ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Espionage, Intelligence, and Security Volume ...

Brookhaven National LaboratoryTerrorism Act 2000. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. (April7, 2003).SEE ALSOMI6 (British Secret Intelligence Service)Official Secrets Act, United KingdomSeptember 11 Terrorist Attacks on the United StatesUnited Kingdom, Counter-Terrorism PolicyUnited Kingdom, Intelligence and Security❚ K. LEE LERNERBrookhavenNational LaboratoryFounded in 1947, Brookhaven National Laboratory is operatedfor the U.S. Department of Energy by BrookhavenScience Associates, a non-profit research company.At Brookhaven, a staff of approximately 3,000 scientists,engineers, and technical support staff work alongsidean additional 4,000 scientists and engineers whoannually visit the facilities located on Long Island, New York.Although research at Brookhaven impacts both basicscience and national security related science issues, followingthe September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on theUnited States, Brookhaven established an interdisciplinaryworking group to tackle specific issues related tocounter-terrorism. The focus of the group is to oversee thedevelopment of technologies devoted to prediction, detection,and preemption, of terrorism.An important component of Brookhaven projects isthe development of sensors useful in detecting nuclear,chemical, and biological agents. For example, highly sensitivechemical sensors can detect explosives, and radiationdetectors are useful in detecting contact with nuclearmaterials. Highly sensitive detectors are capable of measuringtrace amounts in concentrations so small that thesensors can provide evidence of prior contact with suspectmaterials—even if the materials are no longer physicallypresent.Facilities at Brookhaven include a thermal neutronimaging camera that can detect radiation source emanationat distances up to approximately 200 feet. In addition,Brookhaven sensor systems utilize a number of physicalproperties—from laserscattering patterns to microwaveprobes—to interrogate unknown materials.Biotechnology research at Brookhaven includes thedevelopment of vaccines to combat the deleterious effectsof a broad spectrum of biological weapons and chemicalEncyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and SecurityA Brookhaven National Laboratory employee works at a 68,000-gallonpool housing spent fuel rods in 1997, thought to be the source of a leak ofradioactive materials that contaminated the groundwater source forLong Island’s drinking water aquafer. AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS.nerve gas agents. Antidote treatment research includesthe development of topical creams that contain enzymescapable of degrading nerve agents.To facilitate rescue of individuals in debris of collapsedbuildings, Brookhaven engineers designed devicesto help remove debris and to image debris fields. Magneticimaging equipment can locate damaged structuralelements (e.g., iron girders) and allow rescue personnel toevaluate structural integrity and identify possible areas ofsurvival.Brookhaven scientists and engineers developed theMini-Raman Lidar System (MRLS) that is capable of detectingtrace amounts of dangerous chemicals (includingillegal narcotics and other drugs). Laser scattering devicescan also detect distinct chemical profiles or “fingerprints.”MRLS allows investigators to detect those chemical associatedwith the processing of nuclear fuels. Because MRLSis highly sensitive, inspectors can examine questionableobjects from safer distances. In many cases, MRLS canaccurately detect trace molecules at distances rangingfrom three to ten feet. Given the proper environmentalcontrols, MRLS can detect trace molecules at far greaterdistances.Another recent national security related project atBrookhaven National Laoratory involved the development143