i Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 w~rvo~ State of the Laborato!X -1983 Oak Ridge National Laboratory r~rvu~w VOLUME 17 NUMBER TWO 1984 1 State of the Laboratory-1983 By HERMAN POSTMA In the follnwing updated report based on his January 31, 1984, address w the sUiff. Postma discusses technical achievements related w global environmental cancerns, an improved alloy for artificial hip j<yints, human problems of abandoned mine lands, 1rUJQ7I.et8 for fusion, the Breeder Reprocessing Engineering Test, altering an enzyme w improve crop yields, radiation effects on matter, diagnosing heart disea8e in children, measuring indoor air pollution, protecting hig~ lines, measuring fission product release fryym reactor fuel, new applications of lasers, and fusion plasma fueling. 32 Making R&D Pay Off: How ORNL Interacts with Industry THE COVER: The heavy-ion accelerator By FRAN SHARPLES at the Holifield Heavy Ion Research Facility is a good e%ample of Large Scale, Recently the federal government has remmJed impediments w the transfer of government­ Small Scale, the theme of Herman spanwred technology w industry. As a result, ORNL has new Bto/f consulting and patent Postma's 1983 "State of the Laboratory" policies and has established a fund w promote technology transfer. Efforts also have been address. This huge machine, which made by the federal government, Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., and ORNL w dwarf• the workers below, is used to stimulate and support the creation of small businesses w help the economy. study the nuclear physics of the smallest-scale phenomena. In 1983 the highest beam energy obtained at this 42 facility was achieved with the Communicating Health Risks to the Public acceleration of bromine ions to 1 billion By CAROLYN KRAUSE electron volts. This is one of many The public is worried about low-level effects of environmental agents on health. Its achievements presented in Postma'• perception of the health risks involved, lwwever, is often different fryym the actual risks. address, beginning on page 1. The scientific establishment, the news media, and culturally ingrained fears and expectations may weU be responsible for this discrepancy. That was the consenBU8 of a Editor recent workslwp on communicating risks. CAROLYN KRAUSE Associate Editor 48 ORNL and the Environment: Views of JON JEFFERSON State and Federal Regulations By THOMAS W. OAKES, J. THOMAS KITCHINGS, AND HELEN M. BRAUNSTEIN Consulting Editor In 1983 the State of Tennessee sooght for the first time to acquire the right w regulate ALEX ZUCKER ORNL 's discharges w the environment.· Recently the state conducted a compliance evaluation inspection and recommended that ORNL take action w solve its environmental Design problems. In this second part of a series, the authors discuss steps that ORNL is taking w BILL CLARK respond w the inspection report and the legal issues pertaining w environmental management at the Laboratory. Publication Staff: Technical Editing/Susan Hughes; Proofreading/Jeanne M. Dole; Typography/T. R. Walker; Makeup/Larry Davis; ORNL Photography, Graphic Arts, DEPARTMENTS and Reproduction departments. 31 Take a Number 40 Books: William S. Lyon reviews Betrayers of the Truth by William Broad and The Review is published quarterly and dis­ Nicholas Wade. Books in print edited by ORNL Bto/f members are listed. tributed to employees and others associated with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 56 Awards and Appointments The editorial office is in Building 4500-North, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. P.O. Box X, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831. Telephone: Internal 4-7183; commercial (615) OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY 574-7183; FTS 624-7183. operated by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. ISSN 0048-1262 for the Department of Energy ORNL director Herman Postma (left) chat• with Ken Jarmolow, preaident of Martin Marietta Energy Syaterna, Inc. Looking on are Larry Adama, preaident of Martin Marietta Corporation, and Mary Jane La Barge, corporate aecretary. State of the Laboratory-t983 Large Scale, Small Scale By HERMAN POSTMA 11"\\ften in the past, it has been individual and institutional colleagues from Martin Marietta ~ tempting to use the theme concerns about the process of Energy Systems, Inc. We "Year of Transition" to describe the change and its possible effects were congratulate them on a successful impact of changing national energy exaggerated. In fact, the entire proposal-and wish for them in this policies or research and sequence has proceeded on schedule new venture a good beginning and development (R&D) philosophies on with minimal impact on people and continuing success. the activities of Oak Ridge National programs, thanks to the excellent While the theme of my