Our Mission

DOE’s Office of Science has a mission to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. We are the nation’s largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and are a major supporter of research in such key scientific fields as physics, materials science, computing, and chemistry. We are also the lead federal agency supporting fundamental scientific research related to energy.

To keep America in the forefront of discovery and innovation, we sponsor research at hundreds of universities, national laboratories, and other institutions across the country. We also build and maintain a vitally important array of large-scale scientific facilities at the DOE national laboratories, which are used by thousands of researchers every year.

About the Office of Science

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science is the nation’s largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences, the steward of 10 DOE national laboratories, and the lead federal agency supporting fundamental research for energy production and security. Our job is to keep America at the forefront of discovery. This video is an overview of the Office of Science’s mission, people, and resources.
Video courtesy of DOE's Office of Science

Science Headlines

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Argonne’s Ilke Arslan Named Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America
Arslan is the director of the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) and the Nanoscience and Technology division at Argonne National Laboratory.
Inventors, Creators and Entrepreneurs Honored at 2024 Inventor Recognition Ceremony
Fermilab inventors were recognized for their inventions and novel ideas at the 2024 Inventor Recognition Ceremony for 12 new patents issued in 2023.
Putting a New Spin on 1T Phase Tantalum Disulfide
With a better understanding of 1T-TaS2’s electronic states, this material may play a role in data storage, quantum computing, and superconductivity.
Argonne Hosts See Yourself in STEAM Event for Students from Groups Underrepresented in STEM
Argonne employees came together at a U/STEAM event to build Chicago students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

University and Stakeholder News

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What Can Tree Sap Tell Us About Climate Change?
Scientists are looking to create a clearer picture of what happens when you combine climate change with urban environments.
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Healable Cathode Could Unlock Potential of Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
A team developed a new cathode material that is electrically conductive and structurally healable, overcoming the limitations of current cathodes.
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‘Ruler for Light’ Could Enable Detailed Measurement in Personal Devices
A new efficient laser “microcomb” developed by Stanford researchers could revolutionize precision measurement in the handheld electronics realm.
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Finding New Physics in Debris from Colliding Neutron Stars
Researchers find neutron star mergers are a treasure trove for new physics signals, with implications for determining the true nature of dark matter.
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Recently Featured Articles

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Science Highlights

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Dept. of Energy Office of Science delivers scientific discoveries, tools for the nation via programs in Advanced Scientific Computing Research; Basic Energy Sciences; Biological & Environmental Research; Fusion Energy Sciences; High Energy Physics; Nuclear Physics. Also supports Accelerator Research; Isotope Research; Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer; 5 national quantum centers; 2 energy innovation hubs. Stewards 10 DOE national labs. 100-plus Nobel Prizes, $8.1 billion budget.

The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Image courtesy of the Department of Energy Office of Science