Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National LaboratoryU.S. Department of Energy






Biography
Argonne National Laboratory, operating under the Department of Energy, provides critical security technologies that prevent and mitigate events with potential for mass disruption or destruction. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC.
Argonne scientists and engineers offers expertise in the following focus areas:
- Chemical and molecular science
- Biosciences
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Energy and Global Security
- Energy Systems
- Global Security Sciences
- Nuclear Engineering
- Photon Sciences
- Accelerator Systems
- Engineering Support
- X-ray Science
- Physical Sciences and Engineering
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering
- High Energy Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanoscience and Technology
- Physics
Argonne operates the following leading-edge national user facilities:
- Center for Nanoscale Materials
- Advanced Photon Source
- Argonne Leadership Computing Facility
- Electron Microscopy Center
- Argonne Tandem Linear Accelerator System
- Transportation Research and Analysis Computing Center
Argonne conducts research in several areas specific to biological sciences including:
- Antibody and protein stabilization
- Membrane protein expression
- Membrane-based separative bioreactors
- Bioengineering for new medical treatments
- Protective hypothermia for treatment of cardiac events
- Endoscopic electron beam cancer therapy
One of the biodefense technologies developed at Argonne is a Biochip which provides a universal platform for the detection and identification of many different types of biological agents. Both proteins and nucleic acids can be examined and on-chip PCR can be performed.
Argonne has also developed and tested a millimeter-wave (mmW) radar detection system that can measure a suite of airborne chemicals at 1-100 ppm in real time with minimal interference from common atmospheric chemicals. The mmW sensors can be mounted in a wide variety of places, from buildings to vehicles and aircraft for all-around, real time detection capability. In addition, the sensors can be networked, enabling an airborne chemical surveillance system to be created for specific uses.
The experts at Argonne collaborate annually with over 600 companies, numerous federal agencies, and hundreds of research institutions worldwide. Argonne operates on an annual budget of approximately $722 million (USD) and has a workforce of approximately 3,350 employees.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles and resources related to Argonne. Links may lead to external sites.
- Experiments at X-Ray Facility May Lead to Better Explosive Modeling (Nov 2017)
- Four Things I Learned from Visiting Argonne National Laboratory (Oct 2016)
- Fukushima, Vieques, Rocky Flats: Radioactive Photos Tell Nuclear Stories (Jul 2016)
- Separating Fact from Fiction at Argonne National Laboratory (Jul 2016)
- Scientists Explore Molecular Explosions Using New X-ray Method (Jun 2016)
- Five Ways Scientists Can Make Soil Less Dirty (Phys.org)
- Advances in Extracting Uranium from Seawater (Apr 2016)
- Home Microbiome Project Announces Study Results (Aug 2014)
- Argonne, KAERI to Develop Prototype Nuclear Reactor (Aug 2014)
- Advanced Photon Source to Remain Leader in Protein Structure Research (May 2014)
- Training Scientists on Rapid Environmental Radioactivity Assessment (Mar 2014)
- Experts Address Fukushima-Related Radiation Concerns (Jan 2014)
- Membrane Protein Kit May Lead to Better Targeted Drugs (Aug 2013)
- Breakthrough Could Lead To Drugs That Better Combat ‘Superbugs’ (Feb 2013)
- Protein Biologists Find New Chink in Staph’s Armor (Mar 2011)
- Biological Warning and Incident Characterization (BWIC)
- NetBreaker Analytical Tools Identify Terrorist Groups, Members, and Capabilities
- Simulator Helps Analyze, Mitigate Threats to Water-Distribution Infrastructure
9700 S. Cass Avenue Lemont IL 60439 United States
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Brookhaven National LaboratoryU.S. Department of Energy




Biography
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is one of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the US Department of Energy. Brookhaven is operated and managed by Brookhaven Science Associates, which was founded by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University and Battelle, a nonprofit applied science and technology organization.
