Computational Breakthroughs

Research, develop, and routinely apply world-leading computational methods, approaches, applications, and technologies to solve Los Alamos’s most computationally challenging science and security problems.

Initiatives

  1. Develop and gain approval for a decadal plan to ensure competitive, robust, and sustainable energy and facilities infrastructure to meet ATS-5 and ATS-7 deployment timeframes. The initiative will target a 2027 timeframe for a next-generation HPC facility based on current weapons program milestones. Facility selection will examine options for both on-campus and off-campus locations.
  2. Meet performance targets for weapons simulations on Crossroads by 2023.
  3. Demonstrate the capabilities of the Laboratory’s next-generation code project on El Capitan by 2024.
  4. Demonstrate and utilize the capabilities of Venado to increase predictive capabilities qualitatively through improved three-dimensional (3D) multi-physics simulations and advanced machine learning techniques, enabling a broad set of science and security breakthroughs by 2024.
  5. By 2024, develop and document an ATS-5-associated strategy to achieve multi-physics simulation workflows within a human learning cycle.
  6. Explore, develop, and incorporate high-fidelity computational exploration of narrative uncertainties into programmatic mission-critical assessments.
  7. Accelerate fundamental and applied computational and data science R&D efforts, including artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies, to enable achievement of Lab Agenda critical outcomes for LANL priority areas.
  8. Strengthen and diversify the associated pipeline across the LANL information science and technology community.
  9. Develop and apply computational tools that improve prediction of high-explosives behavior in full weapons stockpile-to-target-sequence (STS) regimes.
  10. Develop and apply computational methods that accelerate design for manufacturing.
  11. Develop infrastructure to support the next generation HPC facility as a future national resource for the ASC Tri-Lab program, which will include high-density/high-efficiency computing capability.

primary Strategic Objectives

Technical Leadership - Deliver scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs to advance relevant research frontiers and anticipate emerging national security risks.

Nuclear Deterrent - Lead the nation in evaluating, developing, and ensuring effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent, including the design, production, and certification of current and future nuclear weapons.

secondary Strategic Objective

Threat Reduction - Anticipate persistent and emerging threats to global security; develop and deploy revolutionary tools to detect, deter, and respond proactively.