Fiscal Year	2010
Division	School of International Graduate Studies
Department	National Security Affairs
Investigator(s)	Russell, James A.
Sponsor	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Other-Fed)
Summary	Lawrence Livermore National Labs is doing a study that seeks to determine the degree to which non-state actors can assemble an improvised nuclear device. The goal of this project is to study the difference in problem solving and information gathering behaviors in scientists and engineers. In this study, we specifically investigate questions involving the acquisition and fabrication of special nuclear materials, and other necessary materials, for use in a nuclear weapon. Our hypothesis is that the fields of engineering and science involve fundamentally different technical skills, thought processes and personal characteristics, and as a result, there are significant differences in 1) problem solving strategies, 2) ability to identify credible reference materials, 3) organizational behaviors, and 4) quality of technical solutions generated between scientists, engineers, and professionals in non-technical careers. We will also investigate the difference between undergraduate and graduate student behaviors, and the impact of a discipline-specific vs. interdisciplinary team structure. The project will involve five three-person teams of NPS students.
Keywords	Open Source Nuclear Weapon Weapon Design
Publications	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal