and LLNL Disclaimers
To provide the scientific and technological tools needed to meet critical national missions in the next 20 years, we must cultivate and inspire a quality-driven Laboratory staff guided by the highest principles. Adherence to core values is the criterion by which our contract with the nation is evaluated.
The Department of Energy's national laboratories were born out of an urgent need to direct the best that science and technology could offer to the most pressing national issues. The three national defense laboratories were created because it was believed that they could accomplish their vital mission faster, better, and with greater certainty than any combination of private industry and universities. The remarkable success of that initiative remains the foundation of these laboratories and inspires our efforts today.
Today, the challenges facing the nation have changed, but the need for the national laboratories remains. Experience has shown that these laboratories are most valuable when:
At Livermore, we are changing to meet today's challenges. By matching our areas of expertise to pressing national and global challenges, we are focusing on three areas of long-term importance where our contributions are unique and valuable:
I. Global Security: Reducing the Nuclear Danger
II. Global Ecology: Harmonizing the Economy with the Environment
III. Bioscience: The New Frontier
Our global security program has two major thrusts: to reduce the nuclear danger by ensuring confidence in the safety, security, and performance of the U.S. stockpile; and to prevent and counter nuclear proliferation by applying our expertise in nuclear science and technology. The safe and secure "builddown" of the world's stockpiled weapons will be a continuing responsibility. We will be carrying out these responsibilities in concert with the other two defense laboratories as part of the Department of Energy's integrated plan. The application of our advanced defense technologies will significantly enhance our nation's ability to use nonnuclear means for containing regional conflicts.
Harmonizing the demands of the world's economy with the needs of the environment is a crucial national and global issue. Achieving this balance will require energy sources that are safe and clean as well as manufacturing processes and consumer goods that make wise use of resources and provide for the protection of the environment. We can contribute to all aspects of this challenge--developing energy sources, working with industry to devise advanced manufacturing processes, and developing innovative and cost-effective technologies for environmental management and cleanup.
Bioscience is the new frontier of research. For the first time in history, the tools exist to decipher the genetic blueprint (DNA) and reveal the basic science of human life. This knowledge will make it possible to ameliorate, cure, or even prevent genetic diseases, enhancing the quality of life and decreasing the health-care costs to society. The fruits of this human biology research will undoubtedly carry over into agriculture, environmental management, and industry.
Beyond our primary focuses, we will continue to support other innovative science and technology initiatives that have the potential for high impact in their field and that reinforce our scientific and technological strengths. In addition, we remain committed to fostering science and math education to help ensure the scientific literacy of the general population and to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
To realize this vision, we will rely on our excellent and diverse staff. Robust quality management systems will be put in place to ensure that Laboratory operations are accountable, cost-effective, and meet measurable performance standards.
Our vision for the future aligns with the business areas identified in the Department of Energy's new strategic plan: national security, energy resources, environmental quality, and industrial competitiveness--all addressed through science and technology. We will build on and enhance partnerships with Departmental staff to ensure excellence in the achievement of our common goals.
Attaining our goals will also require new forms of cooperation among the national laboratories, universities, and industry. Key national facilities will be built and used by multi-institutional teams of researchers. Laboratory sites will be readily accessible to outside partners. The commercialization of new technologies will be the planned end product of these collaborative projects.
Our vision for the future of the Livermore Laboratory is one of sustained, results-oriented excellence. We are committed to serving the country as a national resource of scientific and technological expertise, dedicated to global security, the environment, and the future scientific needs of the nation.
The proposed National Ignition Facility
and LLNL Disclaimers
UCRL-AR-117362