NCNR declared a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society

The NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) was approved as an American Nuclear Society (ANS) Nuclear Historic Landmark. Final approval of this site was given by the ANS Board of Directors following an initial ballot by the Society’s Honors and Awards Committee.

The ANS Nuclear Historic Landmark designation is symbolized by an inscribed bronzed plaque, which is now displayed in front of the NCNR (Building 235) main entrance. The plaque was formally presented by the ANS President, Donald Hoffman, on Tuesday, November 26th at 3:30 p.m.

Remarks at the presentation by Rob Dimeo, NCNR Director:

I want to thank Don Hoffman for being here to present us with this honor. We really appreciate it.

Specifically the NCNR is being awarded the American Nuclear Society National Nuclear Historic Landmark Award “for the development of the first internationally competitive user facility for cold neutron research in the USA.”

I had the plaque installed in this particular location for a reason. A selfish reason. I wanted it to be a reminder to all who come here of the visionary leaders responsible for providing NIST and the country with this world-class measurement resource. And also why the future for cold neutrons in the U.S. is so bright. We shouldn’t see this award as a capstone. That would be a disservice. But rather an acknowledgment of those leaders who built this facility for the future. Not just their future but ours, too.

Carter, Muelhause, Landon
Raby
Rush
Rowe

This award is an acknowledgment of the visionaries who saw the need for cold neutrons before many scientists knew what scientific discoveries cold neutrons could enable. It’s also an acknowledgment of all those who built that future.

This is for those who designed and built the reactor.

For those who were here at the beginning when the reactor went critical.

For those scientists and engineers who constructed the first and next generations of cold neutron sources.

For those talented scientists and engineers who built the first cold neutron instruments.

For those young scientists who operated the first cold neutron instruments, attracted new users, and built a world-class neutron research program.

And building on the success of those visionary leaders, former NCNR Director and current NIST Director Pat Gallagher, who formulated the vision and secured the funding for our most recent cold neutron expansion project.

No. This is not a capstone at all. This award and its prominent location as you enter the NCNR will always be a reminder that we continue to build on our past successes and operate this facility for the future. Our future at the NCNR and the bright future of neutron science and measurement in this country. Thank you.

 
Last modified 04-December-2013 by website owner: NCNR (attn: )