Echo instrument, technologies developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, were provided to customs inspectors in Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union republics to reduce smuggling and terrorism. Researchers also studied global climate models, including cloud formation and radiative properties of clouds. In addition, the Laboratory created energy efficiency centers to promote economic growth while mitigating its harmful effects and participating on the United Nations panel on climate change assessments. In 2007, more than 20 PNNL scientists were recognized for their contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize in equal parts with former Vice President Al Gore. Technologies to counter acts of terrorism have progressed at PNNL in this decade with the expansion of radiation portal monitoring technology developed at the Laboratory. This technology is used at ports of entry around the country to scan for and detect the presence of nuclear and radiological materials. In 2004, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security established the National Visualization and Analytics Center (NVAC) to advance visualization research using computer technology to enable humans to visually synthesize and derive insight from massive amounts of information to help the nation predict and respond to manmade and natural disasters and terrorist incidents. PNNL scientists are designing catalysts to use solar energy to power reactions that turn water into hydrogen. They are incorporating the concepts of energy matching and proton relays to design inexpensive nickel and cobalt containing molecular complexes that catalyze that reaction. DOE has awarded $22.5 million over five years for PNNL's new Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, where scientists will study catalysts that convert electrical energy into chemical bonds and back again. PNNL directors Sherwood Fawcett (1965–1967) Fred Albaugh (1967–1971) Ron Paul (1971–1973) Ed Alpen (1973–1975) Tommy Ambrose (1975–1979) Doug Olesen (1979–1984) William R. Wiley (1984–1994) Bill Madia (1994–2000) Lura Powell (2000–2003) Leonard Peters (2003–2007) Mike Kluse (2008–2015) Steve Ashby (2015–Present) References External links United States Department of Energy national laboratories Federally Funded Research and Development Centers Tri-Cities, Washington Battelle Memorial Institute Buildings and structures in Benton County, Washington Richland, Washington Research institutes in Washington (state) Radiation protection organizations