The meeting is focused on the science of plutonium and its compounds. Probably the most meaningful issue we will look at is how to involve students and young scientists in challenging research problems so they can define future directions in plutonium science. Formal sessions are scheduled on materials science, transuranic waste forms, nuclear fuels and isotopes, separations, actinides in the environment, detection and analysis, and actinide compounds and complexes. The conference will be international in flavor, with papers presented by researchers from Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Belgium and other nations.
Several papers address environmental topics, and others examine the biological effects of plutonium.
Dozens of research efforts across the entire spectrum of plutonium science will be presented at an informal poster session. During its stay, the DOE team will visit selected Laboratory facilities to see first-hand the implementation of these two programs. By Friday, the team is expected to have completed the review and will provide feedback to the cognizant Laboratory managers. Integrated Safety Management is the path the Laboratory has chosen to ensure that its workers are safe and health and environmental issues are addressed. Work control and performance assurance, the two elements DOE will evaluate, correspond to steps three and five of the five-step process for doing work safely.