Sandia researchers successfully created the first controllable 2D nanopatterns, which can be used to fine-tune device characteristics of self-assembling nanostructures. The breakthrough provides insight into how nature creates ordered patterns and enables humans to replicate it for fabricating specialized materials.
The SMART software automates many of a robot's movements while retaining operator control, making police robots quicker and safer. It enables the rapid assembly of off-the-shelf equipment into a working system, overcoming obstacles to system stability in unstructured environments.
A new screen at Sandia National Laboratories can render complex scientific data sets in seconds, outperforming the movie industry's cluster of computers. The facility uses massively parallel imaging to create images with high resolution and detail, allowing scientists to better understand complicated systems.
The US-funded Mag-train propulsion prototype, Seraphim, uses magnetic repulsion to push a vehicle forward and provide braking. It is expected to decrease environmental degradations and enable high-speed connections between cities in the western suburbs.
A tiny gallium arsenide bar has been developed that can bend infrared beams with minimal loss of light, opening possibilities for more efficient lasers and photonic computing. The device uses a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure with strategically placed holes to filter out unwanted wavelengths.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories create a hopping robot that can leap up to 20 feet in the air and travel five miles on a single tank of gas. The robot's unique combustion-driven piston allows it to make corrections after each jump, making it suitable for challenging environments.
A 'smart' prosthetic lower limb is being developed with a digital control system, enabling amputees to maintain active lives. The leg will simulate human gait and adjust to terrain, reducing pressure sores and improving comfort.
Scientists develop a method to precisely adjust nanopore sizes using ultraviolet light, enabling the creation of tunable zeolites for enhanced membrane-based oxygen-nitrogen separation. This technology has potential applications in sensor arrays, nanoreactors, and optical devices.
Researchers have developed a new technique called ICE that tests materials under extreme magnetic forces without explosions. The technique allows for faster and less expensive testing over a wide range of stress conditions.
The Sandia Red Team has demonstrated that competent outsiders can hack into almost all networked computers, regardless of their security measures. The team's goal is to improve the security of information systems by identifying weaknesses and providing recommendations for improvement.
The NTUA is installing 200 photovoltaic systems at private residences in remote areas, serving a single home each. The systems provide clean and quiet power for households with limited or no electricity, improving living standards.
A new power company software suggests that major power emergencies like California's statewide conservation alert might be averted if the industry adopts predictive software. The software would simulate load flow, dispatch options, weather factors, and contingencies to help power plant operators predict the future.
A recent DOE study suggests adopting new command and control software to predict future energy demand, potentially averting major power emergencies. The software tools would include various mathematical models to simulate load flow, weather factors, and contingencies, helping to stabilize the grid and prevent outages.
A team of researchers at Sandia National Laboratories has developed an intelligent software agent that can defend itself and other computers against cyber attacks. The agent uses a multi-agent collective approach to detect and respond to unusual requests or commands, providing real-time protection against various types of threats.
Researchers created self-assembling ink that forms nanoscopic pores with external function and internal structure. The new ink can be easily printed from ordinary printers or written by lithographic pens.
A new technology developed by Dr. Lawrence Larsen at Sandia National Laboratories can treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) without surgery, reducing side effects and costs. The non-invasive procedure uses radio frequency energy to kill excess cells, shrinking the prostate gland and alleviating urinary obstruction and pain.
A pilot program at Sandia National Laboratories aims to close the time gap between disease outbreak identification and terrorist origin. The system will use color-coded maps and database information to quickly characterize and differentiate disease outbreaks from natural occurrences.
Computational biologist Sorin Istrail shows that the solution of Ising's model cannot be extended into three dimensions for any lattice, making exact solutions unattainable. The model, developed by Ernst Ising in 1926, has been extensively studied in one and two dimensions but remains unsolvable in three dimensions.
A biological microcavity laser, called a smart scalpel, can quickly identify abnormal protein content in tumor cells. This allows surgeons to accurately cut away malignant growths while minimizing healthy tissue removal.
Researchers develop diamond micromachines using amorphous diamond, eliminating internal stresses and reducing stiction. The machines have potential applications in medical devices, such as drug-dispensing units, without generating allergic reactions.
Rescuers can locate avalanche victims four times faster using a robotic swarm search technique. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories developed a computer program that enables humans to find buried skiers using mini-robots and simple radio equipment.
