At the end of World War II, the United States was left with a sprawling set of advanced research facilities, originally set up in the race to produce nuclear weapons. Rather than stopping the science, the US Department of Energy gave these facilities permanent peacetime missions by transforming them into a system of national laboratories that now dot the country from coast to coast.
Today, 17 national labs employ tens of thousands of scientists, as well as workers of all stripes, including engineers, firefighters and cafeteria workers. Researchers from across the globe make use of these unique facilities.
Learn more with Symmetry’s updated interactive map. Since the map’s first release in 2013, national labs have closed some of their facilities and opened others. They have undergone name changes and have made new discoveries. And they retain their commitment to cutting-edge scientific research.
Launch the interactive map »
Download the poster »
