The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) acquires, manages, preserves, and disseminates DOE scientific and technical information (STI) such as technical reports, journals articles, videos, scientific research data, and in other forms and formats.

However, this STI does not stand alone.  It is always a part of a larger picture.  It could be the result of research by a Nobel Laureate or a remarkable advance in science; it could have significant economic impact or have improved people’s lives; and it could be involved in many other things, such as enabling space exploration.

“What?” you ask, “Enable space exploration?”  

Yes, RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) that were developed by DOE have supported space exploration since the early 1960s with the Surveyor program and continue through today.  Today RTGs are powering the New Horizons space probe, which recently flew past Pluto; the Voyager, which recently entered interstellar space; the Mars rover Curiosity; and the Cassini that is orbiting Saturn.  RTGs have also powered the Apollo missions, the lunar lander, the Viking missions to Mars, and the Pioneer, Ulysses, and Galileo missions.  And the RTG has made the movies: it keeps Matt Damon warm in “The Martian.” 

In addition to enabling space exploration, there have been many more DOE R&D accomplishments.  A DOE researcher created a video game, “Tennis for Two,” for a laboratory open house in 1958.  This video game is widely considered to be the first video game created.  Another researcher provided evidence as to why dinosaurs are extinct. 

Where can you find more information about these and other accomplishments?  At the DOE R&D Accomplishments website.  Here you will find context, flavor, diversified information, and impacts related to DOE STI, making DOE R&D Accomplishments an OSTI resource adding value to the STI. 

While not intended to be comprehensive, DOE R&D Accomplishments focuses on high level information related to DOE STI -- tracing the path of carbon in photosynthesis, carbon dating, the first self-sustaining nuclear reactor, the Manhattan Project, decoding three of the DNA chromosomes, the supernovae, and much more. 

All of these insights are now brought to you in enhanced packaging, including responsive design to facilitate use on tablets, smart phones, etc.  This enhancement continues ongoing efforts to keep the website fresh and of interest to you.  Please stop by for a visit and explore beyond OSTI’s DOE STI at http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments.