Latest News

Technology Commercialization Opportunity: Coherent Fiber Optical Microscopy (Solicitation Number: 20_17)

November 9, 2020

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize coherent fiber optical system. Licensing (with the possibility of deferred fees) and technical support (paid by Licensee) are available. SNL has developed a method to lock and/or (strongly) modulate the phase of light in a fiber using a single, inexpensive yet high-performance component. The system, applicable to any coherent fiber machination, has recently been employed for amplitude, phase, polarization, and time sensitive optical field determination in 3D with nanoscale resolution.

To find out more about this contract opportunity, go to https://beta.sam.gov/ and type in the notice ID number 20_17.

Posted Date: November 9, 2020
Response Date: December 9, 2020 11:59pm MST

Primary Point of Contact:
David V. Wick, Licensing Executive
Sandia National Laboratories
dvwick@sandia.gov

Keywords: Optical coherence tomography, coherent scanning microscope, fiber optics, interferometry

Sandia joins national center for quantum computing research

Quantum State

August 2020

Sandia National Laboratories will serve as the leading partner in one of five national research centers for quantum information science established by the Department of Energy. The Quantum Systems Accelerator is a multidisciplinary team comprising dozens of researchers from 15 labs and universities. Together, they will collaborate to transform rudimentary quantum computers and related technologies into machines that perform valuable work for DOE and the nation…

MIRaGE Website Launched

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June 2020

Dedicated website for MIRaGE software is launched to facilitate distribution of this advanced software to US Government, contractors, and universities. MIRaGE (short for “Multiscale Inverse Rapid Group-theory for Engineered-metamaterials”) is a group theory-based multiscale simulation toolkit that enables the inverse design of metamaterials exhibiting exotic electromagnetic behaviors beyond the limits of conventional optics…

Science journal publication on thermoelectric power generation

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March 2020

Sandia researcher Dr. Paul Davids reported his groundbreaking research results in conversion of waste heat into electricity in Science in March 2020 (Science 20 Mar 2020: Vol. 367, Issue 6484, pp. 1341-1345 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba2089). To learn more, listen to Science Podcast and read the review of this work in Joule.

Two R&D100 2019 awarded to Sandia National Laboratories in photonics

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October 29, 2019

High-Performance Nanoantenna Enabled-Detectors (NEDS):

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October 29, 2019

Researchers at Sandia have developed High-Performance Nanoantenna Enabled-Detectors (NEDS), which will allow for enormous advancements over the current state of the art using an architecture that is independent of detector material and wavelength band. In addition to dramatically improving image quality, this architecture allows for entirely new detector concepts unrealizable with existing technology…

MIRaGE Multiscale Inverse Rapid Group-theory for Engineered-metamaterials:

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October 29, 2019

MIRaGE is a group theory-based multiscale simulation toolkit that enables the inverse design of metamaterials exhibiting exotic electromagnetic behaviors beyond the limits of conventional optics. Technological developments enabled by MIRaGE could include lighter-weight satellites, cloaking devices, and compact aberration-free imaging systems…

Sandia’s nanoantennas help detectors see more heat, less noise

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September 12, 2019

Sandia researchers have developed tiny, gold antennas to help cameras and sensors that “see” heat deliver clearer pictures of thermal infrared radiation for everything from stars and galaxies to people, buildings and items requiring security…

SPIE Optics + Photonics Conference

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August 13-14, 2019

Sandia is presenting nine invited papers, thirteen presentations, and two posters at the SPIE Optics + Photonics Conference in San Diego, CA in August 2019. We are also recruiting at the Job Fair, August 13-14, at booth JF14.

Smaller Imaging System a Big Improvement for Self-Driving Cars

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May 1, 2019

Blackmore Sensors and Analytics is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories to improve lidar for autonomous driving systems. The company is a pioneer in Doppler lidar sensors and supporting analytic tools and software. They are licensing Sandia’s chip-scale optical array for beam-steering for use in their products.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO)

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May 6-10, 2019

Sandia presented to 13 invited and contributory talks and four posters at the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO) in San Jose, CA in May 2019. We also presented at the Product Showcase, highlighting Sandia’s unique photonics capabilities and collaboration opportunities…

Mirage software automates design of optical metamaterials

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March 27, 2019

Sandia National Laboratories has created the first inverse-design software for optical metamaterials — meaning users start by describing the result they want, and the software fills in the steps to get there. The modern design approach takes guesswork out of engineering as-yet theoretical technologies like ultracompact, high-performance cameras and cloaking armor that could make wearers invisible to detection…

Technology Commercialization Opportunity: High Quantum Efficiency, Low Dark Current Infrared Detector Architecture (Solicitation Number: 17_486)

March 1, 2019

Sandia is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize the high quantum efficiency, low dark current infrared detector architecture. Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) and Licensing Agreements are available.

