Download 2012 Labs Accomplishments

This year’s Labs Accomplishments publication recognizessome of Sandia’s best work during 2011, as submitted bycenter offices and selected by division offices. Each citationis followed by the numbers of centers that contributed mostdirectly to the effort described.

An acronym after each accomplishment indicates whichof Sandia’s strategic management units (SMUs) the workmost directly supported. The SMU acronyms are:

NW: Nuclear Weapons SMUDS&A: Defense Systems & Assessments SMUIHNS: International, Homeland, & Nuclear

Security SMUECIS: Energy, Climate, & Infrastructure SMUIMS: Integrated Mission Support SMU

Sandia National LaboratoriesSandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram laboratory operated bySandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp.,for the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews

Albuquerque, N.M. 87185 • Livermore, Calif. 94550Tonopah, Nevada • Nevada Test Site • Amarillo, Texas

Carlsbad, New Mexico • Washington, D.C.

Nuclear weapons engineering . . . . . 3, 4

Weapon security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Remote sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Bioscience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

IT, networks, & facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Computer & information sciences . . . . . 7

Military programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Homeland security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Product realization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Supply chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Partnerships & alliances . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Microelectronics & microsystems . . . . 10

Engineering sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

HR & finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Global security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Infrastructure protection . . . . . . . . . . .11

Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Pulsed power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

ES&H & security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Community involvement, customer relations,

institutional development . . . . . . . . . .15

Governance, leadership, & management .15

Ethics & business conduct . . . . . . . . . 15

Bill Murphy • Lab News EditorDarrick Hurst • Labs Accomplishments Editor

Michael Lanigan • Labs Accomplishments Design & Production

Inside . . .

Sandia post-doctoralfellow Carlee Ashleyintroduces a buffer intoa protocell solution todilute it. Meldingnanotechnology andmedical research, Sandia,the University of NewMexico, and the UNMCancer Research andTreatment Center haveproduced an effectivestrategy that usesnanoparticles to blastcancerous cells with amélange of killer drugs.

On Oct. 25, 2011, NNSA announced that the last B53 nuclear bomb, the oldest weapon in Amer-ica's arsenal and one of the largest in US history, had been dismantled 12 months ahead of sched-ule. A team of Sandia researchers was honored with a Secretarial Achievement Award, which rec-ognizes employees whose performance exceeds the call of duty, for its part in implementing theB53 dismantlement process with strict efficiency and safety standards (see page 3).

The B53 bomb was designed by Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia. After being intro-duced into the stockpile in 1962, the B53 served a key role in America’s nuclear deterrent until itsretirement in 1997. The B53 bomb is one of the longest-lived and highest-yield nuclear weaponsever fielded. Its sheer size and weight provided many challenges for the project team responsiblefor developing a dismantlement program that met NNSA’s rigorous requirements.

Cover photograph by Randy Montoya

Page 2 • Sandia Lab News Sandia National Laboratories

http://www.sandia.gov/LabNews/

Nuclear weapons engineering

The Nuclear Enterprise Assurance (NEA) team establishedthe organizational and procedural basis at Sandia andwithin the Nuclear Security Enterprise for identifying andmitigating cyber and supply chain vulnerabilities. Theeffort established the core integration approach as well asprocesses and tools from the four major Sandia “pillars”including vulnerability analysis, threat analysis, mitigationoptions development, and trusted implementations. TheNEA team also established a key partnership with theKansas City Plant, creating a working group that hasmapped out the combined NEA approach between the twoorganizations. This partnership has provided the basisupon which NNSA is building its NEA approach, withSandia as a key leader in the enterprise-wide effort.Analyses have been completed on select weapon compo-nents, as well as critical Sandia infrastructure in jointefforts with their parent organizations. (2100, 2300, 5600,5900, 1700, 9300, 9500, 2600, 2700) NW

Researchers in the Explosives Technologies Group arevapor-depositing explosives to study detonation behav-ior at sub-millimeter length-scales. Recent work hasshown that the explosive PETN (pentaerythritol tetrani-trate) has a detonation failure thickness roughly the widthof a human hair. Despite the importance of PETN, thiscritical material performance property was unknown

Operating on a compressed schedule and with ongoingchanges in scope, the B61 Life Extension Program (LEP)team completed Phase 6.2 and 6.2A weapon developmentactivities. Major milestones in these activities included thePhase 6.2 design review, Integrated Phase Gates B and C,the Weapons Design and Cost Report (WDCR), and Phase6.2/6.2A report. These activities were delivered onschedule to NNSA and culminated in the requestfor Phase 6.3 authorization to the Nuclear WeaponsCouncil (NWC) in November. (0400, 1100, 1500, 1600,1700, 1800, 2100, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2900, 5300, 5400,5600, 5700, 5900, 6900, 8100, 8200, 8500, 8900, 9500,10600) NW

Dismantlement of the last B53 bomb was safely andsecurely accomplished a year ahead of schedule. Sandiaprovided significant technical contributions to enabledismantlement of the oldest and largest weapon in theUS stockpile, including structural testing and analysis ofthe aged composite material, which provided Pantexwith essential weapon response information to safelymove and dismantle the last two B53 subassemblies. TheB53 Weapon System Dismantlement Team was awardedthe 2011 Secretary of Energy’s Achievement Award.(2111, 412, 432, 433, 431, 411, 421, 1524, 1822, 2132,2913) NW

The upgraded hardware (the large blackcylinder to the right) that permits criticalityexperiments by varying the amount ofwater in the reactor is shown installed onthe Sandia critical assembly in Tech Area 5.

As part of the development of a reactorexperiments training course for theNational Nuclear Security Administra-tion (NNSA), Sandia upgraded the crit-ical assembly (a small nuclear reactor)in Tech Area 5 to permit a new classof experiments. Hardware was designedand installed that allows experiments tosafely approach critical conditions byvarying the amount of water in theassembly. This provides the capability tosimulate a criticality accident caused byflooding, something that is at the heartof many safety analyses for the storageof nuclear material across the DOEenterprise. (1300, 2900) NW

until Sandia developed this novel experimental technique.Research on explosives at these geometries has implica-tions for understanding not only explosive failure, but alsoinitiation and geometrical effects on detonation. (1800,2500) NW

An electrical prototype of the Direct Optical Initiation Fir-ing Set has been successfully demonstrated to be at a Tech-nology Readiness Level 4: prototype validated in a labora-tory environment. Key interface performance requirementswere met using a commercially manufactured laser whosedesign was realized through investments in multipleSandia science and technology areas. The laser and beamconditioning optics represent a major step toward sim-plifying this technology into a manufacturable firingset for a nuclear weapon application. (2600, 1100, 5700,1500, 8100, KCP) NW

Members of Sandia’s B53 Dismantlement Team, who were recently honored with a DOE Secretarial Achievement Award, standbeside a B53 weapon casing in the display yard at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

(Photo by Randy Montoya)

Shown here in a laboratory setting, the direct optical initiationbreadboard test setup employs a commercially manufacturedlaser to create a more simplified firing set.

Photograph of Sandia’s critical thickness experiment used todetermine the thickness at which detonations fail in depositedexplosives. Optical fibers are used to track the position of thedetonation wave. This experiment typically uses less explosivematerial than the size of one-tenth of an aspirin tablet.

