June 2, 2006

Energy Secretary, Under Secretary for Energy Tour NSLS

On Friday June 2, BNL welcomed Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and Raymond Orbach, newly named Under Secretary for Science at the Energy Department.

During a whirlwind visit, the Secretary and Under Secretary met researchers at the NSLS, where they talked about current and future research. While discussing applications of synchrotron soft x-rays, NIST physicist, Dan Fischer, gave Bodman and Orbach a tour of beamline U7A. NSLS biophysical chemist, Lisa Miller, showed the Secretary and Under Secretary infrared beamline U10B and described her group's work on skin melanoma while Steve Dierker, Associate Laboratory Director for Light Sources, highlighted the prospects for NSLS-II.

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman (front, middle) stands at beamline U7A with (from left) NSLS physicist Dan Fischer, Under Secretary Raymond Orbach, Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt, Associate Laboratory Director for Light Sources Steve Dierker, BNL Interim Director Sam Aronson, and scientists Faisal Alamgir and Sharadha Sambasivan.

Bodman and Orbach also met researchers at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider's (RHIC) PHENIX and STAR detectors and the molecular beam epitaxy system laboratory, where they heard about the Lab's nanoscience efforts.

Later, the Secretary gave a standing-room-only talk in Berkner Hall to an audience of employees and other guests, including Shirley Strum Kenny, President of Stony Brook University and Chair of the Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) Board; Carl Kohrt, Battelle President, CEO, and BSA Vice-Chair; and other members of the Board. His purpose in coming to the Lab, the Secretary said, was to support the same level of quality in BNL's future work as that of the greatness of its past - ensuring that "from RHIC to the new Center for Functional Nanomaterials to the preferred siting for the NSLS-II, history will be repeated at the Lab."

DOE/BNL Partnership Requires Safety and Science

In committing to maintaining that tradition, DOE "requires a partnership between you and us," Bodman said. "We look to this laboratory for excellence in management as well as science."

NSLS Scientist Lisa Miller shows Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman beamline U10B.

"The most important asset the Department has here . . . is all of you," he continued. "The personal safety of all departmental employees and contractors is a top priority for me." The Secretary emphasized that Brookhaven can be proud of its history of scientific achievement and contributions in many fields, "but, in my judgment, your safety record requires improvement," he said. "We ask you to take care of each other and think of yourselves. Small accidents are the precursors to serious accidents."

Investing in Science

The President understands that we must make investments to ensure that America retains its world pre-eminence in science, Bodman said. "That is why he has proposed the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), the Alternative Energy Initiative, and the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). The Energy Department has a major role in all three programs."

Through the ACI, the Office of Science budget is expected to increase by 14 percent in 2007, to $4.1 billion. This initiative is especially important to the NSLS, as the Office of Science will direct additional funds to sectors promising breakthroughs, including supercomputers, nanotechnology, energy from biomass, nuclear fusion, and high-intensity light sources like the NSLS.

ALD for Light Sources Steve Dierker shows Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and Under Secretary Raymond Orbach posters in the NSLS lobby.

Another reflection of Washington's growing awareness of the importance of science, the Secretary pointed out, is Congress' recent confirmation of Ray Orbach as "the first Under Secretary for Science in the history of our Department. The symbolism involved expresses a role for science in our country's government that it has never had before, and we will take maximum advantage of it." Over the next 10 years, even more funding will come from the ACI - $136-plus billion - to invest in research and development, improved math and science education, and incentives to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, Bodman said.

GNEP, meanwhile, is a collaboration among several countries, Bodman said. The aim is to develop new technologies to recycle spent nuclear fuel in a way that cuts proliferation risks while reducing the volume of waste for disposal. Nine DOE labs, including Brookhaven, are playing a role in this program.

The Alternative Energy Program is also focused on developing new technology. With a 22 percent increase for FY07, this will translate into more support for work on cellulosic ethanol, lithium ion batteries for hybrid vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells.

All this effort depends on people, Bodman said, and pointed to the ACI call for $380 million to improve mathematics, science, and technical education in U.S. elementary and high schools. He cited the work being done by BNL's Office of Educational Programs as an example of the type of program needed to "assure that future generations of scientists and engineers will step forward to carry on the work that all of you are doing so ably here today." In conclusion, the Secretary reiterated the "tremendous respect" he had for BNL's achievements and what he expected the Lab to achieve in the future. He ended his formal comments by urging Lab employees to e-mail him with their concerns at any time.

More photos

ARTICLE BY: Liz Seubert with Peter Genzer and Kendra Snyder

PHOTOS BY: Roger Stoutenburgh