April 08 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine

Problem-solving ace

Finding solutions is researcher's joy

Dipen Sinha of Sensors and Electromechanical Devices. Photo by Dixon Wolf

The position of "problem solver" is not officially listed on Dipen Sinha's curriculum vitae, but a quick look at his credentials leaves no doubt that it's an apt description.

The recipient of numerous awards for his sensor work, Sinha of Sensors and Electromechanical Devices (MP-11) is the principal investigator in two crucial national energy security projects between Chevron Corporation and the Laboratory: noninvasive multiphase flow metering and acoustic reservoir imaging.

"Anyone in any field can come up to me with a technical problem, and if it is challenging enough and fun enough, I want to learn about that new field and solve that problem," said Sinha. "And I believe every problem has a solution. It may be a difficult solution, but there is a solution."

This attitude has drawn a diverse set of patrons—from medical doctors to geologists—to Sinha's door, a situation he finds invigorating. "When they give me a problem to solve, they don't realize they've done me a favor," he explained.

Some of Sinha's inventions for industry—Chevron in particular—include a solids flow sensor, which noninvasively detects sand in an oil bore; a device for ultrasonic imaging of particulate matter, which may revolutionize the detection of debris in oil pipelines; and an acoustic flashlight that uses sound waves like a light beam to create images underground (developed in collaboration with Cristian Pantea of MP-11).

The atmosphere at Los Alamos, unlike that at a university or a company, allows exposure to so many diverse research areas, noted Sinha. "It's one of the joys of working here," he said.

Always contemplating more challenges, Sinha said his new fascination is how to mimic nature's functionality with modern or newly invented materials. "Real-life problems are so incredibly challenging and fun," he said. "They are very, very hard, but they still must be solved, because people need solutions. If life depends on it, we will come up with a solution."

-Karen Kippen