Research Programs

Engineering America’s Energy Future

The global energy system is transforming at unprecedented speed. Electricity demand is rising. Manufacturing is reshoring. Transportation is evolving into a complex system. Supply chains are being re-engineered. Artificial intelligence is reshaping infrastructure.

Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Energy Technologies (AET) directorate advances dedicated, cross-cutting programs that integrate science, engineering and real-world deployment to power this transformation.

We develop and validate the materials, systems and digital tools that enable affordable, abundant and secure energy across five interconnected domains:

• Electrical Grid
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Transportation & Mobility
• Critical Minerals & Materials
• Artificial Intelligence for Energy Systems

From atomic-scale materials discovery to full-scale equipment testing and system-level modeling, these programs deliver solutions that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, reliability and national security.

Electrical Grid: Building an Affordable Grid for the AI Era 

Electricity demand is accelerating due to electrification, data centers, advanced manufacturing and domestic industrial growth. At the same time, aging infrastructure and long equipment development cycles constrain deployment.

The Electrical Grid program addresses the full grid innovation lifecycle:

• Advanced materials for transformers and power electronics
• High-fidelity modeling of distribution and transmission systems
• Validation of next-generation grid components
• Integration of distributed energy resources and storage
• Resilience, reliability and cybersecurity research

We work with utilities, manufacturers, policymakers and standards bodies to accelerate development, testing and market adoption of grid technologies.

Advanced Manufacturing: Scaling Innovation into Production

Scientific breakthroughs in materials only benefit society if they can be manufactured at commercial scale.

The Advanced Manufacturing program, through Argonne’s Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center (MMIC), partners with industry to modernize U.S. manufacturing in the areas of: 

• Optimized industrial processes
• Process modeling and digital twins
• Additive and advanced materials manufacturing
• Scale-up and pilot-scale validation
• Supply chain optimization

We integrate materials science, process engineering and digitalization to help manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce costs and reshore production.

Transportation & Mobility: Powering Advancements Across Every Mode

From passenger vehicles to heavy-duty freight, maritime, rail and aviation, transportation systems are rapidly evolving.

The Transportation & Mobility program delivers: 

• Advanced engine and propulsion systems
• Technology integration for commercial and off-road vehicles
• Performance and cost modeling
• Freight system optimization and mobility analytics
• Battery materials and cell innovation

We combine laboratory discovery, real-world validation and system modeling to reduce costs, improve performance and strengthen energy security across all modes.

Critical Minerals & Materials: Securing the Foundation of Energy Technologies

Modern energy systems and advanced manufacturing depend on reliable access to lithium, nickel, cobalt, rare earth elements and other strategic critical materials.

The Critical Minerals & Materials program advances: 

• Materials discovery and characterization
• Process development for separation and refining
• Metals and materials recycling solutions
• Supply chain modeling and techno-economic analysis
• Substitution and materials optimization

By integrating materials science, manufacturing expertise and economic analysis, we help de-risk supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

Capabilities and Partnerships: Science to Market Under One Roof

To move innovations from concept to commercial relevance with speed and rigor, we leverage Argonne’s unique combination of capabilities, including: 

• World-class materials science
• Advanced manufacturing equipment and scale-up facilities
• Grid and transportation research infrastructure
• High-performance computing and digital engineering
• Techno-economic, market and policy analysis

AET’s research programs integrate these domains to address complex, national-scale energy challenges with practical, deployable solutions.

To ensure the greatest impact and relevance, we actively collaborate with:

• Industry manufacturers and utilities
• Federal and state agencies
• Standards and codes organizations
• Trade associations
• Universities and research consortia

Whether advancing next-generation grid equipment, strengthening critical material supply chains or deploying AI-enabled manufacturing systems, AET’s research programs are helping to build the energy backbone of the 21^st century.