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Collaboration between the INL and other DOE laboratories and sites provides significantly enhanced complexwide capabilities to support DOE's strategic objectives. In response to new opportunities and continuing technical challenges, the INL is seeking the most effective teams to solve problems. Research and Development and operations collaborations among DOE laboratories and sites often lead to much broader collaborations with other federal agencies, universities, private companies, and foreign organizations.

In addition to R&D and operations collaborations, the INL works with other DOE laboratories to improve business and operations practices. Current activities include improved integration of the laboratories into DOE strategic planning, consistent incorporation of performance-based management principles into the contracts between DOE and laboratory operators, and more effective communication of the laboratories' accomplishments and their value.

National University Consortium

When the U.S. Department of Energy created the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in February 2005, the visionary proposal it accepted for INL included the National University Consortium (NUC) — five leading research universities from around the nation whose nuclear research and engineering expertise are of critical importance to the future of the nation’s nuclear industry.

NUC’s task in the near future is collaborative, coordinated nuclear research and education with the INL — which will be accomplished in conjunction with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES). The NUC partners will establish the university-based Academic Centers of Excellence (ACE) to collaborate with CAES research programs and the collocated research centers of CAES. The NUC consists of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, and the University of New Mexico.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the nation’s top nuclear research institutions, will initially lead the NUC team. MIT will provide its extensive background in nuclear science and engineering research to CAES. They will provide their experience specifically in the ACE for Advanced Energy System.

Oregon State University will contribute expertise in ACE for the Thermal Hydraulics and Reactor Safety. This is a key research area for the advanced reactor systems INL will design and demonstrate through DOE’s Next Generation Nuclear Plant program, the Generation IV international initiative, and the Hydrogen Initiative that will produce hydrogen through the use of nuclear power.

North Carolina State University (NCSU) is known for its expertise in modeling and simulation. This NCSU ACE will provide significant expertise as INL stands up the Center for Advanced Modeling and Simulation (CAMS) as a key research contributor to advanced energy studies. CAMS, one of four new advanced research centers associated with CAES, will provide supercomputer modeling capabilities needed for research in optimizing the design of new nuclear reactors.

The Ohio State University will provide strategic direction and guidance in the development of research related to an ACE for the Instrumentation and Control (I&C) and Safety of Advanced Energy Systems. The nuclear power industry is rapidly developing advanced control and operator interface systems based on digital computers. The potential for increased safety through digital systems will be of increasing importance as nuclear power production continues to increase around the world. Advanced I&C also contributes to increased efficiency and capacity utilization. It will be a significant aspect of the design and operation of the coming generations of nuclear power reactors.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is leading the direction of Space Nuclear Power ACE. CAES will work closely with UNM and the INL in the areas of space power research and development, including the production of radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs) for NASA’s deep-space missions.