131 LA UR 03 5862 - National Nuclear Security Administration ...

2.6 Materials Science Laboratory (TA-03)The MSL Key Facility is a single laboratory building (3-1698) containing 27 labs, 60 offices, 21 materialsresearch areas, and support rooms. The building, a two-story structure with approximately 55,000 square feetof floor space, was first opened in November 1993. Activities are all related to research and development ofmaterials science. In 1998, 1999, and 2000, this Key Facility was categorized as a Low Hazard nonnuclearfacility. In September 2001, MSL was placed on the Radiological Facility List (LANL 2001c) and remainedon the list in 2002 (LANL 2002b).2.6.1 Construction and Modifications at the Materials Science LaboratoryProjected: The SWEIS identified that completion of the top floor of the MSL was planned and wasincluded in an environmental assessment (DOE 1991), but was not funded.Actual: To date, the completion of the top floor of the MSL remains unscheduled and unfunded.Table 2.6.1-1 indicates the construction and modifications that were planned and have not occurred at theMSL.Table 2.6.1-1. MSL Construction and ModificationsACTUAL CONSTRUCTION AND MODIFICATIONSWEIS RODPROJECTIONCompletion of topfloor of MSL1998YEARBOOKUnscheduled andnot funded1999YEARBOOKUnscheduled andnot funded2000YEARBOOKUnscheduledand not funded2001YEARBOOKUnscheduledand not funded2002YEARBOOKUnscheduled andnot funded2.6.2 Operations at the Materials Science LaboratoryThe SWEIS identified four major types of experimentation at MSL: materials processing, mechanicalbehavior in extreme environments, advanced materials development, and materials characterization. Nonew capabilities have been added, and none has been deleted. In 2001, MSL conducted operations at levelsapproximating those projected by the SWEIS ROD.During the 1998–2002 timeframe, the approximate total number of researchers and support staff atMSL has been fairly consistent with 105 in 1998 and 1999, 109 in 2000 and 2001, and 102 in 2002. Thesenumbers are approximately 30 percent more than the 82 personnel projected by the SWEIS ROD. 5 (Theprimary measurement of activity for this facility is the number of scientists doing research.) This increase wasaccomplished by having researchers share offices and laboratories and reflects the high value placed on theMSL because of its quality lab space. Table 2.6.2-1 compares 1998 through 2002 operations to projectionsmade by the SWEIS ROD.5 This number should not be confused with the FTE index shown in Table 2.6.3-1 (59 FTEs) as the two numbers represent different populations ofindividuals. The 109 total researchers represent students, temporary employees, and visiting staff from other institutions. The 59 FTEs represents onlyregular full-time and part-time LANL staff.SWEIS Yearbook—2002 2-79