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Walter J. Stevens Office of Basic Energy Sciences BESAC July 22, 2002

Basic Energy Sciences. Summary of BES Activities Basic Research Needs to Counter Terrorism. Walter J. Stevens Office of Basic Energy Sciences BESAC July 22, 2002. Recent Office of Science Activities. BES Workshop on Basic Research Needs to Counter Terrorism (February 28 – March 1, 2002)

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Walter J. Stevens Office of Basic Energy Sciences BESAC July 22, 2002

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  1. Basic Energy Sciences Summary of BES Activities Basic Research Needs to Counter Terrorism Walter J. Stevens Office of Basic Energy Sciences BESAC July 22, 2002

  2. Recent Office of Science Activities • BES Workshop on Basic Research Needs to Counter Terrorism (February 28 – March 1, 2002) • BES Survey of National Laboratory research and Core Research Activities relevant to counter terrorism • Office of Science/BES “occasional paper” on research to support counter terrorism • Counter terrorism added to National Laboratory on-site review agendas • Development of a vision for future Office of Science support of Homeland Security • HENP workshop on the Role of the Nuclear Physics Research Community in Combating Terrorism (July 11-12, 2002) • BER participation on ad hoc panel for sequencing of pathogenic organisms (with NIH, NSF, CDC, CIA, etc.)

  3. Potential BES Core Research Contributions to Homeland Security

  4. BES Workshop • A BES Workshop on Basic Research Needs to Counter Terrorism was held February 28 – March 1, 2002 in Gaithersburg, MD. • Objective • Identify critical science issues and opportunities in research areas supported by BES that will be important to our Nation's ability to detect, prevent, protect against, and respond to future terrorist threats. • Outcome • A report has been posted on the BES website that summarizes the presentations and discussions and includes recommendations for future basic research investment needs. • http://www.science.doe.gov/production/bes/counterterrorism.html

  5. BES Workshop Focus Scientific issues underlying the detection, containment, sampling, analysis, decontamination, and destruction of: Radiological and Nuclear Threats Including nuclear explosives, radioactive materials and byproducts of their manufacture. Chemical Threats Including conventional explosives, toxic industrial chemicals, and toxic chemicals such as choking agents, blood agents, blister agents, nerve agents, and byproducts of their manufacture. Biological Threats Including bacteria, rickettsiae, viruses, fungi, and toxins. Gram for gram much more deadly than chemical agents. Can be bioengineered.

  6. BES Workshop: Plenary Presentations Presentation materials are online at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/bes/BESAC/PPT02-28-02.htm

  7. BES Workshop: Breakout Groups & Representation Chemical Threat Group BES Lead Walter Stevens, SC-14 Chair: Michael Sigman (ORNL) Michael Sailor (UC San Diego) Mike Ramsey (ORNL) Ben Smith (U. Florida) Ken Shea (UC Irvine) Jan Hrbek (BNL) Phil Rodacy (SNL) David Tevault (Army SBCCOM) Workshop Chair Terry Michalske, SNL Biological Threat Group Chair: Jill Trewhella (LANL) Lee Makowski (ANL) Basil Swanson (LANL) Steve Colson (PNNL) Terry Hazen (LBNL) Frank Roberto (INEEL) David Franz (Southern Res. Inst.) Gary Resnick (LANL) Stephen Jacobson (ORNL) Jay Valdez (Army SBCCOM) Paul Gourley (SNL) Maher Tadros (SNL) Radiological/Nuclear Threat Group Chair: Norman Edelstein (LBNL) James Beitz (ANL) Carol Burns (LANL) Greg Choppin (FSU) Sue Clark (WSU) Mark Deitz (ANL) Robin Rogers (U. Alabama) Sam Traina (OSU)

  8. BES Workshop: Additional Laboratory and Non-BES Attendees Thirteen National Laboratories Represented and 8 Non-BES Organizations Additional Laboratory Participants Non-BES Attendees David Baldwin, AMESMarion Thurnauer, ANL Greg Hall, BNL Leonard Newman, BNLDavid Miller, INEELHarriet Kung, LANL Don Parkin, LANLDavid Shuh, LBNLHenry Shaw, LLNLLou Terminello, LLNL Dan Meisel, Notre Dame Rad Lab Dan Blake, NREL Michelle Buchanan, ORNL James Roberto, ORNLSteve Colson, PNNLRobert Carling, SNL-CAGeorge Samara, SNL-NMDarryl Sasaki, SNL-NMPiero Pianetta, SSRL Brendlyn Faison, BER David Thomassen, BER Teresa Fryberger, BER Gerald Kiernan, NNSA Mike Kreisler, NNSA Larry Morgan, NNSA Janice Hicks, NSF Joe Dehmer, NSF Larry Kerr, OSTPBen Smith, U. of FL Jimmy Mays, U. of TN Sue Clark, Wash. State. U.

  9. BES Workshop Report Scientific and technical challenges and opportunities consistent with the needs of the Office of Homeland Security Detection Preparedness Prevention Protection Response and Recovery http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011008.htm http://www.science.doe.gov/production/bes/counterterrorism.html

  10. Radiological and Nuclear Threats Heavy Element Chemistry Fundamental research on the chemistry of the actinides and fission products (BES sole supporter of basic research) Radiation Chemistry Investigates the fundamental chemical effects produced by the absorption of energy from ionizing radiation Separations and Analysis Research on basic science issues related to chemical detection and separations of particular ions from other chemical species

  11. Radiological and Nuclear Threats Opportunities and Needs • Detection • Reliable, simple to operate, inexpensive “yes or no” radiation detectors • Field deployable, moderately high resolution detectors (operate at ambient temperature) to determine nature of threat • Remote detection of radioactive material – Active and/or passive detection • Better instrumentation and techniques for attribution of nuclear materials • Preparedness • Maintain critical infrastructure and appropriately trained personnel • Readiness to contain contamination caused by terrorist act • Therapies and treatment for victims of radioactive decontamination

