Foundations for Impact

Our cross-cutting capabilities, paired with deep expertise in the chemical, biological, and nuclear sciences and several engineering fields, form the foundations of our enduring missions and new mission impacts.

Modeling & Simulation

Enable predictive insights for multiple missions, including CBRN threat detection and response and the deployment and sustainment of U.S. forces and equipment worldwide. Develop information and data curation technology and approaches to accelerate the practical use of AI models.

Analyzing Deployments Across Varied Transport Scenarios

SSS software engineers and modeling experts developed the Advanced Mobility Platform (AMP) model to analyze military deployment and benefit national security. It is a complex, large-scale, discrete-event transportation and logistics simulation software application that provides detailed simulations of cargo and personnel transport via airlift, sealift and land-based movements. Subject matter experts use AMP’s advanced algorithms to consider mode, port, asset, and route selection/optimization; cargo configuration; dynamic sustainment generation; and nodal inventory management. It is designed for a range of uses, including strategic planning involving simulations of multiple years of transportation with varying assumptions about fleet size and tactical planning as well as realistic delivery profiles with existing assets and infrastructure. AMP Transportation Feasibility Assessment (AMP-TFA) is a cloud-based deployment of AMP software.

Knowledge and Data Management

Transform data into trusted, actionable knowledge by preserving expertise, enabling secure decision-making, and advancing mission success through intelligent systems that integrate retrieval-augmented insights and conversational querying.

Keeping CBRN Conversations Manageable and Explainable

Our experts explore basic and deep thought strategies to develop retrieval-augmented generation for intelligent document querying and analysis of test reports, test data, and evaluations of radiation, chemical, and biological detection equipment. This helps sponsors and users maintain secure web applications for intelligent knowledge management based on a secure, shared modular framework. Our approach prioritizes manageability and explainability of data, working to improve the quality and trustworthiness of answers from generative models. Accessible and explainable data represent key elements to leverage rapidly advancing AI capabilities.

Technology and Systems Assessment

Evaluate critical, emerging, and disruptive technologies for their ability to threaten or strengthen national security and assess systems for their benefits and vulnerabilities.

The Detection and Analysis Center’s Detector Test Facility

The Detector Test Facility (DTF) is the flagship facility of our CBRN Detection and Analysis Center. This premier testing facility provides flexible workspace for rapid and reproducible testing of radiological and nuclear detectors in static and dynamic test configurations within a 5,000+ square foot high-bay. The DTF automates data collection and analysis, providing event- and trial-based video recording combined with real-time data acquisition and utilizing AI-guided image recognition. This automation significantly reduces labor, test time, and cost by improving repeatability and virtually eliminating operator input errors.

Workforce Development

Build expertise and capacity to address evolving security challenges, from the next generation of cyber defenders to nuclear professionals knowledgeable about safeguards to our own multidisciplinary cadre of experts.

Inspiring Security-Minded Defenders Through the CyberForce® Program

We lead the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) CyberForce® Program, a workforce development program that inspires and develops the energy sector’s next generation of cyber defenders through hands-on competitions, webinars, learning resources, and career fairs. The program raises awareness of the nexus between critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. Under our leadership, the program has enrolled nearly 8,000 participants from 381 unique academic institutions in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico since 2016. We are committed to connecting existing and developing talent with the nation’s vital and growing energy cybersecurity needs.

Emergency Response

Provide S&T-grounded support for rapid and effective responses to CBRN crises, from developing decontamination technologies to advising on responses to nuclear and radiological emergencies.

Radiological Assistance Program

The Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) serves as the nation’s premier emergency response resource for addressing radiological or nuclear incidents, providing capabilities to evaluate and mitigate these hazards effectively. With highly trained scientific and technical support teams equipped with state-of-the-art technology, RAP delivers rapid and expert support ranging from technical advice to on-site assistance. Its core capabilities include conducting radiation surveys, contamination assessments, and air sampling to accurately characterize threats and advise on protective actions. RAP integrates seamlessly with other responding agencies to ensure data accuracy and sound analysis, enabling informed decision-making during crises. Additionally, RAP is able to assist in obtaining additional resources by calling on other federal assets when required based on the scope of the response.