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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Cracking the Quantum Code: Simulations Track Entangled Quarks
Prediction of quantum entanglement in particle jets lays groundwork at particle colliders for tests to explain the behavior of subatomic particles.
New Features Available on the National Virtual Climate Laboratory Portal
The portal for climate science projects now includes a repository of U.S. Department of Energy and national laboratory job opportunities & internships
Preventing Magnet Meltdowns Before They Can Start
LBNL researchers are developing an approach to avoid sudden, potentially destructive energy releases in a new generation of superconducting magnets.
Giving Particle Detectors a Boost
Argonne researchers have created a device that acts like a superconductivity switch, helping boost the signal of tiny particles in particle colliders.

University and Stakeholder News

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What a View: Rice Scientists Develop a New System to Record 2D Crystal Synthesis in Real Time
Materials scientists are shedding light on 2D crystals, paving the way for controlled synthesis of these materials with unprecedented precision.
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University Team is Studying Ways to Purify Rare Earth Elements Necessary for Smart Phones and Other Technological Devices
University of Nevada, Reno Chemical Engineering Associate Professor David Cantu leads a DOE-supported project.
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Type 2 Diabetes Alters the Behavior of Discs in the Vertebral Column
Researchers employed synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to look at collagen fibril deformation and orientation at the nanoscale.
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Engineer Designs Molecules For Our Quantum Future
Chloe Washabaugh, a UChicago Ph.D. student in quantum engineering, creates high-performance qubits to help expand the applications of quantum devices.
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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