The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to lead nine major projects under its new Genesis Mission initiative.
The laboratory will also contribute to 32 additional projects through collaborations with national laboratories, universities, and industry partners. The awards were announced on July 22 during the Genesis Mission Summit in Washington, D.C.
National Science Focus
The Genesis Mission is a nationwide research effort designed to modernize scientific discovery across the US. It combines artificial intelligence, supercomputers, quantum technologies, advanced scientific instruments, and expertise from government, academia, industry, and philanthropic organizations. The goal is to speed up research while improving the accuracy and efficiency of scientific work.
Instead of relying only on traditional research methods, scientists will use AI to analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns, and guide experiments. This approach allows researchers to test ideas faster and make better use of advanced computing resources. DOE hopes the program will strengthen US leadership in science, energy, and national security.
ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer said the laboratory’s projects reflect its ability to combine research talent, advanced technologies, and unique scientific facilities.
He said researchers will integrate AI into scientific workflows while carefully measuring whether it improves the speed and quality of discovery. He added that the projects will also help determine how these methods can be expanded for wider scientific use.
Each Genesis Mission project aims to identify practical research approaches that can support long-term scientific progress. Project teams will build and test AI-powered research systems while evaluating whether they improve predictions, experiments, and scientific understanding. The results will help DOE decide where future investments should be directed.
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Genesis Mission Powers Discovery
Several ORNL-led projects focus on future energy technologies. Katarzyna “Kate” Borowiec will lead work on AI-assisted fusion power plant designs by combining high-performance computing with robotic system design. Ying Yang will head a separate project that uses AI to develop stronger materials needed for reliable fusion reactors.
Fusion energy attempts to produce electricity using the same process that powers the Sun. Scientists consider it a promising clean energy source because it produces very little long-term radioactive waste and uses abundant fuel materials. Developing better materials and improved reactor designs remains one of the biggest challenges in making fusion practical.
Prasanna Date will lead research on low-energy AI systems using neuromorphic computing. Unlike conventional AI hardware, neuromorphic systems are designed to work more like the human brain, allowing them to process information faster while using much less energy. The project aims to analyze scientific data efficiently without reducing accuracy.
Stephen DeWitt will oversee AI-driven materials development through an AI platform called Pipit. The system will build customized foundation AI models that US industries can adapt for manufacturing and materials research. Foundation models are large AI systems trained on broad datasets before being refined for specific tasks.
AI Across Research
Several projects focus on improving natural resource management and environmental research. Xin Gu will lead AI-assisted discovery of rare earth elements, which are essential for electronics, renewable energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing. Better exploration methods may also strengthen domestic supply chains for these critical materials.
Dan Lu will direct the development of an AI foundation model for forecasting water resources across the continental US.
Benjamin Sulman will lead research into underground soil processes to improve understanding of natural chemical cycles. Dali Wang will develop AI systems that predict water availability, river temperatures, and streamflow from weeks to years ahead to support hydropower and thermoelectric power operations in the Tennessee Valley Authority region.
Mariam Kiran will lead research into AI-powered operations for self-driving scientific experiments. The project aims to coordinate network traffic and automated scientific workflows between multiple research institutions. Such systems can allow experiments, computing resources, and data analysis tools to work together with minimal human intervention.
Future Computing Plans
Beyond the nine lead projects, ORNL researchers will contribute to 32 additional Genesis Mission efforts managed by other organizations. These collaborations cover a broad range of scientific and engineering challenges that align with DOE’s long-term research priorities. Working across institutions allows expertise and specialized facilities to be shared more effectively.
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ORNL also supports the Genesis Mission through the American Science Cloud. This secure cloud platform connects computing systems, research instruments, scientific data, and high-speed networks across DOE’s 17 national laboratories. This shared environment allows researchers to access powerful computing resources regardless of their physical location. The connected system is intended to make large-scale scientific collaboration faster and more efficient.
The laboratory is also preparing to launch Lux, a new AI supercomputer being installed at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility. AMD and DOE jointly funded the system, which is expected to become operational later this year. Lux will provide researchers with additional computing power to accelerate AI-driven scientific studies.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, which is the largest supporter of basic physical science research in the US. The Genesis Mission reflects DOE’s broader strategy of combining AI with advanced scientific tools to solve complex national challenges.
As these projects move from planning to implementation, they are expected to shape future research methods across energy, manufacturing, environmental science, and national security.
