‘Friendly’ EMP improves survival for electronics
An EMP emitted by a nuclear weapon exploded high above the U.S. could disable the electronic circuits of many devices vital to military defense and modern living. Fortunately, military equipment is designed to be immune to various levels of EMP, and the validity of those designs has been tested and improved by a “friendly” EMP generator at Sandia.
Larry Luna elected American Society of Mechanical Engineers fellow
Sandia engineer Larry Luna has been elected a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for significant achievements during more than 30 years of service and leadership. ASME fellows constitute about 3.5 percent of the organization’s more than 95,000 members. Larry was specifically recognized “for his contributions to the national security of the United States,” according to ASME.
Astra supercomputer at Sandia Labs is fastest Arm-based machine on TOP500 list
Sandia’s Astra is the world’s fastest Arm-based supercomputer according to the just released TOP500 list, the supercomputer industry’s standard. With a speed of 1.529 petaflops, Astra placed 203rd on a ranking of top computers announced at SC18, the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis, in Dallas.
Responders provide technical expertise in case of nuclear weapons accidents
The Accident Response Group provides technical expertise in assessing and safely resolving nuclear weapons accidents or "broken arrows." ARG brings together diverse experts from Sandia and other national labs, each with its own area of expertise. As the nuclear engineering lab, Sandia's focus is on the whole weapon.
Sandia hosts next generation of nuclear experts
Seven years ago, the NNSA established the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium, a collaboration among universities and national laboratories whose purpose is to train the next generation of nuclear security experts. This year, Sandia/California hosted the group’s fall workshop and advisory board meeting.
Wind tunnel and lasers give nation a hypersonic proving ground
Sandia's hypersonic wind tunnel and advanced laser diagnostic technology are helping U.S. defense agencies understand the physics associated with aircraft flying five times faster than the speed of sound. With potential adversaries reporting successes in their own programs to develop aircraft that can be flown at Mach 5 or greater, U.S. development of autonomous hypersonic systems is a top defense priority.
Majority rules when looking for earthquakes, explosions
Finding the ideal settings for each sensor in a network to detect seismic activity can be a painstaking and manual process. Sandia researchers are working to change that. They have developed an algorithm that automatically adjusts seismic activity detection levels for each network sensor, tuning out everyday vibrations such as traffic or footsteps to better detect earthquakes and explosions.
Sandia delivers first DOE sounding rocket program since 1990s
Sandia has developed a new rocket program, called the High Operational Tempo Sounding Rocket Program, or HOT SHOT, and integrated it for its first launch earlier this year under NNSA direction. The new program could help cut research and development time for new weapons systems from as many as 15 years to less than five.
Labs Director signs annual assessment letter
In late September, Sandia President and Laboratories Director Steve Younger signed Sandia’s annual assessment letter. Each year, Sandia assesses the safety, reliability and performance aspects of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile for which it has responsibility.
Rick Perry thanks employees for national service
Energy Secretary Rick Perry emphatically thanked Sandia employees for their contributions to science and issues of national and international security, equating research to public service during a visit to the Labs on Oct. 9.