Page 3Labs Accomplishments • March 2012

The Weapon Evaluation Test Laboratory executed morethan 1,000 surveillance tests during FY11, including 59weapon system tests, more than doubling recent testrates. This was accomplished while starting up a new sys-tem tester, upgrading several testers, and addressingdeferred test equipment maintenance. Growing demandsfor information continue to increase test complexity, butthe introduction of new capabilities, improved planningtools, and improved process flows enabled this stellar testrecord. The data from these tests contribute to the AnnualAssessment of the stockpile. (2900, 400, 2100, 8200) NW

Sandia explosives researchers have used density functionaltheory (DFT), a quantum mechanical modeling method,to predict the behavior of explosives at extreme pressuresand temperatures. The theoretically derived shock Hugo-niot (including temperature predictions), compressionisotherm, specific heat, and other thermodynamic parame-ters provide knowledge of the full equation of state, some-thing that is often immensely difficult or impossible toachieve empirically. As such, these data are invaluableto the engineering scientists tasked with providingresponsive design, Quantification of Margins & Uncer-tainties, and predictive hydrocode simulations of newexplosive components. (2555, 1443, 1641) NW

The Weapons System Engineering Assessment Technologyprogram has completed the level 2 milestone, OrganicDecomposition and Breach of Safety-Related Sealed Exclu-sion Regions in Abnormal Thermal Environments. Sandiaconcluded and documented the experimental valida-tion of weapon interior breach scenarios resulting fromabnormal thermal environments. These data will be usedto validate modeling of these breaches in fire environmentsresulting from accidents involving nuclear weapons. (8200,1500) NW

Sandia began the Phase 6.2/6.2A Conceptual Design andCost study to develop a replacement arming, fuzing, andfiring (AF&F) system forthe Navy Mk5/W88 reen-try system. The project,known as the W88 Alt.370, has the key missionto develop an AF&F sys-tem suitable for use in theNavy Mk5/W88-0 thatcan also be adapted foruse in the Air ForceMk21/W87 andMk12A/W78-1 life exten-sion programs. Key FY11accomplishmentsinclude the completionof major design tradestudies, establishment ofbaseline requirements,and development of anearly conceptual design.(0200, 2100, 2500, 2600,2900, 5300) NW

This CT scan shows the internal structure of a Sandia-fabricated TTG prototype.

The Tritium Thermoelectric Generator(TTG) team demonstrated a fully inte-grated prototype milliwatt power supplywith a resistive heat source. Several proto-types were built and extensively tested.This completed a significant engineer-ing effort including end-to-end sub-component simulation, prototyping,and testing. Component maturation ison an aggressive schedule and risk isreduced through a combination of engi-neering development, performance andenvironmental testing, materials charac-terization, and multiphysics simulationsinvolving personnel from various centersacross Sandia and from other NNSA sites.(2500, 8200, 1500, 8100, 8300, 8600,1800, KCP, SRL) NW

Weapon securityThe Air Force and its stakeholders engaged Sandia onmany projects this year for the purpose of moresecurely protecting critical assets on military installa-tions worldwide. Sandia provided security analyses,engineering, design, and testing, and oversaw pro-curement and installation of security upgrades. AirForce bases that have received support from Sandiainclude F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, Minot, Whiteman,Kirtland, and six other US and NATO installations.Sandia continues to broaden its reputation and impactin protecting our nation’s most critical assets througha science-based, systems engineering approach tosecurity. (6510) IHNS

On Oct. 27, 2011, the US Navy formally acceptedturnover of operational control of a state-of-the-artwaterfront perimeter security system designed,installed, and thoroughly tested by Sandia. This mile-stone marks the successful completion of the firstphase of a multiyear design and development effortto field a robust, fully integrated high-security sys-tem at high-profile US Navy facilities. For their efforts,the Sandia design team was rewarded with a teamEmployee Recognition Award. (6520) IHNS

The Transportation Safeguards and Surety Programcompleted design qualification of the OPUS Projecthardware, which is in production and scheduled fordeployment in summer 2012. The primary hardwareincludes an Overpack for weapon transportation in theSafeGuards Transporter. The project team receivedNNSA’s Award of Excellence for this innovativesolution for improving the safety, security, andlogistics of the over-the-road transportationoperation for the nation’s containerized nuclearexplosives. (6600) NW

OPUS Overpack.

Members of Weapons Controller Dept. 5351 successfullycompleted the development of advanced arming and fuzingconcepts in collaboration with the Atomic Weapons Estab-lishment of the United Kingdom. This team designed,developed, and produced a subsystem prototype thatdemonstrated key technologies needed for next-genera-tion reentry system controllers. This project helped reducethe risk, time, and cost for the upcoming refurbishments.The new architecture allows a similar controller to be appliedto both Navy and Air Force reentry systems. (5300) NW

Sandia’s Integrated Lifecycle Security (ILS) project developeda methodology and tool set to assess the state of securityacross the nuclear weapon stockpile and to evaluate the effec-tiveness of potential security improvement proposals. ILSwas recently selected by NNSA as the basis for a commonenterprise-wide approach to evaluating stockpile risk.Sandia is now engaging with NNSA, LANL, LLNL, and ele-ments of the DoD to perform a comprehensive security riskassessment, which is intended to inform national weaponspolicy and planning decision makers. (0200, 0400, 2100,5600, 5900, 6600, 8100, 8200) NW

Sandia is continuing its efforts to ensure a sustainableflight test capability at Tonopah Test Range (TTR). In2011, TTR successfully executed 12 flight and groundtests while evaluating opportunities to leverage AirForce capabilities. As part of our effort to improve TTR’soperational model, physical security responsibility wastransferred to the USAF, effective Oct. 1, 2011, at a cost-savings to Sandia of approximately $3 million a year and asecurity footprint reduction of more than 90 percent.(2900, 4200) NW

Following a Senior Management Panel Review of theSandia Weapon Intern Program (WIP) in December 2010,WIP has been restructured to meet current and evolvingnuclear deterrence workforce needs of the nation. The newprogram reduces Sandia interns’ time away from their reg-ular assignment to six months, after which they work on aline project for the next five months. The restructuredprogram has been implemented with the 2012 class,which has participants from eight other nuclear secu-rity enterprise sites, in addition to Sandia/New Mexicoand Sandia/California. (2900) NW

W88 Alt. 370 AF&Fconceptual design.

A B61 flight test.

The Ion Beam Laboratory (IBL) is a successful capital con-struction ($39.6 million) project completed six monthsahead of schedule and $5.5 million under budget. The IBLachieved Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design(LEED®) gold certification for environmental excellenceand a zero-injury safety record. The facility provides capa-bility for performing ion beam irradiations at energies froma few to nearly a billion electron volts. The building wasdesigned to support the equipment so well that significantbenefits of increased space utilization were achieved.(4800, 1100) NW

The W80 test unit in an environmental chamber preparingfor launch simulation on a WETL centrifuge.

B61-11 instrumented test unit and temperature-conditioned ejection rack.

A cross-organization team lead by the Air-craft Compatibility organization success-fully conducted a static ejection test seriesto evaluate structural response environmentson gravity bomb systems from the ejectionrack of a B-2A aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base.The data from this test series will allow Sandiato certify the gravity bomb systems for a newejector cartridge, and for the first time, evalu-ate multiple unknown effects from the ejec-tion rack onto the bombs. (0400, 1500, 2100,2900 and 8200) NW

Sandia National LaboratoriesPage 4 • Sandia Lab News

Zero maintenance, out-of-sight, continuous power isrequired for many remote-sensing applications. To meetthis need, Sandia’s Power Source Technology Groupdeveloped a buried energy harvester that converts diur-nal heat flow through the upper soil layer into electric-ity. The device uses power management circuitry, aerogelinsulation, and more than 5,000 thermoelectric elementsto maximize efficiency and voltage from small temperaturedifferences. One year of continuous field testing confirmedsimulations predicting milliwatts of continuous power.(2500, 1500, 8200, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and MarlowIndustries) DS&A

For nearly 50 years NNSA, its predecessors, and the US AirForce have jointly developed and launched satellite sensorsystems designed to detect atmospheric and space nucleardetonations (NUDETs). On July 16, 2011, the second pay-load of the next-generation sensor systems was launchedon a Global Positioning System satellite. This new genera-tion of sensor systems is designed to significantlyenhance the nation’s ability to monitor nuclear treatycompliance over the entire planet, 24 hours a day, 365days a year. Over the next 10 years, researchers will belaunching 18 more next-gen sensors. (5700, 1500, 1700,1800, 2600, 5300, 5500) DS&A

Sandia has developed new infrared photodetectortechnology that dramatically enhances the sensitivityand resolution of mid-infrared focal-plane arrays usedin tactical and strategic sensors. This achievement isbased on a unique novel device architecture that sup-presses inherent dark current mechanisms and wasenabled by accompanying advances in devices physics andsemiconductor material science. Large-format focal planearrays were recently made at Sandia and demonstrated tovarious interested agencies. The research continues ondeveloping multi-color capability and chip-scale photonicintegration to enable additional functionalities. (1700,1100, 5700) DS&A

Several agencies are developing a Technical Nuclear Foren-sics capability with various measurements to determinetechnical information about a terrorist nuclear weaponthat might be detonated in a city. Yield is an importantparameter that might be determined by comparing mea-sured and simulated signals from optical sensors. A proof-of-concept exercise was completed in which a “red” teamprepared simulated signals from a detonation near MadisonSquare Garden and a “blue” team successfully determinedthe yield and location by varying inputs to Sandia simu-lation tools. (5700, 0200, 6600, 9300) DS&A

