ORAU Hosts Workshop with Y-12 and Member Universities, Signs Agreement for Research Partnerships
Faculty representatives from 15 ORAU member universities and leaders from Y-12 recently met at a workshop organized and facilitated by ORAU titled, “Accelerating the Transformation of the Nuclear Weapons Complex Through Collaborative Research.” The purpose of the forum was to explore the possibilities for collaborative research with member universities using Y-12’s unique facilities, materials and resources.
Y-12 will assume a crucial role in the transformation of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) complex and will be exploring advanced technologies as it focuses on its position as the Uranium Center of Excellence. “This advanced technology naturally lends itself to interaction with university research programs in areas such as nuclear science and technology, advanced materials, and manufacturing processes,” said ORAU President Ron Townsend.
“We have a strong desire to figure out how to engage the outside world to move Y-12 forward,” said Randy Spickard, Y-12’s vice president and executive director, Science, Technology and Partnerships.
To that end, ORAU will collaborate with Y-12 to help strengthen the center’s research and development efforts by establishing meaningful partnerships with key universities.
Workshop discussions centered on the Y-12 UCE and the NNSA’s transformation and modernization activities and needs, as well as focused on collaboration priorities.
A discussion facilitated by ORAU Vice President John Nemeth resulted in feedback from the faculty representatives that helped form a set of plans for collaboration formats. This includes developing short, 2-to-5-page white papers to convey the technical capabilities of a university or to explain specific ideas for collaboration; conducting workshops jointly developed by Y-12 and the universities that become progressively more focused through iterations; providing a formal sabbatical process for university faculty members; and possibly using SharePoint Web sites for brainstorming.
Faculty representatives also noted that having adequate and consistent funding is vital in maintaining sustained, meaningful collaborations. Additionally, they said that a streamlined contractual arrangement must be established to prevent the collaborative process from stalling.
Also emanating from the open discussion was the potential for applying Y-12’s plant-directed research and development (PDRD) program to collaborations between Y-12 and the universities.
PDRD is based on legislation that allows Y-12 or any of the NNSA production sites to use funds for research and development at the discretion of the NNSA site manager and the site’s general manager. Tom Berg, Y-12’s director, Integration and Partnerships, said the process could be opened up to competitive solicitation to include research proposals from universities.
Townsend said at the conclusion of the workshop: “We wanted to address a framework for how ORAU and member institutions that are involved could engage with Y-12 in helping to meet the challenges ahead for the transformation—particularly as it involves the Uranium Center of Excellence—and then develop a plan that will carry us forward. I think we satisfied that objective very well.”
“I’m more than encouraged by what I’ve heard at this workshop and from my folks [in leadership at Y-12]. I think it’s a great step forward. In fact, it’s probably a step and a half,” said Darrel Kohlhorst, president and general manager of B&W Y-12, the contractor that manages the Y-12 National Security Complex. “By seeking collaborative agreements, Y-12 is attempting to garner partners who can add value and bring solutions to the table.”
At the end of the workshop, Townsend and Kohlhorst signed a memorandum of understanding in recognition of the collaborative partnership between ORAU and Y-12 and the commitment of the two entities to ensure success.