Ames National Laboratory

03/10/2026

Congratulations to Pleasant Valley High School, winners of the 2026 Iowa Regional High School Science Bowl!

From left to right: Coach Abby DeBaillie, Maryl Meeboer, Dillon Kraus, Harjeevan Singh, Grant Cabay and Nikhil Saini

02/23/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Iowa Regional Science Bowl, the team from North Middle School!

11/24/2025

Big news from Ames National Laboratory! We’re thrilled to be part of the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission—a groundbreaking effort to harness artificial intelligence and supercomputing to accelerate American science and innovation.

What does that mean? Through Genesis, we’re teaming up with DOE labs across the country to speed up discoveries in energy, national security, and advanced materials. At Ames, we bring decades of expertise in materials science, computational modeling, and machine learning to the table. Our work on critical materials—those essential for modern tech and supply chain resilience—is now supercharged by AI tools that deliver faster, smarter insights into how materials behave.

This mission is connecting the nation’s most powerful supercomputers, AI systems, and scientific instruments to unlock breakthroughs that strengthen U.S. energy leadership, advance discovery science, and protect national security.

We’re excited to push the boundaries of intelligent materials design and data-driven discovery. Curious about DOE’s vision for an AI-powered future? Check out the Genesis Mission here:

https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-launches-genesis-mission-transform-american-science-and-innovation

09/30/2025

R&D 100 Winner: In the world of permanent magnets, high temperatures are usually the enemy. Most magnets lose strength as the heat rises.

But MnBi magnets change the game. Developed as a rare-earth-free alternative, MnBi magnets actually gain coercivity—or resistance to demagnetization—at temperatures up to 200°C. That’s a rare and powerful trait in magnetics. With the national push towards efficiency, MnBi magnets could play a vital role in reducing dependence on rare earths while improving performance in demanding, high-temperature environments.

08/19/2025

Only about 5% of lithium batteries are recycled -- that's a big problem, considering American demand for lithium batteries is only going to increase. Recycling batteries for this valuable material is expensive, and can be dangerous for workers because it demands harmful chemicals and extreme temperatures. But what if we could recycle the batteries using... water?

08/14/2025

We are proud to announce that Dr. Iver Anderson, Senior Metallurgist at Ames National Laboratory, has received the Secretary’s Exceptional Service Award from the U.S. Department of Energy—presented personally by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright at a ceremony today.

This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Anderson’s outstanding contributions to materials science and powder metallurgy, and his decades-long leadership in advancing U.S. capabilities in manufacturing. Dr. Anderson’s dedication, ingenuity, and impact exemplify the very best of public service and scientific excellence. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved honor!

07/30/2025

Calling all K–12 students, educators, mentors, and community teams! The Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge is now live at AI.gov. This national challenge invites youth to tackle real-world problems in their communities using the power of AI—with a chance to showcase their solutions on a national stage.

Whether you're: A student with a big idea, an educator ready to inspire, or a mentor eager to guide the next generation—This is your moment to lead innovation.

Registration opens early September—start planning now!

Explore President Trump’s AI initiatives focused on innovation, infrastructure, international engagement, and youth education in artificial intelligence.

07/30/2025

This year's summer cohort of SULI undergrads included students from 17 different states and territories. They all got to experience mentorship from a working researcher on-campus, peer networking, a professional development series, and state-of-the-art research facilities. Thinking about next summer? Apply in January for a paid research internship at a Department of Energy lab!

07/04/2025

On this Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom to innovate, discover, and lead. U.S. Department of Energy National Labs are powering America’s future with science, security, and a competitive edge.

07/03/2025

Ames National Laboratory delivers critical material solutions to the nation. Our expertise in rare earths and other vital elements is a valuable asset to domestic industries and national security.

Our Critical Materials Innovation Hub partners with other national laboratories, academia and industry and accelerates innovative scientific and technological solutions to ensure resilient and secure supply chains for rare earth metals and other materials critical to the success of energy technologies.

06/30/2025

Ames National Laboratory secures supply chains to critical materials-- the building blocks of energy innovation, national security, and advanced manufacturing. Our partnerships with industry allow us to transfer laboratory discovery to domestic commercial enterprise, ensuring reliable access for U.S. industries, and reducing dependence on foreign sources. By turning scientific discovery into real-world resilience, we’re powering a bright and secure energy future.