University of Michigan × Los Alamos Research Computing Center

What kind of research will U-M & Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) be conducting at this new center?

The new research computing center will allow scientists to tackle problems that are too complex for standard computers. By modeling, simulating, and analyzing massive data sets at lightning speed, this facility will enable discoveries in fields such as medicine, materials science, clean energy, engineering and national security.

For example, U-M researchers are applying AI and high-performance computing to improve brain cancer surgery outcomes, accelerate drug discovery and predict extreme weather events. Meanwhile LANL scientists have used these tools to model wildfire behavior, track the spread of disease and study changes in Arctic sea ice.

LANL’s national security research at the center will include nuclear stewardship — using advanced computational modeling to ensure the safety and reliability of our nation’s existing nuclear stockpile as it ages, without the need for live testing. LANL’s national security research is broader than many people realize, however, and also includes work such as strengthening the resilience of the U.S. power grid against cyber threats and improving critical infrastructure systems.

What is “high-performance computing” and how is it used?

High-performance computing involves solving complex problems by running sophisticated algorithms across thousands of processors (smaller computers) working together in parallel. High-performance computing, for example, allows researchers to rapidly test millions of potential drug compounds and identify promising candidates for treating diseases far more quickly than traditional laboratory methods. Other applications include the discovery and design of new materials, calculations on climate preparedness, and sustainability.

U-M has been doing this type of high-performance computing research for many years, but at a smaller scale. As the university looks to solve more complex problems, it needs faster computing speeds and more computing capacity.

What is the history of the partnership between U-M and LANL?

U-M and LANL have worked together for decades, producing nearly 2,000 co-authored publications across diverse scientific fields. Since 2017, LANL has published more research with U-M than with any other university. The volume of work reflects an enduring and productive relationship and initiatives such as Michigan SPARC (Strategic Partnership & Accelerated Research Collaboration) have enriched this collaboration.

In 2024, U-M and LANL reached a major milestone in establishing a bilateral Joint Appointment program, which currently includes LANL staff and U-M faculty working in areas such as radiation detection, computational physics, and electrical grid design. Today, the research partnership is thriving with LANL managing a $40M portfolio of research contracts with U-M.

What are the factors bringing this new facility to U-M and Michigan?

As a global leader in research and discovery, U-M is uniquely positioned to host this research computing center because of its combination of world-class faculty and the infrastructure needed to support advanced computational science.

By co-locating, U-M and LANL will create a first-of-its-kind innovation ecosystem where LANL’s pioneering computing techniques will add speed and depth to U-M’s world-renowned research to spur breakthroughs across a multitude of fields – including medical, energy, and environmental – that will benefit the people of Michigan and society more broadly.

What other National Laboratories does U-M partner with?

In addition to its deep partnership with LANL, U-M maintains strong collaborative research agreements with a number of other National Laboratories, including Idaho National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab in Illinois, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state.

Will there be any hazardous or nuclear materials, such as plutonium, at the facility?

No.

The facility will be dedicated entirely to scientific computational research. There will be no hazardous nuclear materials on site and no manufacturing of any kind — including plutonium pits.

Weapons production will never happen at the Michigan site because those activities are strictly limited to specialized, highly regulated facilities.

What would you say to concerns that this facility presents a security risk, and what security measures will be in place?

This facility is a scientific research center — not a production site or military installation. Facilities that handle hazardous materials, sensitive information or house command centers are located in highly specialized federal sites, not university-based research environments.

Security at this facility will be consistent with other major research campuses and national labs, including controlled, badged access, cameras and on-site security personnel, as well as other measures, to ensure a safe environment for researchers while maintaining the accessible, collaborative nature of a university setting.

U-M will also maintain coordination with local and federal partners to ensure the safety of both the facility and the surrounding community.

Will this facility play any role in real-time operations or national defense activities?

No. The facility is for research and will not provide real-time operational support during any conflict or national emergency. Its mission is focused solely on advancing long-term scientific understanding through computational modeling.

How is this facility different from a commercial data center?

This is a specialized research hub, not a commercial data center. Unlike large commercial facilities designed to support cloud computing, streaming, e-commerce and other consumer or business applications, this center would be dedicated to advanced scientific research and high-performance computing in areas such as medicine, energy, climate science, engineering and national security.

