BYLINE: Amber Rose
Newswise — More than 8,000 guests spent the day meeting researchers, visiting major research facilities and taking part in activities in AI, particle physics, materials, energy and more.
On June 27, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory opened its doors to more than 8,000 visitors, inviting them to experience science in action through hands-on activities, rare facility tours and conversations with the people behind the discoveries. The event showcased Argonne’s wide-ranging research across four key themes, offering something for everyone — from curious kids to career seekers.
Creating the tools of science
At Argonne, scientists and engineers design and build the instruments that make discovery possible. During the Open House, visitors watched 3D printers create components for experiments, explored precision instruments used to align X-ray beams thinner than a human hair and interacted with autonomous robots. Guests stepped inside the Advanced Photon Source (APS) to learn how powerful light sources reveal the structure of materials at the atomic scale.
Hands-on activities let attendees test materials, interact with imaging and sensors and see how advanced manufacturing pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Tours of the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) and the Materials Engineering Research Facility showcased how breakthroughs move from the lab to real-world applications.
“I was excited to see the accelerator. That was one of the big things I came here to see. I’m also interested in the X-ray beam research here at Argonne and wanted to see where those ideas were first developed.” — Ishwar, Chicago
Understanding our universe
Argonne scientists are uncovering the mysteries of matter, energy and the forces that shape the cosmos. Visitors toured the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) particle accelerator, learning how researchers create and study the particles that make up our world. Demonstrations of ultracold materials and superconductors show how new physics is revealed, while interactive activities let guests build models of atoms and solar systems. Scientists explained how advanced detectors track elusive particles like neutrinos and how Argonne helps us understand the universe at every scale.
“We saw the neutrinos exhibit. We saw the supercomputer. It’s been fantastic, and it’s been very educational.” — Katie, Lombard
Accelerating science with AI
Artificial intelligence and advanced computing are transforming research at Argonne. The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) opened its doors, giving visitors a look at one of the world’s most powerful supercomputing centers. Guests interacted with real-time data visualizations, learned how AI and machine learning accelerate discovery, and created binary code bracelets. Activities showed how computers process information and detect patterns, while immersive visualization tools demonstrated how data becomes insight.
“The Aurora supercomputer was my favorite exhibit, because it’s such a cutting-edge capability. I was surprised and delighted to see there are so many different applications. I always enjoy hearing stories about how different parts of Argonne combine into an integrated project to achieve outcomes that might not happen if teams were working in silos.” — John, Hinsdale
Securing America’s energy future
Argonne is advancing the science and technology needed for a reliable, resilient and abundant energy future. At the Open House, visitors learned how batteries” target=”_blank”>batteries are designed and manufactured, explored nuclear energy systems and saw how researchers recover and recycle critical materials. Interactive exhibits demonstrated how water, materials and chemistry play key roles in energy systems. Guests operated model hydropower systems and tested new technologies, seeing firsthand how innovation at Argonne is helping build a more resilient and reliable future.
“It’s a massive campus. There’s a lot of really neat technology going on here — AI, biology. I never realized just how much was happening over here until now. There’s so much to see.” — Alaina, Lemont
Discovery for all: family fun, careers and community impact
Throughout the day, families enjoyed playful science games, building challenges and art-inspired activities. Kids explored magnets, materials and energy, while older kids and teens learned how experiments are designed and technology shapes the world around us. Career seekers connected with Argonne staff to learn about internships, fellowships and job opportunities, and human resources experts answered questions about career paths and benefits. The Open House also highlighted Argonne’s commitment to public engagement and advancing science for the nation’s benefit. Guests left with a deeper understanding of how Argonne’s research is shaping energy, health and technology.
“I love the laboratory. That’s why we came — to share this experience with my family. I wanted to make sure my kids could experience as much science as possible and explore all the things in the laboratory, just to see that this is something that’s real and accessible to them.” — Michelle, Chicago
See more fun from the event on our Flickr site.
The APS, CNM, ATLAS and ALCF are DOE Office of Science user facilities.
Amber Rose is a science writer and editor for Argonne specializing in coverage of chemical sciences and engineering, materials science, microelectronics and physics. She holds a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of California San Diego. Rose joined Argonne in 2024 and has been a science writer for more than 3 years. She previously worked as a science writer for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