The scientists and engineers at BNL work in the following research areas:
- Climate, Environment, & Biosciences
- Energy Security
- Photon Sciences
- QCD Matter
- Physics of the Universe
Brookhaven operates cutting-edge large-scale facilities for studies in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, applied science, and a wide range of advanced technologies. These facilities include:
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials
- Radiotracer Chemistry, Instrumentation and Biological Imaging
- Brookhaven Linac Isoptope Producer
- Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider
- National Synchrotron Light Source II
- Computational Science Center
- Accelerator Test Facility
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory
- Long Island Solar Farm
- Tandem Van de Graaff Facility
The Laboratory’s almost 3,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff are joined each year by more than 4,000 visiting researchers from around the world. BNL coordinates with a wide range of federal and local institutions, including the Northeast Biodefense Center.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Select articles related to Brookhaven. Links may lead to external sites.
- Unfazed by Radiation (Oct 2016)
- Five Brookhaven Lab Projects Selected as R&D 100 Award Finalists (Aug 2016)
- DNA Framework for Rationally Designed Nanostructures (Jun 2016)
- Conduct Charged Particle Radiobiology Studies Relevant to Ion Therapy (Jun 2016)
- Studying Radiation’s Effect on Reactor Pressure Vessels (Mar 2016)
- Remien Named Manager of Brookhaven’s Environmental Protection Division (Mar 2015)
- Brookhaven Science Associates Awarded Brookhaven Lab Contract (Nov 2014)
- Scientists Map Key Moment in Assembly of DNA-Splitting Molecular Machine (Oct 2014)
- New NIH/DOE Grant for Life Science Studies at NSLS-II (Sep 2014)
- Harnessing the Power of Bacteria’s Sophisticated Immune System (Aug 2014)
- Brookhaven Wins R&D 100 Award for Novel Radiation Detector (Jul 2014)
- DNA-Linked Nanoparticles Form Switchable ‘Thin Films’ on a Liquid Surface (Jun 2014)
- The Science of Detecting and Defeating Radiological Threats (Apr 2014)
- Planning a Response to a ‘Dirty Bomb’ (Jan 2014)
- Scientists Identify Promising Antiviral Compounds (Jul 2013)
PO Box 5000 Upton NY 11973-5000 United States
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)U.S. Department of Energy





Biography
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a national security laboratory managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The laboratory has approximately 6,300 employees, including term employees and post-doctoral fellows.
LLNL’s mission is to ensure the safety and security of the nation through applied science and technology in the following areas:
- Biosecurity
- Counterterrorism
- Nonproliferation
- Defense
- Energy and Environmental Security
- Intelligence
- Science, Technology and Engineering
- Nuclear Deterrent Weapons
Highlighted capabilities and technologies related to CBRNE include:
- Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS)
- Hand-held Isotope Identification
- Easy Livermore Inspection Test for Explosives (ELITE)
- Biomedical Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Instrument
- Screening Cargo Containers for Nuclear Threats
- Batteryless Nanowire Sensor for Chemical Agents
- Integrated WMD Analysis
- Nanolipoprotein (NLP) Anthrax Vaccine
- Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Select articles related to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Links may lead to external sites.
- CTBTO Head Visits Top U.S. Nuclear Security Sites (Nov 2015)
- Technology Traces Both Aerosolized Threats and Contaminated Food (Jan 2015)
- LLNL Researchers Cut Sample Prep Time Dramatically (Oct 2014)
- Lawrence Livermore Seeks Partner for Fast PCR Instrument (Aug 2014)
- LLNL Recognized for Explosives, Nuclear Detection Research (Aug 2014)
- LLNL Technology Could Screen for Emerging Viral Diseases (Jul 2014)
- Livermore Researchers Identify Chemical, Physical Traits of Fallout (Jan 2014)
- DNA Tagged Reagents for Aerosol Experiments (Oct 2013)
- LLNL Announces Licensing Opportunity for Fast PCR Technology (May 2013)
7000 East Ave. Livermore CA 94550
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)U.S. Department of Energy





Biography
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a premier national security research institution, delivering scientific and engineering solutions to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent; reduce global threats; and solve other emerging national security and energy challenges.
LANL is the design agency for the W76/W88 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile warheads, the W78 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile warhead, and the B61 gravity bomb. These four systems constitute 80 percent of the U.S. on-alert nuclear deterrent.
