PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has unveiled the Center for Continuum Computing (C3), which offers an innovative approach to transform how computational resources are deployed and consumed. C3’s focus will leverage diverse research landscapes, driving toward a unified, scalable, and resilient digital research infrastructure.

“We are in the midst of a transformative era in scientific computing,” said Jerry Cochran, interim associate laboratory director and chief digital officer for the Computing and Information Technology Directorate. “The Center for Continuum Computing leverages our highly experienced staff, expertise, and years of building partnerships with top hyperscalers, along with internal investments in computing infrastructure, to deliver on our science mission to the nation.”

Driving scientific progress across the continuum

Federal science missions increasingly require seamless integration of data-intensive workflows that span instruments, edge environments, high-performance computing systems, and commercial cloud platforms. Scientists and researchers often face difficulty with consuming vast amounts of multi-modal data, technical complexity, and delayed access to resources. Whether with respect to data collection, simulation, analysis, or discovery, C3 ensures that researchers navigate this landscape with greater ease and efficiency. It is a pivotal step forward toward modernizing digital research infrastructure, empowering scientific teams, and streamlining the process of turning ideas into impactful results.

C3’s mission is to integrate cloud platforms, high-performance computing, and edge devices into a seamless ecosystem that accelerates discovery and drives breakthroughs. Initially focused on serving PNNL’s growing computing community, C3 will also serve as a model for the next generation of computing, reflecting the Laboratory’s commitment to mission-aligned, world-class computational capabilities. More than just a technological hub, C3 represents a shift in approach for researchers working across fields like science, national security, and energy. By eliminating operational hurdles and centering computational infrastructure on scientific demands, C3 creates a standard for achieving insights driven by advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and increasing automation in discovery science.

This approach reduces technical overhead, opens new avenues for research in the continuum computing space, and magnifies the value of sponsor investments—allowing breakthroughs to emerge more quickly and efficiently. With C3, computing solutions proactively adapt to the dynamic needs of researchers, offering immediate access to the latest technological developments and services.

“The Center for Continuum Computing reflects a lab-wide commitment to innovation. It’s a collaborative effort to turn today’s computing complexity into tomorrow’s scientific advantage,” said Scott Godwin, C3 director.

Empowering the research community

Built with the researcher in mind, C3 simplifies access to the right computing resources when needed without requiring teams to master infrastructure logistics. The center strengthens the synergy between sponsor priorities and scientific outcomes, offering adaptive support for complex missions and workflows. With cross-disciplinary expertise at its helm, the center provides a robust blueprint for scalable, secure, and cost-effective computing tailored to the demands of modern science.

A scalable model for innovation

As the Department of Energy and other federal agencies are driving leadership in areas like AI, nonproliferation, advanced materials, environmental science, energy, and infrastructure resilience, integrated computing will be a cornerstone for success. The center offers an unparalleled opportunity to drive high-impact science while creating models for scalable and efficient collaboration across diverse mission areas.

To learn more about partnering with C3, contact us: C3@pnnl.gov.