Los Alamos National Institutional Plan
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LALP-82-36 Issued: December 1982 L ALP—82-36 DE83 007056 Los Alamos National Laboratory Institutional Plan FY 1983—FY 1988 *'“* NOTICE ’-J PORTIONS OF THIS REPORT ARE ILLEGIBLE? It has been reproduced from the *best available copy to permit the broadest; possible availability. Los Alamos National Laboratory JOJU U Los Alamos,New Mexico 87545 tnsrwBirnoi of this documemt is ukuwthj Los Alamos CONTENTS I. DIRECTOR'S OVERVIEW.................................................................................................... 3 II. LABORATORY ROLE AND MISSION................................................................................ 11 A. Mission............................................................................................................... 11 B. Role..................................................................................................................... 11 III. DESCRIPTION OF THE LABORATORY............................................................................ 15 A. Laboratory Strengths...................................................................................... 15 B. Long-Range Trends and Projections............................................................... 18 IV. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES................................................................ 29 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROGRAMS A. Defense Programs............................................................................................. 29 B. Energy Research............................................................................................... 43 C. Nuclear Energy................................................................................................. 58 D. Conservation and Renewable Energy........................................................... 63 E. Fossil Energy................................................................................................... 66 F. Environmental Protection, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness... 69 G. International and Energy Policy Programs............................................. 70 WORK FOR OTHER THAN DOE (WFO) A. Department of Defense................................................................................... 72 B. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)....................................................... 76 C. Other Federal Agencies and Other Entities........................................... 77 V. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM................................................................................... 81 A. Overview............................................................................................................. 81 B. Process............................................................................................................... 81 C. Estimated Resources: Personnel andFunding ......................................... 82 VI. PERSONNEL RESOURCES................................................................................................ 87 A. Trends................................................................................................................. 87 B. Requirements..................................................................................................... 87 v Los Alamos VII. UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY INTERACTIONS................................................ A. Subcontracting............................................................................. B. Laboratory User Facility Participation...................................... C. University-Laboratory Programs................................................... D. Minority Institution-Laboratory Programs................................... E. Industry-Laboratory Programs...................................................... VIII. SITE AND FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT........................................................ A. Laboratory Site and Facilities Development................................ B. Multiprogram General Purpose Facilities..................................... C. General Plant Projects................................................................ D. Facility Maintenance................................................................... E. Utility Costs.............................................................................. F. Automatic Data Processing Requirements...................................... IX. RESOURCE PROJECTIONS AND ANALYSES..................................................... A. Overall Laboratory Summary......................................................... B. Funding by Assistant Secretarial Level Office........................... C. Personnel by Assistant Secretarial Level Office........................ D. Resources by Subprogram.............................................................. E. Phases of R&D Analysis................................................................ F. Organization Chart...................................................................... Los Alamos I. DIRECTOR'S OVERVIEW In the past, Los Alamos National Laboratory was a multidisciplinary lab oratory with one job—to design and test nuclear weapons. Since those early days of one job and one sponsor, we have become a laboratory with multiple tasks and sponsors. Although our largest single program still is weapons research and development, we also have substantial programs in energy, health, environment, and basic scientific research. There is hardly an area in the physical and life sciences in which we cannot rapidly respond to specific national needs. This Institutional Plan is based on our primary mission, the advancement and application of science and technology in programs that contribute to a strong national defense, but it also emphasizes fulfilling arms control commitments and guaranteeing a secure energy supply for the future. The foundation for this mission is a staunch science and technology base composed of the many talents of our scientists and engineers and our unique facilities. We will continue developing the broad staff capabilities and the specialized facilities needed for work on important national security issues. The Past Year In FY 1982 we saw continued growth and strengthening of Defense Programs, increased support for Energy Research, and significant decline in national priorities for Nuclear Energy, Solar, Geothermal, and Conservation programs. Our worst expectations were not realized, since the Laboratory was able to obtain new programs. In spite of major changes, such as loss of the Molecular Laser Isotope Separation program, we maintained relative stability in our scientific and technical staff. Our role, mission, and capabilities have been examined by various panels, boards, and committees such as the Energy Research Advisory Board (ERAB). These reviews are beneficial because they provide a basis for communicating our strengths and potential contributions to national needs to a broader audience. This past year was one of significant scientific accomplishments. During FY 1982, we at Los Alamos achieved tie following: • The number of nuclear weapons tests was increased, and successful tests were conducted at extreme temperatures. • In life sciences, we were designated by the National Institutes of Health as a national resource for flow cytometry and a national Genetic Sequence Data Bank (GENBANK). Los Alamos • The Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA), for the development and demonstration of tritium technology required for fusion energy programs, was completed. • An extremely sensitive x-ray detector for x-ray sources in space was developed, which could also lead to reductions in medical x-ray dosage. • A cooperative agreement with Mexico for the exchange of information in nuclear energy research was signed. • New laser techniques for applied problems such as monitoring gases in coal gasifiers were successfully applied. • Preliminary studies of parallel processing computers, which promise greatly increased computing speeds, were completed. • Very high speed photoconductive detectors for diagnostic measurements at the Nevada Test Site were developed. In addition, we accomplished several institutional management tasks. These major accomplishments, which occurred during the last three years, include the following: • Our approach to administering the nuclear weapons program was com pletely reformulated and restructured. • Three research centers were established: the Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics, the Center for Nonlinear Studies, and the Cen ter for Materials Science. • Institutional Supporting Research and Development as an investment strategy for future programs was implemented. • Fellow and Senior Fellow positions were created, with our first appointments made in 1980. • The Distinguished Performance Awards program was initiated to recog nize outstanding employee contributions. • A long-range facility and site development plan was completed. • The Laboratory publication process was streamlined, which included creation of the Los Alamos Science, the Annual Report, and the Public Affairs Office. • A review of management information systems needs was conducted, and preliminary steps toward implementation were initiated. 4 4 Los Alamos • An employee orientation program was reinstituted. • A coordinated review process for construction projects was established. Looking to the Future Our commitment to maintaining the nation's nuclear deterrent continues. Programs reflected in this Plan will allow weapons R&D to grow slightly through 1984 and then continue at stable levels. We anticipate