Researchers mimicked these extreme impacts in the lab and discovered new details about how they transform minerals in Earth’s crust.

Through her work with this nationwide program, Curry plans to make high-power laser facilities more accessible to researchers.

New observations of the atomic structure of iron reveal it undergoes "twinning" under extreme stress and pressure.

High-power lasers will work in concert with the lab’s X-ray laser to dramatically improve our understanding of matter in extreme conditions.

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.

The initiative will give scientists more access to powerful lasers at universities and labs.

It could offer insights into the evolution of planetary systems and guide scientists hoping to harness nuclear fusion as a new source of energy.