[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 639--CONGRATULATING AMES LABORATORY ON 75 YEARS OF 
                          OUTSTANDING SERVICE

  Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Ms. Ernst) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 639

       Whereas Ames Laboratory was established by the Atomic 
     Energy Commission on May 17, 1947, as a National Laboratory;
       Whereas Ames Laboratory originated as the Ames Project at 
     Iowa State College, later known as Iowa State University, 
     which, under the leadership of Frank Spedding and Harley 
     Wilhelm, contributed valuable scientific and production 
     assistance to the Manhattan Project, including--
       (1) a unique method of purifying uranium metal;
       (2) substantial quantities of purified uranium metal to the 
     first human-made self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction; and
       (3) 2,000,000 pounds of purified uranium in assistance of 
     the war efforts of the United States during World War II;
       Whereas Ames Laboratory (as the Ames Project at Iowa State 
     College) was recognized on October 12, 1945, for its 
     contributions to the defense of the United States during 
     World War II with the award of the Army-Navy ``E'' flag for 
     Excellence in Production, the only educational institution to 
     be so honored;
       Whereas the science and technology developments of Ames 
     Laboratory have contributed to the advancement of human 
     understanding and the benefit of society over 7 \1/2\ 
     decades, including--
       (1) the discovery, design, and mastery of rare earth and 
     other materials that helped advance early progress of the 
     Atomic Age;
       (2) globally recognized expertise in the properties of rare 
     earth elements and their importance in technologies such as 
     data-storage, wind power, lighting, and batteries;
       (3) the invention of lead-free solder, which removed toxic 
     lead from electronic manufacturing processes;
       (4) the understanding of quasicrystals, including work by 
     scientist Dan Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in 
     Chemistry;
       (5) national and international leadership in critical 
     materials important for United States manufacturing;
       (6) the development of analytical equipment to enable the 
     mapping of the human genome;
       (7) the development of analytical instrumentation that can 
     detect parts per trillion of atoms, molecules, and compounds;
       (8) the discovery and development of catalysts leading to 
     cost-effective biofuel production;
       (9) the development of metal and alloy powder synthesis to 
     accelerate the adoption of 3D printing and enable clean 
     energy technologies;
       (10) the discovery of the first giant magnetocaloric 
     material and demonstration of magnetic refrigeration;
       (11) the discovery of chemical processes to convert plastic 
     waste into valuable resources; and
       (12) ground-breaking advances in the understanding of 
     superconductors and topological semimetals;
       Whereas Ames Laboratory is the home of the Materials 
     Preparation Center, a research facility globally recognized 
     for its unique capabilities in purification, preparation, and 
     characterization of metals, alloys, and single crystals;
       Whereas Ames Laboratory is the home of the Critical 
     Materials Institute, an Energy Innovation Hub that provides 
     the United States with vital supply chain expertise in rare 
     earth and other critical materials, including--
       (1) diversifying supplies of rare earth and other critical 
     material resources;
       (2) developing substitutes for high-demand materials; and
       (3) driving recycling and reuse;
       Whereas Ames Laboratory is a leader in technology transfer, 
     with 257 issued United States patents and licensed 
     innovations resulting in worldwide sales of more than 
     $3,000,000,000 and returning royalty revenue of nearly 
     $78,000,000; and
       Whereas Ames Laboratory has nurtured more than 2,500 
     graduate students in its history, mentoring the scientific 
     leaders and innovators of tomorrow through education and 
     outreach programs designed to train and inspire young minds 
     for the discoveries of the future: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates Ames Laboratory for 
     75 years of outstanding service to the Department of Energy, 
     the United States, and the world in fulfilling its mission as 
     a National Laboratory dedicated to discovery and innovation 
     in the chemical and materials sciences.

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