Tri-Valley CAREs works to strengthen global security by stopping the development of new nuclear weapons in the US and by promoting the elimination of nuclear weapons globally. Tri-Valley CAREs monitors nuclear weapons and environmental clean-up activities throughout the US nuclear weapons complex, with a special focus on the Lawrence Livermore Lab and surrounding communities.
NIF Touted as Tool to Deal with Variety of Issues
Jun4
Thursday, June 4, 2009
By: Independent News
Published In: The Independent
http://www.independentnews.com/fullstory.php?newsid=404
Dedication ceremonies were held last Friday for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF), fulfilling a dream that began 50 years ago According to various speakers, data that will come out of the facility will contribute to national security, energy security, the economic health of the nation and California, and provide a stimulation for intellectual innovation.
NIF’s 192 giant lasers are housed in a ten-story building the size of three football fields. NIF will be able to create conditions and allow for a wide range of experiments never before possible on earth.
In the realm of national security, NIF will serve as a key component of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Stockpile Stewardship Program to ensure the safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent without the need for nuclear testing. NIF also offers the possibility of groundbreaking scientific discoveries in planetary science and astrophysics. A large majority of these experiments will be unclassified.
NIF's third mission is energy independence. NIF is scheduled to begin ignition experiments in 2010 that will focus its lasers on a very tiny target filled with isotopes of hydrogen in an effort to further the goal of fusion energy. To achieve the dream, first there must be ignition. The heat and pressures created by NIF's lasers will force the hydrogen nuclei to collide and produce a controlled fusion reaction, or ignition, similar to that found in the sun. Lab Director George Miller stated, "The Laboratory has a long history of solving some of the nation's greatest scientific challenges. From national security and continuing terrorist threats to breakthroughs in advanced medical technologies, this laboratory has consistently made dramatic scientific contributions that directly benefit the American people. Very shortly we will engage in what many believe to be this nation's greatest challenge thus far, one that confronts not only the nation but all of mankind -- energy independence. I have no doubt that as in the past, this laboratory will again rise to the occasion and put forth a solution that exceeds expectations,"
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and local Congressional Reps. Ellen Tauscher (Livermore), Jerry McNerney (Pleasanton), Zoe Lofgren (San Jose) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were among the special guests at the ceremony. They were joined by UC President Mark Yudof, LLNS Board of Governors Chairman Norm Pattiz, DOE Undersecretary of Science Steve Koonin and NNSA Administrator Tom D’Agostino.
Inside the Lab, the completion of NIF was celebrated with accolades and hope for the future. Outside the Lab gates, Tri-Valley CAREs representatives questioned the value of NIF. Marylia Kelley, executive director of Tri-Valley CAREs said there are weapons applications, plutonium use, technical problems and other key facts that the Lab is not talking about. There are a myriad of still-unresolved technical problem that make NIF "ignition" dubious at best.
Several speakers at the dedication ceremonies commented that it was fitting that NIF is located in California. The laser was invented in the state. John Nuckolls conducted fusion work that laid the groundwork for NIF.
Ed Moses, who heads the NIF program, said, "The day is a celebration of the fantastic community of communities that understood what grand challenges were and were willing to take them on to make great things happen. We are taking on one of the grand challenges in trying to bring the sun to earth, so we can use it. I think we can."
He said 3000 separate entities worked on NIF, ranging from large corporations to small businesses with special expertise. Forty nine of the 50 states are represented. "It has taken an incredibly unique collection and collaboration of talent not found anywhere else on earth." He stated, "I have unbridled belief that we will be able to do everything we promised."
Representing UC at the ceremony was UC President Mark Yudolf. He saw NIF as providing greater opportunities for students, staff and post-docs to participate in non-classified experiments. They will be able to take part in many of the first experiments.
Tom D'Agostino, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees the Lab, called it, "A great day for science and national security. I anticipate many new discoveries and opportunities."
D'Agostino added, "We are on the cusp of ignition. Something that has the potential to change the world."
Steve Koonin, under secretary for science at the Department of Energy, said, "NIF would boldly expand technical limits of science while providing energy and nuclear security. Researchers will be able to understand the properties of matter under extreme conditions that they have not been able to do in the laboratory. It will be the centerpiece of new research efforts in high energy density science."
Koonin continued, "The present energy situation makes the possibilities of NIF more tantalizing. Addressing ignition is a crucial milestone. It is not guaranteed. However, the design of NIF is a cause for optimism."
McNerney said the real heroes of the day were the scientists, engineers, technicians and administrators who have worked tirelessly to achieve the dream. He called it an effort on the scope of what sent Apollo missions to the moon. He added there is both high risk and high reward with the potential to change how we produce and use energy. "I hope it will inspire a new generation of students to strive to conduct research that will benefit all of mankind."
Lofgren noted it had been a 12 year journey from the groundbreaking to the dedication of NIF. She and others have had to rescue funding year after year. She pointed out that just building NIF has provided new technologies in the field of optics and glass making. "It reminds me of the space program. NIF is exciting a new generation. NIF will spin off discoveries no one has thought of."
Lofgren continued, "I know fusion exist. The question is whether we can produce it here on earth. Ignition will be a game changer. It will help to solve economic, energy and climate problems. When we achieve ignition, all that's left will be the engineering."
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated, “This laser system is an incredible success not just for California, but for our country and our world. NIF has the potential to revolutionize our energy system " teaching us a new way to harness the energy of the sun to power our cars and homes. California was the home of the first working laser, so it is no surprise that the Golden State has now produced the world’s largest and most powerful one.”
California’s economy will continue to benefit from the investments in NIF, he added. The laser system supports 1,000 high-tech science and technology jobs in California and products from more than 800 California vendors have been purchased to build it. By next year, NIF will have spent more than $2 billion in the state, putting money into our economy when we need it most.
Tauscher, who has represented the 10th Congressional District during the construction of NIF, is leaving to become under secretary of state for missile defense. "I tell people I represent the smartest people in the world. It's no small coincidence that you've elected me seven times," she quipped.
"At one point this project almost didn't happen. We made adjustments and made it happen. It will be a tool unlike anything the world has even seen. It will take consistent funding. I am proud to have stood with you and for you."
Feinstein stated, "Just as Silicon Valley is part of the great genius of California, the laboratories are part of the great genius of UC. The state's strength rests in this kind of innovation. There is the ability to take a mission 12 years in the making and transfer it into something that could be record breaking and help with the problem of global warming. The possibility that fusion-fission can be used to create carbon free energy is a unique, unique concept. That is our dream. That is our quest. I really think the state is facing a 'holy cow' game changer. There is the potential to change the world as we know it today. We are foolish if we don't take advantage of your talent to get there. I hope it really works." All 192 beams have been fired successfully at the same time.
Jeff Atherton, program director for target experiment systems, said how quickly research proceeds would be dictated by funding. "If it is funded aggressively, I expect within ten years, we could build a prototype power plant," Atherton said.