Sparking collaboration

Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Michigan are partnering to create a national research center and high-performance computing facility to support joint research in science, energy, and national security.

The collaboration, which is called Michigan SPARC (Strategic Partnership for Accelerated Research and Collaboration), will “combine the capabilities and intellectual DNA of two great public institutions to make revolutionary advances in supercomputing and AI for the nation’s benefit," says Charlie Nakhleh, associate Laboratory director for Weapons Physics.

This partnership builds on a five-year, $15 million research contract that the Lab awarded the university in early 2024. The funds are supporting research on developing advanced computing technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and sophisticated modeling techniques, to address complex challenges such as unlocking fusion’s potential as a clean-energy source. SPARC, officially announced in December 2024, continues and builds on the earlier-established research contract.

“Los Alamos drives a wide range of vital national security programs that utilize high-performance computing, AI, and other capabilities like advanced materials and manufacturing to provide leading-edge solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems,” Laboratory Director Thom Mason says. “This partnership will provide critical new resources to support our data-intensive work.”

The partnership will include creating a facility for federal, classified research and a separate facility for unclassified research, which will be used by faculty, staff, and students, with potential opportunities for use by other universities. Both will be located in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Lab leadership anticipates the partnership could create up to 200 new jobs and numerous new research and networking opportunities.

To kick off the collaboration, two Los Alamos scientists—physicists Daniel Israel and Joshua Dolence—accepted joint appointments and relocated to Michigan. “I’m excited about the opportunity to help build a powerful new vehicle for mission-driven innovation, leveraging fresh perspectives and the incredible energy and talent at the University of Michigan,” Dolence says.

Israel agrees, noting how much he enjoys working with college students. “Helping students learn about national challenges in science and then seeing them contribute to solving them is extremely rewarding,” he says.

Dolence says he looks forward to the continued expansion and growth of the partnership. “This gives us a unique opportunity to build lasting and deep collaborations,” he says, “and we’re excited to grow the scope and diversity of this interaction.” ★

Article by Jill Gibson, National Security Science magazine writer