Argonne National Laboratory institutional plan FY 2002 - FY 2007.

The national laboratory system provides a unique resource for addressing the national needs inherent in the mission of the Department of Energy. Argonne, which grew out of Enrico Fermi's pioneering work on the development of nuclear power, was the first national laboratory and, in many ways, has set the standard for those that followed. As the Laboratory's new director, I am pleased to present the Argonne National Laboratory Institutional Plan for FY 2002 through FY 2007 on behalf of the extraordinary group of scientists, engineers, technicians, administrators, and others who are responsible for the Laboratory's distinguished record of achievement. Like our sister DOE laboratories, Argonne uses a multifaceted approach to advance U.S. R and D priorities. First, we assemble interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers to address complex problems. For example, our initiative in Functional Genomics will bring together biologists, computer scientists, environmental scientists, and staff of the Advanced Photon Source to develop complete maps of cellular function. Second, we cultivate specific core competencies in science and technology; this Institutional Plan discusses the many ways in which our core competencies support DOE's four mission areas. Third, we serve the scientific community by designing, building, and operating world-class user facilities, such as the Advanced Photon Source, the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, and the Argonne Tandem-Linac Accelerator System. This Plan summarizes the visions, missions, and strategic plans for the Laboratory's existing major user facilities, and it explains our approach to the planned Rare Isotope Accelerator. Fourth, we help develop the next generation of scientists and engineers through educational programs, many of which involve bright young people in research. This Plan summarizes our vision, objectives, and strategies in the education area, and it gives statistics on student and faculty participation. Finally, we collaborate with other national laboratories, academia, and industry, both on scientific and engineering research and on the construction of major research facilities, such as the Spallation Neutron Source. This Plan describes some of the important collaborations currently under way. For more than 55 years, the University of Chicago has, as a public service, managed and operated Argonne under contract to the federal government. As a result, the Laboratory's research environment and performance have maintained a high standard of intellectual excellence and integrity, and the site--despite its age--is among the best maintained in the DOE complex. Currently, the University and Laboratory are strengthening their mutual ties at all levels, from student research and individual-investigator collaborations to joint appointments and strategic alliances. The Laboratory has also benefited greatly from its excellent relations with the state of Illinois, whose taxpayers have generously supported many scientific programs and facilities at Argonne. Because Argonne is a publicly funded institution operating under a performance-based contract, it is incumbent on us to conduct all our work and operate all our facilities cost-effectively and with distinction, while we maintain exemplary relations with the public (especially neighbors near the Illinois and Idaho sites); give the highest priority to the safety and health of our personnel and others on and near our site; protect the environment; and effectively implement security, counterintelligence, and export control measures. Our performance and plans in these areas are also discussed in this Plan