Fostering game-changing technical solutions for today’swarfighter, the Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL)Grand Challenge LDRD was successfully completed withnumerous technical achievements and real-world system

demonstrations. Led by Center 5300 with major contribu-tions from Center 1700 and the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign, the TTL Grand Challenge teamauthored novel radio-frequency (RF) communications algo-rithms, produced state-of-the-art MEMS micro-resonators critical for deviceminiaturization, developed newplacement-insensitive andembedded antennas, anddemonstrated both wide-areasearch and high-fidelity locationin a single device. The TTL GrandChallenge generated significantintellectual property and con-tributed to a 2011 R&D 100Award for MEMS microresonatortechnology. Numerous technolo-gies developed by the TTL teamhave propagated into real-worldsolutions across a broad range ofUS government applications.(1700, 5300) DS&A

Funded through the American Recovery and ReinvestmentAct, Sandia completed $5 million in projects at the DOEAtmospheric Radiation Measurement facilities in Alaska,Oklahoma, and Darwin, Australia. Sandia designed anddeveloped climate research instruments and infrastructure,racing to finish installation in Barrow, Alaska, this Septem-ber as North Slope winter weather arrived. Instrumentsinclude a scanning precipitation radar, scanning cloudradar, automatic balloon launcher, high-spectral-resolutionLight Detection And Ranging (LIDAR), and extended rangeatmospheric emitted radiance interferometer. These instru-ments are providing researchers an unprecedented,long-term, three-dimensional view of the arctic andtropical atmospheres. (6900, 8100) ECIS

Remote sensing

An example of a custom thermopile.

An astronaut during Mission 131 pointing through the window on Space Shuttle Atlantis at the Sandia LDRI sensor on theOrbiter Boom Sensor System. (Photo Courtesy NASA)Launch of GPS satellite IIF-2, July 16, 2011.

A Class III UAV outfitted with a Sandia-developed SAR.

MEMS Microresonators

A newly installed X-band scanning ARM precipitation radaroperates from atop the Barrow Arctic Research Center.

Sandia-developed synthetic aperture radars (SAR) arefielded on unmanned aerial vehicles to locate and helpdefeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This systemwas unanimously recommended as a proven counter-IED system by the Department of Defense. The follow-

ing quote demonstrates this system’s impact: “That thingis amazing. I wish we had it from the beginning; a lot ofpeople would still be around right now. I have witnessedtwo occasions… where things could have turned out badand you all saved the day.” (5300) DS&A

Working with NASA, the Sandia LDRI Orbiter Inspection System (LOIS) team provided critical life safety inspections ofthe Space Shuttle on orbit during each flight post Columbia. This specialized capability was developed rapidly to allowNASA to return to flight in support of the International Space Station. The Sandia team was on console in MissionControl Center Houston for all 22 missions including the historic last shuttle mission. The team provided support,yielding perfect mission success. Like all successes, this required great personal sacrifice from the team. (5700) DS&A

Labs Accomplishments • March 2012 Page 5

Materials

The development of nanolasers could enable ultra-compact, low-threshold, and coher-ent light sources for a variety of applications. Nanowires are ideal candidates fornanolasers as they inherently function as a gain media, waveguide, and optical cavity.Sandia researchers have developed a fabrication process for creating optically pumped

gallium nitride (GaN) nanowire UV lasers with precisely controllable diameters. Thesenanowires are found to exhibit single-mode lasing without the need for complexreflective gratings, potentially enabling a new class of nanolasers with ultra-nar-row line widths and low noise. (1100, 1700) ECIS

An array of GaN nanowires.

Single GaN nanowire (top), subthreshold UV emission fromnanowire (middle), above-threshold UV lasing from nanowire ends(bottom).

A new adhesion layer for metallization of silicon substratesusing zinc oxide thin films has been identified. By usingZnO to adhere metal films to silicon substrates, preparationof thin films with unparalleled properties and chemicalhomogeneity has been achieved, owing to greatly enhancedmetal wetting properties. This has resulted in the highestknown dielectric response of a BaTiO3 film and highestferroelectric response of a lead zirconate titanate film onsilicon substrates and may have substantial impacts onpiezoelectric and capacitor applications. (1800) DS&A

Wireless communication systems must operate reliably overa range of temperatures; however, temperature-inducedchanges in material properties can shift the resonant fre-quency and degrade or destroy wireless device performance.Sandia has developed and is patenting a novel materialsapproach to compensate for such temperature effects in mul-tilayer, ceramic-based, 3-D microelectronic circuits. This newtechnology provides nearly constant device operation over awide temperature range. Beyond Sandia’s internal needs,this innovative technology could also benefit radio andmicrowave applications in the wireless communicationindustry. (1800) DS&A

Sandia researchers (Susan Rempe, David Rogers, KevinLeung, and Jeff Brinker), along with colleagues at the Uni-versity of New Mexico (Ying-Bing Jiang) received a 2011R&D100 Awardfor developing anovel class ofdesalinationmembranes thatmark a significantimprovementover reverseosmosis (RO)membranes. Thenanoporous mate-rial has twice theefficiency of anRO membrane because it has high salt rejection andimproved water flux (the rate at which water permeates amembrane), even at pressures as low as 80 pounds persquare inch. This breakthrough in material designmeans that it is possible to produce ultra-low-pressurenanofiltration and RO water purification membranesthat are highly efficient, representing a significant savingsin energy costs. (8600, 1100, 1000) ST&E

A desalination membrane developed atSandia.

SpinDx is an innovative and versatile diagnostics platform developed under LDRD and NIH funding for con-ducting multiplexed immunoassays and cellular assays at the point-of-care with unprecedented sensitivity,speed, and ease-of-use over commercial systems. While initially developed for fieldable radiation biodosimetryscenarios, SpinDx has broad applicability, including toxin diagnostics, bacterial and viral pathogen detection, andfor detecting biomarkers of other systemic diseases. The patent-pending, fully automated platform has significantcommercial interest due to its compatibility with myriad sample types including blood, saliva, foods, and environ-mental samples with no sample preparation required and with ultrasensitive detection limits. (8600) IHNS

Bioscience

SpinDx platform assay diskfor automated diagnosticanalysis of clinical samples.


Nuclear Weapons, Facilities, and Procurement co-locatedthe majority of the B61 Life Extension Program team inthe heart of the “Innovation Corridor” of the Sandia/New Mexico campus. Renovation and space-consolidationprojects in numerous buildings, along with a new lease forthe Cyber Engineering Research Institute, allowed Facilitiesto free up contiguous space for 100 people on the B61team to work and interact more efficiently. (1400, 1500,2100, 4800, 10200) NW, IMS

In October 2011, the Sandia/California CombustionResearch Computation Visualization facility (CRCV)received the Leadership in Environmental and EnergyDesign (LEED®) Gold certification for new constructionfrom the US Green Building Council. LEED is an interna-tionally recognized certification standard that promotessustainable building and development practices. Using anintegrated design approach between the contractor, archi-tect, and Sandia, the CRCV building systems were opti-mized to use 20 percent less energy and 40 percent lesswater on an annual basis over the industry standardsfor similar facilities. (8500, 8300, 4100, 4800) ECIS

To enable the collaborative, open atmosphere required forthe Livermore Valley Open Campus (LVOC) initiative,while also providing a secure environment for executingSandia business, a new environment for trusted computingwas implemented. A thorough cyber risk assessment pro-vided the basis for an innovative network and desktopconfiguration relying on a virtual private network, desktopencryption and other means to ensure a secure, high-performance, reliable computing environment.(8300, 8900) IMS

In an effort to further protect against the loss of personallyidentifiable information (PII), Sandia implemented aData Loss Prevention (DLP) tool to protect unclassified,sensitive data from unauthorized use and transmission.The DLP tool continually scans outbound email and inter-net traffic, as well as data stored on enterprise-managed filesystems such as SharePoint and the dropzone, to automati-cally take remediation action to prevent PII from beingexposed to unauthorized viewing. (9300, 9500) All SMUs

Computer & information sciencesSandia partnered with Los Alamos National Laboratoryand Cray to design and deploy Cielo, a 1.37 petaflop capa-bility computing platform. Cielo became the signatureplatform for the NNSA Advanced Simulation and Com-puting (ASC) program, demonstrating a 10 timesimprovement in overall capability relative to its prede-cessor, LLNL’s Purple platform. Cielo is currently thelargest NNSA capability supercomputer available fornuclear weapons calculations and will run the largest andmost demanding workloads in support of DOE’s stockpilestewardship mission. (1400) NW

Sandia researchers released a virtual machine introspec-tion software library called LibVMI. This software pro-vides foundational capabilities that enable solutions tomany important applications such as increasing the secu-rity of cloud computing environments, performing run-

time debugging and analysis of malicious software, andforensic analysis of compromised computers. LibVMIworks by providing an external view into the memory ofsoftware running inside virtual machines or memory snap-shots. LibVMI is freely available as an open source projectat http://vmitools.sandia.gov. (5600) DS&A

Researchers developed a 500-node testbed on which600,000 virtual machines (VMs) such as Linux andAndroid can be launched, or 100,000 Windows 7 orWindows XP virtual machines. The VMs are networkedtogether and can represent either the nodes on a network(including routers and switches) or the nodes on a super-computer. This testbed allows for exploration of the reli-ability properties of large networks, and enables thedevelopment of management tools and operating sys-tems for future exascale computers. The team also ran 10million virtual machines on Jaguar. (8900) DS&A

IT, networks, & facilities

The Adiabatic Quantum Architectures In Ultracold Sys-tems (AQUARIUS) Grand Challenge LDRD team success-fully ran Sandia’s first quantum computation. The one-qubit machine built by the team processes a cesium atomlaser cooled below 100 microkelvin. By “adiabatically” stay-ing in its lowest-energy state, the device resists noise intrinsi-cally. Its inaugural test-run calculation determined withhigh probability that 1 is greater than 0. While simple, a 50-qubit computer could outperform all the world’s supercom-puters for some problems. Sandia’s unique fabrication facili-ties enable key AQUARIUS technologies, including nano-scale diffractive optics for atom trapping and control. (1100,1400, 1700, 5600, 8900, 9300) CTO, DS&A, IHNS, NW

Approved cyber security Risk Management Framework(RMF) supports Sandia’s shift from a compliance-orientedmodel for cyber security to a risk-based model for manag-ing the protection of Sandia’s information and informa-tion systems. Sandia’s cyber program will now be ableto use a core set of standards with appropriate tailoringbased on Sandia’s risks to meet requirements identifiedin NNSA Policy Letters 14.1-C, NNSA Baseline Cyber Secu-rity Program, and 14.2-C, NNSA Certification and Accredi-tation Process for Information Systems. (9300) All SMUs

The Information Systems and Services Center and Busi-ness Management Operations Center partnered with mis-sion organizations to develop an innovative, integrated,three-point, multiscenario cost-estimating approach tai-lored to meet the requirements set by NNSA for the B61LEP Weapons Design Cost Report (WDCR). This resultedin an accurate and well-documented estimate for theB61 WDCR, a tailorable estimating capability to capturelarge programs, a model to support the W88 WDCR team,and useful input for a new Sandia cost-estimating tool.(9500, 10600) NW

Judy Spomer (9515) received the Lockheed Martin Novaaward for leading a multidisciplinary, multiorganizationalteam to improve the enterprise search capability. The teamapplied advanced analysis algorithms developed by Sandiaresearchers to enhance the ranking of Sandia search resultsby merging search engine scores with probabilisticallyderived scores based on aggregate user actions. On themost common queries, the most appropriate link is nowreturned as the first link 80 percent of the time. The time auser spends looking for the right link has decreased by30 percent. (9500, 5600, 1400) IMS

Sandia implemented version two of the Product Realiza-tion Integrated Digital Enterprise (PRIDE) portal stockpilemanagement tool. This version supports the PRIDE targetarchitecture, enabling an enterprise-integrated informationviewing environment that ensures cross-site secure access.PRIDE portal version two enhances an integrated viewingenvironment using enterprise-wide and diverse authorita-tive sources of data. It reduces response time for reviewand approval of production activity through views ofinformation in weapon-system context using a consis-tent taxonomy, and it applies PRIDE target architectureas a foundation for delivering enhanced capabilitiesand features. (9500) NW

International Business Operations fielded electronictravel and international hand carry (IHF) forms thatexpedite documentation and approval for internationaltravel. The forms were well-received by the Laptops onForeign Travel (LOFT) program and the Global SecurityProgram. The automation efforts increase efficiencyby saving time and conserving resources. The new IHFsystem leverages SharePoint’s industry standard collabo-ration software to eliminate inefficiencies in the old,paper-based method of requesting and receivingapprovals. SW Engineering Dept. 9543 will leveragethis knowledge in other ongoing automation effortsthroughout the Laboratories. (4030) IMS

The Sandia/New Mexico Technical Library deployed a set of“Library of the Future” technologies and services that provideenterprise customers with a technology-enabled environ-ment to advance research and information management.Through enabling technologies and services, the librarydelivered more than 893,000 requests for information, pro-viding Sandia with an information content cost savingsof $42 million, with a sustained 94 percent efficiencygain in information delivery. The library also improved ser-vices through the deployment of embedded librarians andthe creation of just-in-time training videos. (9500) IMS

The redesigned, enhanced Tech Library internal website forthe “Library of the Future.”

In October 2011, the Combustion Research ComputationVisualization facility received LEED® Gold certification.

The ultimate design goal for Cielo is increased capability toachieve higher degrees of fidelity in modeling and reduce thetotal time to solutions.

(a) L. Paul Parazzoli (1725) adjusts Sandia’s first operational(one-qubit) quantum processor. (b) Its first quantum calcula-tion. (c & d) Sandia diffractive optical element for a second-generation two-atom trap. (e) Trapping signals from a third-generation Sandia three-atom trap. Future AQUARIUS deviceswill use these next-generation traps.

Experimental cluster for running hundreds of thousands oflightweight virtual machines.

Facilities teamed with National Solar Thermal Test Facil-ity (NSTTF) management to implement various projectssupporting the NSTTF mission. Projects funded by theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)included the Molten Salt Test Loop and Rotating Plat-form Redesign. Consistent with ARRA goals, these pro-jects created many jobs for local contractors to revi-talize critical energy infrastructure and testingcapabilities. Facilities also constructed a fiber-opticbackbone between Tech Area 5 and sites in the CoyoteTest Field, significantly upgrading NSTTF mission-related computing capabilities. (4800, 6100) ECIS

An aerial view ofthe NationalSolar ThermalTest Facility.


Military programs

Sandia’s Integrated Military Systems Program supported the Aegis Ballistic MissileDefense program on March 9, 2011, with a successful ARAV-C++ launch from theKauai Test Facility (KTF). During the mission, Sandia provided launch support and pro-duced the missile’s attitude control module (ACM) containing all electrical, navigation,and communication systems along with a complex hydrazine propulsion system. OnMarch 15, KTF provided range and field support for a successful launch-to-impact ballisticmissile tracking test of the Missile Defense Agency’s Space Tracking and Surveillance Sys-tem (STSS), testing whether two low Earth-orbiting satellites could track a missile throughall phases of flight. (5400) DS&A

Two Vibration Multiplexers (VMux) successfully flew on the Navy Demonstration andShakedown Operations (DASO-22) flight in March 2011. Each VMux contains eight vibra-tion channel inputs sampled with Sigma-Delta analog-to-digital converters, which providenear-Nyquist sampling. The telemetered data contains twice the vibration sensorbandwidth as compared to previous flights using the same sample rate. This highquality data is being used to evaluate the Alternate Release Assembly’s (ARA) effects onenvironments. (2662, 2115, 1527) NW

Sandia has successfully transitioned a DARPA research and development program for amicroscale ultrahigh-speed chemical warfare agent detection system with multi-dimen-sional processing to a DoD field-deployable sensor program funded by DTRA. This sensortechnology has demonstrated the lowest false alarm rate for any hand-held detectionsystem and is being implemented for military field operations in support of US tacti-cal forces. This work is being performed at Sandia in the MESA facility and in collabora-tion with the University of North Carolina and Caltech. (1700) DS&A

Sandia researchers performed vehicle attitude estimation by incorporating a phase-locked loop into an extended Kalman filter for a flight test system with limitedinstrumentation. This analysis was then coupled with a visualization frame-work to animate body dynamics, allowing rapid communication of systemperformance. (2662, 2112, 2952) NW

ARAV-C++ launch fromthe Kauai Test Facilityon March 9, 2011.

