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National Labs
> National Security and the Labs
For more than a half-century, the national laboratories
have been at the forefront of protecting our nation — from
the Second World War, through Cold War threats, to addressing today's
terrorists threats at home and abroad. The University of California
and the national laboratories take great pride in fulfilling their
national security mission.
More pivotal and critical than ever, the UC-managed
labs at Berkeley, Livermore and Los Alamos are national leaders
in cutting-edge research related to terrorist and homeland security
threats. Among their many research endeavors, UC scientists are
developing new tools in the war on terrorism, managing our nation's
nuclear weapon stockpile, developing high-level remote air quality
sensors, and analyzing bioagents and pathogens.
The following links provide information about
the myriad of national security programs at each of the three UC-managed
national laboratories.
Berkeley (LBNL)
Berkeley
Lab Offers Homeland Security Expertise
(press release, 11/28/01)
Several of the lab’s projects have useful
applications in addressing potential threats to national security,
including:
Compact
Neutron Source - This portable device uses neutrons to non-invasively
screen the contents of things like baggage, air cargo, and mail.
Unique in its speed and intensity, the neutron source is ideal for
both spot checks and continuous scanning of large sizes and volumes
of closed containers, to detect potentially dangerous contents such
as explosives or fissionable materials.
Rapid
DNA Sequencing of Microbial Pathogens - The Joint Genome Institute’s
expertise used to interpret and understand the human genome can
be applied to biothreat bacteria, so that detection, identification
and treatment can be improved. Developing a complete DNA sequence
catalog of potential microbial pathogens would provide key information
to identify particular bacterial strains, differentiate between
closely related infectious and non-infectious bacteria, identify
unique "signature" genes for rapid detection, and aid
in identifying the strain and potential source of origin.
Safeguarding
Buildings Against Chemical or Biological Attack advice for emergency
personnel and for building operators on dealing with a biological
or chemical release in a building (press
release, 4/3/02)
Building Occupant Protection Guide - The lab’s
experience in indoor air quality and building ventilation research
has been put into a simple kit for occupants and first responders
at a building site that may have been attacked using chemical and
biological agents. The easy-to-use booklet explains how contamination
spreads through office buildings, so that rescue workers can take
steps to minimize the impact of the contamination and mitigate exposures.
The lab’s national security program is led
by Bill Barletta, director of the lab’s accelerator and fusion
research division.
Livermore (LLNL)
Homeland Security Programs
- including countermeasures against chemical, biological, nuclear
and radiological threats, infrastructure protection, border and
transportation security, and emergency preparedness
New research
will help detect biological warfare agents and fight cancer
Congressional
testimony on LNLL contributions to homeland security, Director Michael
R. Anastasio, July 10, 2002 (pdf)
Stockpile
Stewardship - Advanced Simulation and Computing
Program (ASCI)
Nonproliferation,
Arms Control and International Security
Center for Global
Security Research
Los Alamos (LANL)
National Security
- The mission of Los Alamos National Laboratory is national security. Information on the Nuclear Weapons program includes stewardship and research to ensure our nation's aging weapons remain in top shape. Los Alamos researchers are also developing technologies that defend the nation against a number of international threats, such as the proliferation of nuclear weapons, chemical and biological agents, information terrorism and computer infiltration, and attacks on critical infrastructure.
Los Alamos Responds to Homeland
Security Challenges
Congressional
testimony on Los Alamos lab's contributions to homeland security,
Associate Director Don Cobb, LANL Threat Reduction, July 10,
2002 (pdf)
U.S. Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations testimony on "dirty bombs" by
Associate Director Don Cobb, Mar. 6, 2002 (pdf)
Congressional testimony
on LANL's nuclear emergency response by Associate Director Don Cobb,
June 25, 2002 (pdf)
New Mexico Legislature
Committee on Information Technology Oversight testimony on LANL's
role in counter terrorism and homeland security by Mary Anne
Yates, Senior Advisor, LANL Threat Reduction, Sep. 18, 2002
National
Security - Strategic Research at Los Alamos
Threat Reduction
Programs - responding to new and developing threats posed by
nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction (fact
sheet)
Fact Sheets on Counter Terrorism:
Critical
Experiments Facility (pdf)
Keeping
Nuclear Materials Out of the Wrong Hands (pdf)
Mapping
the Vulnerabilities, Supporting the Systems (pdf)
Tracking
the Identity and Origin of Biological Threats (pdf)
BASIS
- Biological Aerosol Sentry and Information System
(pdf)
Technologies
for Bacillus Anthracis Information (pdf)
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Two-pronged attack on bioterrorism
Livermore scientists are designing tiny synthetic molecules to detect
biological warfare agents and fight cancer.
Critical
Infrastructure Protection
Just one of the UC-managed national labs' efforts in homeland security,
Los Alamos has an ongoing Urban
Security Project examining the relationships between urban infrastructures
— power, transportation or sewer systems — and the natural
environment.
National security continues to be Livermore's defining responsibility,
with a focus on proliferation prevention and arms control. The National
Ignition Facility is an essential element of Livermore's Stockpile
Stewardship effort. NIF's 192 laser beams will converge upon a fusion-fuel-filled
target in the target chamber (above).
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