ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In the high desert of Nevada, Elizabeth Silber watched NASA’s Sample Return Capsule from OSIRIS-REx descend into Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday, but unlike most scientists, she wasn’t there for the asteroid rocks. Silber, a physicist at Sandia National Laboratories, is working with researchers from Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, the Defense […]
Author Archives: Kristen Meub
Beyond Bennu: How OSIRIS-REx is helping scientists study the sonic signature of meteoroids
September 25, 2023 – 5:00 am
Testing new technology and research on orbit
August 28, 2023 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Industry can develop new computer chips and other potential satellite payload components more quickly than national labs can test and integrate them into satellites that must meet strict security and space-readiness standards. This can create a lag in using the latest technology for national security space systems. A Sandia National Laboratories team […]
Detecting threats beyond the limits of human, sensor sight
July 20, 2023 – 9:14 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Remember what it’s like to twirl a sparkler on a summer night? Hold it still and the fire crackles and sparks but twirl it around and the light blurs into a line tracing each whirl and jag you make. A new patented software system developed at Sandia National Laboratories can find the curves […]
Sandia weapons systems engineering director honored by NNSA, Air Force and Navy
June 9, 2022 – 9:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Jim Handrock, Sandia National Laboratories’ director of New Mexico weapons systems engineering, received a series of awards and commendations from the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Air Force and Navy recognizing his leadership, expertise and service to the nation during a celebration at Sandia on May 4. The celebration, held on Kirtland […]
Build-a-satellite program could fast track national security space missions
June 8, 2022 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Satellites equipped with remote sensing technology execute many critical national security missions, from detecting explosions to tracking sea ice, but until now it could take a team years to move from a concept to a deployable space system. Valhalla, a Python-based performance modeling framework developed at Sandia National Laboratories, uses high-performance computing […]
Major milestone for B61-12 life extension program
February 2, 2022 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories marked a major milestone when the Nuclear Security Enterprise successfully produced the first completely refurbished bomb for the B61-12 life extension program in November 2021. “This is the first complete unit built with nuclear and non-nuclear components that has been fully qualified from the ground up,” said David Wiegandt, […]
Cleared for takeoff
June 15, 2021 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 30-year program that made flying safer through continued innovations in airplane inspection, maintenance and airworthiness research has ended its tenure at Sandia National Laboratories. The Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Assurance Center, or AANC, operated by Sandia for the FAA, is moving to the National Institute of Aviation Research at Wichita State […]
Sandia radiation expert to lead national health physics organization
February 24, 2021 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Charles Potter, a certified health physicist at Sandia National Laboratories, was elected president of the American Academy of Health Physics, an organization that supports certified health physicists and the profession’s certification process. Potter previously served as the organization’s parliamentarian for three years, and as president, he plans to update and streamline the […]
Carbon fiber optimized for wind turbine blades could bring cost, performance benefits
January 14, 2021 – 9:44 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A new carbon fiber material could bring cost and performance benefits to the wind industry if developed commercially, according to a study led by researchers at Sandia National Laboratories. Wind blades containing carbon fiber weigh 25% less than ones made from traditional fiberglass materials. That means carbon fiber blades could be longer […]
Sandia to put nuclear waste storage canisters to the test
December 9, 2020 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories is outfitting three 22.5-ton, 16.5-feet-long stainless-steel storage canisters with heaters and instrumentation to simulate nuclear waste so researchers can study their durability. The three canisters, which arrived in mid-November and have never contained any nuclear materials, will be used to study how much salt gathers on canisters over time. […]
Global security and cooperation leader recognized by NNSA for leadership, service
December 3, 2020 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Rodney Wilson, former director of Sandia’s Center for Global Security and Cooperation, received the National Nuclear Security Administration Administrator’s Distinguished Service Gold Award in recognition of his leadership and service to advance NNSA programs. The plaque, signed by former Administrator Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, recognized Wilson’s contributions to programs focused on improving the […]
Hispanic organization honors nuclear waste management leader, cyber assurance architect
October 15, 2020 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Two experts at Sandia National Laboratories have been honored for their achievements and leadership as top engineers and scientists from the Hispanic community. Evaristo “Tito” Bonano, nuclear energy fuel cycle senior manager, and cyber assurance architect Angela “Ang” Rivas were recognized at the 32nd annual Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference by […]
How to multitask when nuclear nonproliferation is on the line
September 29, 2020 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New cognitive science research from Sandia National Laboratories shows that while maps can help someone identify landmarks while being escorted, using one also limits situational awareness and knowledge of surroundings not highlighted on the map. This finding is one of several coming from a three-year project that paired cognitive scientists and international […]
Keeping medical workers safe while collecting patient samples during COVID-19
July 6, 2020 – 5:00 am
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories is offering free-of-charge the design and complete instruction manual for building a low-cost, drive-up outdoor shelter that shields healthcare workers conducting COVID-19 testing on its licensing and technology transfer website. Learn more about the outdoor testing shelters and download instructions here. Dr. Cody Saxton of Sandia’s medical team said […]