class of material that have shown great potential as the dielectric in electrical capacitors due to their high energy- and power-density. During each charge-discharge cycle, the ceramic undergoes transformation to a ferroelectric phase and resumes its antiferroelectric phase. The hysteresis associated with the transitions leads to a mediocre energy efficiency and service lifetime of antiferroelectric capacitors and, hence, their almost absence in commercial products. Under the support of this research project, we first formulated a universal lattice-compatibility theory that included electrostatic polarization energy along with elastic energy and thermal energy to understand the origin of the hysteresis in antiferroelectric oxides. Guided by this compatibility theory, we conducted high-throughput density functional theory (DFT) calculations to assess chemical modifiers and their effect on crystal structures of 400+ PbZrO 3 -based compositions. Down-selected compositions were experimentally validated for their suppressed hysteresis and higher energy efficiency. The verified low-hysteresis compositions were then expanded to an antiferroelectric ceramic library with nearly 500 new compositions (more than 1,500 samples) using high-throughput experiments involving ceramic synthesis and property screening. The large quantity of data generated (theory and experimental) in these tasks were processed by machine-learning techniques and identified trends were fed to the next iteration. In the end, we successfully discovered four compositions with near-zero hysteresis, yielding a world-record energy efficiency of 98.2% at an energy density of 3.0 J/cm 3 . Furthermore, our antiferroelectric ceramic capacitor reaches 79.5 million charge-discharge cycles lifetime, a factor of 80 enhancement over previous antiferroelectric ceramics with large hysteresis. These research accomplishments have not only met the milestones set in the SOPO, but also led to two patent filings, three journal publications (one of them was in Advanced Materials, impact factor 29.4), and nine oral presentations at various venues. Through the course of the project, three postdocs, four Ph.D. students, and one M.S. student were trained. In short, our project established a new methodology in searching next-generation functional ceramics on the fundamental side and discovered several high-efficiency antiferroelectric compositions for capacitors on the applied side. Once fabricated into the multilayer form for commercial applications, these ceramic capacitors can potentially enable the high temperature high power density DC-link capacitors that are critical for the next generation inverters in electric vehicles. The project also significantly contributed to the nation’s workforce development in the STEM fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Final Technical Report for U.S.-Japan Hadronic Physics Exchange Program for Studies of Hadron Structure and QCD

Nuclear physics explores the fundamental properties of matter -- how protons and neutrons emerge as quantum systems of elementary particles, how they form the atomic nuclei, and how they give rise to the wide variety of phenomena and applications at biological, technical, and astronomical scales. It is a global scientific effort centered around large-scale experimental user facilities (particle accelerators and detectors), advanced theoretical methods and concepts, and computational techniques and resources. Exchange of knowledge and ideas, scientific collaboration, and workforce development on a global scale are essential for the future of the field. The nuclear physics program envisaged in the 2023 DOE/NSF NSAC Long-Range Plan and pursued at the U.S. National Labs has strong synergies with programs at other facilities worldwide and will realize significant benefits from international collaboration. Nuclear physics is also recognized for promoting international cooperation in the broadest sense through joint construction and operation of experimental equipment, personal contacts between scientists, and education and training. The U.S.-Japan Hadronic Physics Exchange Program (USJPHE) supported collaborative scientific research in hadronic physics and quantum chromodynamics. USJHPE focused on subject areas related to the programs at current and future experimental facilities in the U.S.\ and Japan and supported both experimental and theoretical studies. USJHPE particularly aimed to realize synergies between the hadronic physics programs at Jefferson Lab 12 GeV and J-PARC resulting from the complementarity of electromagnetic and hadronic probes in the multi-GeV energy range. Subject areas of common interest included the quark-gluon structure of hadrons and nuclei, meson and baryon spectroscopy, strangeness and hypernuclear physics, and other related topics. USJHPE also supported research in hadronic physics and nuclear-physics-enabled tests of fundamental symmetries related to the programs at Brookhaven National Lab, Fermilab, KEK, Spring-8, and university-based facilities in the U.S. and Japan. USJHPE especially promoted collaboration between the U.S. and Japanese nuclear physics communities in developing the physics program and instrumentation for the future Electron-Ion Collider. USJHPE was intended to provide travel grants to U.S.-based scientists (primary institutional affiliation with a U.S.\ university, national laboratory, or other research center) to visit Japanese institutions and conduct collaborative research there. The program supported senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students. Continuing the setup of the preceding grant period, J-PARC served as the Japanese “hub” for U.S. physicists for short- and long-term visits, and JLab served as the corresponding U.S. “hub”. The program was officially managed through the U. of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Support for Japanese physicists visiting the U.S. was provided through funds from Japanese funding agencies. The USJHPE program promoted the scientific exchange and the collaborative spirit in hadronic physics between the two countries.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Energy I-Corps Annual Report 2025