Members of Integrated Military Systems Center 5400 are investigating, in collaborationwith the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, blast-induced traumaticbrain injury (TBI) and its mitigation by means of protective headgear by conductinghigh performance computational studies. This work studies the relationship between

impulsive loading and the intracranial stresses and wave energies experienced by thebrain during blast exposure. Threshold values of intracranial stress and wave energy areidentified that necessarily lead to TBI and are used as metrics to assess the protectivemerit of various helmets. (5400) DS&A

Marine Lightweight HelmetDigital head/neck model Exposed to frontal blast

Vehicle attitude visualization.


Homeland security

DISASTER RELIEF — Chuck John and Steve Mier (both 8116) use the SUMMIT iPad app to visu-alize calculated building damage during an NLE-11 exercise conducted in Jonesboro, Ark.

(Photo by Steffan Schulz)

This series of images depicts a scenario in which first responders gather and analyze data withthe Building Restoration Operations Optimization Model (BROOM) system in a facility as part ofa decontamination effort.

Sandia piloted the Standard Unified Modeling, Mapping and Integration Toolkit(SUMMIT) software architecture at the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) National Level Exercise (NLE) 2011. SUMMIT is a software architecture that fed-erates data, modeling, and simulation tools to create unified, quantitatively measurablescenarios for enhanced national preparedness exercises. The NLE 2011 pilot deploymentculminates work with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) inresponse to Presidential Policy Directive 8 on National Preparedness. SUMMIT is in transi-tion from DHS S&T to FEMA after the strong positive reception during its pilot usage.(8100, 8900, 6900) IHNS

Sandia was a key participant in a $10 million multi-agency project, the Bio-ResponseOperational Test and Evaluation (BOTE) project. This project consisted of three indoorbiological agent release tests to evaluate the efficacy of three different decontaminationmethods. Sandia was responsible for much of the data acquisition, data management,and data analysis on the project using the Building Restoration Operations Optimiza-tion Model (BROOM) system. Sandia also trained EPA personnel to use the BROOM sys-tem during an operational exercise. (6600, 8100) IHNS

Product realizationFor the third time in four years,Sandia’s Fleet Services wasnamed by Government Fleetmagazine as one of the “100Best Fleets in the Country.”Sandia’s standing rose from 77thto 27th in 2011. More than38,000 municipal, county, state,and federal fleets are eligible forthe award. The award recognizesand rewards peak performingfleet operations by challengingthem to examine their strengthsand weaknesses and promptsthem to measure and evaluatetheir practices in relation to theprinciples of good fleet management. (10200) IMS

Supply chain

In FY11, the Primary Standards Labora-tory (PSL) completed about 940 calibra-tions of reference and transfer stan-dards for the Nuclear SecurityEnterprise (NSE) Contractor StandardsLabs (CSL). These standards are used bythe CSLs to perform more than 75,000 cal-ibrations annually in support of nuclearweapons product realization. In addition,the PSL successfully renewed its ISO/IEC17025 accreditation from the NationalVoluntary Laboratory Accreditation Pro-gram (NVLAP), managed by the NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology(NIST). Renewal required an in-depthtechnical evaluation of PSL procedures,technical competency, and quality man-agement system. (2500) NW

Designers in the Computer Aided Designgroup are meeting the challenge of manag-ing the B61 Life Extension Program (B61LEP) mechanical design definition by usingSandia Product Data Management (SPDM)tools on both the Sandia Restricted andClassified Networks. The use of ProductData Management “Share” Projectsallows data exchange between systemslevel and component designers whileupholding need-to-know requirements.The design team has extended the use ofthe same tools to allow secure exchange ofdata in “real time” with LANL designers.(2900) NW

Sandia, in collaboration with LANL andLLNL, provided NNSA headquarters withfive deliverables, identifying strategies toenhance the nation’s ability to hedgeagainst technical failures and geopoliti-cal changes and planning options forphased stockpile development and produc-tion to support the October NuclearWeapons Council meeting. The conceptsand options developed reflected the inter-dependencies of stockpile size and age,requirements, force structure, design andproduction capabilities, and workloads;critical nuances inherent to technologymaturation, weapon architecture, com-monality and adaptability; and relativecosts and scope. (200, 2100, 6100, 6600,8200) NW

Sandia researcher Greg Nielson, teamleader on the Microsystems-EnabledPhotovoltaic cell project, holds up asample of the cells that won a regionalExcellence in Technology TransferAward from the Federal LaboratoryConsortium.


Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) Relations worked closely with LMC to provide Sandia with best business practices, includingthose to accrue significant cost savings and to avoid unnecessary costs. This strengthened the Labs’ technology partnership withLMC, which included licensure of Sandia’s decision-support software, Technology Review and Assessment Model (TRAM), to assist inmaking better informed technology decisions. (0010, 6100) NW, DS&A

Partnerships & alliances

Sandia received three technologytransfer awards from the FederalLaboratory Consortium (FLC):the Gemini-Scout Mine RescueRobot, providing a tool for firstresponders to mining accidents;Microsystems-Enabled Photo-voltaic cells, a revolutionary way tocollect solar power; and an intellec-tual property partnership with theUniversity of New Mexico,enabling improved technologycommercialization with UNM. TheFLC recognized Sandia’s continuingimpact on the US public goodthrough these technology transferpartnerships. (0100, 1900) ST&E,ECIS

Victor Cano-Linson of Sandia’s Fleet Services fills up agovernment vehicle with E85, a green fuel composed of85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.


Calibration of pulsed neutron detectors is aunique PSL capability.

Sandia’s Fleet Copier Program has been instrumental in encouraging members of theworkforce to use secure networked copiers instead of individual desktop printers for theircopying, printing, and scanning needs. The program received a silver award in the2011 Federal Electronics Challenge. The award recognizes Sandia’s purchase of greenerelectronics, reduced impacts of electronics during use, and management of used electron-ics in an environmentally safe way. (9300) All SMUs


Microelectronics & microsystems

Sandia has made the SIERRA mechanics engineeringcode suite available externally through two dissemina-tion routes. The software is now available as a binary dis-tribution, making possible 30-minute desktop or HPCinstallations with minimal assistance. In contrast, the fullcode format required days for installation. Much of SIERRAmechanics has also been made available to a broad usercommunity through the Trilinos code distribution. MakingSIERRA more widely available is key to further improvingour capabilities and enabling wider impact, internally andexternally, in advancing engineering sciences. (1500) NW

Engineering sciences

Comparison of the fuel distribution from a Large EddySimulation with measured Rayleigh-scatter images (see thebaseline n-heptane experiment at www.sandia.gov/ECN).

The left photograph shows the multiphase shock tube that uses a dense particle curtain (right top) impacted by a shock wave(right bottom) to produce shock-particle interactions.

The next generation of mobile computing devices willrequire advanced radio frequency (RF) filter and oscilla-tor banks covering multiple frequency bands. Thesemicrosystems will perform RF filtering and frequencysynthesis functions in next-generation wireless handsets,cell phones, and other wireless devices, offering higherperformance and frequency diversity in a smaller pack-age and at a lower price than current technologies. “Ourminiature acoustic resonators fill this need,” says RoyOlsson (1719), the primary investigator on the R&D 100Award-winning project. Rockwell Collins Inc. has part-nered with Sandia to achieve the next-generation ofmicroresonator filters and frequency references.(5200) DS&A

Sandia has demonstrated the highest frequency microme-chanical filters, operating in excess of 10 GHz. The filtersuse Sandia's R&D100 Award-winning aluminum nitridemicroresonator technology to shrink the filter size to 0.5 x1.0 x 0.2 mm3, including bond pads. This is orders of mag-nitude smaller than the electromagnetic filters typicallyused in these frequency bands. The high operating fre-quency, extremely small size and low insertion lossmake these filters ideal for application in X-bandradio frequency systems, such as radars and satellitecommunications. (1700, 5300) DS&A, NW

