Oak Ridge National Laboratory has defined its emphases and strategic direction in its Institutional Plan. Excerpts from this plan indicate the intended directions for the future. Major Laboratory Initiatives, the use of Laboratory Directed R&D (LDRD) funding and Strategic directions are indicative of the planning emphases for ORNL. The full Institutional Plan (prepared and approved in fiscal year 1999) is found on the ORNL web site.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Institutional Plan, FY 1999 through FY 2003

Major Laboratory Initiatives

To extend the nation's capabilities in key areas of science and technology, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) proposes major initiatives in neutron science, functional genomics, and teraflops computing and simulation science. These initiatives are provided for consideration by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Inclusion of an initiative in this plan does not imply DOE approval of or intent to implement the initiative.

Neutron science. Neutrons play a vital role in many areas of science and technology. They provide an ideal probe of the structure and dynamics of condensed matter; they are useful in the study of magnetic structure and dynamics; and, because they are highly penetrating, they can be used to study bulk materials nondestructively, an application of obvious interest for industry. Neutron science is one of ORNL's distinctive technical competencies, with roots in the Laboratory's original mission. ORNL proposes to apply its strengths in this area to national needs through leadership of DOE's Spallation Neutron Source project, through modernization of the High Flux Isotope Reactor to maintain and extend its unique capabilities for some classes of neutron scattering experiments and for neutron activation analysis, and through collaboration with the state of Tennessee in establishing a Joint Institute for Neutron Science.

Functional genomics. Large-scale sequencing of the human genome has begun and is expected to produce several million base pairs every day for the next five to ten years. This will provide the biomedical research community with a computerized catalog of the names, locations, and nucleotide sequence of the 80,000 to 100,000 genes on the human chromosomes. Intense efforts are also under way to sequence the genomes of microorganisms and plants. Significant advances in the ability to determine the function of genes, within and across genomes, are required to unlock all the information hidden in the output from sequencing and gene searches. ORNL is pursuing a major Laboratory initiative in functional genomics, combining its long-standing expertise in mammalian genetics with its capabilities in structural biology, computational science, robotics, and instrumentation to accelerate the exploration of gene function. Integration of the expertise of molecular biologists, computer scientists, mathematicians, analytical chemists, and engineers should provide highly productive experimental capabilities and technological breakthroughs for genetics research.

Teraflops computing and simulation science. The use of computational tools is vital to most fields of science and engineering. These tools enable the realistic modeling of physical situations, providing new insights into a host of scientific problems. ORNL proposes to expand its ability to support DOE's missions by accelerating the integration of simulation, modeling, and computation into its R&D programs through an effort that will include continuing emphasis on high-end and distributed computing and participation in national initiatives; efforts to increase Laboratory-wide expertise in modeling, simulation, and numerical methods; and enhancements in the accessibility of high-performance computational power, within ORNL and throughout the DOE research community.

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Rev: Tuesday, 16-Feb-1999 10:45:45 EST - 692

Information owner: ORNL Office of Planning and Special Projects

Laboratory Directed R&D

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Laboratory Directed R&D (LDRD) Program described in Sect. 2.3.3.7 of the Institutional Plan provides a means of funding activities that are expected to enhance ORNL's capabilities for carrying out Department of Energy (DOE) missions.

In requesting proposals for fiscal year (FY) 1999 LDRD funds, the Laboratory's senior managers emphasized two research areas:

Laboratory Technical Foundations

Functional Genomics

In the Laboratory Technical Foundations area, research topics organized according to the six areas of R&D emphasis described in Sect. 2.3.1 of the Institutional Plan were selected by the Laboratory's senior managers to encourage and foster innovative R&D in these priority areas. The Functional Genomics area supports the major initiative (see Sect. 4.2 of the Institutional Plan) to leverage ORNL's outstanding expertise and facilities in mammalian genetics, plant genetics, bioinformatics and computational biology, biochemistry, and environmental microbiology and its resources for cutting-edge technology development to accelerate the exploration of gene function.

