Ummm.. The DOE run National labs have pioneered fundamental science. A lot of modern materials science technique development originally happened at some DOE Nat

Ummm.. The DOE run National labs have pioneered fundamental science. A lot of modern materials science technique development originally happened at some DOE National Lab. Judging basic science by productivity is the absolute worst metric to choose. DOE Labs are going down that path, and are becoming glorified university research groups all in the name of productivity.