Argonne National Laboratory

Mercouri Kanatzidis, Northwestern University professor and materials scientist at Argonne, has been honored with the prestigious 2026 William H. Nichols Medal from the American Chemical Society (ACS) – https://bit.ly/43wcjur Kanatzidis is recognized for his work on the development of halide perovskites as a new class of materials for next-generation photovoltaics. The Nichols Medal is given for a “significant and original contribution in any field of chemistry” over the past five years, according to the ACS. Halide perovskites are a class of semiconductors being explored for use in solar cells. Learn more about this honor and his work.

Your STEM career journey at Argonne awaits: https://bit.ly/48iycPx Discover what it’s like to work at a national laboratory. Internship applications are now open for several programs: SULI , CCI, VFP, SIP. Gain mentorship, hands-on experience, and contribute to real scientific discovery. Apply by January 7.

When Daniel Santiago-Gonzalez first visited Argonne as a graduate student, he knew he wanted to be part of the lab's collaborative environment. Now, as a physicist at the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS), he is actively contributing to that culture – https://bit.ly/4nqatCM Santiago-Gonzalez integrates artificial intelligence into ATLAS’ daily operations, helping boost efficiency and advance nuclear physics research. He also coordinates experiment schedules with a multifaceted team, including accelerator staff, particle detector experts, and researchers from the United States and abroad. “The challenge of applying innovative solutions to complex issues in accelerator operations and nuclear physics pushes me to think creatively and rigorously,” said Santiago-Gonzalez. “It’s this blend of individual passion and collective ambition that inspires me to start each day with enthusiasm and commitment.”

For over three decades, Argonne has been at the forefront of hydropower innovation, helping to meet the growing demand for this vital energy resource. Today, Argonne is preparing the next wave of U.S. hydropower - https://bit.ly/4gOeOxS Argonne scientists have created computer models for hydropower planning and forecasting that are now used around the world. They’re also mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers who are designing hydropower solutions for today’s energy systems. With hydropower accounting for nearly 6% of total U.S. electricity generation and over 90% of utility-scale energy storage, its role in creating a modern, reliable electric grid can't be overstated. Learn more about how Argonne is shaping the future of hydropower.

Last week, Argonne and the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Michigan signed a five-year partnership agreement to drive innovation in ship design and maritime systems. This Memorandum Of Understanding marks a new chapter in our shared commitment to American competitiveness and regional innovation. With U-M’s leadership in naval architecture and AI and Argonne’s strengths in energy, manufacturing, and high-performance computing, we’re poised to deliver solutions that secure the future of U.S. shipbuilding.

Big news: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has given the green light to the #GenesisMission, ushering in a bold new chapter in scientific and technological leadership: https://bit.ly/4ribKij At Argonne, we’re excited to build on this momentum alongside our partnership with NVIDIA and Oracle, deploying next‑generation AI infrastructure and advancing discovery at speed and scale. Stay tuned for what’s ahead.

Outstanding achievement by UCF’s Tinley Park MHC! CyberForce® continues to build the skilled cyber workforce our energy sector needs, and it is great to see this year’s talent rise to the challenge.

Congratulations to Lin X. Chen for receiving the E. Bright Wilson Award in Spectroscopy from the American Chemical Society. She was honored for her groundbreaking work in understanding light-matter interactions that are essential for energy conversion technologies - https://bit.ly/48F9gDO Chen, an Argonne Distinguished Fellow and professor of chemistry at Northwestern University, earned the honor for her innovative spectroscopic techniques that have advanced the understanding of complex chemical processes. “Our work at Argonne not only pushes the frontiers of spectroscopy but also opens new avenues for energy storage and conversion solutions that have real-world impact,” said Chen.

Seen at Supercomputing 2025 #SC25 Photo Credit: Argonne and Lillie Elliot, SC Photography

A strong finish to an awesome week at #SC25! We're grateful for the conversations, collaborations, and community. Looking forward to joining everyone next year when #SC26 comes to Chicago, just a short trip from Argonne.