Technicians at Sandia use a small wand of light and a microscope to manually inspect ceramic components for tiny defects. The process is time-consuming, challenging on the eyes and requires extensive training. With the introduction of artificial intelligence and new equipment, inspections will take place earlier in the production process. Learn more at bit.ly/42laaRy Photo by Craig Fritz

Curiosity and discovery reign at Sandia Kids Day. Families toured the Corporate Computing Facility, where a cooling system for super computers runs through the floor, in Albuquerque, NM on April 29, 2026. Kids Day drew 2,409 students for a full day of science demonstrations and behind-the-scenes tours. See more photos at bit.ly/4ngsbKp Photo by Craig Fritz

After nearly 40 years of service and 4,726 firings, known as “shots,” Sandia’s powerful X-ray generator has been updated for reliability and performance. The Saturn accelerator, roughly the size of two basketball courts, produces hard X-rays that test and qualify national security electronics, subsystems and materials against X-ray radiation. In the photo, Sandia technologists transport the Saturn accelerator’s magnetically insulated transmission lines, from the center section for cleaning after a shot. Learn more at bit.ly/3QJFve9 Photo by Craig Fritz

After nearly 40 years of service and 4,726 firings, known as “shots,” Sandia’s powerful X-ray generator has been updated for reliability and performance. Saturn began operating in 1987. Roughly the size of two basketball courts and containing approximately 500,000 gallons of water, it produces hard X-rays that test and qualify national security electronics, subsystems and materials against X-ray radiation. Learn more at bit.ly/3QJFve9 Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia volunteers donated 295 hours during National Volunteer Month in April 2026. Off the clock, employees shared their talents and time to support education and nonprofit organizations, building stronger communities and investing in a brighter future. At Jefferson Middle School, Sandia’s team connected with students to inspire interest in STEM through hands-on activities, like programming tiny Ozobots to follow lines of instructions. Learn more at bit.ly/42m1k69 Photo by Craig Fritz

All steel beams are now in place for Sandia’s new Power Sources Capability building. Sandia engineers research, design and produce power sources that are critical to the nuclear deterrence mission in spaces that require unique controls, such as dehumidified rooms. The new building, on track for completion in 2028, will allow all power source work to happen under one roof instead of the four separate buildings currently needed. Learn more at bit.ly/4tiueQl Photo by Craig Fritz

Workers marked a major milestone on the new Power Sources Capability building, one of Sandia’s largest construction projects of the past decade, with the installation of the final beam and completion of the building’s steel structure. The new building, on track for completion in 2028, will allow all power source work to happen under one roof instead of the four separate buildings currently needed. Learn more at bit.ly/4tiueQl Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia’s Power Sources Capabilities team is responsible for power research and development, design, production and surveillance for power sources, which are critical to the nuclear deterrence mission. The team is getting a new facility that will allow all power source work to happen under one rood instead of four separate buildings currently needed. In the photo, a Sandia technologist works on a thin film thermal battery as his colleague performs quality assurance checks. Learn more at bit.ly/4tiueQl Photo by Craig Fritz

Deputy Labs directors, from left, David Gibson, Deborah Frincke and Rita Gonzales along with Labs Director Laura McGill heard employees’ perspectives on working at Sandia and answered questions during the Employee Experience Town Hall on April 15, 2026, in Steve Schiff Auditorium. Photo by Craig Fritz

The 2026 Federal Laboratory Consortium awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer recognized Sandia and its partners for helping grow New Mexico’s quantum future. “New Mexico has a strong history of being a crucial player in world-changing technology development,” Sandia quantum business development lead Jake Douglass said. “The field of quantum science is at an inflection point and New Mexico is the place to be to realize the impact of these emerging technologies.” In the photo, students learn the basics of quantum physics and its impact on computing at Sandia’s QCamp. Learn more at bit.ly/495lDrW Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia manager Don Gillich doesn’t claim to be a world-class runner, but his consistency and focus have helped him run 59 marathons. “The marathon is a tough distance. It will never be easy,” Don said. “But the hardest part is getting to the start line.” He brings the same determination to his work at the Labs, where he leads R&D teams to improve early warning systems to potential threats. Don hopes to inspire those around him and encourages others to pursue goals outside their comfort zones. “I always ask my team, ‘What’s the hard thing you can do next?’” Learn more at bit.ly/4vDnLRJ Photo by Craig Fritz

After months of studying, quizzing and memorizing facts and formulas, winners have emerged from this year’s DOE Regional Science Bowl competitions in New Mexico. For the third time in four years, a team from Los Alamos High School was the victor in the high school competition on March 7. Learn more at bit.ly/3PZUakJ Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia researchers developed a new test to identify PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in just five minutes. Typical tests can take hours to days to detect the chemicals, which can move through soil and into water sources. The new solution, which uses an adsorbent about the size of a Rice Krispies treat, could allow regulators to quickly track PFAS in the environment. Learn more at bit.ly/4sedf0S Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia researchers developed a faster, cheaper method to detect PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in water sources in as little as five minutes. Traditional processes are costly and time-consuming, slowing research and making testing too expensive for many people. An adsorbent particle containing the analyte of interest is sprayed with charged droplets which splash off the surface and are captured by a metal tube and carried into a mass spectrometer for analysis. Learn more at bit.ly/4sedf0S Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia senior scientist Igal Brener was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Now a prolific innovator and expert in ultrafast lasers and manipulating light with advanced materials, Igal originally launched his career in the bustling world of industry where he found work as a chip designer. Despite early success, he chose to advance his education, leading to his work at Sandia where he has made pioneering contributions to semiconductor physics, terahertz science and nanophotonics. Learn more at bit.ly/4br98r1 Photo by Craig Fritz

Chad Monthan, senior manager of Sandia Transportation Safeguards and Surety, presents various delayed access devices to NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Deputy Administrator Matthew Napoli during his tour of Sandia Feb. 25, 2026. Hosted by leadership in Global Security, Napoli toured the Mobile Vault Staging Area, Counterfeit Detection Center and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Lab, and received briefings on Sandia’s work in space, microelectronics and more. Photo by Craig Fritz

From left, Associate Labs Director Jeff Heath briefs Col. Justin Secrest, commander of the 377th Air Base Wing Kirtland Air Force Base, and NNSA Sandia Field Office Deputy Manager David Pugh, during a tour of the Labs on Feb. 27. They toured facilities such as the Emergency Operations Center, Z machine, the Neutron Generator Enterprise and the Weapons Display Area. They also received briefings on hypersonics, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovations and more. Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia Fellow Keith Matzen dedicated 51 years to advancing fusion science at Sandia. His work transforming the Z Facility positioned the Labs as a global leader in pulsed power. As he retires, he leaves a legacy of mentorship and pushing the boundaries of science. Learn more at bit.ly/4lXI0VF Photo by Craig Fritz

Sandia’s Cyber Residency Program, inspired by medical school residencies, is training and retaining cybersecurity experts. The program offers a hands-on learning experience for cyber defenders right out of college and for Sandia employees who want to transition into cybersecurity. Learn more at bit.ly/3Pem6B5 Photo by Craig Fritz