Posted Date: March 1, 2019
Response Date: Mar 31, 2019 11:59 pm Eastern

Primary Point of Contact:
Rose Garcia
Technical Business Development Specialist
Sandia National Laboratories
Phone: 505-284-4253

Keywords: Infrared sensors, infrared detectors, focal plane array, nanoantenna architecture, high quantum efficiency, low dark current

Sandia light mixer makes 11 colors at once

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July 5, 2018

Sandia scientists have developed a new light-mixing metamaterial that can be used in many applications, from creating a multi-color laser pointer to discovering hidden archeological sites in dense forests to detecting signs of extraterrestrial life in the air to increasing communications speed and capacity via fiber-optic networks…

Generating electrical power from waste heat

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July 5, 2018

Directly converting electrical power to heat is easy, but the opposite, converting heat into electrical power, hasn’t been so easy — until now. Sandia researchers have developed a tiny silicon-based device that can harness what was previously called waste heat and turn it into DC power…

Nanotechnology experts at Sandia create first terahertz-speed polarization optical switch

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September 15, 2017

A Sandia-led team has for the first time used optics rather than electronics to switch a nanometer-thick thin film device from completely dark to completely transparent, or light, at a speed of trillionths of a second…

AIM Photonics: Moving at the Speed of Light

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August 9, 2017

University of Arizona selected for high-impact, industrial demonstration of new integrated photonic cryogenic datalink for focal plane arrays…

2017 SPIE Optics & Photonics

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August 6-10, 2017

SPIE Optics + Photonics 2017 Invited Papers, Presentations and Posters…

SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, Anaheim, CA

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Apr 10-12, 2017

SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing 2017 Invited Papers, Presentations and Posters…

Electro-optical Switch Transmits Data at Record-Low Temperatures

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March 16, 2017

Operating at temperatures near absolute zero, switch could enable significantly faster data processing with lower power consumption…

Guiding Light

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March 3, 2017

Sandia researchers create 3-D metasurfaces using III-V semiconductors…

R&D 100, 2016: T-Quake – Quantum-Mechanical Transmitter/Receiver Microchip

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Nov 7, 2016

Applying advanced microfabrication techniques and innovative microdesign, the Sandia Enabled Communications and Authentication Network (SECANT) team has designed and produced photonic microchips capable of sending, receiving, and processing quantum signals for applications in cyber and physical security…

PhoeniX Software and Sandia National Laboratories

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March 23, 2016

PhoeniX Software and Sandia National Laboratories Collaborate to Advance Photonic Integrated Circuit Design and Manufacture…

Unique phononic filter could revolutionize signal processing systems

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Jan 12, 2016

A unique filtering technology that combines light and sound waves on a single chip is expected to better detect radar and communications frequencies…

IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Society Merit Award honors Sandia radiation effects expert

July 17, 2014

Sandia radiation effects researcher Jim Schwank has won the 2014 IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society Merit Award, which recognizes outstanding technical contributions to the fields of nuclear and plasma sciences.

“I feel highly honored,” said Schwank, who is the second active Sandia employee to win the award and the sixth person in the radiation effects community to win since the award’s inception in 1972. The winner was announced earlier this month during the IEEE’s Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects conference…more

Prototype electrolyte sensor provides immediate read-outs

June 3, 2014

Patients trying to navigate today’s complex medical system with its costly laboratory analyses might prefer a pain-free home diagnostic device, worn on the wrist, that can analyze, continuously record and immediately remedy low electrolyte levels.

Runners, athletes in other strenuous sports and soldiers on long missions also might prefer immediate knowledge of their electrolytic states as an aid to improved performance…more