Thirteen research projects have been selected for initial funding as part of the first joint collaborative effort between the Inland Northwest Research Alliance and the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.
This research is oriented toward gaining a better understanding of subsurface conditions and various contaminants present at the INEEL site 50 miles west of Idaho Falls, as well as other Department of Energy facilities. The goal is to develop environmental cleanup methods that can be used in a variety of applications.
INRA funding for the projects will total about $3 million over three years and fund Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers who will work on collaborative projects, and the various INRA member institutions will contribute another $1 million toward the success of the projects. These young researchers will spend time on their projects at the INEEL and at the various INRA institutions. These collaborative projects are designed to stimulate additional collaborations between the faculty at the INRA member institutions and the researchers at the INEEL, and to prepare a new work force for the INEEL.
"We hope to use these projects to help build the science base for the laboratory, as well as new funding opportunities for our institutions," says James Petersen, interim executive director of INRA.
The winning proposals include:
- A portable sensor for detecting subsurface contaminants, Boise State University, University of Idaho and INEEL.
- High-resolution three-dimensional characterization of heterogeneous sedimentary architecture and transport parameter distributions in coarse unconsolidated alluvial deposits, Boise State University, INEEL.
- Accelerator XRF soil assays, Idaho State University, BSU, INEEL
- Basalt stratigraphy beneath INEEL, ISU, INEEL.
- Laser-assisted secondary ion emission for molecular characterization of mineral surfaces at microscopic scale, Montana State University, INEEL.
- Indirect microbial alteration of reducible metal ions, MSU, INEEL.
- Addressing community and natural resources policy as a part of INEEL subsurface science, University of Idaho, Utah State University, INEEL.
- Molecular characterization of TCE co-metabolizing microbial communities in the Snake River Plain aquifer, UI, INEEL.
- Development of an integrated watershed information management tool for long-term facilities stewardship at the INEEL, USU, INEEL.
- Vapor phase partitioning of chlorocarbons on INEEL soil -- quantifying non-ideal sorption phenomena, Washington State University, INEEL
- Destruction of DNAPLS in the subsurface of metal oxide-catalyzed fenton-like reactions, WSU, INEEL.
- Developing analytical methods to determine the chemistry of plutonium and other actinide association with INEEL subsurface materials, WSU, INEEL.
- Sorption of cesium in natural sediments, WSU, INEEL.
Seven universities formed the Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA) in the spring of 1999. The member universities include Boise State, Idaho State, University of Idaho, Montana State, University of Montana, Utah State and Washington State. INRA is a partner with Bechtel BWXT Idaho, the corporation responsible for managing and operating INEEL. The INEEL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's missions in environment, energy, science and national security. In its managing role, INRA will help set the direction for scientific research performed at INEEL.
"One of the objectives of INRA is to fund excellence," says Petersen. "This collaborative effort is a way to focus on the good science going on at the INEEL and the universities. These projects demonstrate how INRA is a benefit for the universities, INEEL and the region." The 13 projects were selected from 26 proposals received. They were peer reviewed by a panel of representatives from each INRA institution, three scientists from the INEEL and one scientist from the Department of Energy's Idaho Operations Office.
University Media Contacts:
Boise State University -- Janelle Brown, 208-426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu
Idaho State University -- Glenn Alford, 208-282-3517, alfoglen@isu.edu
University of Idaho -- Bill Loftus, 208-885-7694, bloftus@uidaho.edu
Montana State University -- Annette Trinity-Stevens, 406-994-2891, annettet@montana.edu
Utah State University -- 435-797-1358, lynnette@media.usu.edu
Washington State University -- Hugh Imhof, 509-335-4528, imhof@wsu.edu