Brookhaven National Laboratory
Overview
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is a multi-disciplinary research institution funded primarily by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science. Located in Upton, New York, it is one of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the DOE's Office of Science. BNL conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security.
History
The laboratory was established in 1947 on the former site of the U.S. Army's Camp Upton, which had been a training center during both World War I and World War II. The facility's initial purpose was to design and build nuclear reactors for research purposes, as well as to study the newly discovered phenomenon of nuclear fission.
Research Areas
BNL's research mission is broad and interdisciplinary, with major focus areas in nuclear and high-energy physics, energy science and technology, environmental and bioscience, nanoscience, and national security.
Nuclear and High-Energy Physics
BNL has been a leader in the field of nuclear physics since its inception. The laboratory's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) is currently the second-highest-energy heavy-ion collider in the world.
Energy Science and Technology
BNL conducts extensive research in energy-related fields, including sustainable energy, advanced materials, and climate science. The laboratory's National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is a leading facility for the study of material properties and functions, particularly materials for energy applications.
Environmental and Bioscience
The laboratory's research in environmental science includes studies of the Earth's climate and ecosystems, as well as the development of biofuels and other forms of renewable energy. In the field of bioscience, BNL scientists are working on understanding the fundamental processes of life, with a particular focus on neuroscience and medical imaging.
Nanoscience
BNL's Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) is a leading facility for nanoscience research, providing scientists with state-of-the-art capabilities to fabricate and study nanoscale materials.
National Security
The laboratory also conducts research in areas related to national security, including nuclear nonproliferation, advanced computing, and cybersecurity.
Facilities
BNL's facilities include large-scale user facilities for scientific research, as well as numerous specialized laboratories. The user facilities are available for use by researchers from industry, academia, and other government laboratories.
Community and Education
BNL has a strong commitment to educating the next generation of scientists and engineers. The laboratory offers a wide range of educational programs, from K-12 outreach initiatives to postdoctoral research opportunities.