PNNL, Microsoft Collaborate to Advance Use of AI, High-Computational Computing

A Department of Energy component is continuing its work on advancing scientific research using high-performance computing in the cloud and in advanced artificial intelligence.

To ensure the initiative’s success, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has entered into a partnership with Microsoft to take advantage of the benefits offered by AI to aid with scientific discovery. The deal spans several years and will entail work on pioneering technology related to sustainable energy, PNNL said.

New energy storage materials from the company’s Energy Sciences Center are among the new solutions being developed under the deal.

Tony Peurrung, deputy director for science and technology at PNNL, said the combination of expertise of human scientists, AI and high-performance computing significantly will accelerate the collaboration’s goal of helping unearth discoveries.

PNNL has been involved in discovering ways to use AI. In December 2023, it announced the deployment of the emerging technology to help with the organization’s daily operations, including coordinating scientific research on science, security and energy resilience.

It is also working with Microsoft and Micron on the TEC4 project, sharing the capability of computational chemistry with about 30 researchers involved in developing solutions for U.S. economic growth and security.