Science and technology on the front line against terrorism

This remote sensing system focuses on infrared detection of gases including chemical warfare agents and gases used for producing chemical and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. A laser beam is directed toward a building, vehicle, or other object. Laser light scattered from the target is then collected with a receiver telescope, and imaged onto a detector. The resulting signal is processed to determine the chemical concentration in the atmosphere.

Winning the war on terrorism and securing the homeland will require innovative science and technology solutions. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is in an excellent position to develop science and technology for strengthening America's ability to defend itself against terrorism.

For years, our scientists and engineers have worked on identifying and understanding proliferation and terrorism signatures, systems to collect materials, sensors to quantify and characterize these materials and techniques that assist in analyzing possible terrorism events. The Laboratory has made significant contributions to counterterrorism and infrastructure protection. We have teamed with organizations to ensure our air and seaports are protected from terrorist attacks. Around the globe and at home, we've trained border enforcement officials--as well as U.S. Customs inspectors--to thwart the smuggling of chemical, biological, or nuclear materials across borders.

Laying the groundwork for innovation
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001 have elevated the need to develop and move technologies into use to combat terrorism and secure the homeland. As a leader in homeland security within the region and nationally, PNNL has established a Homeland Security Program Office to serve as a contact for our diverse homeland security-related research.

PNNL also is establishing the Northwest Center for Excellence for Homeland Security Science and Technology, which includes creating a national center for visual analytics in collaboration with the University of Washington, Washington State University and Oregon State University. In addition, the Laboratory is forming the Northwest Homeland Security Consortium with industry and government partners.

Finally, we're expanding capabilities at the Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, Wash., to include a Coastal Security Institute. Through this institute, researchers will develop new technologies to meet national and international challenges associated with protecting marine and coastal environments.

Developing intelligence and counterintelligence tools
To anticipate the next generation of information visualization tools in today's information-rich environment, we need to integrate information from multiple sources, interpret the data and make decisions quickly. A key thrust at PNNL is Sensors and Information Analytics (SIA) --the processes for collecting, managing, synthesizing, analyzing and communicating raw data into knowledge, which enables discovery of the unexpected. Our aim with SIA is to develop breakthrough analytic technologies to improve the probability of detecting and preventing strategic surprise.

We're also leveraging our reputation as world leaders in atmospheric monitoring and research to support the nation's counterterrorism efforts. PNNL, in conjunction with the federal government, is making a large investment in developing infrared sensors to detect and identify chemicals in the atmosphere and on surfaces, and to measure aerosols, particulates, winds, water vapor and temperatures in the atmosphere. Developing these sensors is key to detecting proliferation of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Streamlining the military
PNNL is supporting the military as it moves from a Cold War environment with well-known adversaries to a warfare environment with many potential adversaries that are not well known, such as the many groups involved in the war in Iraq. We are helping the Army define its future support and logistics needs, both from an operations and technology standpoint.

In addition, we're helping the nation face the challenges associated with keeping weapons systems in inventory much longer than originally anticipated. By focusing on automated prognostics and diagnostics, we are inserting new technologies that allow weapons systems or subsystems to continuously monitor themselves and provide valuable information about their health and readiness. These technologies provide assurance that aging systems are in good working order or can alert people to potential problems so maintenance or repairs can be scheduled.

Taking a systems approach
The scientists and engineers behind our research are exceptional at accessing and integrating the broad technology base and capabilities that exist throughout PNNL. The power of this Laboratory is our ability to bring all of our capabilities together in multidisciplinary teams focused on our clients' needs.

Our ability to integrate across disciplines allows us to take a systems approach to solving problems. We can focus on one aspect of a problem or come up with a systems solution that addresses various aspects of the problem, ranging from early detection to decision-making and taking action.

Winning the war on terrorism and securing our homeland will take many years. To ensure that we grow our pool of scientists and engineers, who bring with them new ideas and new perspectives, we implemented a pilot program this year to train more people. The National Security Internship Program attracts and trains students in nuclear science, electrical engineering, computer science, physics and chemistry. Fostering young minds will ensure the security of this nation's future.