Given below are short descriptions of the
historical Basic
Energy Sciences Advisory Committee's activities. See "Charges"
from the main page for details on current activities or click below on
1997 to Present.
1997 to Present
FY 1996 -- BESAC
on Neutron Source Facility Upgrades and the Tech. Spec. for SNS
• BESAC was asked in June 1995 to advise DOE on upgrades for neutron
sources and the characteristics of a new source. Three BESAC panels were
established--the first to consider upgrades to the two spallation sources (the
Aeppli Panel); the second to consider upgrades to the two high-flux reactors
(the Birgeneau Panel); and the third to review the scope of the new spallation
source (the Russell Panel). Findings were presented to DOE in February 1996.
The advice provided by BESAC had signficant outcomes. First, based on
advice by the Aeppli Panel on spallation sources that a short-pulse spallation
source equivalent to ISIS was needed immediately in the U.S., BES aggressively
went forward with negotiations with DOE/DP to upgrade the short-pulse
spallation source at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The LANSCE
(Los Alamos Neutron Science Center) upgrade is now in progress and will result
in a world-class capability. Second, based on the advice by the
BESAC panel on the technical specifications of the Spallation
Neutron Source (SNS), the ORNL-led collaboration designed the SNS so that
it would incorporate conservative technology initially, that it would have the
potential to be expandable and upgradeable in the future, and that it would be
commissioned in FY 2005.
FY 1995
• BESAC assessed the value of basic research to the public through the
impact on the quality of life, the economy (through the creation of new
technologies, jobs, etc.), the environment (reduction of pollution sources as
well as environmental cleanup), and the sustainability of the standard of
living. The "Moore Report", named for the BESAC Panel
Chairman, economist John H. Moore of George Mason University (currently, the
President of Grove City College), has had
signficant interest and formed the basis for the introduction to the BES
booklet "Basic
Energy Sciences -- Serving the Present, Shaping the Future."
• BESAC assessed the fuel alternatives for the Advanced Neutron Source.
• BESAC reviewed the Basic Energy Sciences Programs at Ames Laboratory,
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, and Sandia
National Laboratories.
FY 1994
• BESAC reviewed the future of neutron sources and related scientific and
technological applications in the United States. Their recommendations
supported the Advanced Neutron Source project being in the President's budget
in FY 1994.
• BESAC also provided recommendations for greater effectiveness in
contributing to U.S. competitiveness, which increased coordination with the
technology offices of the Department, established an industrial fellowship and
sabbatical program, and encouraged collaborations with industry.
FY 1993 -- Neutron
Sources for America's Future - BESAC Panel on Neutron Sources 1/93
• BESAC reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the two methods for
producing neutrons and how and where they complement or duplicate one another.
The Committee concluded that a reactor based source was the highest priority.
This review was the key recommendation leading to a decision to request the
initiation of the construction for the Advanced Neutron Source.
FY 1992
• BESAC reviewed the area of combustion sciences and its importance.
Specifically, they reviewed a proposed activity termed the Combustion Dynamics
Initiative. BESAC concluded that combustion research represents an area
where scientific advances can have a rapid impact on society.
Fundamental research in combustion, connected to improved modeling and design
of physical devices and systems, can result in major advances in energy
conversion efficienty, pollutant reduction, and environmental remediation
techniques. The Combusion Dynamics Initiative recognized this linkage,
and proposed a multifaced program which extends from the most fundamental
research to advanced modeling of combustion systems to applications.
1991 Review of the Basic Energy Sciences Program of the Department of
Energy (June 1992; DOE/ER-0551P; 49 pages). This report
summarizes the activities of BESAC for 1991, which includes a review of the
Basic Energy Sciences research programs, its major facilities, facilities
construction, and the Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences program. The
Committee also discussed user fees at major facilities. It also includes the
following subpanel reports: Combustion Dynamics Initiative; Materials,
Biotechnology; and Environmental Restoration.
1989 Review of the Basic Energy Sciences Program of the Department of
Energy (February 1990; DOE/ER-0445P; 108 pages). This
report summarizes the activities of BESAC for 1989, which includes subpanel
reports on each of the Basic Energy Sciences research programs, human resources,
physics in OBES, and the BESAC/HERAC Global Change research programs.
1988 Review of the Basic Energy Sciences Program of the Department of
Energy (November 1988; DOE/ER-03950; 65 pages). This
report summarizes the activities of BESAC for 1988, which includes subpanel
reports on each of the Basic Energy Sciences research programs and future
priorities and opportunities, major facilities, and global change.
Panel on High-Tc Superconducting Magnet Applications in
Particle Physics (December 1987; DOE/ER-0358; 35 pages). This
report summarizes the principal findings and conclusions of the study of the
possible use of high-temperature oxide superconductors for magnetic-field
generation in particle-physics accelerators.
1987 Review of the Basic Energy Sciences Program of the Department of
Energy (December 1987; DOE/ER-0359; 77 pages). This
report summarizes the activities of BESAC for 1987, which includes subpanel
reports on each of the Basic Energy Sciences research programs and discusses
global questions and issues.
1984 Major
Facilities for Materials Research and Related Disciplines
(1984)
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