Big Ideas Lab

Mission.org

Your exploration inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hear untold stories, meet boundary-pushing pioneers and get unparalleled access to groundbreaking science and technology. From national security challenges to computing revolutions, discover the innovations that are shaping tomorrow, today.

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20 episodes
Updated June 30

Episodes20

Newest first

June 30 · 15 min
The Postdoc Journey
What happens after a PhD, but before a scientist is fully established?
June 16 · 21 min
SLAM
Scientists from all 17 national laboratories get three minutes to explain years of complex research.
June 2 · 17 min
The Bennu Asteroid
A delivery four and a half billion years in the making.
May 19 · 24 min
Genesis Mission
AI, supercomputing, experiments, and the infrastructure of the national laboratories unite under one mission to accelerate discovery.
May 5 · 16 min
Skyfall
Scientists are simulating cyber attacks and system failures on real-world energy infrastructure.
April 21 · 16 min
JASPER
Scientists at JASPER study one of the most consequential materials on Earth: plutonium.
April 7 · 20 min
HPC4EI
Today’s toughest industrial challenges are being solved without ever touching the factory floor.
March 24 · 22 min
Energetic Materials
How does something explode?
March 10 · 14 min
Target Fabrication
A tiny, precisely engineered object built to withstand the intensity of the world’s highest energy laser system.
February 24 · 11 min
24 Hour Operations
The world’s most demanding science never sleeps.
February 10 · 14 min
Discovery Science at NIF
Researchers and students gain access to the most extreme conditions in the universe.
January 27 · 15 min
Drones
When humans can’t go first, another kind of responder takes the lead.
January 13 · 18 min
Dark Matter
The silent majority of the material universe. Dark matter.
Dec 30, 2025 · 17 min
Neutrinos
Neutrinos are particles that defy expectations.
Dec 16, 2025 · 18 min
Offsite Assignments
Every decision in national security hinges on knowledge, insight, and expertise - some of that expertise starts in a lab in Livermore.
Dec 2, 2025 · 15 min
Energy Flow Charts
Discover the charts that show where America’s power comes from and where it goes.
Nov 18, 2025 · 17 min
CAMS
Ancient footprints, unidentified remains, brain cells - they're all part of the story told through atoms.
Sep 23, 2025 · 14 min
Advanced Lasers
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists are developing high-repetition-rate lasers that fire thousands of times per second.
Sep 9, 2025 · 17 min
Element Discovery
That periodic table is not just decor. It’s a map... and it's not finished.
Aug 26, 2025 · 14 min
World’s Largest Camera
Supernovas, asteroids, dark matter, and dark energy… space is alive. And the way we observe it is about to change.

Big Ideas Lab

The Postdoc Journey

SLAM

The Bennu Asteroid

Genesis Mission

Skyfall

JASPER

HPC4EI

Energetic Materials

Target Fabrication

24 Hour Operations

Discovery Science at NIF

Drones

Dark Matter

Neutrinos

Offsite Assignments

Energy Flow Charts

CAMS

Advanced Lasers

Element Discovery

World’s Largest Camera