WASHINGTON ― The U.S. can reap important benefits from fundamental research in high energy density science by renewing investment in its flagship facilities; improving workforce climate with accountable diversity, equity, and inclusion goals; and balancing security needs with transparency and collaboration, according to a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.  

High energy density conditions are found at extreme temperatures and pressures inside stars and giant planets, in nuclear reactions, and in specialized laboratory environments. Under these conditions, scientists have made profound advancements in understanding by drastically changing chemical bonds and the behavior of substances (e.g., creating metallic oxygen); discovered room-temperature superconductors and other technologically critical new materials; and explored the physics of energy-producing nuclear fusion. 

The field is a rapidly evolving research frontier with societal consequences as diverse as assuring the security of the nuclear deterrent and contributing to long-term goals of achieving sustainable energy. Past impacts of the field have been significant, with modern microelectronic chips — a $500 billion per year industry — being fabricated using extreme ultraviolet technology derived through high energy density science. 

According to the report, the research community should intensify efforts that explore the basic science underlying inertial confinement fusion and sustain and upgrade research facilities. How fusion can be controlled and harnessed for society’s energy, security, and technology needs is one of several “grand challenges” that the field now stands poised to address. 

“Notable advances have been made in high energy density science over the past few decades ― including the recent achievement of fusion ignition through inertial confinement ― putting the field on the threshold of major leaps in understanding nuclear fusion, astrophysical phenomena and the evolution of the solar system, and quantum states,” said Giulia Galli, co-chair of the study committee, Liew Family Professor of Electronic Structure and Simulations at the University of Chicago, and senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. “But, if the U.S. scientific enterprise is to continue leading the way in fusion and in other areas of high energy density science, we will have to keep investing in facilities and technology that make these advances possible.” 

There is also a need to enhance human capacity in high energy density science, the report states. To build better career pathways, the National Nuclear Security Administration should promote domestic and international collaboration, mentorship, and outreach, and work to reduce barriers to internship, apprenticeship, and postdoctoral and visiting faculty programs. 

“Retaining and recruiting an expert workforce is, and will be, a major challenge for the NNSA as global competition in cutting-edge high energy density science increases,” said committee co-chair Raymond Jeanloz, professor of earth and planetary science and of astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley. “A strong, talented workforce is a diverse one ― and so it is crucial that the field redouble its DEIA efforts.” 

The report contains other recommendations for advancing high energy density science, including: 

• The NNSA should work with its agency partners over the next two years to develop a high-performance computing strategy for high energy density science, which includes machine learning and artificial intelligence tools. 
• Government-academia collaboration should be promoted through increased data-sharing from unclassified research. 
• The NNSA should develop a road map to collaborate with industry on critical capabilities such as computation, diagnostics, and targets. 

• The NNSA should work with its agency partners over the next two years to develop a high-performance computing strategy for high energy density science, which includes machine learning and artificial intelligence tools. 
• Government-academia collaboration should be promoted through increased data-sharing from unclassified research. 
• The NNSA should develop a road map to collaborate with industry on critical capabilities such as computation, diagnostics, and targets. 

The study, undertaken by the Committee on the Assessment of High Energy Density Science, was sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration. 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. 

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