Energy I-Corps is an initiative of the Department of Energy's Office of Technology Commercialization. The focus of this 2-month program is to train National Laboratory researchers in evaluating industry needs and potential market applications for their DOE technologies. This year's annual report details the accomplishments, activities, and finances of Energy I-Corps' 2025 fiscal year programming.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Scalable and Cost-Effective Solution to the U.S. Housing Crisis: A Case Study on Locally Manufactured Modular Multifamily Housing

This case study assesses waste management efficiencies in modular buildings compared to traditional construction methods. We focus on the modular 1-bedroom Model/Z unit by Model Z Modular, LLC. As part of the collaboration between Model Z Modular and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, we analyzed waste metrics from design through construction, contrasting these findings against conventional stick-built and site-built multifamily buildings. The Model/Z unit is part of a strategic effort to address affordable housing shortages in South Los Angeles, where household income challenges are pronounced. The unit is produced in a state-of-the-art 150,000 sq. ft. modular manufacturing facility located within the city it is serving, and has so far supported the production of over 1,500 affordable housing units. Model/Z units have been used in projects with as many as 195 units, achieving large economies of scale and time. Our analysis demonstrates that modular construction reduces waste compared to traditional methods. This reduction is achieved through precise prefabrication techniques, the implementation of new framing methods, the concentration of workforce expertise, and streamlined logistics, which optimize material use and greatly reduce on-site handling. Additionally, local manufacturing minimizes transportation needs, improving overall project efficiency. The Model/Z unit exemplifies a scalable solution for enhancing housing affordability by optimizing resource utilization and minimizing associated costs. These methods support the delivery of high-quality units at reduced expenses, addressing critical urban housing shortages effectively. This case study underscores Model Z Modular's commitment to producing affordable, quality housing while fostering economic opportunities through job creation and training programs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

Educational Consortium for Energy-related Data Science & Computation in Building Engineering Programs

The project spearheaded by Pennsylvania State University aims to address the growing need for integrating energy-focused computation and data science into building engineering education. As the demand for energy-efficient building designs and operations increases, the educational sector must adapt to equip future engineers with the necessary skills. This initiative responds to this need by developing a consortium that unites multiple institutions to enhance curriculum development, dataset curation, and resource sharing, thereby ensuring students are well-prepared for the evolving energy sector. The primary goal of the project is to establish a consortium that will develop and disseminate educational materials and training programs focused on energy-related data science and computation. Key accomplishments include the creation of a beta website for resource sharing, the development of training programs and standalone modules, and the curation of datasets accessible to the public. This effort will culminate in a curriculum that incorporates advanced modeling technologies and data science skills into building engineering programs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2026

Affordable and Scalable Modular Multifamily Housing: A Case Study on Cost, Construction Time Savings, and Waste Reduction in California: Preprint

Modular construction can significantly reduce waste when compared to traditional methods. This case study evaluates cost, construction time, and waste metrics for a 195-unit stick-built project and for a 66-unit modular project both based in Los Angeles, CA. We partner with SoLa Impact (real estate developer) and Model/Z (modular manufacturer) to evaluate the impact of Model/Z's 1-bedroom modular unit which is produced in a 160,000 sq ft local factory in South Los Angeles. We compare them to similar stick-built/site-built multifamily construction by the same developer in Los Angeles. This study finds that modular production reduced construction waste through precise prefabrication, concentrated workforce expertise, and streamlined logistics while cutting transportation needs, improving project efficiency and lowering associated timelines and costs. Economies of scale are being realized as Model/Z has produced over 500 affordable housing units and supplied for projects up to 188 units, shortening schedules and lowering per-unit costs and supporting affordable housing goals in income-challenged South Los Angeles. Modular methods offer a scalable, resource-efficient pathway to increasing affordable housing supply while reducing total development costs by 10-15% and project timelines by 50%, while simultaneously creating local jobs and training opportunities.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

