ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories researchers Hope Michelsen and Jeff Tsao have been elected fellows of the Optical Society. Michelsen was elected for pioneering contributions to the fundamental understanding of laser-radiation interactions with soot particles through laser-induced incandescence, absorption and scattering, and using laser-induced incandescence to assess environmental impacts of carbonaceous particle. Tsao was […]
Author Archives: Michael Padilla
New engine optics to fuel future research
November 3, 2017 – 5:00 am
Sandia team develops optical diagnostic that helps improve fuel economy while reducing emissions A new optical device at Sandia National Laboratories that helps researchers image pollutants in combusting fuel sprays might lead to clearer skies in the future. An optical setup developed by researchers at Sandia’s Combustion Research Facility and the Technical University of Denmark […]
Back to the Canyon
October 19, 2017 – 5:00 am
Sandia Labs team continues to quantify fatigue using wearables LIVERMORE, Calif. – Can fatigue be predicted? Can life-threatening fatigue be differentiated from recoverable fatigue? A team of researchers led by Sandia National Laboratories is seeking answers to these questions through the Rim-to-Rim Wearables at the Canyon for Health, or R2R WATCH, study, a collaboration with […]
Cool flames for better engines
October 12, 2017 – 5:00 am
Sandia researchers use Direct Numerical Simulations to enhance combustion efficiency and reduce pollution in diesel engines LIVERMORE, Calif. — A “cool flame” may sound contradictory, but it’s an important element of diesel combustion — one that, once properly understood, could enable better engine designs with higher efficiency and fewer emissions. Sandia National Laboratories mechanical engineer […]
Radiation analysis software makes emergency responders’ jobs quicker, easier
September 5, 2017 – 5:00 am
InterSpec helps decision-makers determine source, type, amount of radiation in real time LIVERMORE, Calif. — When law enforcement officers and first responders arrive at an emergency involving radiation, they need a way to swiftly assess the situation to keep the public and environment safe. Having analysis tools that can quickly and reliably make sense of […]
World’s smallest neutrino detector finds big physics fingerprint
August 3, 2017 – 12:15 pm
Sandia part of COHERENT experiment to measure coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering LIVERMORE, California — Sandia National Laboratories researchers have helped solve a mystery that has plagued physicists for 43 years. Using the world’s smallest neutrino detector, the Sandia team was among a collaboration of 80 researchers from 19 institutions and four nations that discovered compelling […]
Optimizing hydrogen-powered passenger ferries focus of Sandia Labs study
July 13, 2017 – 5:15 am
LIVERMORE, California — Maritime transportation has emerged as one solution to the traffic gridlock that plagues coastal cities. But with urban passenger ferries operating in sensitive environments and tourist areas, hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger ferries offer a quiet, zero-emission alternative to conventional diesel vessels. In its San Francisco Bay Renewable Energy Electric Vessel with Zero […]
Finding a molecular needle in a haystack
June 26, 2017 – 9:20 am
Sandia Labs creates better ‘fingerprints’ to detect elusive, valuable chemical compounds LIVERMORE, Calif. — Imagine being able to see the entire Statue of Liberty and a small ant on its nose simultaneously. The drastic difference in size between the two objects would seem to render this task impossible. On a molecular level, this is exactly […]
Sandia’s California site recognizes innovative Livermore teachers
June 14, 2017 – 7:20 am
LIVERMORE, Calif. — Teachers are no strangers to surprising their students, but in late April, the tables were turned on Livermore teachers Fenna Gatty and Gretchen Reynolds. In front of their students and colleagues, they were surprised as the winners of the Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the Livermore Valley Education Foundation and Sandia […]
Overcoming the trust barrier in nuclear weapons verification measurements
June 6, 2017 – 5:00 am
Sandia method supports real-time warhead verification without revealing design data LIVERMORE, Calif. — Trust but verify. The catchphrase for arms control popularized by President Ronald Reagan sounds simple. However, verification involving sensitive data is a very complex endeavor. Verifying that a nuclear warhead actually is a warhead may include confirming key attributes. But the act […]
Sandia recognizes top female high school students in math, science in northern California
May 16, 2017 – 10:30 am
Mentorship emerged as theme for this year’s program LIVERMORE, Calif. – Female scholars from the junior class from San Francisco Bay Area high schools recently gathered at Sandia’s California site for the 26th annual Sandia Math and Science Awards. The Sandia Math and Science Awards program recognizes high-achieving young women for their accomplishments in STEM […]
Reversing the curse
May 3, 2017 – 2:05 pm
Sandia develops math techniques to improve computational efficiency in quantum chemistry LIVERMORE, Calif. – Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed new mathematical techniques to advance the study of molecules at the quantum level. Mathematical and algorithmic developments along these lines are necessary for enabling the detailed study of complex hydrocarbon molecules that are relevant […]
Big changes from a small package for hydrogen storage
February 24, 2017 – 11:21 am
Sandia researchers use confined nanoparticles to improve hydrogen storage materials performance LIVERMORE, Calif. — Sometimes, you have to go small to win big. That is the approach a multilab, interdisciplinary team took in using nanoparticles and a novel nanoconfinement system to develop a method to change hydrogen storage properties. This discovery could enable the creation […]
Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hikers provide data for Sandia study of health, performance
January 4, 2017 – 5:00 am
LIVERMORE, Calif. – It takes a special type of person to hike from one rim of the Grand Canyon to the other in a single day. These motivated, resilient athletes now are helping researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico (UNM) to collect and study biometric data to determine if declines […]
Spray Combustion Consortium formed to improve engine design
December 21, 2016 – 10:58 am
Sandia spearheads three-year industry-funded agreement LIVERMORE, Calif. – Sandia National Laboratories has formed an industry-funded Spray Combustion Consortium to better understand fuel injection by developing modeling tools. Control of fuel sprays is key to the development of clean, affordable fuel-efficient engines. Intended for industry, software vendors and national laboratories, the consortium provides a direct path […]