Science at Sandia: Motivated by curiosity, vital to national security and well-being
A memo written by Richard Claassen 65 years ago changed the course of science and technology research at the Labs. These changes continue to impact research at Sandia daily.
Could quantum technology be New Mexico’s next economic boon?
The Quantum New Mexico Coalition aims to establish the state as a national hub and create quantum computing jobs locally.
Atomic-scale manufacturing might not just be for qubits anymore
A recent LDRD Grand Challenge project could transform electronics and solve energy challenges.
“I’m melting, melting” — coal waste diminished by harmless citric acid
A new method that extracts rare-earth metals from coal ash has many benefits. The metals are essential in production of computer chips, smart phones, fighter jets, submarines and other technology, and the process detoxifies the coal ash for reuse.
After 40 years, CRF still driving toward future
After 40 years, CRF still driving toward future
Susan Seestrom: advancing science and engineering
Susan Seestrom, associate laboratories director for advanced science and technology and Sandia chief research officer, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her pathbreaking work in nuclear physics and her leadership.
Sandia brings the magic to Science Fiesta
Sandia researchers got creative this year to develop virtual tours, video experiments and more to support the annual New Mexico Science Fiesta Expo, an interactive learning event for children of all ages from across the state. YouTube videos of many of the events are still available online.
Stimulating marketplace recovery
Sandia has announced a new, fast-track licensing program to rapidly deploy technology to a marketplace reeling from the effects of COVID-19. The move is designed to support businesses facing widespread, often technical challenges resulting from the pandemic.
Girls get world-class STEM experience, inspiration
Dozens of middle school girls from the Techbridge Girls program in Oakland visited Sandia’s California campus on March 4 during STEM Day for Girls. The girls were welcomed by Energy and Homeland Security Program Management Director Marcey Hoover.
DNA science reveals hidden family connection
Sandia scientist Don Bender got the surprise of his life when he took a commercial DNA test last year and learned that he had a sister. Don and his sister met and learned that they had many similarities, including both earning science degrees from MIT.
R&D 100
The venerable R&D 100 contest, slightly more than 50 years old, has a new owner, and the competition continues. Competing in an international pool of universities, corporations and government labs, Sandia inventions captured four R&D 100 Awards this year, as well as two environmental and one business award.
Advanced microscopy reveals unusual DNA structure
An advanced imaging technique reveals new structural details of S-DNA, ladder-like DNA that forms when the molecule experiences extreme tension. This work conducted at Sandia and Vrije University in the Netherlands provides the first experimental evidence that S-DNA contains highly tilted base pairs.
Engineering success through predicting failure
Around the world, materials scientists and engineers are trying different ways to predict fractures in ductile metals, but it’s not clear which approach is most accurate. To compare the different methods, Sandia researchers have presented three voluntary challenges to their colleagues: Given the same basic information about the shape, composition and loading of a metal part, could they predict how it would eventually fracture?
Record-breaking crowds attend Sandia’s New Mexico Family Day
Family and friends walked the usually restricted streets of Sandia’s Albuquerque campus during the Sept. 7 Family Day event, to show support for their loved ones and see where they work. The long tradition of Family Day is an opportunity to show friends and loved ones some of the interconnected teamwork and facilities they don't usually get to see.
California site celebrates Family Day
More than 2,000 people spread out across Sandia’s California campus for Family Day on Sept. 14, getting a glimpse of the exceptional work done in the national interest by Sandia researchers and professionals from all over the world.
‘Switching on’ iron in clay minerals
Sandia researchers have discovered a mechanism to “switch on” iron residing in clay mineral structures, leading to an understanding of how to make iron reactive under oxygen-free conditions. This research will help scientists understand and predict how contaminants move through the environment and enter waterways.
Younger: A Sputnik moment is coming
Laboratories Director Steve Younger and Chief Research Officer Susan Seestrom took the stage at the Steve Schiff Auditorium Aug. 26 to discuss “discovery science” and what it means for Sandia. The talk was the latest installment of the New Research Ideas Forum.
Diesel engine revolution
An engine innovation first conceived and tested by Sandia scientists has attracted the attention of big business because it synergizes with renewable fuels and takes almost all the soot out of a diesel engine’s exhaust without sacrificing performance or increasing cost.
Hydrogen materials service advanced by new multilab consortium
Researchers at Sandia and Pacific Northwest national laboratories are leading a collaborative effort to investigate how hydrogen affects materials such as plastics, rubber, steel and aluminum. The Hydrogen Materials Compatibility Consortium, or H-Mat, will focus on how hydrogen affects polymers and metals used in diverse sectors, including fuel cell transportation and hydrogen infrastructure.
New Mexico Science Fiesta
Sandians brought STEM fun to the New Mexico Science Fiesta at several locations in Albuquerque in June.
Erik Webb testifies before Congress on fossil energy research
Sandia geoscience research and application senior manager Erik Webb provided testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in Washington, D.C., on June 19. Erik’s testimony focused on the importance of fossil energy research.
STAR fellows 2019
Family Day memories are captured in photos from past events.
Sky’s the limit
Four Sandia interns mentored eight high school students from throughout New Mexico who participated in this year’s Model Rocket Design and Telemetry project at the 2019 Joint Science and Technology Institute residential STEM camp in June.
Steve Younger joins roundtable to expand trades in New Mexico
Labs Director Steve Younger met with New Mexico 3rd District Congressman Ben Ray Luján at a recent forum to discuss the ACCESS Act, which would establish a five-year grant program run by DOE to create apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in colleges and technical education schools to fill nuclear industry jobs at national laboratories.
Portable gas detection shrinks to new dimensions
A sensor for detecting toxic gases is now smaller, faster and more reliable, thanks to researchers at Sandia. The sensor’s performance sets it up for integration into a highly sensitive, portable system for detecting chemical weapons. The sensors can also rapidly detect airborne toxins.