July 14, 2008
Design changes enable new applications for atomic clocks with decrease in size, power
A miniature atomic clock (MAC), designed to replace currently used atomic clocks with an easily portable device, has been demonstrated by a research team from the Symmetricom Technology Realization Center, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, and Sandia. At 15 cubic centimeters, the MAC is about the volume of a small matchbox, consumes only 115 milliwatts of power, and can run off two AA batteries for more than 24 hours.
Contact: Michael Padilla, mjpadil@sandia.gov
Production of transportation fuel from cellulose featured by Joint BioEnergy Institute
A partnership of three national laboratories and three research universities began work at a new Department of Energy bioenergy research center in the San Francisco Bay Area in mid-April. Known as the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), it is expected to receive $135 million in DOE funding over its first five years, primarily for research in lignocellulose biofuels.
http://jbei.lbl.gov/index.html and http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/sample.cgi/acbcct/2008/3/i01/pdf/cb700267s.pdf
Sandia awarded two cellulosic biofuel projects
Pacific Ethanol - This project establishes a demonstration cellulosic biorefinery that produces ethanol. Sandia researchers will be responsible for optimizing enzyme “cocktails” and developing biomass pretreatment methodologies for a biorefinery located in Oregon.
http://www.pacificethanol.net/site/index.php/news/news_article/285/
DSM International - This project focuses on the development and commercialization of advanced enzymes for the cellulosic ethanol industry. Sandia researchers will assist DSM in characterization of these enzymes.
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/02/27/3294013.htm
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/22361
March 31, 2008
Refurbished Z continues its march into the future
Sandia's Z facility’s upgrade was completed late last year after a six-year effort that cost $90 million. It will take several more months to complete system testing at gradually increasing energies and to optimize experimental conditions for the research areas explored at the facility.
http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews/080314.html#two
Sandia works to detect radioactive materials
Sandia's SMART (Sensor for Measurement and Analysis of Radiation Transients) system detects and identifies radioactive material located within a few meters of the sensor.
http://www.sandia.gov/news/publications/fact/index.html
Sandia leads three-year alliance with companies interested in nanoparticle coatings, films
At the truly tiny scale of nanoparticles, attractions and repulsions among atoms and molecules often overwhelm the more ordinary forces at play in the larger-scale world.
http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews/080314.html#one
January 9, 2008
Nuclear weapons program highlights challenges, change in store for Sandia
Sandia is working closely with NNSA to define the 21st century nuclear weapons complex and to clarify Sandia’s role for the future.
http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews/ln01-04-08/labnews01-04-08.pdf (page 6)
Sandia FARM team takes antenna/RCS measurement capabilities to the big leagues
Sandia’s Facility for Antenna and RCS Measurement (FARM), in a remote locale near Sandia’s solar tower complex, is up and running full bore after a yearlong renovation and upgrade project.
http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews/ln01-04-08/labnews01-04-08.pdf (page 7)
Hydrogen and Helium Isotopes in Materials Conference at Sandia Feb. 6-7
This conference brings together researchers working on issues such as the optical, mechanical, electrical properties of materials, surface/interfacial phenomenon, thin film properties, bulk properties, helium retention/helium release from materials, and aging effects on materials.
November 26, 2007
Stronger than steel
Sandia engineers test composite repair patches on an Albuquerque road.
Sandia to help NRC license new generation of nuclear power plants
Sandia supports the NRC in its regulatory capacity in licensing new US nuclear power plants.
R&D Magazine names mode-filtered fiber amplifier Most Enabling New Technology of 2007
Amplifier named new de facto standard for power scaling of pulsed and continuous- wave fiber lasers and amplifiers.
October 15, 2007
Neutron scatter camera provides a new way to look at radiation
A neutron scatter camera being developed at Sandia/California offers a new way to detect radiation.
Sandia co-hosts the International Security Conference
The 15th International Security Conference in Singapore brings together energy policy, technology and industry leaders to examine goals for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.
LDRD stars illuminate their work
Sandia honors Laboratory Directed Research and Development stars at a recent event.
September 13 , 2007
Science Fair students get hands-on Labs experience (pdf)
Nineteen Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) students spent two weeks at the Labs this summer in a special internship program. The program was part of an effort to reach out to talented high school students.
EESAT 2007-Electrical Energy Storage Applications & Technologies Conference set
Sandia-sponsored Electrical Energy Storage Applications and Technologies Conferences (EESAT), set for Sept. 27 – 29 in San Francisco, provides a forum for the dissemination of papers with specific emphasis on the latest technological developments in the use of electricity storage for the power industry.
Sandia sponsors NAMBE: Molecular Beam Epitaxy Conference and Workshop
The NAMBE annual conference, scheduled for Sept. 23-26 in Albuquerque, is devoted to both fundamental and applied research in the field of MBE.
August 22, 2007
RedTeam2007 prepares security professionals for IT battles ahead.
The REDTEAM2007 conference is scheduled for Aug. 28-30, 2007, at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC. More information.
Radiation detection on the high seas
Radiation detection at sea is, in a sense, uncharted territory. While much research has been done detecting radiation on land, the sea presents an entirely different environment. More information.
FEMA, Sandia announce new integrated public alert and warning capability
In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Sandia is designing and deploying a pilot alert and warning system that will provide a means to ensure effective public communications during a federal, state, or local emergency. More information.
August 6, 2007
Computer models helping resolve conflicts over water
Sandia researchers are using computer models to simulate the complex interrelationships among water surface flows, groundwater dynamics, and demands and rights. To develop each model, the researchers work alongside local authorities, water users, and decision makers as part of a process known as computer-aided dispute resolution (CADRe).
More information.
Coyote Spring and Greystone Manor offer glimpse of history
Before there was a Sandia Labs, before there was a Kirtland Air Force Base, there was Coyote Springs and Greystone Manor. A small community grew up around the springs, which is now within the Sandia Coyote Canyon test site area. Because of the purported healing qualities of the spring's waters, it was a popular spot for health seekers and tourists.
More information (PDF).
Fuel energy and water showcase open house Aug. 15
Sandia researchers will display new fuel and water systems technologies at Sandia Aug. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. Technologies range from the latest in wind blade technology, a geothermal drilling tool, boiling water reactor experimentation results of a reactor fuel rod assembly fire, various solar technology apparatus and more.
July 3 , 2007
Sandia receives five R&D Awards
Sandia has received five R&D 100 Awards, given annually
by R&D Magazine to the year’s most technologically
significant new products. The awards are for Pulsed Arrested
Spark Discharge, ElectroNeedle, Mode-Filtered Fiber Amplifier,
Rapid Self-Assembly Process to Engineer Optical and Electrical
Nanocrystal Films, and Novint 3D Haptics Technology Software.
Arsenic removal experiment at Casa Angelica
Casa Angelica, a home for developmentally disabled children
and young adults in Albuquerque’s South Valley, is the site
of an innovative Sandia water treatment system known as “in
tank filtration,” designed to remove arsenic from drinking
water.
2007 Student Symposium
Numerous student interns (technical, business and administrative),
Sandia employees and contractors will present at the 2007 Student
Symposium and career fair Tuesday, Aug. 7. Interns will give
a presentation of the work they have accomplished during their
internship — oral presentations by seniors and above
and poster presentations by juniors and below.
May 29, 2007
New technologies to deter counterfeit currency
Liz Holmes, a Sandia computational materials scientist, served as part of a group that helped identify potential new currency features that will use 21st-century materials and technology to help deter counterfeiting.
Nanoscience and computer modeling come to the aid of MEMS-scale engineering
At the micro scale, Sandia has pioneered a number of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) innovations. At the nano scale, as researchers expand their understanding of the science and learn to take advantage of nano’s unique properties, the opportunities for innovation are limitless: increased energy efficiency, improved healthcare, and enhanced national security are only the beginning.
Safety Fair at Sandia June 7
Sandia’s Safety Fair presents personal safety services that some people may not know are available, both internal and external to Sandia. The intent of the fair is to extend safety culture to people of all ages at work, at home, and at play.
April 25 , 2007
Rapid-fire pulse brings Sandia Z method closer to goal of high-yield fusion reactor
An electrical circuit that should carry enough power to produce the long-sought goal of controlled high-yield nuclear fusion and, equally important, do it every 10 seconds, has undergone extensive preliminary experiments and computer simulations at Sandia's Z machine facility.
Future Weapons "Massive Attack"
Discovery show "Future Weapons" featuring the
Electromagnetic Rail gun, aired last week and is scheduled to
run again May 1. The show will run several times in May.
Environmental photographers (PDF, page 6)
Wind turbines, building demolition, curious birds, and rusty
bolts took the awards in the annual Sandia Site Environmental
Report photo contest.
April 3 , 2007
Sandia scientists featured in the New Mexico edition
of DragonFlyTV — preview at New Mexico Natural History
Museum and Explora April 14
KNME-TV 5 (PBS) premiers DragonFly TV episode featuring local
youth and profiles Sandia scientists Sandra Begay Campbell
and Cheryl Ghanbari. More info: call KNME at 277-8296, the
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science at 505-841-2845.
Energy, water closely linked, DOE report to Congress says
The US should begin looking at energy and water needs as one issue so that each resource can be sustained in the future. That is the crux of findings of a report recently submitted to Congress by DOE. Sandia was in charge of writing the report.
Swarmy the robot: An innovative solution to cleanup in tight spaces
Swarmy the robot will successfully complete its sludge-removing mission in Tech Area 5 this week, solving a potentially expensive and logistically difficult cleanup problem inexpensively and innovatively..
March 19, 2007
National Hydrogen Association (NHA) Annual Hydrogen Conference in San Antonio March 19-22
The Sandia-sponsored Hydrogen-from-Renewables Pavilion will
include some of the 90 exhibitors expected at the largest
and longest running annual U.S. hydrogen conference in the
world.
Global nuclear detonation detection system keeps watch on the world 24/7/365
The next time a nuclear detonation occurs in space or in Earth’s atmosphere, enlisted men and women in US Air Force ground stations will be the first to know.
Energy, water closely linked, DOE report to Congress
The US should begin looking at energy and water needs as one issue so that each resource can be sustained in the future. That is the crux of findings of a report recently submitted to Congress by DOE, with Sandia taking charge of writing the report.
March 1 , 2007
FLC awards
The Federal Laboratory Consortium has selected three Sandia nominees as recipients of the 2007 Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer. They include: Novint’s 3D Haptic Technology Software, Advent's Solar Breakthrough Back-Contact Photovoltaic Cell Design and Fabrication Process; and Jess®, the Rule Engine for the JavaTM Platform.
Determining wind turbine efficiency
Throughout most regions of the U.S. and in other places around the world, wind turbines are being used with increasing frequency to generate electricity. As power utilities gear up to generate this environmentally friendly form of energy, engineers are working to determine the efficiency and health of the turbines.
There’s gold (plating) in them thar hills (of Livermore)!
Often, it’s the things behind the scenes that are crucial, like the airbags hidden beneath the dashboard in your car or the hydrogen getter that keeps your waterproof flashlight from exploding. The Center 8700 materials manufacturing labs have been in the business of making hidden — yet essential — devices since Sandia has been in Livermore.