Sandia LabNews

HOT SHOT findings could save defense technology developers time and money

An early milestone for developing missile technologies is to show they can work in computer simulations or large-scale field tests that shake and spin components without falling to pieces. Now, HOT SHOT sounding rocket data analysis has revealed a way to improve these tests, providing an earlier, more accurate indicator of whether an experimental technology will ultimately succeed in flight.

Strategic Priority No. 5

Sandia's Strategic Priority No. 5 is seeking new pathfinder systems to address threats. The goal of this strategic priority is to think beyond Sandia’s traditional boundaries, taking advantage of the Labs' technical depth and breadth across multiple disciplines. Inventing and demonstrating these systems are important steps toward creating the future at Sandia.

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.

PSEL wraps up nonreflective solar panel testing

Sandia’s Photovoltaic Systems Evaluation Laboratory is in the final phase of a collaborative research project with Nishati, a veteran-run manufacturer of light-weight, portable photovoltaic panels. The collaboration will shift to the PV proving grounds project at the end of the fiscal year.

Getting to the nuts and bolts of nuts and bolts

After more than five years, a mathematical breakthrough devised by a structural engineer and a computational scientist may save Sandia time and resources to test complex systems. The method is now being used in production in Sandia's Sierra code, and the designers say its potential is limited only by researchers' imagination.

Help wanted: People with passion for national security

Associate Labs Director Andy McIlroy said Integrated Security Solutions is on track to meet its projected hiring goals for fiscal year 2019. The hiring team's primary goal is to help implement processes where new-hires can feel welcome to reach out with questions and ideas to help make their integration into Sandia as smooth as possible.