Founded in 1947, Brookhaven National Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by Brookhaven Science Associates, a non-profit research company.

At Brookhaven, a staff of approximately 3,000 scientists, engineers, and technical support staff work alongside an additional 4,000 scientists and engineers who annually visit the facilities located on Long Island, New York.

Although research at Brookhaven impacts both basic science and national security related science issues, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Brookhaven established an interdisciplinary working group to tackle specific issues related to counter-terrorism. The focus of the group is to oversee the development of technologies devoted to prediction, detection, and preemption, of terrorism.

An important component of Brookhaven projects is the development of sensors useful in detecting nuclear, chemical, and biological agents. For example, highly sensitive chemical sensors can detect explosives, and radiation detectors are useful in detecting contact with nuclear materials. Highly sensitive detectors are capable of measuring trace amounts in concentrations so small that the sensors can provide evidence of prior contact with suspect materials—even if the materials are no longer physically present.

Facilities at Brookhaven include a thermal neutron imaging camera that can detect radiation source emanation at distances up to approximately 200 feet. In addition, Brookhaven sensor systems utilize a number of physical properties—from laserscattering patterns to microwave probes—to interrogate unknown materials.

Biotechnology research at Brookhaven includes the development of vaccines to combat the deleterious effects of a broad spectrum of biological weapons and chemical nerve gas agents. Antidote treatment research includes the development of topical creams that contain enzymes capable of degrading nerve agents.

To facilitate rescue of individuals in debris of collapsed buildings, Brookhaven engineers designed devices to help remove debris and to image debris fields. Magnetic imaging equipment can locate damaged structural elements (e.g., iron girders) and allow rescue personnel to evaluate structural integrity and identify possible areas of survival.

Brookhaven scientists and engineers developed the Mini-Raman Lidar System (MRLS) that is capable of detecting trace amounts of dangerous chemicals (including illegal narcotics and other drugs). Laser scattering devices can also detect distinct chemical profiles or "fingerprints." MRLS allows investigators to detect those chemical associated with the processing of nuclear fuels. Because MRLS is highly sensitive, inspectors can examine questionable objects from safer distances. In many cases, MRLS can accurately detect trace molecules at distances ranging from three to ten feet. Given the proper environmental controls, MRLS can detect trace molecules at far greater distances.

Another recent national security related project at Brookhaven National Laoratory involved the development of the Large-Volume Radiation Detector that uses compressed xenon as part of a portable, battery powered, room-temperature spectrometer unit. The spectrometer is very sensitive and offers high discrimination and resolution at levels that allow investigators the ability to distinguish between isotopes used in medical products and those associated with prohibited nuclear activities. Investigators are hopeful that the success of the small scale detector will allow construction of larger units using similar technology that are capable of rapidly examining large cargo loads (e.g., bulk cargoes at truck terminals, ports, etc.) at safer "standoff" distances.

Other research facilities include a relativistic heavy ion collider, alternating gradient synchrotron, synchrotron light source, tandem Van de Graaff accelerators, high-field MRI, positron emission tomograpahy (PET) facilities, transmission electron (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopes, a laser electron accelerator facility (LEAF), and other accelerator test facilities including 60-inch and 40-inch cyclotrons.

Further Reading

Electronic

United States Department of Energy, Office of Science. National Laboratories and User Facilities. <http://www.sc.doe.gov/Sub/Organization/Map/national_labs_and_userfacilities.htm> (March 23, 2003).

United States Department of Homeland Security. Research & Technology. <http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=27&content=374> (March 23, 2003).

Brookhaven National Laboratory. March 26, 2003. <http://www.bnl.gov/world/> (April 2, 2003).

Aerial view of Brookhaven National Laboratory. The RHIC ring is visible in the background.

