The Energy of Innovation

www.inl.gov

INL Overview

I

daho National Laboratory 

(INL) stands out as a 

unique national and international resource. Notably, the 

lab has been formally designated as the nation’s command 

center for advanced civilian 

nuclear technology research 

and development, and is home 

to the unparalleled Critical 

Infrastructure Test Range, with 

assets as diverse as an isolable electric grid and wireless 

test bed. Leveraging these and 

numerous other distinguishing 

features, the lab and its more 

than 3,600 scientists, engineers 

and support personnel build on 

the potential and promise of 

the theoretical for the benefit 

of the real world.

One of the Few

INL is one of only ten multiprogram national laboratories 

owned by the U.S. Department of Energy. Geographically, INL is the largest lab 

– its nearly 570,000 acres 

also serving as a national 

environmental research park. 

As with its sister laboratories, 

INL performs work in support 

of each of the Department of 

Energy’s strategic theme areas 

– energy security, nuclear security, scientific discovery and 

environmental responsibility.

A Proud Past

In the early days, INL was 

known as the National Reactor Testing Station. Since 

1949, the Idaho site has been 

the location of many pioneering developments in the area 

of nuclear energy. The world’s 

first usable amount of electricity from nuclear energy was 

generated in Idaho in 1951. 

Over the years, 52 mostly 

first-of-their-kind reactors were 

designed and built at Idaho’s 

national laboratory, creating the 

largest concentration of reactors 

in the world. After completing 

their work, most have since 

been decommissioned.

A High-performing Present

Although INL today reports 

up through the DOE 

National priority 

research is conducted 

at INL’s three main 

facility areas - the 

Reactor Technology 

Complex, Materials 

and Fuels Complex, 

and Research and 

Education Campus.

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Headquarters Office of 

Nuclear Energy, and serves as 

the nation’s lead laboratory 

for nuclear energy research 

and development, INL 

conducts a wide range of 

agency-supporting activities:

Nuclear Science. INL is the 

leading laboratory in basic 

nuclear and radiological science research and applications. 

Both DOE and non-DOE 

customers request the expertise 

and assistance of INL’s leading 

nuclear scientists to address 

critical needs. For example, 

INL is playing a key integration role in the Advanced Fuel 

Cycle Initiative.

Nuclear Reactor Design, 

Development, Operations 

& Safety. With nearly 60 

years of experience in nuclear 

reactor and nuclear materials processing, plant design, 

operations and decommissioning, INL has internationally 

recognized expertise to conduct nuclear reactor R&D. INL 

nuclear operations, encompassing reactor operations and 

irradiation services, are based 

on a long tradition of safe and 

cost-effective operations.

National Security. INL 

leverages its signature capabilities in wireless and communication systems, process 

control and cybersecurity, 

UAV platforms and sensors 

along with its complex, 

secure and remote facilities to 

provide comprehensive critical infrastructure testing and 

technology development to 

DOE, DHS, other government 

agencies and industrial partners. INL also plays a key role 

in nuclear materials nonproliferation for NNSA, synergistic 

with the Laboratory’s lead 

role in nuclear energy research 

and development. 

INL is an innovator in 

science-based, integrated 

engineering systems for the 

Department of Defense, the 

Intelligence Community and 

others. Examples include 

armor solutions, munitions 

assessment systems and advanced detection technologies 

for nuclear materials, chemicals and explosives.

Fossil Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable 

Energy. With its significant 

science and engineering 

capability in fundamental 

energy and materials science, 

transportation, industrial efficiency, energy efficiency, 

building technologies, and 

fossil energy, INL conducts 

targeted R&D for DOE’s 

Fossil Energy, and Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable 

Energy programs. 

INL is one of three lead 

laboratories for the DOE 

Geothermal Program and is 

responsible for the program’s 

geoscience research component. INL is lead laboratory 

for engineering support to the 

DOE Hydropower Program 

wherein it applies engineering 

expertise to issues such as fish 

mortality, impact on aquatic 

environments, water quality 

and land use. Other active 

INL research programs in this 

area include those related to 

hydrogen production and use 

– including materials science, 

plasma technologies, biotechnology and alternate fuel 

transportation systems. 

Science. The scientific reputation and credentials of INL 

researchers play a key role in 

accomplishing basic science 

activities. Broad research 

disciplines represented at INL 

include earth sciences and 

environmental engineering, 

biotechnology, physical systems modeling, systems engineering, intelligent automation 

and remote systems, applied 

engineering, materials processing, chemical separations and 

processing, and sensing and 

diagnostics. 

A Plan for Tomorrow

Moving forward, INL is planning to concentrate its considerable resources on six critical 

outcomes. These include:

Nuclear science and technology programs that target 

the greatest challenges to a 

technically, economically and 

environmentally compelling 

A U.S. Department of Energy

National Laboratory

nuclear energy option for our 

nation and world.

National/homeland security, 

energy and environmental 

programs that leverage our 

nuclear capabilities, making 

substantial contributions to 

national missions.

A robust science base as the 

foundation for mission-enabling discoveries – a science 

base that attracts and holds 

pre-eminent scientists and 

engineers to INL.

A central role in revitalizing 

nuclear science, technology 

and engineering education in 

the United States – while helping the three Idaho research 

universities achieve worldclass status in these areas.

Extensive collaborations 

with the premier academic, 

government and industrial 

nuclear science and technology organizations in the world 

– bringing their research and 

expertise to bear on INL’s 

demanding missions.

The forefront research facilities, support infrastructure 

and management systems 

essential to delivering worldclass research while operating 

to the highest standards of 

safety, environmental protection and efficiency.

For INL, achieving these 

attributes will place it at the 

pinnacle of nuclear research, 

development, deployment 

and education — while 

broadening its multiprogram 

base and diversifying its 

science signatures, infrastructure, reputation and future 

mission capabilities.

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