Work in biothreat reduction at Los Alamos extends across many areas including detection technologies, bioforensics, pathogen analysis, and understanding host-pathogen interactions for better vaccine development.
Los Alamos has approximately 10,000 employees and a FY 2014 budget of $2.1 billion.
Los Alamos is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) under contract to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as part of the U.S. Department of Energy. LANS comprises four U.S. organizations that partner to support delivery of our national security science mission. These entities are the University of California; Bechtel National, Inc.; The Babcock and Wilcox Company; and URS Corporation.
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Editor’s Picks: Select articles related to Los Alamos National Laboratory. Links may lead to external sites.
- Military and Civilian Bomb Squads Showcase Skills at Robot Rodeo (Jun 2016)
- CTBTO Head Visits Top U.S. Nuclear Security Sites (Nov 2015)
- RFI – Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Completion Project (Feb 2015)
- LANL Launches Biosurveillance Gateway (Jan 2015)
- One Million Curies of Radioactive Material Recovered (Dec 2014)
- LANL Scientists Use Wikipedia to Forecast Diseases (Nov 2014)
- Los Alamos Achieves 20-year Low on Radioactive Air Emissions (Sep 2014)
- Study Validates Air Sampling Techniques to Fight Bioterrorism (May 2014)
- Nuclear Arms Control R&D Consortium Includes Los Alamos (Apr 2014)
- Detecting Bioterrorism: Is Chemistry Enough? (Mar 2014)
- Plutonium Less Mysterious with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (May 2012)
- LANL Names New Head of Nuclear and High Hazard Operations (Mar 2012)
Bikini Atoll Road, SM30 Los Alamos NM 87545
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)U.S. Department of Energy



Biography
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is responsible for the management and security of U.S. nuclear weapons, nuclear nonproliferation, and naval reactor programs. It also responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies both in the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, NNSA federal agents provide safe and secure transportation of nuclear weapons and components and special nuclear materials along with other missions supporting the national security.
NNSA’s Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) works to identify, secure, remove or facilitate the disposition of high risk vulnerable nuclear and radiological materials around the world that pose a threat to the U.S. and the international community.
GTRI achieves its mission via three initiatives which provide a comprehensive approach to preventing terrorists’ access to nuclear and radiological materials:
- Convert: Convert research reactors and isotope production facilities from the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) or verify their shutdown
- Remove: Remove or confirm the disposition of excess nuclear and radiological materials
- Protect: Protect high priority nuclear and radiological materials from theft
GTRI and its predecessor programs have converted or verified the shutdown of 88 HEU research reactors and isotope production facilities; removed or confirmed the disposition of more than 5,140 kilograms of HEU and plutonium – more than enough material for more than 205 nuclear bombs; secured more than 775 bombs worth of HEU and plutonium associated with the BN-350 reactor in Kazakhstan; secured more than 1,700 radiological sites around the world containing millions of curies – enough for tens of thousands of large dirty bombs; recovered more than 36,000 orphan and disused radiological sources in the United States; and recovered 810 radioisotope thermoelectric generators from Russia containing millions of curies of activity.
The NNSA was established by Congress in 2000 as a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. NNSA’s annual budget for FY2015 is $11.7 billion.
Contract and project management oversight responsibility for NNSA’s labs, plants and special facilities was given to the site offices:
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Editor’s Picks: Select articles related to NNSA. Links may lead to external sites.
- FY19 Nuclear Security Budget: More for Weapons, Less for Nonproliferation (Feb 2018)
- Source Physics Experiment Aims to Advance Nuclear Explosion Monitoring (Oct 2016)
- Radiological Assistance Program Team Training (Mar 2016)
- NNSA Safety Office Recognized for Safe Operation of Nuclear Facilities (Feb 2016)
- Brookhaven Lab Wins Award for Novel Radiation Detector (Nov 2014)
- US, UK, Kazakhstan Secure Radiological Transportation Vehicles (Oct 2014)
- NNSA National Labs Earn Nine R&D 100 Awards (Jul 2014)
- Efforts to Eliminate HEU in Medical Isotope Production (Jul 2014)
- NNSA, Argentina Transition Radiation Detection System (May 2014)
- NNSA, Djibouti Transition Radiation Detection System (Mar 2014)
- NNSA to Conduct Aerial Radiation Assessment Survey in NJ, NY (Jan 2014)
- Advanced Radiological Assistance Training for Iraqi First Responders (Dec 2013)
1000 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington DC 20585 United States
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)U.S. Department of Energy





Biography
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.
