The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today announced $1.5 billion in funding to all 17 of its national laboratories. Included in that announcement, Ames National Laboratory has received $24.5 million.
The funding, announced by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, is intended to upgrade scientific facilities, modernize infrastructure, and address deferred maintenance projects at DOE’s Office of Science-managed national laboratories, including Ames National Laboratory.
DOE supported three key priorities for Ames National Laboratory. Planned project work includes:
- The design and construction of a liquefier that transforms helium gas into an ultra-low-temperature liquid. Helium is used widely in cryogenic experiments to measure the properties of materials. The liquefier will upgrade a helium recovery system that has been in place since the 1960s. The system supports fundamental sciences, particularly in the areas of condensed matter physics, chemistry, rare earth materials, and unique solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
- The replacement of an end-of-life heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system in one of the Laboratory’s major research facilities, which includes the Critical Materials Institute (CMI). The CMI is working to decarbonize industry and increase the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing and clean energy sectors. An energy efficient, reliable HVAC system will control the temperature and humidity at levels required for precision experiments.
- The Ames Infrastructure Modernization project, which focuses on comprehensive updates to electrical, plumbing, and building envelopes in the Laboratory’s three main buildings, in many cases to replace systems that are over 70 years old.
“Our mission at Ames National Laboratory is to deliver critical materials solutions to the nation, and funding in this area is vital to continuing to deliver high-caliber research,” said Director Adam Schwartz. “We deeply appreciate the funding. It will facilitate much-needed upgrades to our infrastructure, and greatly improve mission readiness.”
The funding is provided through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Ames National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Laboratory operated by Iowa State University. Ames Laboratory creates innovative materials, technologies, and energy solutions. We use our expertise, unique capabilities, and interdisciplinary collaborations to solve global problems.
Ames National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit https://energy.gov/science.