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Workshop on the Role of the Nuclear Physics Research Community in Combating Terrorism
(Contact: Jehanne Simon-Gillo)

Division of Nuclear Physics, Office of Science, Department of Energy

Workshop Description and Objectives 

This workshop brought together members of the nation’s nuclear physics research community with expertise in nuclear physics, detector development, and accelerator development from DOE and NSF laboratories and universities, with terrorism experts from government agencies familiar with technologies, strategies and policy for the combat of terrorism.

The primary objective of the workshop was communication:

  • Technological challenges in combating terrorism
  • Capabilities of the nuclear physics research community in addressing technological challenges
  • Mechanisms and opportunities for involvement of the nuclear physics research community

The focus of the workshop was:  

  • Conventional explosive and weapon detection 

  • Radiological and nuclear threats

Each of these topics included research for field applications, detector and accelerator research in transportation (air, surface, maritime), detector and accelerator research in laboratory forensic detection and preventive measures against clandestine activities. 

The workshop was a two day meeting (July 11-12, 2002) in Washington D.C. The workshop chair was Dr. Joel Moss, 2001 Chair of the Division of Nuclear Physics of the American Physical Society.  Participation was through invitation.  The majority of the participants from the nuclear physics community were members of one of the two working groups, each with its own chair. Each working group had 1-2 government agency representatives with expertise in combating terrorism.

The results of the workshop will be articulated in a modest length document that will be available to the public via the Nuclear Physics DOE website and distributed to relevant and interested agencies. This will send the message to the public and agencies that the nuclear physics research community is interested and eager to apply their expertise, instrumentation, and other capabilities to the nation's needs to counter terrorism.

For more information:

 

Last updated 7/18/03.