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), is a United States national laboratory located in Upton, New York on Long Island, and was formally established in 1947 at the site of Camp Upton, a former U.S. Army base. Its name stems from its location in the greater area of Brookhaven township. The laboratory is unique to Upton and boasts its own police station, fire department, and postal code - 11973. In total, the lab spans a  acre ( km²) area.

Brookhaven is operated for the United States Department of Energy by Brookhaven Science Associates, and it specializes in nuclear physics research. It is staffed by over 3,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel, and hosts 4,000 guest investigators every year. Discoveries made at the lab have won six Nobel Prizes. Facilities at Brookhaven Lab include the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), designed to research quark-gluon plasma, the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), and two cyclotrons used to produce radioactive materials for medical applications. Areas of research include nuclear and high-energy physics, physics and chemistry of materials, environmental and energy research, nonproliferation, neurosciences and medical imaging, as well as structural biology. Brookhaven National Laboratory is the only national laboratory within the Northeast United States. The Lab is the fifth largest high-tech employer on Long Island.^{[citation needed]}

The funding provided to BNL fluctuates with each year’s federal budget. In lieu of a real budget for 2007, the Department of Energy will be providing significant funding for BNL’s two key machines. Both the RHIC and a proposed new national synchrotron light source will be receiving $25 million each for the year.

An accidental, highly publicized leakage of tritium into the groundwater during the 1990s angered people living near the lab, and led to management changes.

The lab helped discover the charm quark in 1974.

In addition to their own laboratory, Brookhaven is a contributing partner to ATLAS, one of the four detectors to be located at a new powerful accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It is currently under construction near Geneva, Switzerland.

Brookhaven is also responsible for the design of the SNS accumulator ring in partnership with Spallation Neutron Source, the world’s foremost neutron scattering science facility.

The lab is open to the public on Sundays during the summer for tours and special programs, helping its connection with the surrounding community. The program is referred to as 'Summer Sundays' and takes place from mid-July to mid-August. It features, most notably, a science show and a tour of the facilities. The laboratory also hosts science fairs, science bowls, and robotics competitions for schools in the surrounding area. Per year the Lab estimates that it enhances the science education of roughly 24,000 kindergarten to 12th grade LI students, more than 100 undergraduates, and 550 teachers from across the nation.

Co-located with the laboratory is the Upton, New York forecast office of the National Weather Service.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Brookhaven National Laboratory

• Brookhaven National Lab Official Website
• Physics Today: DOE Shuts Brookhaven Lab’s HFBR in a Triumph of Politics Over Science
  • Summer Sundays 2005 tour at Brookhaven National Laboratory
• Maps and aerial photos for 40°′″N 72°′″W / 40.873346, -72.872057Coordinates: 40°′″N 72°′″W / 40.873346, -72.872057
  • WikiSatellite view at WikiMapia
  • Street map from Mapquest or Google
  • Topographic map from Topozone
  • Aerial photograph from Terraserver or Google
  • Closeup aerial from Terraserver or Google
• Annotated bibliography for Brookhaven Laboratory from the Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues
• Headlines

References

• "Dr. Strangelet or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Big Bang"

See also

First Video Game

Agencies under the United States Department of Energy

Secretary of Energy Deputy Secretary of Energy Energy Information Administration • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Under Secretary of Energy for Energy and Environment Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management • Office of Electricity Deliverability & Energy Reliability • Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy • Office of Environmental Management • Office of Fossil Energy • Office of Legacy Management • Office of Nuclear Energy, Science & Technology Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security National Nuclear Security Administration Under Secretary of Energy for Science Office of Science Power Marketing Administrations Bonneville Power Administration • Southeastern Power Administration • Southwestern Power Administration • Western Area Power Administration National Laboratory System Albany • Ames • Argonne • Berkeley • Brookhaven • Fermilab • Idaho • Livermore • Los Alamos • NBL • NETL • NREL • NTS • Oak Ridge • Pacific Northwest • PPPL • RESL • Sandia • SLAC • SNS • TJNAF

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