Laboratory Technical Foundations

In support of the Laboratory's distinctive capabilities, up to $3 million in LDRD funds is to be awarded for innovative projects in selected research areas, grouped by ORNL's six areas of R&D emphasis.

Advanced materials synthesis, processing, and characterization

Biomaterials/biomimetics and soft condensed matter
Nanoscale materials, nanostructured composites, and nanofabrication
Smart materials

Biological and environmental sciences and technology

Analyses of complex biological systems
Carbon management (analyses, environmental systems research, bioprocessing, separations
science)
Genomics applications to plants and microbes

Computational science and advanced computing

Combustion modeling
Global change modeling

Energy production and end-use technologies

Energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewables
Greenhouse gas reduction technologies (novel separations technologies, bioprocessing, and other remediation and sequestration strategies)

Instrumentation and measurement science and technology

Applications to biological and environmental systems and chemical processes
Novel biological and chemical detection and measurement

Neutron-based science and technology

• Novel approaches to pulsed-source-based science and experimental techniques

Functional Genomics

In support of the major Laboratory initiative in functional genomics (see Sect. 4.2 of the Institutional Plan), $2 million of FY 1999 LDRD funding is earmarked for new projects in this area. The third year of this program will build on the accomplishments of the first two through the development of innovative strategies for gene function research. Areas of particular interest include development of innovative procedures for comparative analysis of mouse, human, microbial, plant, and other genomes for the purpose of identifying genes and regulatory elements on the DNA; analysis of the expression of gene products (RNA and/or proteins), by such means as measuring steady-state levels of gene products in a given cell type, measuring temporal or induced changes in patterns of gene product levels, or measuring comparative levels of gene products in different cell types; analysis of the biological role that gene products play within the cell (e.g., analysis of cellular localization of proteins, protein-protein or protein-nucleic acid interactions or comparative analysis of protein sequences and/or structures); and development of innovative procedures for efficiently studying multigenic traits in mice.

Program Development Activities

Program development activities at ORNL are focused on maintaining the R&D expertise available to DOE and enhancing the Laboratory's capabilities to carry out DOE missions and on identifying and pursuing new opportunities to apply the Laboratory's strengths to mission needs. During the planning period, increasing emphasis will be placed on opportunities in emerging areas, such as gene function and biotechnology, and areas in which pressing national needs exist, such as transportation and environmental protection. These activities serve to broaden ORNL's customer base and provide opportunities for partnerships with universities, industry, other DOE laboratories, other federal agencies, and state and regional organizations.

ORNL has recently created an Office of Partnerships and Program Development to facilitate productive interactions with partners. The organization coordinates activities related to the development of new programs and manages key services dealing with intellectual property and partnerships. ORNL also plans to continue its emphasis on offsite assignments of staff members, which provide opportunities for integration of ORNL staff into other government agencies and for learning more about the private sector.

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Rev: Tuesday, 16-Feb-1999 10:40:30 EST - 516

Information owner: ORNL Office of Planning and Special Projects

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Institutional Plan, FY 1999 through FY 2003

Laboratory Strategic Plan

Vision

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will advance the frontiers of science and technology through broad interdisciplinary research and development programs that answer fundamental questions, solve technical problems, and address societal needs.

Planning Assumptions

National priorities for research and development will reflect pressing needs in high-priority areas (e.g., communications, environmental protection, health care, manufacturing, national security, transportation).

The debate on the proper role of government in research and development, which is fueled in part by the urgent focus on reducing the federal deficit and federal spending of all kinds, will continue.

The Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory system will become more efficient as a result of actions now under way: improvements in oversight, leading to a decrease in support personnel responsible for meeting oversight requirements; laboratory efforts to improve productivity; and increased integration of complementary capabilities across the system.

