Twenty-five years ago, the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City deeply impacted communities and families across the nation.  

It also changed the course of numerous institutions and organizations, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has innovated various technologies and efforts for national security and safety to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. 

“Deep expertise in areas like physics, chemistry, and materials science allow our researchers to turn foundational discoveries into applied technologies at unprecedented speed,” said PNNL Director Deb Gracio in a statement. “Reflecting on events like 9/11 provides a reminder and motivation to continue to develop new science and technology to keep Americans safe.” 

The lab’s contributions ran the gamut from transportation security to emergency preparedness: 

• Airline passenger scanners using millimeter-wave technology, with those passing through standing hands above their heads so Transportation Security Administration workers can detect weapons and illicit substances. Other technologies developed at the lab allow for screening of luggage during transoceanic flights. 
• Disaster response and mitigation programs that have helped firefighters respond to wildfires using AI-analyzed data and given emergency planners tools to prepare for storm impacts to the electrical grid. 
• Projects and platforms aimed at keeping ahead of hackers and other cyberattacks targeting infrastructure such as railways, dams and water treatment plants.