Publications

Abstract not provided.

This bulletin discusses the following: decontamination of polluted water by using a photocatalyst to convert ultraviolet energy into electrochemical energy capable of destroying organic waste and removing toxic metals; monitoring oil spills with SAR by collecting data in digital form, processing the data, and creating digital images that are recorded for post-mission viewing and processing; revitalization of a solar industrial process heat system which uses parabolic troughs to heat water for foil production of integrated circuits; and an electronic information system, EnviroTRADE (Environmental Technologies for Remedial Actions Data Exchange) for worldwide exchange of environmental restoration and waste management information.

This publication presents information from Sandia laboratories concerning developments in the following areas: a miniaturized sensor system for the testing and analysis of hazardous wastes;a cross-well seismic receiver for petroleum deposit detection; and computer codes for designing dish-stirling sytems.

The Planning and Staff Support of the Sandia National Laboratories publishes a monthly bulletin titled, Energy and Environment. The bulletin facilitates technology exchange with industries, universities, and with other government agencies. This bulletin is for the month of April 1992 and covers such things as new methods of soldering which reduces environmental threats by avoiding chlorofluorocarbon solvents. Some technologies developed are soldering in controlled atmospheres, acid-vapor soldering, and laser soldering. Another topic in this bulletin is the designing of catalysts of chemical reactions by computers. Biomimetic catalysts are being created by Computer-Aided Molecular Design. These biomimetic catalysts can aid in fuel conversion. In-situ remediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals was another topic in this bulletin. This in-situ process is called, electrokinetic remediation. It uses electrodes to induce a metal-attracting electric field in the ground. The last topic in this bulletin is the design of a semiconductor bridge (SCB) which is used to improve the timing and effectiveness of blasting. Timing and accuracy is important; and the blasting industry is no exception. This SCB gives a low-energy pulse which causes a doped region on a polysilicon substrate into a bright plasma. This plasma discharge causes the ignition and produces an accurate explosion in microseconds. (MB)

Sandia is a government-owned, contractor-operated national laboratory that AT&T has operated on a no-profit, no-fee basis since 1949. We have been an integral part of the nuclear weapons program, providing total concept-to-retirement engineering for every warhead and bomb in the nuclear weapon stockpile. We are proud of our contributions to national security. Our scientific and engineering skills, our facilities, and our experience have benefited not only the nuclear weapons program but have also contributed significantly to their areas of national security, including conventional defense, energy, and industrial competitiveness. Likewise, these capabilities position us well to continue a tradition of exceptional service in the national service in the national interest. Sandia is a multiprogram national laboratory with mission responsibilities in nuclear weapons, arms control and verification, energy and environment, and technology transfer. Our work for the DOE Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs constitutes 50% of the laboratory`s effort. Sandia`s arms control, verification, and related intelligence and security programs, funded by DOE and by other agencies constitute the largest aggregation of such work at any facility in the world. We also support DOE with technology development -- in particular, specialized robotics and waste characterization and treatment processes to assist in the cleanup of contaminated sites. Research and development to support the National Energy Strategy is another substantial laboratory activity. Sandia`s successful developments in renewable, nuclear, and fossil energy technologies have saved the country billions of dollars in energy supply and utilization. Technology transfer is conducted across all Sandia programs.

A brief overview of selected programs at Sandia is presented. This issue contains high-lights on the following: Reducing risk in nuclear reactors; energy and environment news in brief; eliminating bottlenecks in plastics recycling; new technologies remedy old waste problems; new technologies remedy old waste problems; safe disposal of military components; and heat pipes for stirling engine testing.

This document presents recent accomplishments in engineering and science at Sandia National Laboratories. Commercial-scale parabolic troughs at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility are used for such applications as heating water, producing steam for industrial processes, and driving absorption air conditioning systems. Computerized-aided design, superconductor technology, radar imaging, soldering technology, software development breakthroughs are made known. Defense programs are exhibited. And microchip engineering applications in test chips, flow sensors, miniature computers, integrated circuits, and microsensors are presented.