ORNL is operated by UT-Battelle LLC, supporting DOE’s national missions of scientific discovery, clean energy, and security. The Laboratory employs more than 4,400 including scientists and engineers in more than 100 disciplines, with an operating budget of approximately $1.4 billion.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory was established in 1943 to carry out a critical assignment for the Manhattan Project: demonstrating the production and separation of plutonium to fuel an atomic weapon. Following the war, ORNL took on a new assignment: the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The facilities and expertise assembled for the Manhattan Project expanded to support a nuclear research and development portfolio that extended from basic science to applied technology.
Researchers at ORNL work with federal, state, and local agencies to develop and deploy technologies to improve the ability to detect, prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism as well as natural disasters. In addition to nuclear detection technologies, the lab is providing new ways to identify small quantities of explosives, hazardous chemicals, and biological materials. ORNL also develops systems for threat assessment, risk awareness, and emergency planning and response, as well as new capabilities for first responders.
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Editor’s Picks: Articles related to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Links may lead to external sites.
- ORNL Wins Technology Transfer Awards for Mass Spec (Feb 2016)
- Capturing the Dynamics of Splitting Plutonium-240 (Jul 2016)
- Nuclear Disablement Teams Training at ORNL (Feb 2016)
- Using Nuclear Forensics to Solve Mysteries (Jan 2016)
- ORNL’s Historic Reactor Still Going Strong (Apr 2015)
- ORNL Partners on Development of Salt-Cooled Reactors (Mar 2015)
- Rapid, Portable Viral Diagnostic Available for Licensing (Jun 2015)
- Rapid, Portable Viral Diagnostic Available for Licensing (Oct 2014)
- ORNL Technology Transfer Continues Strong Upward Trend (Oct 2014)
- Squid Enzymes Could Help Neutralize Chemical Weapons (Jun 2014)
- 3rd Annual Biosurveillance Symposium (Jun 2014)
- ORNL, Yale Develop New Concept for Low Cost DNA Sequencing (Apr 2012)
- ORNL Dual Laser Technique for Standoff Sensing of Chem-Bio Agents (Mar 2012)
1 Bethel Valley Road P.O. Box 2008 Oak Ridge TN 37831
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)U.S. Department of Energy





Biography
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), operated by Battelle Memorial Institute since 1965, is a Department of Energy national laboratory.
PNNL works to strengthen U.S. scientific foundations for innovation; increase U.S. energy capacity and reduce dependence on imported oil; prevent and counter acts of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; reduce environmental effects of human activity and create sustainable systems.
Unique facilities and programs at PNNL include:
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
- Applied Process Engineering Laboratory (APEL)
- Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL)
- Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL)
- Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center (EIOC)
- Microproducts Breakthrough Institute (MBI)
- Battelle Seattle Research Center
- Instrument Performance Testing
The Chemical & Biological Signature Science Group within PNNL is an interdisciplinary group of approximately 50 biologists, chemists, and engineers that solve research and development challenges related to chemical and biological detection and forensics. Much of the work involves trace detection in complex samples including environmental, food, or biological samples, and is directed toward national security missions to prevent and counter acts of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Nonproliferation Systems Integration (WMD) division deals with international and domestic security, safeguards and nonproliferation issues.
PNNL has approximately 4,300 employees and had a FY14 business volume of $1.02 billion.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles and resources related to PNNL. Links may lead to external sites.
