Savannah River National Laboratory has announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Silica-X, a leader in knowledge-discovery and artificial intelligence technologies. The innovative partnership will revolutionize AI-based data management and contextualization, serving as a cornerstone for SRNL’s support of the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission initiative and advancing national laboratory capabilities.
SRNL researchers will leverage their combined decades of expertise to develop first-of-its-kind, domain-specific knowledge modules that transform the execution of AI workflows using the WastePoint.ai architecture.
By employing hyper-efficient data workflows, the software allows subject matter experts to create “brains” in their respective fields, such as critical minerals and materials recovery, and small modular reactor fuel cycle design. These brains streamline AI-driven prompts by connecting to centralized repositories of knowledge. Early tests within SRNL have unveiled insights into long-standing scientific questions, highlighting the power of Silica-X’s WastePoint.ai software.
“The Genesis Mission represents a transformative step in how we apply advanced data and AI capabilities to accelerate scientific discovery and national impact,” SRNL Director Johney Green said. “This partnership with Silica‑X demonstrates how SRNL is harnessing innovative AI tools to empower researchers and strengthen the Department of Energy’s mission across the national laboratory system.”
The CRADA will be based at SRNL’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative and enables SRNL researchers to use Silica-X’s cutting-edge WastePoint.ai platform for beta testing and enhancement. Silica-X’s unique approach combines nearly 25 years of AI expertise with revolutionary data organization tools. The agreement also opens the door for more cooperative projects to advance AI innovation.
“This partnership isn’t just about science – it’s about impact. Our relationship with Silica-X has given us the opportunity to co-develop aspects of what could be a game-changing AI tool,” said SRNL researcher Cory Trivelpiece. “This work signals an opportunity to create a new paradigm for how the scientific community interacts with foundational AI models, to accelerate innovation in a way that previously was not possible.”
This CRADA builds upon a seven-year partnership between SRNL and Silica-X, which earned a 2025 R&D 100 Award for innovation.
“This collaboration is poised to be transformative,” said SRNL’s Jeremy Leong, AMC director. “It will position SRNL as a leader in AI applications among national labs while providing Silica-X with unmatched access to SRNL science and innovation. We’re fortunate to work with their groundbreaking software in SRNL’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative to address critical challenges in knowledge and data management for scientific discovery.”
“This technology is about more than solving problems — it’s about redefining what’s possible in reducing the time, cost, and energy required to operationalize AI for trusted execution of human knowledge and expertise through a unified scientific collaboration platform,” said Silica-X CEO Philip Galland. “Together, we’re not just helping to advance scientific research; we’re establishing new standards at the speed of AI.”
SRNL and Silica-X will extend the benefits of their partnership across the DOE national laboratory system by collaborating with other labs.
SRNL’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative brings together American industry, academia and government to solve our nation’s most pressing energy, security and environmental challenges. It is South Carolina’s only facility operated by a national laboratory and located on a public university campus, positioning it as a unique hub for innovation and collaboration with SRNL and DOE.
To reach SRNL about partnership opportunities, contact the Technology Partnerships Office by email.
Savannah River National Laboratory is a multi-program federally funded research and development center managed and operated by Battelle Savannah River Alliance for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management.
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Media contact: SRNL Media Relations