State of Laboratory. But now, as I present work of DOE and its local and the Laboratory address will not be this annual review of the headquarters staffs. Their transition per se, I do want to Laboratory's important performance under difficult and comment specifically, now and accomplishments and goals for the demanding circumstances was later, on this central concern for all tenth time, that familiar phrase is extraordinary. As a result, we have of us during this year of the fact. On April 1, 1984, we completed benefited from a very stable and contractor selection and change. what a year ago may have appeared orderly transition, which has However, as usual, I will emphasize an enormous, time-consuming, even permitted continuity in programs R&D accomplishments throughout ominous task-the selection of and and caused no hardship on the Laboratory. The first change to a new operating employees. achievements selected will illustrate contractor for ORNL and the other With the formal transition the multiple dimensions of "scale" U.S. Department of Energy process begun in January now in our work-from subatomic to facilities. complete, it is truly a pleasure for global phenomena, from individual With the perspective of me to welcome, on behalf of the investigation to large team efforts, hindsight, we can see that many Laboratory, all of our friends and from small component development NUMBER TWO 1984 1 ORNL staff members chat at the reception following the State of the Laboratory address at the MIUieum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. to large engineered systems, and technology companies to the continued as Congress, DOE, and from isolated contributions to Tennessee Technology Corridor, other involved state and federal sustained long-term endeavors. cooperative activities with our agencies have reviewed all facets of Thus my theme is Large Scale, institutional neighbors, the environmental and health Small Scale, which, after a few environmental matters of both local impacts of the Oak Ridge introductory comments, I will and national concern, and, of Operations, including ORNL. In illustrate with examples and course, widespread interest and cooperation with the Tennessee discussion (starting on page 4). I involvement in the selection of a Department of Health and will also discuss a series of new operating contractor. Environment and regional important project and program Nationally, 1983 was the "year Environmental Protection Agency milestones achieved in 1983 (see after" multiple high-level inquiries (EPA) officials, ORNL participated page 26)." Finally, I will focus on the and reports on the status and in a compliance evaluation outlook for the year ahead, function of DOE laboratories and inspection of its current National including expected occurrences federal laboratories in general. Pollution Discharge Elimination under Martin Marietta Energy Although the reports differed in System permit, which is now up for Systems and our short- and long­ tone and focus, they agreed that renewal. These state and federal term needs and objectives in an national laboratories (1) have been reviews have included on-site area of continuing importance and hampered by overmanagement by inspection and detailed public attention-namely, federal sponsors, (2) need more documentation of all facets of our environmental management. flexibility in administering R&D monitoring, processing, and As always, I can touch on only a funds, (3) require clearer disposal of gaseous, liquid, and small fraction of the year's many statements of institutional solid radioactive and hazardous worthy and outstanding technical missions, and (4) should undergo wastes. achievements. With this limitation more rigorous independent review. This year also has been notable in mind, another portion of the Already within DOE we see for a potentially significant change address (beginning on page 14) will evidence of a concerted effort in DOE consulting and patent be what I hope is a representative, toward improvements in each area, policies that will affect the if not comprehensive, sampling of such as reducing unnecessary or Laboratory. By liberalizing highlights from all areas of our duplicative reporting, approving consulting provisions and by program activity, including both increased discretionary funds for permitting the contractor sciences and technologies. purely exploratory research, and organization to receive a patent including the independent review waiver for marketing and licensing process in the Request for Proposal developments resulting from DOE­ High Visibility issued to prospective replacement sponsored R&D, DOE has boosted Certainly, viewed overall, 1983 contractors. our efforts to achieve stronger and was a year of high visibility for the The public focus on more productive laboratory­ Laboratory in many areas beyond