- PNNL Spotlights Chemical Forensics for CW and Counternarcotics (Apr 2017)
- Making Ports of Entry Radiation Scanners More Efficient (Jan 2016)
- PNNL Supports National Critical Infrastructure Security (Oct 2015)
- Mass Spec Innovations Bring 10M Back To PNNL, Battelle (Apr 2015)
- Steven Ashby Named New PNNL Director (Mar 2015)
- PNNL Biodetection Guide Downloaded By 10,000+ (Jan 2015)
- Biodetection Technology Guide 2014 Available (Apr 2014)
- PNNL Decontamination System for Viruses and Bacteria (Apr 2012)
- Contracting Mechanisms for Work with PNNL
902 Battelle Boulevard Richland WA 99354
Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia National LaboratoriesU.S. Department of Energy






Biography
Sandia National Laboratories is a Federally-Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operated and managed by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Sandia Corporation operates Sandia National Laboratories as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
Although most of Sandia’s approximately 10,000 employees work at Sandia’s headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or at its second principal laboratory in Livermore, California, others are working at various sites in the U.S. and abroad.
Sandia is responsible for all non-nuclear components of the nuclear explosive package to create a militarily effective and logistically sustainable U.S. nuclear deterrent. Sandia’s nuclear weapons mission is focused on three imperatives:
- Maintain the U.S. stockpile through surveillance and the exchange of weapon components that have limited life
- Sustain the stockpile into the future through Life Extension Programs and Alterations
- Maintain and advance Sandia’s required engineering and science capabilities, operations and infrastructure to ensure the health and vitality of Sandia’s nuclear weapons mission.
Sandia evaluates the reliability and safety of every active stockpile weapon type on an annual basis, and documents its findings in a letter from the laboratory director to the Energy and Defense Secretaries.
In terms of nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, Sandia plays a critical role in the development of national space and ground systems to monitor nuclear explosions, pioneered the systematic analysis and design of physical protection systems for both civilian and military nuclear facilities, developed the concept of portal perimeter monitoring for arms control and enabled international partners to secure nuclear materials around the world.
Sandia also maintains the Chemical Security Program (CSP), which supports a variety of activities to promote chemical security in partner countries, including: chemical safety and security trainings for academic and industry audiences, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-led chemical security workshops for government and industry representatives, trainings to strengthen academic chemical societies, the development of a chemical security toolkit, architectural design support for chemistry lab construction, agrichemical security initiatives, and grants for training and physical security upgrades at academic and industrial facilities with dangerous chemicals.
Notes
Editor’s Picks: Articles related to Sandia National Laboratories. Links may lead to external sites.
- Sandia Tech Transfer Opportunity for Radiation Sensing Instruments (Jan 2017)
- Sandia Hosts Urban Shield Active Shooter Exercise (Dec 2016)
- Marine Veteran Finds Niche in Sandia Explosives Group (Dec 2016)
- Sandia National Laboratories Hosting Supplier Open House Events (Dec 2016)
- Radiation Security Teams Protect Crowds at Large Events (Nov 2016)
- Advancing Fragment Tracking to Better Understand Explosive Threats (Nov 2016)
- Creating Rotational Fires to Improve Modeling Tools (Apr 2016)
- Studying the Complexities of Plutonium (Apr 2016)
- Weaseling in for Critical Infrastructure Protection (Mar 2016)
- SecuritySeal Detects Tampering with Nuclear Material Containers (Jul 2015)
- Sandia and UNM Sign New Collaborative Agreement (Jul 2015)
- Los Alamos, Sandia Host Non-Proliferation Representatives (Apr 2015)
- Big Picture: Sandia National Laboratory MESA Complex (Apr 2015)
- Sandia Labs Recognized for Ruggedized Anthrax Detector (Feb 2015)
- Study: Long-Term Aging of Electronics in Nuclear Weapons (Dec 2014)
- Nuclear Device Detection for Emergency Responders (Nov 2014)
- Showcase Highlights Sandia Commercialization Opportunities (Sep 2014)
- Sandia Researching New Detectors for Chemical, Biological Threats (Sep 2013)
- New Method Discovered To Protect Against Chemical Weapons (May 2014)
- Emergency Response Tech Partnerships Program at Sandia National Lab (Apr 2013)
- New Instrument to Quickly Detect Botulinum, Ricin, Other Biothreats (Apr 2013)
Albuquerque NM 87185