National Laboratory, Argonne << AHR gon, >> is one of the largest centers in the United States for research and development in energy technologies. It is located 27 miles (43 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. Argonne has contributed greatly to the development of nuclear reactors, including boiling water reactors and breeder reactors (see Nuclear energy ).
Scientists at Argonne conduct research in biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics, materials science, and physics. They work to develop energy technologies, such as batteries and fuel cells, electric power, and transportation. Environmental scientists at Argonne work on managing and solving the nation’s environmental problems. Other researchers are developing technologies to protect national security, such as instruments that detect biological, chemical, and radioactive weapons.
Argonne began as the University of Chicago’s Metallurgical Laboratory, established in 1942 as part of the World War II Manhattan Project to produce the first atomic bomb. In 1946, the laboratory was moved to its present location and renamed Argonne National Laboratory. The University of Chicago operates Argonne for the United States Department of Energy.