The Independent Review Team for the Aerial Cable Facilityissued its final report in May. Using information from site sur-veys, technical reports, interviews, observations of test demon-strations, and analysis of specific hazard scenarios, the teamevaluated the technical basis for operations, focusing on electri-cal hazards and controls associated with explosives operations.Then, applying the principles of assured safety and engineeredsafety, as articulated by Div. 1000 VP Steve Rottler in March2010, the team made several recommendations to improvesafety that were implemented by the staff at the Aerial CableFacility. (0400, 2100, 2800, 2900, 6600) NW

A unique multiphase shock tube, developed through an LDRD project, isproviding physical insights into shock-particle interactions within a densegas-solid flow that occurs early in energetic material detonation.Little understanding of particle dynamics exists for this regime and suchknowledge is needed for predictive models to address the explosive dispersalof a lethal particulate. Sandia is now providing complementary, scientifi-cally controlled data for use in the CTH code and to increase the under-standing of multiphase blast physics of interest to the broad defensecommunity. (1515, 1512) DS&A, NW

Accurate prediction of fuel injec-tion processes is recognized as acritical need for the developmentof advanced internal combustionengines. Researchers at theCombustion Research Facilityhave performed joint computa-tional and experimental studiesto account for real-fluid non-ideal behavior that exists whenconditions are supercritical, asituation applicable to modernengines. A series of high-fidelitylarge-eddy simulations was per-formed, considering enginesprays at supercritical conditionsfor the first time. The simulationsare able to reproduce key experi-mental features of flow structureand mixing. (8300) ECIS

Health, Benefits, and Employee Servicesintroduced a healthy lifestyle incentive pro-gram using Virgin HealthMiles’ activity andrisk-based system to complement SandiaTotal Health, the consumer-driven health-care plan promoting wellness and preven-tion. Employees enrolled in Sandia TotalHealth can earn an additional $250 towardtheir deductible by practicing healthybehaviors and participating in on-site well-ness activities. With partner ExtendHealth® administering retiree health careenrollment, Sandia reduced cost by $3million and increased the number ofretiree health plan choices. (3300) IMS

In FY11, Sandia experienced higher-than-normal numbers of retirements and newhires. The total members of the workforceremained relatively stable through work-force acquisition planning, by whichSandia hired 1,130 regular employees,while 427 employees retired. The newhires are of top quality and represent educa-tional, gender, and ethnic diversity. Sandiacontinues to emphasize attracting andrecruiting high-quality candidates from thenation’s top engineering schools. Toachieve these results and support the future,Human Resources continues to makeprocesses lean, emphasizing simplicity,alignment, efficiency, and effectiveness.(3500) All SMUs

Sandia’s Payroll staff improved the time-keeping application to clearly reflect theFair Labor Standards Act workweek for allnonexempt employees and to allow allemployees to enter their own project andtask descriptions. Other improvementsinclude removal of start/out/in/stop timesand Friday midday to Friday midday (fornonexempts) beginning/end of workweek;time reporting codes represented as a TRC;project/task description option foremployee ease of determining projectsworked on during the week; certification oftime worked; and Sandia/California mealand break certification. (10500) All SMUs

In response to Sandia’s mission customer’srequest, the CFO changed the way travelcosts are burdened, starting in FY12. Thechange aligns Sandia’s load structurewith industry practices and more accu-rately captures the actual costs associatedwith purchasing and managing a trip.The Controller’s Center communicated thechange to Mission Support divisions andworked with the CIO and IT Services toquickly update the forward pricing ratesand the many corporate and line organiza-tion tools. (10500) IMS

Sandia completed a major R12 upgrade toits Oracle E-Business computer applications.The 20-month project involved administra-tive and technical staff from multiple divi-sions. Sandia was one of the first in the DOEenterprise to upgrade, which is instrumentalto supporting the complex’s IT upgradestrategy. Despite the significant changes,the upgrade was transparent to the Labs’line organizations. The new features includean accounting engine called subledgeraccounting, a payment module, and a con-solidated buyer’s workbench. These fea-tures will create efficient businessprocesses to support the Labs’ mission.(2700, 9500, 10200, 10500) All SMUs

Contract Audit developed and implementeda mentoring program that seven of theirnew hires completed in FY11. This success-ful program has been requested and is beingadopted by other organizations throughoutSandia, as well as other laboratories. Consis-tent with the Labs’ strategic objective toprovide a learning, inclusive, engaging envi-ronment, particularly at a time when Sandiais experiencing a large influx of newemployees, this program ensures newhires the most advantageous start to suc-ceed and contributes to their develop-ment as future leaders. (800) All SMUs

HR & financeNeutron generators, the last holdout of vacuum tube tech-nology, are entering the new millennium; the neutristor iswhat the transistor is to old vacuum tube technology, rev-olutionizing traditional thinking. A new configurationfor neutron generators is emerging that may enable atransition from conventional cylindrical tubes to theflat geometry of computer chips. The technical chal-lenge uses a one-dimensional slice through the commonvacuum tube and still produces neutrons using the con-cept of a linear particle accelerator. (1700, 1800, 2600,2700) NW

The neutristor revolutionizes neutron generator science.


Global security

Infrastructure protection

The Project Neptune team completed the design, fabrication, and integration of a unique R&D sensor focused ondetection of chemicals indicative of nuclear proliferation. The Neptune sensor will be able to remotely interrogateregions of interest to determine if nuclear proliferation signatures are present. A multi-center team completed thesensor on schedule and under budget. In the spring of 2012 the team will participate in proliferation-detection fieldtests at the Nevada National Security Site. (5700, 2600, 2900) DS&A

Rendering of a coded-aperture neutron imager with a so-called random mask. The mask was optimized for imaging inbusy environments, such as those encountered in arms con-trol treaty verification applications.

Sandia leads a multi-agency team to develop and operatethe Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII),a capability designed to develop a responsible nuclearenergy culture in future decision-makers of Middle Eastregional nuclear energy programs. Ten young Emiratinuclear professionals completed the rigorous GNEIIFundamentals pilot course and are now ready to applytheir comprehensive nuclear energy safeguards, security,and safety-related analytical capabilities to their jobs.GNEII continues to receive high regards from the US, theUAE, the IAEA, and other relevant entities. (6800) IHNS

Building on our long-standing role of developing andmaintaining the US radiation detection equipment (RDE)that was used for on-site inspections in Russia for the Inter-mediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the originalSTART treaty, Sandia performed tests, calculations, andevaluations of the US RDE for the New START Treaty,which took effect Feb. 5, 2011. Sandia also played a keyrole in a US interagency assessment of the Russian RDE tobe used during New START Treaty inspections in the US.(6800, 5900, 6600) IHNS

High-resolution imaging of special nuclear material isimportant in applications such as arms control treaty veri-fication. One fast neutron-imaging technology, pursuedin collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, iscoded-aperture imaging, which processes the pattern castby a shadow mask to create an image of the neutronsource distribution, such as nuclear warheads in a missilesilo. By optimizing the pattern of the coding masks,researchers are able to reduce noise in the image andachieve better sensitivity to anomalous distributions ofneutron emitters. (8100) DS&A

The Neptune sensor has been developed to support nuclear proliferation detection missions.

In early February 2011, New Mexico experienced the coldest weather on record since 1951.Temperatures ranged from a low of -8 degrees F in Albuquerque to -36 degrees F in AngelFire, resulting in a loss of natural gas to portions of the state, including Sandia. The Labs’Emergency Operations Center and Facilities personnel proactively responded to pre-vent significant freeze and flooding damage to Sandia facilities. As a result, little to noeffect on missions was experienced from burst pipes when compared to many otherstatewide industrial and military installations. (4800, 4100, 4200, 10600, 10200, 1700) IMS

A patent for a flexible, leave-in-place eddy current sensor to allow structural health moni-toring (SHM) without the need to have a person and an instrument present to do aninspection was awarded to several present and past members of the Infrastructure Assur-ance and NDI Department. Eddy currents can detect cracking and corrosion in electricallyconductive materials. This is one of many SHM advancements pioneered at Sandia.The work was done under an LDRD project. (6600) ECIS

An in-situ eddy current sensor,which has been patented bySandia National Laboratories.

