California site expands footprint
To accommodate Sandia's significant increase in hiring to meet mission needs coupled with the need to ensure workforce safety amid the pandemic, leaders at the Livermore site are taking a multipronged approach, including continued telecommuting, creating flexible “kiosk hubs,” constructing new facilities and temporarily leasing office space near the campus.
A year of change
Lab News sat down for a conversation with Associate Labs Director Andy McIlroy, head of the Integrated Security Solutions Division, as he starts his second year in that role following a year permanently marked by a new reality for Sandia and the nation.
Experiments at solar thermal test facility break new ground
Sandia’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility will host a number of “firsts” in 2020, including testing a particle-to-supercritical carbon dioxide heat-exchanger system, and the world’s first on-sun falling particle receiver connected to a supercritical CO2 loop.
Back to School Brigade
Sandians donated 250 backpacks and $1,300 toward the purchase of additional school supplies for the annual Back to School Brigade at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Vitalant resumes on-site blood drives
Sandia’s Community Involvement team has coordinated with Vitalant to resume on-site blood drives. Off-site locations are being planned as well, to accommodate those working from home.
Today’s virtual reality
Sandia's annual Safety & Health Month and Financial Wellness Month events went virtual this year due to social distancing requirements. Attendance at the events set new records as employees joined in to find helpful resources and connect with others.
Tracking warranties creates efficiencies
The Facilities team launched a new warranty recovery management program last year to track warranties on purchases of goods and services for Sandia. The program has been very successful, easing the tracking burden for managers and saving the Labs at least $1 million in cost avoidance since it began.
COVID-19 defense: Sandia’s in-depth approach
Sandia is taking an in-depth, layered approach to combating the spread of COVID-19. As the nation navigates through the COVID-19 global health crisis and as more people come on-site, we want our workforce to know what we do to prepare and what to expect.
COVID-19 came through the door
Despite following pandemic restrictions both in and outside his home, Associate Labs Director Scott Aeilts recently was diagnosed with COVID-19, following a visit from a family friend. Describing his experience, Scott discusses the important role adhering to Sandia's COVID-19 protocols plays in protecting the workforce.
Rose Gottemoeller: The importance of science diplomacy
Rose Gottemoeller spoke to Sandians in a video conference on July 28 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Labs’ Cooperative Monitoring Center. The talk was part of Sandia’s National Security Speakers Series.