ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When people are in the early stages of an undiagnosed disease, immediate tests that lead to treatment are the best first steps. But a blood draw — usually performed by a medical professional armed with an uncomfortably large needle — might not be quickest, least painful or most effective method, according to […]
Category Archives: Homeland security
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Friendly electromagnetic pulse improves survival for electronics
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, emitted by a nuclear weapon exploded high above the United States could disable the electronic circuits of many devices vital to military defense and modern living. These could include complicated weapon systems as well as phones, laptops, credit cards and car computers. Also in trouble might be […]
Responders provide technical expertise in case of nuclear weapons accidents
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Decades ago, technical experts from the national labs responded in an ad hoc manner to accidents involving nuclear weapons, called “broken arrows.” Thirty-two such accidents have occurred since the 1950s, so the Accident Response Group was created about five decades ago to provide technical expertise in assessing and safely resolving nuclear weapons […]
Large supercrystals promise superior sensors
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Using an artful combination of nanotechnology and basic chemistry, Sandia National Laboratories researchers have encouraged gold nanoparticles to self-assemble into unusually large supercrystals that could significantly improve the detection sensitivity for chemicals in explosives or drugs. “Our supercrystals have more sensing capability than regular spectroscopy instruments currently in use, just like a […]
Exploring Arctic clues to secure future with new Sandia, university partnership
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Arctic is undergoing rapid change, with sea ice melting and temperatures rising at a faster pace than anywhere else in the world. Its changing environment affects global security, politics, the economy and the climate. Understanding these changes is crucial for shaping and safeguarding U.S. security in the future, Sandia scientists say. […]
HADES creates alternate reality to mislead hackers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky once postulated that the devil no longer uses fire and brimstone but instead simply tells you what you want to hear. Sandia National Laboratories cyber researchers go with that second option when it comes to foiling a hacker. Rather than simply blocking a discovered intruder, Vince Urias, Will […]
Sandia’s international peer mentorship program improves biorisk management
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The world is becoming increasingly interconnected. While this has definite advantages, it also makes it easier to spread disease. Many diseases don’t produce symptoms for days or weeks, far longer than international flight times. For example, Ebola has an incubation period of two to 21 days. Improving biosafety practices around the world […]
Cleaning up subways: Sandia’s 20-year mission to stop anthrax in its tracks
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — If you’re like most people, you don’t spend much time thinking about what would happen if anthrax was released into your local subway system. Luckily, Sandia National Laboratories engineer Mark Tucker has spent much of the past 20 years thinking about incidents involving chemical or biological warfare agents, and the best ways […]
Scintillating discovery at Sandia Labs
Bright thinking leads to breakthrough in nuclear threat detection science LIVERMORE, Calif. — Taking inspiration from an unusual source, a Sandia National Laboratories team has dramatically improved the science of scintillators — objects that detect nuclear threats. According to the team, using organic glass scintillators could soon make it even harder to smuggle nuclear materials […]
Overcoming the trust barrier in nuclear weapons verification measurements
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 adds augmented reality to training toolbox
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When you hear the term “serious gaming” you might envision professional eSports competitors gearing up for a League of Legends World Championship in front of tens of thousands of live fans and tens of millions of streaming fans. At Sandia National Laboratories, serious gaming means something else entirely. Experts on physical security […]
Designing diagnostic labs that are safe, specific and sustainable
Sandia develops new method of designing high-quality public health labs faster ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An outbreak is like a wildfire; the sooner it’s caught, the easier it is to fight, said Vips Halkjaer-Knudsen, a lab design expert at Sandia National Laboratories. To detect an outbreak early — whether Ebola, Zika or influenza — healthcare workers […]
Aircraft inspectors have new Sandia course to help detect composite material damage
Sandia offers first class to industry to improve inspection of solid-laminates ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As manufacturers build more wings, fuselages and other major commercial aircraft parts out of solid-laminate composite materials, Sandia National Laboratories has shown that aircraft inspectors need training to better detect damage in these structures. So the Airworthiness Assurance Center — operated […]
Radiation security team from Sandia works behind the scenes at events to protect public
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Richard Stump has been to five Super Bowls and hasn’t seen a single pass, run or touchdown. Stump works security — a very special kind of security — at large public events. He’s a senior scientist on Sandia National Laboratories’ Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team. He, along with several other technical members […]
Cleaning concrete contaminated with chemicals
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In March 1995, members of a Japanese cult released the deadly nerve agent sarin into the Tokyo subway system, killing a dozen people and injuring a thousand more. This leads to the question: What if a U.S. transportation hub was contaminated with a chemical agent? The hub might be shut down for […]