  12. Radiological and Nuclear Threats Opportunities and Needs • Prevention • Better stabilization of nuclear materials against dispersion (e. g., storage forms for plutonium) • Explore alternate separations technologies so as to be aware of chemical signatures of clandestine reprocessing • Protection/Response and Recovery • Methods for the identification of chemical and physical form of radioactive contaminant • Increased understanding of radiation effects on materials • New decontamination agents

  13. Acetylcholinesterase: Nerve agent target. Industrial plant in Bhopal, methyl isocyanate accidental release Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. AP Photo Chemical Threats Chemical Warfare Agents Examples: Blister, Nerve, Choking and Blood agents Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs) Examples: Methyl isocyanate, Chlorine, Hydrogen Fluoride Explosives Examples: TNT, RDX, TATP. Produced in large quantities and easily accessible

  14. Detection Effects of confined spaces on fluid flow (low surface/volume ratios, electric double layer, etc.)  Nanofluidic devices New sensor concepts utilizing on molecular-based interactions ( molecular imprinted polymer receptors, etc.)  Microelectro-mechanical system sensors Improved materials for sample collection and transport  Selective sampling materials New gas phase processes for selectivity, ion trapping size limitations  Advanced mass spectrometry Silicon Surface Chemical Threats Opportunities and Needs Organic polymers grafted-from a substrate have utility for detection and protection

  15. Chemical Threats Opportunities and Needs Prevention • Improved synthetic reactions, milder processing conditions  Reduce toxic industrial chemical stockpiles Protection, Response & Recovery • New catalysts and adsorbents to mitigate and protect against chemical threats  Personal protection equipment (PPE) • New polymers with designed nanostructures  Light weight barrier materials for PPE • New separations and analysis schemes utilizing biomarkers for low level chemical exposure  Pre-symptomatic diagnosis

  16. Chemical Threats Opportunities and Needs • Preparedness • New materials synthesis and fabrication processes for low-weight power sources  Improved batteries • Improved membrane technology for ion and small molecule transport  Miniaturized fuel cells

  17. Biological Threats Human Pathogens Examples: Smallpox, Cholera, Shigellosis Vibrio cholerae Zoonoses (not highly contagious) Anthrax, Brucellosis, Coccidioidomycosis, EEE / VEE / WEE, Japanese B, Ebola/Marburg, Histoplasmosis, Melioidosis, Glanders, Plague, Psittacosis, Q Fever, Rabies, Tularemia Anthrax Animal Pathogens African Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth, Fowl Plague, Newcastle, Rinderpest Foot and Mouth Virus

  18. Detection and Identification Simple, inexpensive triggers that alert the need for detailed biohazard analysis. Stand-off detection of biohazards using, e.g., laser techniques. Improved techniques to rapidly and selectively sample biohazards from complex biomaterial backgrounds. Novel technologies for the extraction, purification, and concentration of bio-agents. Advanced identification methods (e.g. molecular recognition) Biological Threats Opportunities and Needs

  19. Biological Threats Opportunities and Needs Prevention • The most difficult problem: small quantities, high toxicity, easily disguised or hidden. Protection, Response & Recovery • Rapid diagnosis of infection or detection of human exposure. • Diagnostic tools for use in point-of-care-facilities. • New lightweight personal protection equipment with built-in decontamination capability. • New decontamination methods for people, buildings, surfaces, etc. • Rapid forensic analysis for attribution.

  20. Pathogen sequencing Other Activities Coordinated research within Office of Science programs in Biological and Environmental Research and Advanced Scientific Computing • Goals • Identify molecular machines of life • Characterize their regulatory networks • Characterize the functional repertoire of natural microbial communities • Develop the computational capabilities to advance understanding of complex biological systems and predict their behavior Genomes toLife:

  21. Other Activities Office of Science and Other Agency Coordination for Characterization of Biothreat Agents Coordinated interagency effort to develop a list of potential biothreat agents, prioritize needed research, and determine security issues on data release. Anthrax Anthrax Toxin

  22. Detection Biological Foundations Goal: To provide early warning, identify people to treat, and identify contaminated areas with high sensitivity and low false alarms. Goal: To provide essential biological information for detection, and medical countermeasures. Decontamination Modeling & Prediction Goal: To quickly restore civilian facilities (untreated contamination may remain for 10’s of years). Goal: To develop predictive modeling tools for urban environments (inside & outside of facilities). Other Activities NNSA Chemical and Biological National Security ProgramTechnology development in the 3-5 year timeframe

  23. Office of Science Support for Homeland Security A National Laboratory Approach The National Laboratories provide significant infrastructure, research expertise, and links to the university community. • Strong, multidisciplinary science with many components relevant to counter terrorism. • Significant resources and infrastructure already in place. • A history of successful contributions to national security. • Bridge unclassified “outside the fence” research and sensitive “behind the fence” technology development.

  24. Office of Science Support for Homeland Security Points of Contact for Homeland Security at SC Labs • AMES Laboratory: Dr.DavidP.Baldwin • Argonne National Laboratory:Dr.HarveyDrucker • Brookhaven National Laboratory:Mr.PaulD.Moskowitz • Jefferson Laboratory:Dr.FredDylla • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:Dr.WilliamA.Barletta • Oak Ridge National Laboratory:Dr.MichaelA.Kuliasha • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory:Dr.MichaelKluse • Plasma Physics Laboratory:Mr.LewisD.Meixler • Stanford Linear Accelerator:Mr.JerryL.Jobe • Fermilab:Mr.BruceL.Chrisman

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