Company Profile
Argonne National Laboratory
Company Overview
Argonne National Laboratory is a truly multidisciplinary laboratory. We maintain a wide-ranging science and technology portfolio that seeks to address complex challenges in interdisciplinary and innovative ways. Collaboration allows researchers to create connections among diverse areas of science and technology, which broadens the scientific horizon and pushes forward technological frontiers. Our work is geared towards making an impact.
Company History
Over 75 years, Argonne’s mission has evolved from pioneering nuclear power to a broad portfolio of research that benefits humankind.
Argonne traces its birth from a secret mission — the Manhattan Project — to create the world’s first self-sustaining nuclear reaction. Today, the laboratory’s initial charge to find peacetime uses for atomic energy has broadly expanded, as researchers seek to find new discoveries in energy, climate and health that will advance American prosperity and security.
In its embryonic state as the ?“Metallurgical Lab,” the team of physicists who would give rise to Argonne constructed Chicago Pile-1, which achieved criticality on December 2, 1942, underneath the University of Chicago’s Stagg football field stands. Chicago Pile-1 was the site of the world’s first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction. Because the experiments were deemed too dangerous to conduct in a major city, the operations were moved to a spot in nearby Palos Hills and renamed ?“Argonne” after the surrounding forest.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Argonne is honored to be recognized and awarded for its cutting edge science and technology achievements as well as its diverse thought leaders. Awards demonstrating Argonne’s commitment to make an impact — from the atomic to the human to the global scale.