Pathways to Improved Representation in Advanced NucleAr science (PIRANA)

This document presents the final technical report for Pathways to Improved Representation in Advanced NucleAr Science (PIRANA), supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (Office of Nuclear Physics) under Award No. DE-SC0024677 through the Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative. The project launched in Fall 2023 at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, a federally recognized Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and the only community college participating in the nEXO collaboration. Through this partnership, Skyline College established an accessible and rigorous research environment for its students. Over the course of the project, 10 student trainees made meaningful contributions to nEXO detector R&D and to activities aimed at expanding student engagement in advanced nuclear science. An additional 24 students completed the Summer Introduction to Research and Experimentation in Nuclear physics (SIREN), a three-week program developed from the training materials created for the nEXO trainees. All participating students engaged in opportunities to present their work locally and at national conferences, take part in public outreach, and contribute to a range of academic activities across campus. Collectively, these efforts extended the impact of the project throughout the wider Skyline College community.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Discovery Science and Inertial Fusion Energy Research at the Jupiter Laser Facility (Research Performance Progress Report)

The goal of this project is to provide operational support to run the Jupiter Laser Facility within the LaserNetUS network to achieve the following four objectives: • Develop new science, techniques, and platforms for discovery science and IFE research, in partnership with academia, other LaserNetUS nodes, and the greater community. • Advance the development of secondary sources of photons and particles for applications relevant to discovery science and IFE; • Serve as a testbed for new laser, optical, target, and diagnostic capabilities that will advance IFE; • Attract, train, and retain talent in high-energy-density and laser science that will be essential in furthering development of IFE, and help build new collaborations between national laboratory and academic researchers. We have accomplished our four objectives by: • Providing access to the three JLF platforms (Titan, Janus, and COMET) to LaserNetUS users after their proposals have been independently reviewed and ranked by the LaserNetUS PRP; • Providing expertise and technical capabilities to support focused science research thrusts at the facility; • Promoting and maintaining technical relationships and collaborations with other members of the LaserNetUS community to nurture and grow the discovery science and IFE workforce— especially students and early career scientists—on LaserNetUS facilities. • Augmenting JLF with specific improvements while coordinating efforts with LLNL organizations and collaborators to provide users with optimal laser, target, and diagnostic resources to help them maximize technical impact.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

1. Physical Security Engineering by Design for Nuclear Facilities; 2. Nuclear Power Plant Site Security Management – A Security Strategy; 3. The UAE Women in Nuclear Energy Security

1. Security by design, or SeBD, is a comprehensive approach that integrates the physical protection system of a nuclear plant into every stage of its existence. This includes planning, designing, constructing, commissioning, and operating the facility, using a combination of analytical, physical, technological, and procedural measures. Essentially, SeBD involves intentionally applying and incorporating security into all aspects of design and operation throughout the entire lifecycle of a facility. By implementing this methodology throughout various phases such as program development, process implementation, staff training and procedures management in conjunction with plant equipment, facilities can be optimized to minimize security risks without compromising functional design requirements. This ultimately improves the overall security posture of the site and reduces the need for costly modifications or additional security resources post-design. 2. A site security strategy is a living document that is revised on a periodic or event-driven basis, ensuring that site security operations and corresponding procedures provide long-term, effective protection for the entire nuclear power plant (NPP) site. A site security strategy aims to mitigate threats across the entire NPP site via in-depth defense approaches and mutual support; therefore, if a layer is omitted or altered, then the effect across all layers must be re-evaluated. Therefore, the aim of the site security strategy is to provide an appropriate, scalable security regime that deters, denies, delays, and detects incidents and, equally importantly, reassures legitimate users and the regulator that due diligence and regulatory compliance have been achieved, ensuring that the site is safe and secure. Robust access control for vehicles and pedestrians is at the heart of the strategy. Vehicle and pedestrian searching and screening are seen as the strongest mitigation methods against vehicle- and pedestrian-borne attacks. The security strategy must also be supported through comprehensive staff training and the development of robust processes, procedures, and planning. If all these measures are to be effective, then training must be implemented during each phase of construction, partial operation/commissioning, and full operation. No single element of site security is completely isolated from the influence of other elements. Ideally, consideration of all key elements will result in a security strategy that is integrated and proportional to the threat and that does not over specify individual security solutions through the application of isolated measures but rather applies a holistic, all-encompassing approach. 3. When women enter the labor force, numerous positive outcomes emerge, including increased GDP, educational gains, and decreased maternal mortality. Despite these benefits, women's employment rates and equality vary significantly worldwide as does support for women in the workforce. This paper will explore the multifaceted benefits of women's employment, the factors influencing labor force participation rates, and the urgency to achieve gender equality as outlined in the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will then examine the emerging presence of women in the traditionally male-dominated nuclear field, specifically within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a testament to their resilience and determination to break social norms and advance gender equality.

