Department of Energy FY95 Budget Request: Advanced Neutron Source

The Department of Energy has requested $40,000,000 for the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS), an increase of $23,000,000, or 135%, over the FY 1994 appropriation of $17,000,000.

The budget document provided to Congress states, in part: “Over the past two decades, a considerable erosion in the strength of the U.S. neutron capability has occurred relative to other industrialized countries. The two major U.S. high-flux reactors, the High Flux Beam Reactor at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, were both constructed in the 1960’s.... Both of these reactors will approach the end of their useful lifetimes in the next decade. Since the 1960’s, no new high-flux beam research reactor has been constructed in the U.S....”

“The Advanced Neutron Source is an experimental facility designed to meet the Nation’s need for an intense steady-state source of neutrons.... The facility will be based on a new research reactor that will have the most intense neutron beams in the world, exceeding its closest competitor by a factor of 5 to 10. The Advanced Neutron Source would replace both the High Flux Beam Reactor and the High Flux Isotope Reactor, provide increased research capability, and provide increased assurance of worker and public safety. The Advanced Neutron Source is designed to meet the programmatic needs of the Department of Energy in condensed matter physics, chemistry, biological sciences, materials science, polymer science, isotope production, and materials irradiation. In addition, it will function as a national facility open to researchers from universities, national laboratories, and industry. Based on the experience in Europe, it is anticipated that the Advanced Neutron Source will serve over 1,000 researchers per year.

“The Advanced Neutron Source is a Presidential investment initiative for the Department of Energy.

“The FY 1995 request provides $12,300,000 for continued research and development of the Advanced Neutron Source, as well as $1,000,000 for capital equipment. Construction funding of $26,700,000 is requested to initiate Title I design.”