PNNL

The COVID-19 pandemic enabled us to become virtual workers on many projects that previously required in-person, hands-on participation. In 2020, virtual teams successfully worked together in a program sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of International Nuclear Safeguards where Washington State University (WSU) engineering students designed, fabricated, and delivered prototype equipment that addresses the challenges that Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) staff encounter in nuclear safeguards research.

In an online meeting in December 2020, two teams of engineering students presented their projects to PNNL staff: props used in safeguards training courses demonstrating two methods of nuclear fuel reprocessing and a mounting bracket for a new online enrichment monitor that the International Atomic Energy Agency could use to monitor the enrichment of uranium hexafluoride gas in enrichment facilities.

What makes these virtual teams successful? “Trust—built on social capital from previous engagements,” said Dr. Chuck Pezeshki, WSU instructor. “When you actively focus on maintaining social capital, the technical issues you encounter on your project can be worked out.”

The student teams worked together to overcome difficulties that their original concepts introduced—from re-envisioning the processes that the training props would demonstrate to selecting materials for the mounting bracket—with the end user in mind. The student teams accomplished both projects on time and under budget.

PNNL engineer and mentor Patrick Valdez said, “The teams this semester purposely included a ‘get to know you’ section at the beginning of each weekly meeting. This is always a good practice for the remote meeting experience.”