Oak Ridge Today

Sirens to sound Aug. 14 for Y-12 emergency management exercise

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Emergency response personnel from the National Nuclear Security Administration and B&W Y-12, along with federal, state, and local emergency management personnel, will conduct an emergency management exercise Aug. 14 at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

During this exercise, the public warning sirens around Y-12 will sound. People in the vicinity of Y-12 may hear the sirens on the morning of Aug. 14. Remember, this siren sounding is only part of the exercise. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will also initiate an Emergency Alert System test message over participating radio stations. [Read more…]

B&W Y-12 signs two new Mentor-Protégé agreements

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B&W Y-12 and BES Technologies Agreement

Erik Connard, BES Technologies chief executive officer, signs a Mentor-Protégé agreement with B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer. Looking on are, from left, BES Technologies’ Shannon Eaker, chief scientific officer, and Brian Quinley, chief operating officer; Lisa Copeland, B&W Y-12 Socioeconomic Programs manager, and mentor Tom Ford, manager of B&W Y-12’s Industrial Hygiene organization. (Submitted photos)

B&W Y-12 recently signed agreements with two new protégés—BES Technologies and The Molecular Group. The companies join eight other groups currently involved in Y-12’s Mentor-Protégé program.

“We are proud to have these two participants in our Mentor-Protégé program,” said B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer. “These relationships significantly contribute to Y-12 achieving its objectives of promoting technological growth and business development opportunities. I believe that all parties will benefit from these partnerships.” [Read more…]

Y-12 neutron detector wins R&D 100 Award

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Y-12 Neutron Detector

Ashley Stowe, Y‑12 senior development chemist, working with Fisk University, developed a single-crystalline device that will be used in handheld nuclear nonproliferation and homeland security applications. (Submitted photo)

A Y-12 nuclear nonproliferation technology offering significant possibilities in the homeland security field was among those listed on the R&D Magazine 51st Annual R&D 100 Awards. The honor salutes the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace during the past year.

The LISeTM, a high-efficiency thermal neutron detector based on the 6LiInSe2 crystal, is the first large, single-crystal semiconductor of high resistivity that contains lithium and directly detects thermal neutrons with high efficiency. The single-crystalline device will be used in handheld nuclear nonproliferation and homeland security applications to find fissile materials. Its simpler, more compact design, and higher efficiency are key improvements that will appeal to users. [Read more…]

B&W Y-12 names Bill Tindal vice president for production

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Bill Tindal has been named B&W Y-12 vice president for production, effective July 26. He is replacing Joel Duling, who has accepted a position at Nuclear Fuel Services, a subsidiary of Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group Inc., in Erwin, Tenn.

“Bill is uniquely suited for this role given his production expertise and years of experience,” said B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer. “Joel has done a great job for Y-12, and we are excited for him and wish him well in his new opportunity.” [Read more…]

Volunteer Day at Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

More pets go missing around July 4 than at any other time of year, and noisy fireworks are to blame.

While many of us enjoy the sights and sounds of big fireworks, our pets are often terrified by the loud noises and can become frantic and run away, trying to find a safe haven. According to national statistics, animal control officials across the country see a 30-60 percent increase in lost pets each year from July 4-6.

Julie Armes, the supervisor for the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, said July 5 is their busiest day of the year.

“People are coming in or calling, looking for their lost pets or bringing in pets they’ve found,” Armes said. “Sadly, many pet owners never come in to retrieve their dogs or cats.” [Read more…]

The leg bone is connected to the hip prosthesis: Students analyze artificial implants

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ASM Materials Camp Lab Instrument

Student Hunter Stombaugh loads a material sample into the Saphir 550.3, a laboratory instrument used to grind and polish samples before placing them in an electron microscope for analysis. (Submitted photos)

Fifteen high school students and one college freshman recently got up close and personal with lab equipment worth nearly a half-million dollars at the ASM International Materials Camp. During the weeklong camp, students performed failure analyses on prosthetic implants including a hip prosthesis, pelvic clamps, a tibial nail, and tibial component. An area surgeon provided the sterilized implants, along with X-rays showing the implants before they were removed from patients.

The ASM Materials Camp is organized and sponsored by Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tech 20/20, and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Steve Dekanich, an engineer in B&W Y-12’s Quality Assurance, is the camp co-chairman. [Read more…]

Picture: Y-12, UT, and Stanley Healthcare work to advance technology

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Y-12, UT, and Stanley Healthcare Sign Agreement

From left, Taylor Eighmy, UT’s vice chancellor for research and engagement; Van Mauney, B&W Y-12 vice president of program management; and Scott McFarland, senior vice president of sales at Stanley Healthcare, sign the formal agreement. (Submitted photo)

Representatives from the Y-12 National Security Complex, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and Stanley Healthcare signed a cooperative research and development agreement on Wednesday during the Tennessee Valley Corridor’s National Technology Summit at Y-12’s New Hope Center in Oak Ridge.

The three entities are sharing their expertise to fast-track commercialization of an intelligent interactive dashboard that can be used to increase efficiency in manufacturing, maintenance, or the service industry. To learn more about the technology and the CRADA, go to the UTK news release at http://www.utk.edu/tntoday/2013/05/29/ut-y12-stanley-healthcare-work-advance-technology/.

B&W Y-12 names Kevin Corbett as VP of quality assurance

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Kevin Corbett

Kevin Corbett

Kevin Corbett has been named B&W Y-12 vice president of quality assurance. He is replacing Janice Christman, who will be retiring from the Y-12 National Security Complex at the end of April.

With 32 years of experience, Corbett has managed quality programs on projects and installations for the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State, as well as commercial nuclear power facilities and large-scale infrastructure programs valued at more than $20 billion.

“The B&W Y-12 team certainly will benefit from Kevin’s broad range of experience,” said B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer. “With quality being a key component of everything we do at Y-12, Kevin’s expertise will help us ensure quality is an integral part of our culture.” [Read more…]

B&W Y-12 names Carl Strock as UPF project director

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Carl Strock

Carl Strock

Retired Lt. Gen Carl Strock has been named Uranium Processing Facility project director for B&W Y-12 at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

He reports to Jim Haynes, B&W Y-12 deputy general manager for projects.

Strock is Bechtel’s former manager of global construction. He joined Bechtel in 2007 after retiring as head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after serving in the U.S. Army for more than 36 years. [Read more…]

Y-12 inventors receive awards

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A dozen people were recognized for receiving U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patents during the ninth annual Y-12 Technology Transfer awards ceremony, held to celebrate fiscal year 2012 achievements, and 74 were honored for submitting invention disclosures.

The year was a record-breaking one for new patents at Y‑12, with 11 awarded. The Silver Acorn Award, bestowed upon first-time patent recipients, went to Ed Babelay, Bill Barkman, Amy DeMint, Jackie Gooch, Patrick Thomas, and Paul Vanatta.

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Clinch Valley Science Fair to be held at New Hope Center

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The Fourth Annual Clinch Valley Science Fair, organized by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset and sponsored by B&W Y-12 and several other businesses, will be held at Y-12’s New Hope Center on Feb. 23 and 24.

Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades in public, private, and home schools in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Roane County may participate.

Cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50 will be awarded to the top three winners in each grade in each of three categories: life, earth and physical sciences. Teachers of winning students will receive School Box gift certificates in the same denominations.

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B&W Y-12 historian assists in LMU display design

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Ray Smith and Pete DeBusk

B&W Y-12 historian Ray Smith, left, joins Lincoln Memorial University board of trustees chairman Pete DeBusk in front of the “Scientists Who Changed the World” exhibit in the university’s Math and Science Building. (Submitted photo)

Sharing information related to the early years of Oak Ridge is all in a day’s work for Y-12 National Security Complex historian Ray Smith.

Recently, Smith’s flair for historical detail was incorporated in a permanent display on the main campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. Located in LMU’s new Math and Science Building, the display pays tribute to nuclear energy research and the subsequent creation of what is now the U.S. Department of Energy.

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