Big Ideas Lab

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 dis...

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 possi...

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.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org ori...

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 o...

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 manuf...

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 hidd...

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.

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Big Ideas Lab i...

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.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. 

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch and ...

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 tech...

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.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org origi...

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 create...

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...

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.

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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original s...

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...

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 ...

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 se...

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 t...

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 ...