Zineddin, Dr. Z.↗

DOE OSTI2025

EMPOWERED Distributed Energy Resources Permit Accelerator Pilot

This report summarizes the EMPOWERED Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Permit Accelerator Pilot project. Its primary objective was to streamline the design, installation, permitting, and inspections of targeted Distributed Energy Resource (DER) solutions. Streamlining these processes is critical to strengthening and accelerating the adoption of DER solutions nationwide. Moreover, streamlined processes help expedite the clean energy transition and expand energy resilience by improving understanding and capability among key stakeholders like property owners, code officials, and the general workforce. The project team accomplished this by developing and deploying a set of design and permitting guides for simple DER solutions, which they rolled out via a permitting pilot program. The project team developed nine permitting and inspection guides for simple DER solutions, as follows: 1. Single-Family and Duplex: Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), and Storage, Solar + Storage (each in two code cycles) 2. Multi-family and Office: EVSE, Storage, Solar + Storage (each in two code cycles) 3. A permitting process guide to support the implementation of the permitting guides. The guides cover key code requirements via plan review and field inspection checklists for code officials and building owners to follow to streamline the permitting and inspections process for DER solutions. Following the development of the initial set of guides, the project team formed two cohorts, each made up of four jurisdictions, to participate in the Permit Accelerator Pilot. Each cohort received training and technical assistance to support them in incorporating the guides into use. The project successfully engaged jurisdictions in two disparate US regions: Chelsea, Somerville, Natick, and Norwood in metro Boston; and Pima County, Town of Gilbert, Flagstaff, and Sedona in Arizona. Feedback gathered from the project was valuable in refining the guides to better address jurisdictional needs. After the pilot period, the project team developed final versions of the guides based on extensive feedback from the cohorts and from external technical peer review. Feedback included needs and barriers related to implementation, as well as detailed technical improvements from external peer review. The final guides were presented in a series of webinars with a national reach, with 192 attendees from 35 states in the live session of the final webinar, and the final guides are posted online and available for use nationwide. Key findings: • The most receptive jurisdictions were those adjacent to other jurisdictions that had already adopted similar initiatives. The least receptive jurisdictions were those in the midst of adopting new code cycles. • The most common barrier to jurisdictional adoption of new guidelines were internal administrative and process delays, more so than technical barriers. • The main technical barrier to adoption proved to be the concern of fire hazard risks posed by energy storage systems. There is some apprehension in the code enforcement community about the safety of the batteries. Education coordinated with fire and safety services will help alleviate concerns and increase confidence in the acceptance of innovative technologies. • Opportunities to further leverage and advance the guides and related resources include outreach, education, and jurisdictional support; updates to the resources to align with code cycle changes and local requirements; and advancements supporting emerging technologies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Jupiter Laser Facility Annual Report, FY 2025