The first snowfall of the season roared into Albuquerque in early December 2011, riding on theback of near-hurricane force winds and arctic temperatures. Sandia called for a two-hourdelayed start on Monday, Dec. 5; with deteriorating conditions, employees who had been ableto report for work that day were released early. By Tuesday morning, most employees were ableto return to work as usual. Above, Robert Naranjo (4848) braves the cold to clear snow from thewalk in front of Bldg. 811 on Monday, Dec. 5. (Photo by Randy Montoya)

Sandia, EnerNex, the Tennessee ValleyAuthority, and Schweitzer EngineeringLaboratories, partnering in the Lemnossecurity project, successfully demon-strated a Sandia-developed architectureand prototype implementation of acyber security interoperability frame-work for communications at the ElectricPower Research Institute (EPRI). The DOEOffice of Electricity Delivery and EnergyReliability has highly praised and presentedthe Lemnos Project and the resultant prod-uct capabilities as a major success inaddressing some of the challenges describedin the DOE Roadmap to Secure Control Sys-tems in the Energy Sector. (5600) ECIS

Sandia completed a multiyear develop-ment project for the Department ofHomeland Security’s Science and Technol-ogy (S&T) Directorate that focuses onmodeling and analyzing the supply chainsof the nation’s chemical sector. Capabili-ties of the project transitioned from theS&T Directorate to the National Infrastruc-ture Simulation and Analysis Center(NISAC) on Sept. 1, 2011, providingNISAC and its customers in the DHSOffice of Infrastructure Protection withbetter details on effects to the chemicalssector resulting from hurricanes, earth-quakes, and other natural disasters.(6900, 6100) IHNS


EnergyIn a project sponsored by DOE’s Energy Storage Programand managed by Sandia, in partnership with GeneSiCSemiconductor Inc. and the US Army ArmamentResearch, Development and Engineering Center, Sandiahas developed an ultra-high-voltage silicon carbidethyristor. The semiconductor device allows next-gen-eration “smart grid” power electronics systems to bebuilt up to 10 times smaller and lighter than currentsilicon-based technologies. These packaged-powerdevices are the world’s first commercially available,high-voltage, high-frequency, high-current, high-tem-perature, single-chip SiC-based thyristors. (6100) ECIS

Since being established in January 2010, the Blue RibbonCommission (BRC) on America’s Nuclear Future hasrequested several staff and management from theNuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Programs (Center 6200)to play a key role in informing the BRC in its deliberationsthrough briefings and white papers, including the sciencesupporting the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant’s compliance cer-tification application, the regulatory framework for high-level waste disposal, an overview of DOE Office of NuclearEnergy’s storage and transportation program, and threebriefings on 9/11 vulnerability assessments. (6200) ECIS

A new family of metal ionic liquids (MetILs) synthe-sized by researchers in the Power Sources TechnologyGroup has the potential to triple the energy density offlow batteries used for grid-scale energy storage. Theliquid phase exhibited at room temperature is due to for-mation of asymmetric cations that prevent ion pairing.Since MetILs act as electrolyte and solvent, a higher con-centration of active material is achieved compared to con-ventional flow battery electrolytes. The work was featuredon the November cover of Dalton Transactions. (2500,6100) ECIS

A ball-and-stick representation of the beta-cage in zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) MOF. Hydrogen and oxygenatoms in the structure were omitted for clarity; Zn= green, C= gray, N= blue. The porous cage in ZIF-8 highlights two inde-pendent I2 binding sites (the large red and blue spheres); up to 6 I2 molecules can be trapped inside the cage, equivalent to110 percent molecular iodine adsorbed by weight.

Ionic liquids formed with transitionmetal cations (MetILs) provide apathway to lower cost, higherenergy storage flow batteries. Here,Chemical Technologist Harry Pratt(2546) synthesizes a copper-basedionic liquid.


Ultra high voltage silicon-carbide-thyristor

A carbon dioxide splitting experiment under test at the solarfurnace.

Sandia researchers provided criticalexpertise in support of immediate andfuture DOE Nuclear Energy WasteformMaterials needs. In response to theFukushima emergency, they provided keyinsight vital for adapting available crys-talline silicotitanate materials for address-ing radioactive cesium ion capture needs.Also, innovative metal-organic frame-works (MOFs) are being investigated andshow superior characteristics useful forradiological fission capture from nuclearfuel reprocessing and/or nuclear accidentscenarios. Sandia researchers collaboratedon publications about MOFs for radiologi-cal iodine capture that were recently high-lighted by the Royal Society of Chemistry.The incorporation of these MOFs materialsinto a glass waste form was published in aspecial issue on nuclear energy in the jour-nal Chemical Engineering and IndustrialResearch. (1100, 1400, 1800, 6900) ECIS

A Sandia-university team proved thefeasibility of splitting carbon dioxideusing high-temperature solar energywith a device that combines heatexchange, thermochemistry, and gasflow all in a single package. The “Sun-shine to Petrol” team tested the“Counter-Rotating Ring Receiver Reac-tor Recuperator” in August 2011 at theNational Solar Thermal Test Facility inAlbuquerque. Making CO from whatmight otherwise be a waste stream(CO2) with solar energy is the first stepin making synthetic gasoline and dieselfuel. The team is motivated to reuseCO2, store solar energy in liquid hydro-carbon bonds, and create domestictransportation fuels.

Several members of staff with the Counter-Rotating Ring ReceiverReactor Recuperator.

Sandia completed a successful deployment of a newmobile laboratory for measurements of greenhousegases and tracers of greenhouse gas sources. The pro-ject was part of a larger tri-lab BER/NNSA-funded project.The mobile laboratory was deployed for the first time forsix weeks at the DOE Atmospheric and Radiation Mea-surement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site inOklahoma to measure the stable isotopes of CO2 andspecies co-emitted with CO2. (8100, 8300, 6900) ECIS

Sandia researchers have demonstrated a multijunctionsolar cell, combining crystalline silicon, gallium arsenideand indium gallium phosphide junctions — which arenormally incompatible — using 3-D integration tech-niques. This allows a new class of microsystem-based mul-tijunction photovoltaic (PV) cells that does not have thehandicaps of lattice matching and current matching thatlimit traditional multijunction III-V solar cells. Researchershave also demonstrated new microsystem approaches thatallow for high-efficiency flexible PV material. This break-through should allow approximately a four-foldimprovement in conversion efficiency compared tocurrently available flexible PV. (1700) ECIS, DS&A

Sandia received a prestigiousDOE EStar award for exem-plary environmental sustain-ability in water conservation.Water-efficiency projects atBldg. 858 J CUB, 858 North,899A CUB, and other areasreduced water consumption by30 percent, which equates to asavings of more than 200 mil-lion gallons of water annuallyfrom a 2007 baseline. Water issupplied to the New Mexico sitefrom the Albuquerque aquifer,a precious resource to ourcommunity. (4800) ECIS, IMS

Sandia, LLNL, and LANL team members take in the view fromthe roof of the Atmospheric and Terrestrial Mobile Lab.


Pulsed power

Linear transformer drivers (LTDs) are twice as efficient asthe technology used since the 1960s in pulsed poweraccelerators such as Z. Sandia researchers have doubledthe peak electrical power generated by an LTD with-out increasing its dimensions or number of compo-nents. Sandia has selected this technology for a proposednext-generation accelerator that will deliver an order ofmagnitude more electrical power than Z. The newmachine will allow experiments in material physics, iner-tial confinement fusion, radiation effects, and laboratoryastrophysics at previously inaccessible parameterregimes. (1600) NW

Next-generation lineartransformer driver (LTD).

Figure from January 2011 cover of Icarus, show-ing the calculated isentropes for Neptune (thickblack line) and Uranus (thick gray line) overlaidon the phase diagram of water.

The heavy noble gases are colorless and electrically insulat-ing as liquids or solids, but their properties transform dra-matically with increasing pressure and temperature. Byshock compressing these materials in Z Machine andperforming computer simulations based on quantummechanics, researchers have determined the thermo-physical properties of argon, krypton, and xenon withremarkable precision up to unprecedented pressures ofalmost 10 million atmospheres (10 Mbars). This focused,accelerated effort has established a new foundation tounderstand the behavior of these intriguing elementsunder extreme conditions. (1600, 1400) NW

Neptune and Uranus are largely composedof water as are, undoubtedly, many of the500 exoplanets in other star systems. Inpartnership with the University of Rostockin Germany, Sandia researchers havedetermined the properties of these“waterworlds” at planetary conditions.High-accuracy experiments on Sandia’s ZMachine to compress water to 7 millionatmospheres (7 Mbars) and computer simu-lations based on quantum mechanics enablean improved understanding of planetaryevolution and a plausible explanation forthe anomalous magnetic fields surroundingNeptune and Uranus. (1600) ST&E

Next-generation lineartransformer driver (LTD).

