AFRL pens agreement with DOE’s Argonne National Lab Published May 21, 2007 By Susan Murphy AFRL Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- Maj. Gen.Ted Bowlds, Air Force Research Laboratory commander, signed an agreement May 14 with officials from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory that promises to save taxpayer dollars and speed the delivery of technological advances to American military forces. The new relationship between AFRL and Argonne will provide an opportunity to establish a common and consistent path into the respective technology bases of each facility. "This MOU with Argonne will enable AFRL and the Air Force to leverage some of the top research scientists and facilities in the country," said General Bowlds. "In turn, we will provide Argonne access to AFRL's finest scientists and resources. We have already begun work with Argonne and already are seeing big payoffs." The memorandum of understanding will promote a cooperative exchange of technical requirements, science and technology information and result in leveraged program development between the two labs. Officials expect the agreement to improve the cost, schedule and performance goals associated with developing critical technologies for the nation through the coordination of related efforts and information exchanges. The Materials and Manufacturing Directorate here has already begun to work proposals with Argonne to evaluate material properties for titanium alloys, nanoparticles, and polymers. Argonne laboratory director Robert Rosner predicts great advances for the nation's security coming from this relationship. "This agreement provides an opportunity to establish a common and consistent path into our respective technology bases," Rosner said. "This collaborative research effort will help meet the needs and requirements of emerging national and homeland security challenges."