Dear JLF community, I cannot believe I am now entering my third year as JLF director — time definitely flies when you are having fun! FY25 was another pivotal year for the Jupiter Laser Facility, marked by both scientific achievement and growing visibility for our community. Building on the successful reopening and refurbishment of the facility, we continued to demonstrate how JLF drives innovation in high energy density and fusion energy science, laser technology, and workforce development. Across Janus, Titan, and COMET, users executed a diverse portfolio of experiments, from dynamic compression and opacity measurements to laser plasma interactions, laboratory astrophysics, and advanced diagnostics. These efforts are highlighted in this report, including the development of new probes that capture the time evolution of plasmas on a single shot, and diagnostics and platforms that are already impacting experiments at NIF and other large facilities. JLF continues to serve as both a testbed for new ideas and a bridge to larger scale campaigns. FY25 also showcased the broader role of JLF within the Laboratory and the national HED science ecosystem. The NIF JLF User Groups Meeting in February brought nearly 180 participants to Livermore and highlighted the scientific progress made during JLF’s first full year of renewed operations. JLF research and users were recognized with Director’s Institutional Awards and Early and Mid Career awards, underscoring the quality and impact of the work performed here. Our team also contributed prominently to national conversations about laser safety, plasma physics, and inertial fusion energy through invited talks, conferences, and professional society leadership. JLF’s integration with LaserNetUS deepened this year as well. We launched a new technical exchange program across LaserNetUS facilities and kicked it off with a JLF team visit to the BELLA Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These exchanges are strengthening operations, sharing best practices, and improving the user experience across the network. Filming for the LaserNetUS “Behind the Scenes” series and participation in the annual LaserNetUS meeting further increased the visibility of our facility and our users. At the same time, JLF continues to play a central role in ambitious new programs, such as the Big Aperture Thulium laser effort funded through one of the DOE Office of Science Microelectronics Science Research Centers, which will use JLF infrastructure to explore next generation high rep rate lasers for EUV and x-ray source development. A core part of our mission remains training the next generation of scientists. In FY25, we welcomed another cohort of summer students, who joined experimental teams on Titan and presented their research at LLNL’s student poster symposium and national inertial fusion energy meetings. JLF users and early career scientists showcased their work at conferences across the country, highlighting experiments performed at the facility. These hands on experiences, and the mentoring provided by our staff and user teams, are central to JLF’s identity as a true user facility. Finally, FY25 reinforced JLF’s role as a focal point for partnerships and outreach. We hosted visits from international collaborators, science leaders, and we shared the story of the facility through venues such as the Big Ideas Lab podcast. These interactions help connect our work to a broader scientific and policy audience and open new pathways for collaboration. As we look ahead, the combination of refurbished hardware, new capabilities like STILETTO and enhanced short pulse performance on Titan, strong partnerships across LLNL and LaserNetUS, and a growing user community positions JLF for an even more ambitious program in the coming years. I am deeply grateful to our technical and operations staff for their dedication, to our LLNL partners for their continued support, and to our users for bringing bold, creative ideas to the facility. I look forward to more experiments, capabilities, partnerships, and groundbreaking science in the years to come! With brightest regards, Félicie Albert, JLF Director.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

2019 Budget Request for the DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) Grant

The Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) is necessary to meet the continual challenging national workforce needs that arise as computational science and engineering problems continue to grow in scope and complexity. Computational science and engineering (CSE) is a multidisciplinary approach that uses scientific computing to solve practical problems methods and to supply technical tools across the scientific discovery spectrum. In particular, the DOE CSGF emphasizes high-performance computing (HPC) that enables CSE that advances science and engineering in directions important to the DOE and the economy in general. Over the past half-century, HPC has been an essential tool for DOE’s success. During this period, important missions, such as nuclear stockpile stewardship, have turned to HPC as an essential technology. Entire science disciplines, such as biology and cosmology, have been transformed through the augmentation of scientific observation via HPC. At government laboratories and in industry, DOE CSGF alumni are helping push traditional HPC boundaries while contributing to discoveries in high-energy physics, renewable energy, fusion-reactor design, additive manufacturing, nanomaterials for next-generation batteries and transistors, and turbine and advanced nuclear reactor modeling. In addition, HPC is used to address national health needs that will eventually point to cures both by helping cancer researchers manage and analyze huge troves of data, by simulating biological mechanisms, and by accelerating drug development — including continuing to rise to the challenge of pandemic-related research. A 2023 report from the ASCAC Subcommittee on American Competitiveness and Innovation to the ASCR office, “Can the United States Maintain Its Leadership in High-Performance Computing?” says of the Program, “The CSGF program provides a barometer for disciplines that will be of interest to future DOE computing.” An explosion in scientific and technological data has driven the need for increasingly sophisticated HPC to transform those data into scientific understanding. With access to more and more data and the proliferation of HPC, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are experiencing a renaissance, complementing the now well-established use of computational simulation. Indeed, in its September 2020 subcommittee report on “AI/ML, Data Intensive Science and High-Performance Computing”, the DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee (ASCAC) explicitly called for a fellowship program to train computational and data scientists to tackle exascale and data-intensive computing challenges. This collaboration of empirical and theory-based modeling will increasingly inform federal policymakers whose decisions affect American society and future generations, and it requires highly skilled and intellectually agile computational scientists who can support the fast-moving DOE National Laboratory research environment. In fact, the DOE CSGF program has explicitly and consistently addressed this need.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