Page 13Labs Accomplishments • March 2012

August marked the successful release of the Access ControlEnabling System (ACES) badging application. PersonnelSecurity uses ACES for granting physical site access by gen-erating badges based on clearance status. ACES develop-ment was a cohesive effort between Personnel Security andDivision 9000. The new badging application consolidatesseveral applications to streamline the physical accessprocess. Engineered controls for visitor clearance verifica-tion reduce the potential for security incidents by ensuringproper clearance levels. Implementation resulted in oper-ational efficiencies and annual cost savings of$550,000. (4200, 9500, 8500) IMS

Following the Emcore tragedy in 2010, Safeguards andSecurity, along with Corporate Investigations, assessedSandia’s capabilities for responding to workplace vio-

ES&H & security

lence or active shooter incidents. The assessment coveredprevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. As aresult, emergency response drills were developed; commu-nications with employees were improved; training wasconducted for employees and Protective Force personnel;policies and procedures were enhanced; and interagencytraining was conducted with Kirtland Air Force Base andexternal law enforcement entities on event response, coor-dination, and communications. (0800, 4200) All SMUs

Staff from several divisions served as members of theHome Team for Operation Tomodachi, a DOE conse-quence-management response to the Fukushima Daiichinuclear-reactor failure. Staff from Sandia’s IndustrialHygiene & Radiation Protection and Critical Asset Pro-tection & Security provided around-the-clock support

Sandia’s three-man pistol team, left toright, Norman Baca, Joey Branch, andRuben Padilla (all 4233), took firstplace in DOE’s annual Security Protec-tion Officer Competition held atNNSA’s Pantex facility in Amarillo,Texas.


Transuranic waste leaves Sandia on a truck via the Eubankcontractor gate. This picture shows the secure TRUPACT-IIcontainer, into which the metal drums holding thetransuranic waste are placed. (Photo by Randy Montoya)

Shielded by the thick walls of the Auxiliary Hot Cell Facility, David Siddoway (1387) uses the manipulators to hold a ratchet,which he will use to open the material drums. (Photo by Randy Montoya)

Sandia Security Police OfficersJoseph (Joey) Branch, NormanBaca, and Ruben Padilla (4233)won the DOE three-man teamevent at the 39th annual DOESecurity Protection Officer Com-petition (SPOTC). The three-dayevent was held at NNSA’s Pantexfacility in Amarillo, Texas. This isthe first time a Sandia team haswon this competition. Sandiacompeted against teams fromDOE Headquarters, URENCO (aninternational nuclear fuel com-pany), United States EnrichmentCorporation PGDP, and theKansas City Plant. (4200) IMS

The Auxiliary Hot Cell Facility began its operational journey with the successful completion of the remote-handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) waste repackaging project. The TRU waste was originally packaged in 30 casks ordrums that contained highly contaminated items with significant dose-rates. Primary tasks included visual examina-tion to document each waste item repackaged, removal of prohibited items, and radiological sampling. Additionaltasks included dose-to-curie measurements and headspace gas sampling. The RH TRU waste is on track to be shippeddirectly to WIPP in early FY12. (1300) IMS.

for approximately six weeks, performing duties includ-ing coordinating and managing the receipt and analysis ofmore than 10,000 field samples from Japan, uploadinganalysis results into a database, validating results for accu-racy, conducting radioactive-plume and material-uptakemodeling, completing radiation dose assessments, andproviding measurement equipment for individuals fromSandia going to Japan. (4100, 6600, 10600, 2900) IMS

Sandia provided support to DOE/NNSA and NuclearEnergy, the Department of State, US military, and Japaneseofficials by supporting operations at the Consequence Man-agement Home Team (dose assessment, dose reconstruc-tion, laboratory analyses, 24-hour operations, etc.), deploy-ing to Japan for field operations and advising the USEmbassy in Tokyo on data interpretation, accident pro-gression, evacuation zones, and reactor design and func-tionality. Work continues to reconstruct the accident andimprove US emergency planning and response. (6200) IMS

The Infrastructure Operations Division (4000) collabo-rated with line operations to ensure safe and securemission delivery for the Transuranic (TRU) Removalproject. DOE asked Sandia to accept transuranic wastefrom Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. Complexhazards had to be addressed to repackage and transport thewaste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Thisincluded the request of a Hazard Category 3 exemptionand modifications to the Radioactive and Mixed WasteFacility. The exemption was approved, repackaging wascompleted safely, and the containers were shipped. (4100,4800, 3300) IMS


Governance, leadership,& managementThe CFO’s Business Leadership Program, begun in 2011,offered Sandia’s business community leaders a core setof leadership fundamentals to guide their thoughts,words, and actions as leaders. The 10-day program pro-vides managers with a greater awareness of the businesscommunity’s mission and strategic goals; a deeper under-standing of the mission of the Labs’ strategic managementunits; an expanded network of relationships within andbeyond the business community; and the opportunity tocontribute toward a culture of continuous leadershiplearning. (10600) IMS

This past year, Sandia’s work for others process wasimpacted by legislation, DoD regulations, and DoD/DOEInspectors General reviews. These changes were clarified ina memorandum of agreement and master interagencyagreement between DoD/DOE/NNSA. A CFO & BusinessOperations team assessed the impact, recommendedactions to NNSA, and then implemented, communi-cated, and trained the employees affected by thechanges with minimal impact on the SMUs. (10010,10500, 10600) All SMUs

Mission Support — consisting of Divisions 3000, 4000,9000, 10000, and 11000; and orgs. 10, 30, 40, 700, and800 — was restructured to better position the Labs toprotect against risk and to address the increasing impor-tance of information technologies. The restructureincluded escalating the CIO to a VP position and renamingDivision 9000 as CIO & IT Services to give it greater author-ity; the creation of Center 700 Mission Support and Corpo-rate Governance to better address assurance; and the cre-ation of a Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate Risk Officerto help mitigate risk. (EVP Mission Support 00003) IMS

Corporate Governance developed an “Assurance MaturityModel” and conducted a comprehensive assessment ofSandia’s assurance system (policies, processes, and proce-dures) and its implementation across all 25 managemententities (programs, divisions, and policy areas). This base-line established a valuable reference against which Sandiameasures its assurance progress, consistent with the strate-gic objective to lead the complex as a model 21st-centurygovernment-owned, contractor-operated national labora-tory. President and Labs Director Paul Hommert usedthe assessment to help determine Sandia’s readiness forthe NNSA Contractor Assurance System AffirmationReview, completed in November. (700) All SMUs

Sandia’s annual Employee CaringProgram (ECP) campaign raised anastounding $4.6 million to supportour community through the UnitedWay. In a year of economic uncer-tainty, employees increased their dona-tions by 10 percent, many new employ-ees joined the Labs’ giving culture, andretirees contributed more than$500,000. Lockheed Martin provided aCorporate Cornerstone donation of$100,000. Sandians also serve on panelsthat help allocate the CommunityFund dollars. (3600, entire workforce)All SMUs

Community involvement, customer relations, institutional development

Diversity & Inclusion bolstered its diversity toolsover the past year to provide focused Labs-wideawareness at all levels through a variety of venues.The monthly Diversity Cinema Program included newdiversity-related videos that offered employees anopportunity to engage in meaningful, face-to-face dia-

logue. The organization created an online library thatoffers practical tools for employees to build their skillsor lead diversity discussions. The library includes a listof books, videos, and other tools available to bechecked out. Complete details are available athttp://diversity.sandia.gov/. (0040) All SMUs

Ethics & business conduct

The Diversity and Inclusion website, http://diversity.sandia.gov/.

Make a Difference Day 2011 — Some 250Sandia employees, contractors, retirees,family members, and friends volunteeredto help complete projects throughout thecommunity during Make a Difference Day.In the photo, Sandia volunteers repaint theUS map on the Sandia Base ElementarySchool playground.

(Photo by Patty Zamora)


A key player in a new NNSA-funded consortium,Peter Marleau (8132) says lead academic partnerUC-Berkeley will take advantage of Sandia’s workin neutron imaging systems for nonproliferation,including the neutron scatter camera seen here.

(Photo by Dino Vournas)

Documents

Download 2012 Labs Accomplishments