At LLNL, our mission is to anticipate the needs of the country. As the world’s technological capabilities evolve at an increasingly rapid pace, so do threats to the United States, particularly in the areas of energy, environmental security, domestic and international security, and nuclear security. A national laboratory has the depth and breadth of talent to confront these complex challenges. In addition, solving the technical aspects of these problems requires the ability to quickly transform research into usable application software. A large, dynamic, and experienced organization such as Computation has the ability to rapidly deliver results, from first concept to hardened software product.

LLNL has always been known for its pioneering scientific computing. Building on that legacy, Computation aims to demonstrate how modeling, simulation, and analysis, enabled by high performance computing, can drive scientific and technological innovation and foster U.S. economic competitiveness. We know that by pooling our talents and exchanging ideas with our partners we can accomplish even more. Working with our partners at other national laboratories and various government agencies, we continue to push the boundaries of scientific and technological progress across a number of domains involving computer hardware, software, models, algorithms, technologies, and applications.

While stockpile stewardship remains a principal mission, LLNL is expanding the national-security applications of computational science to include research in energy and climate, network and cyber security, nuclear counterterrorism, defense, and space situational awareness. For example, several Computation experts are currently engaged in a partnership, called the Carbon Capture Simulation Initiative, with other national laboratories, industry, and academic institutions. This partnership helps the private energy sector use state­of-the-art computational modeling and simulation tools to speed the commercialization of carbon capture technologies and shepherd them from discovery through widespread deployment. By developing an integrated suite of validated computational models, this initiative will increase confidence in designs and reduce the risk associated with incorporating multiple inventive technologies into new carbon capture solutions.

Our research partnerships extend well beyond software. In collaboration with other laboratories, Computation scientists are performing research and development that will enable the co-design and use of next-generation supercomputers as they are developed as part of the Department of Energy’s Exascale Initiative.

LLNL’s Computation organization is applying its expertise and capabilities to a broad range of national challenges. We’re also looking to build new relationships that will drive technology advancement, speed development of new applications, and help the U.S. maintain its global science and technology leadership and the economic advantage that comes with it. Taking basic science concepts and rapidly translating them into new technologies or scientific solutions that address real-world problems is what we do best.