Accomplishments

The many descriptions of accomplishments resulting from BES-supported basic research that are provided here represent outcomes of the broad range of studies supported in the BES program. The large collection of these brief accounts portrays the discovery of new knowledge, the rapidity with which such new knowledge can often be incorporated into other scientific disciplines and into the commercial sector, and the great potential of basic research for future impacts on energy production and use.

Discoveries
The Office of Basic Energy Sciences has been at the forefront of scientific discovery for several decades. BES staff and colleagues identified 28 of the more important discoveries supported by the program.

Nobel Prizes
Principal investigators funded by BES win dozens of major scientific prizes and awards annually, and many have been elected to fellowship in organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and other major scientific professional societies. Paramount among the honors for BES-sponsored researchers were eight Nobel Prizes since 1986.

Vignettes
Brief descriptions of recent research highlights for FY 1997 through FY 2009 appear in the BES sections of the President’s FY 1999 through FY 2011 Budget Requests to Congress, respectively. These narratives provide compelling illustrations of the relationships between the results of fundamental research and some practical applications that benefit society.

Archives
Archival compilations of BES research highlights and activities (FY1980 - FY1998)