This facility will use less than 1/10th the energy of commercial data centers, starting at 50 megawatts with a maximum planned capacity of 100 megawatts. The physical footprint and energy usage of this facility will be comparable to a modest industrial facility rather than a commercial data center.

Where will this facility be located?

This project is in an active due-diligence phase, and no final site has been selected. Following an extensive initial review, U-M is evaluating two potential sites in Ypsilanti Township: a site that is west of the Willow Run Airport and a site located near Textile and Bridge roads.

The potential sites under review have already been zoned and designated for “light industrial” use by Ypsilanti Township and meet the project’s technical and infrastructure requirements. U-M is conducting a good-faith review of both locations to find the best fit.

Why was Ypsilanti Township chosen for this facility?

U-M first explored building this facility on campus in Ann Arbor, but existing campus properties do not have the necessary infrastructure. Specifically, any selected site must feature direct access to high-capacity electrical infrastructure (near a main transmission line), proximity to a municipal water system with sufficient capacity, and links to crucial utilities like data lines and sanitary sewers. Additionally, the location must offer adequate acreage to accommodate the building, an on-site DTE electrical substation and necessary infrastructure support, while also leaving enough space to preserve natural features and community buffer zones.

Will this facility affect the local water supply or the Huron River?

The facility will not draw or discharge into the Huron River or use local groundwater. All water would be purchased from the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA), which draws from the Detroit River. The project’s maximum draw of 500,000 gallons per day would utilize only a small portion of YCUA’s 8–10 million gallon daily excess supply.

U-M is also working in collaboration with the Huron River Watershed Council to ensure our water management aligns with regional conservation goals. All stormwater management and wetland protections will undergo formal review and permitting by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

What is the expected energy usage of this facility and how will it impact my electricity rates?

To ensure the local power supply remains stable and unaffected, U-M is paying for the construction of a dedicated DTE substation specifically for this facility. By funding its own infrastructure, the project avoids placing a direct financial or technical burden on the local residential grid and ratepayers. When the facility opens, we expect to initially use around 50 megawatts, and it will be several years before we ramp up to the 100 megawatt capacity being planned.

The project also aligns with U-M’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions for purchased electricity by 2027, as the university has already secured large-scale solar power agreements to account for the center’s academic energy needs. Facility designers are targeting LEED Silver certification — with a stretch goal of LEED Gold — through a fully electric building design and a solar-ready roof capable of supporting future renewable energy installations.

What impact will the facility have on local air quality?

As a fully electric facility, the operation will not produce smoke, odors or harmful emissions. For essential backup power during emergencies, we have limited the system to just 10% of the facility’s load. These backup generators will utilize Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable, bio-based fuel, which is significantly cleaner than traditional diesel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95%.

What should neighbors expect regarding noise and site activity?

The facility is designed for quiet operation, with noise and vibration levels expected to be similar to or lower than standard campus cooling equipment. Advanced cooling technology, engineered to blend into the existing ambient environment, will also be integrated into the facility.

Notably, one of the sites the university is considering had previously been approved for an Amazon “last-mile” distribution center – our facility will have a much smaller footprint, traffic and minimal impact on neighbors.

Who is funding this project?

The total investment for the project is estimated at $1.25 billion. Under an agreement between LANL and U-M, the national laboratory will directly contribute $300 million. U-M will provide direct contributions of $220 million and facilitate the financing of $630 million. The state of Michigan will provide $100 million through a Strategic Site Readiness Program grant earmarked for site development, construction and other related activities necessary to construct the new research centers.

How will the new U-M–LANL research center benefit the local community and Michigan residents?

Once a site is selected, U-M will work with local leaders and residents to identify opportunities for the project to provide meaningful long-term value to the Ypsilanti Township community.

The project is expected to create approximately 300 union construction jobs, more than 200 high-paying permanent research positions, and 30–50 technical support roles. The center also has the potential to strengthen regional economic development by attracting additional research activity, businesses and investment to the area.

For Michigan residents, the facility represents a $1.25 billion investment in scientific discovery and advanced research infrastructure. Research conducted at the center will help accelerate breakthroughs in areas such as medicine, energy and climate science, while creating new opportunities for innovation, collaboration and high-skilled careers across the state.

The partnership between U-M and LANL will help position Michigan as a national leader in advanced computing and scientific research, while creating opportunities for students, researchers and workers to contribute to cutting-edge discoveries without leaving the state.