Designs and develops more than 95 percent of the 6,500 components in a modern nuclear weapon. Since 1993, Sandia has also manufactured some of the most complex nuclear weapon components.
Played a key role in helping NASA determine that foam debris impacting the orbiter wing during launch most likely caused the 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster. More recently Labs scientists participated in a number of successful efforts in NASA’s “Return to Flight” program for the shuttle.
Is building major new facilities to enable the laboratory to become a world leader in nanotechnology and microsystems engineering.
Jointly with Lockheed Martin developed the SnifferStar™ chemical sensor that operates on unmanned aerial vehicles and relays reports on chemical detections within 20 seconds of air sampling.
Invented the clean room in 1960, helping to spark today’s multibillion-dollar microelectronics industry.
Pulsed power program is bringing science a giant step closer to understanding and realizing the development of fusion as an energy source.
Developed technology that can electronically “sniff ” airline passengers before they board and determine whether they have handled explosives recently.
Research has spawned a number of medical advances, including a novel micron-sized device with tiny needles that painlessly penetrate the skin, providing a way to measure glucose levels or other molecules in the body.
Operates one of the world’s most advanced robotics and intelligent machines facilities for use in advanced manufacturing and defense applications.
Major full-scale testing facilities include a two-mile-long rocket sled track, centrifuges, solar tower, and burn areas. A new thermal test facility will allow burn tests for large objects in a contained structure.
Jointly with Law Enforcement Technologies, Inc., developed a tool that allows police officers and military personnel to instantly determine on the scene whether a suspect has recently fired a gun.
For more than 40 years, Sandia has designed sensors and other systems for satellites that continuously monitor the globe for clandestine nuclear tests.
Five generations of Sandia-developed radiation-hardened microchips have ensured that electronics in defense and space hardware can operate in high-radiation environments.
Modeling efforts supported and helped guide the National Transportation Safety Board to confirm that the TWA 800 accident of July 1997 most likely was the result of an unintended ignition of the fuel-air mixture in a fuel tank.
