David Dunning, a master technician at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, received a Significant Achievement Award for the Robotics and Remote System Division at the 2024 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Winter Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida.
The ANS recognized Dunning, who has been with ORNL since 1983, for being instrumental in the development of the remote handling processes and the tooling required to support the first-of-its-kind mercury process system at ORNL's Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).
A DOE Office of Science user facility, the SNS produces neutrons with an accelerator-based system that delivers short (microsecond) proton pulses to a steel target filled with liquid mercury through a process called spallation. Neutrons produced at the SNS are directed toward state-of-the-art instruments that provide a variety of capabilities to researchers across a broad range of disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. The research at SNS enables discoveries that improve daily life, from better drug therapeutics to more powerful computers to safer, longer-lasting batteries.
Since joining the SNS project in late 2001, Dunning witnessed the SNS evolve from blueprints to a world-class user facility when it first began producing neutrons in 2006. "I have participated in roughly 90% of the target changes thus far, as well as major component changeouts," said Dunning.
ANS' s Robotic and Remote Systems Division (RRSD) presents awards and scholarships at its biennial luncheon, held during the RRSD Topical Meeting or as decided by the RRSD Executive Committee.
"David's ingenuity and enthusiasm was critical in the deployment of a specialized dual-arm servo manipulator," said Michael Dayton, who manages the Target & Mechanical Systems Section at the SNS. "He has supported and enhanced SNS operations for over a decade, contributing to operational improvements as a remote handling technician."
Jon Taylor, director of the Neutron Scattering Division at ORNL's Neutron Sciences Directorate, said, "David's dedication and expertise have ensured safe operations at SNS since the facility started in 2006. This award rightly recognizes his huge contribution to the development and operation of the heart of SNS - its target. The impact of his contribution is clear. It has enabled scientists visiting SNS to perform state-of-the-art experiments and make transformative scientific discoveries."
ANS is the premier organization for those who embrace the nuclear sciences and technologies for their contributions to improving people's lives and protecting the planet, according to the organization's website. ANS membership includes individuals from all walks of life. The RRSD has more than 500 professionals from industry, government laboratories and academia in the areas of automation, robotics and remote systems.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science . - Kaeli Dickert
