Data Science in the News

Did you know we have a monthly newsletter? View past volumes and subscribe.

From intern to mentor, Nisha Mulakken builds a career in bioinformatics

Nov. 3, 2020 - 
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a wave of new research and development at the Lab, and Nisha Mulakken is very busy. The biostatistician has enhanced the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) system with detection capability for all variants of SARS-CoV-2. The technology detects a broad range of organisms—viruses, bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and fungi—and has demonstrated...

Machine learning speeds up and enhances physics calculations

Oct. 1, 2020 - 
Interpreting data from NIF’s cutting-edge high energy density science experiments relies on physics calculations that are so complex they can challenge LLNL supercomputers, which stand among the best in the world. A collaboration between LLNL and French researchers found a novel way to incorporate machine learning and neural networks to significantly speed up inertial confinement fusion...

Machine learning model may perfect 3D nanoprinting

July 29, 2020 - 
Two-photon lithography (TPL)—a widely used 3D nanoprinting technique that uses laser light to create 3D objects—has shown promise in research applications but has yet to achieve widespread industry acceptance due to limitations on large-scale part production and time-intensive setup. LLNL scientists and collaborators turned to machine learning to address two key barriers to industrialization...

Lockdown doesn’t hinder annual Data Science Challenge

June 26, 2020 - 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place restrictions, this year’s Data Science Challenge with the University of California, Merced was an all-virtual offering. The two-week challenge involved 21 UC Merced students who worked from their homes through video conferencing and chat programs to develop machine learning models capable of differentiating potentially explosive materials from...

Modeling neuronal cultures on 'brain-on-a-chip' devices

June 12, 2020 - 
For the past several years, LLNL scientists and engineers have made significant progress in development of a three-dimensional “brain-on-a-chip” device capable of recording neural activity of human brain cell cultures grown outside the body. The team has developed a statistical model for analyzing the structures of neuronal networks that form among brain cells seeded on in vitro brain-on-a...

AI identifies change in microstructure in aging materials

May 26, 2020 - 
LLNL scientists have taken a step forward in the design of future materials with improved performance by analyzing its microstructure using AI. The work recently appeared online in the journal Computational Materials Science. Read more at LLNL News.

Faces of STEM: Brenda Ng (VIDEO)

May 11, 2020 - 
In this video, LLNL machine learning scientist Brenda Ng explains why she loves her job in STEM, what advice she has for others, what inspired her to go into STEM, and what she does in her free time. Watch on YouTube.

Building knowledge and insights using machine learning of scientific articles

May 5, 2020 - 
Nanomaterials are widely used at LLNL and in industry for many applications from catalysis to optics to additive manufacturing. The combination of nanomaterials’ shape, size, and composition can impart unique optical, electrical, mechanical, or catalytic properties needed for a specific application. However, synthesizing a specific nanomaterial and scaling up its production is often...

New partnership results in increased access to compelling 'real world data'

April 21, 2020 - 
Through a new partnership between the UC San Diego Library, Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI), and LLNL's Data Science Institute, UCSD library patrons can now access and analyze two new “real world” data sets from LLNL. The Open Data Initiative collection shares some of LLNL’s challenging and unique data sets, which range in complexity from large-scale, domain-specific simulated data...

Lab promotes diversity, tech at Women in Data Science regional event

April 3, 2020 - 
For the third consecutive year, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) hosted a Women in Data Science (WiDS) regional event on March 2. Held at the HPC Innovation Center, the event drew dozens of attendees from LLNL, Sandia National Laboratories, local universities, and Bay Area commercial companies. Livermore was one of over 200 regional events in 60 countries coordinated with the...

Local Women in Data Science conference showcases Lab research

April 3, 2020 - 
For the third consecutive year, LLNL hosted a Women in Data Science (WiDS) regional event on March 2. The event drew dozens of attendees from LLNL, Sandia National Laboratories, local universities, and Bay Area commercial companies. Livermore was one of over 200 regional events in 60 countries coordinated with the main WiDS conference at Stanford University. According to the WiDS website...

‘Yes, you can’: UC Merced students learning, growing at Livermore Lab

Feb. 26, 2020 - 
Just 90 miles UC Merced lies one of the epicenters of the future of technology, innovation and national security. The university and lab have teamed up to lay the groundwork for a direct pipeline between the two, opening a door to research collaborations as well as job and internship opportunities for students and alumni. Read more at UC Merced.

Machine learning accelerates high-performance materials development

Feb. 13, 2020 - 
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and its partners rely on timely development and deployment of diverse materials to support a variety of national security missions. However, materials development and deployment can take many years from initial discovery of a new material to deployment at scale. Now, an interdisciplinary team of LLNL researchers from the Physical and Life Sciences...

Big data illuminates the physical sciences

Nov. 6, 2019 - 
Livermore teams are applying innovative data analysis and interpretation techniques to advance fundamental science research. This article describes projects in astrophysics and materials science. Read more at Science & Technology Review.

FedTech helps accelerate technology transfer

Oct. 4, 2019 - 
LLNL computer scientists with promising technologies have taken part in a national organization’s commercialization program that pairs researchers with entrepreneurs. One of the researchers, Timo Bremer (who also sits on the DSI Council), worked for 12 weeks with teams of entrepreneurs, comprised of former CEO’s, executives, graduates and students with master’s degrees in business and others...

Collaboration drives data science workshop

Sept. 12, 2019 - 
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) Data Science Institute (DSI) hosted its second annual workshop on July 23–24, 2019. Co-sponsored by the University of California (UC) system, the event drew more than 200 participants to Garré Winery in Livermore. A common theme ran throughout both days: Collaboration is always welcome. Indeed, feedback from last year’s workshop inspired a...

LLNL presentation at KDD Conference women’s luncheon (VIDEO)

Aug. 15, 2019 - 
The DSI co-sponsored the women's lunch at the 2019 Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining. Alyson Fox and Amanda Minnich discussed LLNL's diversity and inclusion efforts. Watch on LLNL's YouTube channel.

Livermore Lab Foundation awards scholarship to Cal State East Bay computer science student

Aug. 2, 2019 - 
Alan Noun, a computer science student at Cal State University East Bay and the recipient of the Livermore Lab Foundation's first full-year scholarship, has started a summer internship at LLNL. In partnership with Cal State University East Bay (CSUEB), the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF) awarded Noun a one-year stipend to allow him to devote more time to academics by reducing work he needs to...

Two-week workshop lets UC Merced students step into shoes of Lab computer scientists

June 12, 2019 - 
From May 20-31, 21 undergraduate and graduate students, many of them first-generation college students, interned at the Lab. While they were on site, the students, along with their Lab mentors, were tasked with using machine learning and other computational methods to tackle real-world problems in computational immunology. Read more at LLNL News.

Researchers explore machine learning to automate sorting of microcapsules in real-time

April 16, 2019 - 
Micro-Encapsulated CO2 Sorbents (MECS) — tiny, reusable capsules full of a sodium carbonate solution that can absorb carbon dioxide from the air — are a promising technology for capturing carbon from the atmosphere. To create the caviar-like objects, scientists run three fluids through a series of microfluidic components to create drops that turn into capsules when exposed to ultraviolet...