Grand Challenges in Science and the Opportuntites Afforded by DOE's New X-ray Laser Project

The National Academy of Sciences, Department of Energy Office of Science and National Science Foundation have recently defined a set of scientific ``Grand Challenges'' for the 21st Century. DOE's interest is a secure and sustainable energy future in a clean environment. Addressing many of the challenges will require an X-ray laser - a coherent ultra-bright light source whose wavelength is of atomic dimensions. The machine will cost \$1-2B, and will be based on technology developed at Jefferson Lab. In this talk we will address the science motivating the X-ray laser, will describe the physics and nature of the source itself, and talk about JLab's Free Electron Laser program and Virginia's potential role in this project.