Cost-effective, efficient operation and resource management will be major factors in evaluations of national laboratory performance and in decisions about program assignments and contractor selection. ORNL will remain a DOE-owned, contractor-operated multiprogram national laboratory, and DOE will remain ORNL's primary sponsor. ORNL will continue to play a principal role in fundamental science and energy resources and to apply special capabilities to support the Department's needs in environmental quality and national security. Work for other sponsors, consistent with the Laboratory's missions, will provide a means of leveraging scarce resources.

Partnerships with universities, industry, and state and regional organizations will provide an increasingly important means of making the Laboratory's capabilities available to others in the national interest.

Effective program development, resource planning, and marketing, carried out in collaboration with a variety of partners (local, state, national, and international), will provide opportunities to pursue new technical directions.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

ORNL has established six strategic goals, each with three objectives, to move the Laboratory toward its vision. These goals are linked to the science themes and critical science questions identified by the Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Deliver new insights into the nature of materials and energy through world-class programs in neutron science and nuclear physics.

• Secure the world's best capabilities for neutron science and technology and apply them to biotechnological, materials, and basic research problems
• Maintain world leadership in the use of radioactive ion beams to broaden the understanding of nuclear structure, nuclear astrophysics, and nuclei subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures
• Broaden the use of ORNL's existing neutron sources and accelerators by outside partners

Integrate fundamental understanding of biological and environmental systems with computational and technological expertise to improve human health and environmental quality.

• Enhance ORNL's capabilities in functional genomics and apply them to the development of practical applications in medicine, agriculture, energy production, environmental protection, and industrial processes
• Deepen the understanding of environmental processes and systems and generate innovative technology solutions to energy-related environmental problems
• Integrate and extend capabilities in separations science, isotope production, and biotechnology to provide new processes and techniques for nuclear medicine, waste management and environmental restoration, and national security

Create and apply knowledge about materials through research aimed at developing and engineering materials properties.

• Advance fundamental understanding of materials through interdisciplinary research.
• Develop advanced materials technologies that provide innovative solutions to national priorities in energy, national security, and the environment
• Enhance partnerships in materials science research and development

Provide scientific knowledge, advanced technologies, and assessments that support the production, delivery, and use of reliable, economical energy with minimal adverse environmental impacts.

• Provide advanced technologies and materials for biomass, fission, fossil, and fusion energy sources
• Develop efficiency improvements in the delivery and use of energy for buildings, manufacturing, and transportation
• Improve analytical methods for exploring the effects of human activities on the environment

Develop and apply state-of-the-art computational resources, tools, and techniques to meet new scientific and technical challenges.

• Extend ORNL's high-performance computing, data storage, and networking environment, in a balanced way, to attack a new generation of problems
• Enhance ORNL's leadership in systems and strategies for high-performance distributed computing, including expanding partnerships
• Sustain ORNL's leadership in computational tools and techniques for highly parallel, and geographically distributed, environments

Create new knowledge in measurement and analytical sciences and apply it to the design and implementation of methods for detecting, measuring, monitoring, and controlling phenomena important to basic research and technological applications.

• Advance the state of the art in photonics, electronics, signal processing, sensor development, and simulation and integrate these capabilities to provide unique measurement and control systems
• Advance the state of the art in analytical chemistry, analytical separations, and chemical physics as a basis to design novel prototype methods and instrumentation to achieve sensitivity, selectivity, and field practicality
• Advance the state of the art in nuclear detection systems for dosimetry, criticality safety assessment, diagnostics, nuclear reactor and nuclear material monitoring, nuclear physics experiments, and nuclear material characterization

Strategic Directions

ORNL will advance toward its strategic goals by pursuing the major initiatives presented in Sect. 4 of the Institutional Plan, addressing critical science questions, sustaining capabilities that are essential to its ability to conduct leading-edge research and development for the Department of Energy and other sponsors, and applying its capabilities to meet national needs, consistent with its mission assignments.

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Rev: Wednesday, 28-Apr-1999 15:11:34 EDT - 635

Information owner: ORNL Office of Planning and Special Projects