Vol. 52, No. 3        February 11, 2000

Labs Accomplishments 2000

Introduction: Labs President Paul Robinson's letter to all Sandians:

With apologies to Charles Dickens, the past year at Sandia included "the worst of times, as well as the best of times." Concerns over espionage and security breaches caught center stage at all of the DOE labs. We took many actions to decrease the potential of security losses, particularly in facing up to growing vulnerabilities in cyber-security, as our use of electronic media, rather than paper copies, has accelerated. But we did not lose sight of our mission of generating new science and engineering technology for the nation's security.

When I reviewed the list of FY99 accomplishments, which are presented in this publication, I was excited by the number and the diversity of really significant accomplishments that were brought forward in what was otherwise to be recorded as a "tough year." There were a great many fundamental advances in the state-of-the-art, from world records in computing to production of X-rays in the lab that mimic the environment at the outer regions of black holes and neutron stars. We have solved several age-old scientific mysteries as well.

Major achievements occurred at the component level, in exciting new robots, satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicles that are now serving as extraordinary platforms for advanced sensors. These developments help to assure the US arsenal of nuclear weapons and increase our awareness of their state of health. You will also find a great many advances that touch the everyday lives of American citizens: school security systems, airport explosive "sniffers" and walk-through portals, sensitive detectors of harmful chemicals and biological warfare agents, and a fast-dispersing foam that can quickly decontaminate areas subject to a chemical- or bio-warfare attack.

I was pleased to see many of our scientists and engineers receive national awards and recognition. I was equally pleased to see the significant advances that help us operate the lab more effectively and efficiently, from bringing on-line a commercial financial management system to tearing down and decontaminating outdated buildings and spaces. It is clear that our support staff, though too often "unsung heroes and heroines," are producing world-class results.

Looking over the full list, I am just amazed! I hope you can share that emotion as you read the achievements of the women and men of Sandia during 1999.

C. Paul Robinson, Labs President and Director

Introductory note from editor

Toward the beginning of each calendar year the Lab News sums up Sandia National Laboratories' principal achievements during the previous fiscal year. This issue of Labs Accomplishments continues that tradition.

All Sandia divisions were invited to submit achievements; submissions selected by the VPs' offices are presented on the following pages. The work was accomplished mostly during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 1999. Key organizations contributing to each accomplishment are in parentheses. Abbreviations at the end of most entries indicates in which Labs' strategic business unit or strategic management unit the work was conducted.

Abbreviation key:

NWSBU: Nuclear weapons strategic business unit

ETSBU: Emerging threats strategic business unit

E/CISBU: Energy/critical infrastructure strategic business unit

NP/MC: Nonproliferation and materials control

PSMU: Partnerships strategic management unit

S&TSMU: Science and technology strategic management unit

LDRD: Laboratory directed research and development

-- Bill Murphy, Coordinator, wtmurph@sandia.gov

Last modified: February 28, 2000

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