Materials Innovation for a Changing World
Researchers at Ames National Laboratory’s Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering focus on solving some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. We discover, design, and deploy materials at every scale, uncovering how they behave and how they can be improved for diverse applications. Our work spans rare earths and critical materials, quantum systems, energy technologies, and materials that must perform in demanding environments.
With deep expertise in materials refining and advanced manufacturing, we partner with industry to translate scientific discovery into scalable solutions, positioning Ames Lab as a go-to resource for manufacturing innovation and collaboration.
Working across disciplines, we address challenges in energy, manufacturing, and supply chains, helping to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and enable next-generation technologies. Explore our research to see how fundamental science drives real-world impact.
Research
Rare Earths & Critical Materials
Securing materials that power modern technology
Materials, Design, & Discovery
Understanding and controlling materials at the smallest scales
Energy Materials & Systems
Advancing materials for a more reliable energy future
Advanced Manufacturing & Processing
Turning materials innovation into real-world solutions
Materials for Extreme Environments
Designing materials for the world's most demanding applications
Services and Capabilities
Materials Preparation Center
Producing high-purity metals and materials that enable research and critical technologies.
Powder Synthesis and Development
Creating advanced materials designed for performance and scalable manufacturing.
Advanced Magnet Facility
Developing high-performance magnetic materials for energy, security, and emerging technologies.
Sensitive Instrument Facility
Providing specialized tools to measure and understand material behavior and performance.
News & Highlights
News Release
Researchers use crystal-growth technology to improve materials prediction and discovery
News Release
Scientists discover new way to control magnetic waves for future quantum technologies
R&D World: Can AI solve the critical materials challenge?
SQMS Center uncovers material origins of variations in qubit performance through landmark study
Ames National Laboratory to lead DOE Mine of the Future project
Funding
Research in the Division of Materials Science and Engineering is supported primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, particularly the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, with additional support from DOE technology offices and strategic partnerships that advance applied research and collaboration.