Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm delivered this speech on the successful completion of the world’s most powerful X-ray laser at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory on Oct. 26, 2023.

Physicist and scientific leader Sarrao will become SLAC’s sixth director and succeeds X-ray scientist Chi-Chang Kao, who stepped down after 10 years in the position.

Under his 10-year leadership, the lab has significantly expanded its research and impact.

One of 17 national laboratories supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, SLAC is also marking its 60th anniversary this year.

The leaders of SLAC's Technology Innovation Directorate discuss how their group supports the lab's most innovative projects.

SLAC’s Matt Garrett and Susan Simpkins talk about tech transfer that brings innovations from the national lab to the people, including advances for medical devices and self-driving vehicles.

The process, which also facilitates name changes for religious, marital and other reasons, allows researchers of all genders to own their academic work by updating their names on previous publications.

She toured the lab’s powerful X-ray laser, looked at the construction of the world’s largest digital camera, and discussed climate research, industries of the future, and diversity, equity and inclusion in the sciences.

Edward Hohenstein, Emma McBride and Caterina Vernieri study what happens to molecules hit by light, recreate extreme states of matter like those inside stars and planets, and search for new physics phenomena at the most fundamental level.

Daniel Ratner, head of SLAC’s machine learning initiative, explains the lab’s unique opportunities to advance scientific discovery through machine learning.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers recognizes his contributions to developing electron beams that power unique ‘electron cameras’ and could advance X-ray lasers.