Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

he Physical and Life Sciences Directorate (PLS) Directorate supports the Laboratory’s core national security programs in the areas of chemistry and chemical engineering. These programs depend fundamentally on our capabilities and expertise in the following areas: chemical, isotopic, and radiation analyses; selection, preparation, and study of explosive and optical materials; chemical processes involved in producing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons; chemical preparation of specialized materials; and chemistry involved in the aging of materials. Related chemical science within the directorate includes advances in extreme chemistry, computational chemistry, geochemistry, and nanoscience. In collaboration with other Laboratory and external partners, our chemists and chemical engineers also apply their expertise in novel domains and advance the technology associated with the relevant instrumentation.