Cplant Cluster, a self-made supercomputer at Sandia National Laboratories, solves benchmark problems at 232.6 billion operations per second with its 580-node assembly. The system's scalability and ability to work together make it useful for complex applications.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories' Z machine create temperatures rivaling the Sun's to study iron in black holes and neutron stars. The experiments help astronomers interpret images from the Chandra X-ray observatory, shedding light on the universe's evolution and eventual expiration.
The BioSimMER VR application simulates a 3D computer-simulated setting where emergency personnel practice responding to biological warfare agent attacks. By engaging rescuers' senses and decision-making abilities, the tool helps them make better decisions in real-life emergencies.
The MESA facility will join Sandia's expertise in weapon design and high-speed computing to create immersive environments for designing non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons. The project aims to reduce the likelihood of malfunction, making devices more difficult to destroy on impact.
Sandia National Laboratories is showcasing cutting-edge MicroElectricalMechanical Systems (MEMs) innovations at the Santa Clara show. The technology has vast applications in medical treatment, anti-terrorism, and engineering systems, with potential annual market value of $100 billion by 2030.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have proposed a concept for rapid-fire thermonuclear explosions to generate clean fusion energy, using recyclable transmission lines and minimizing chamber emptying. The method aims to advance the development of machines like Z accelerator for relatively cheap and clean energy.
The Lynx SAR system can produce one-foot resolution imagery at standoff distances of up to 55 kilometers, even through clouds and light rain. It can also detect moving targets and small surface penetrations, making it a significant advancement in surveillance technology.
A nonradioactive substitute for 'screamingly radioactive' storage tanks has been developed to aid in nuclear waste clean-up, potentially saving hundreds of millions of dollars. The synthetic sludge mimics the deadly sludge found in underground nuclear waste storage tanks and can be handled safely by lab workers.
Researchers have discovered that quantum dots repel each other, which may govern their self-organization and be crucial for controlling dot characteristics. This effect can help form more uniform and orderly arrays of dots, leading to improved lasing frequency and intensity.
A $1.4 million project aims to create an advanced artificial knee prosthesis, drawing on expertise from US and Russian nuclear labs. The device will be designed to adapt to the wearer's movement and provide a more natural gait.
Sandia National Laboratories and University of Montana researchers are training bees to detect buried landmines by tracking their behavior and analyzing pollen samples. The goal is to create a reliable and inexpensive method for detecting mines, which could help protect thousands of acres of uncharted land and prevent injuries.
Sandia National Laboratories' tiny acoustic wave sensors can detect specific chemicals in the environment and alert people to potential hazards. The sensors, similar to a 'canary in a mine,' are part of a hand-held chemical detection system called 'chem lab on a chip.'
Researchers have created self-assembling nanospheres that can control the release of drugs and have superior characteristics to traditional fillers. These durable silica spheres range in size from 2-50 nanometers and can absorb organic and inorganic substances, making them useful for various applications.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a portable X-ray device that can detect explosives and objects in packages using reflected, rather than transmitted, X-rays. The device is designed to be safer for law enforcement officers and can transmit partial images useful in police work even if the package explodes.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a decontamination foam that can neutralize chemical and biological agents in minutes. The foam, called Decon Foam 100, is made from ordinary household products and could be dispensed immediately after an attack, even before evacuating casualties.
Researchers created a computational model to capture the process of one protein interfering with another's folding. This reveals the mechanisms behind 'protein adultery', where amino acids from different proteins link, causing diseases like Alzheimer's and mad cow syndrome.
Researchers are developing new designs and technologies to make public buildings, homes, and infrastructure safer from natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The Architectural Surety initiative applies lessons learned from nuclear security to create more resilient structures.
Experts gather at AAAS Symposium to discuss the impact of new accountability requirements on research environments. A study by the National Academy of Science's Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPUP) will be presented, highlighting potential negative effects.
A team of researchers has deployed an Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) on the Pacific island of Nauru to study clouds and sunlight. The station will gather information for at least 10 years, providing insights into global warming effects and El Niño/La Niña weather phenomena.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a microscopic three-dimensional lattice that confines light at optical wavelengths, potentially revolutionizing the fiber-optics communications industry. The technique appears to be the cheapest and most efficient way to bend light entering or emerging from optical cables.
A new data classification scheme based on human perception is being incorporated into a hand-held chemical sensor system. This method, called VERI, can group real-world objects seen near each other by superimposing an invisible dumbbell shape, allowing for quick and accurate identifications.
Sandia National Laboratories and Compaq have developed a system that sorts a terabyte of data in under 50 minutes, three times faster than the previous record. This achievement demonstrates the potential for fast and cost-effective data sorting, which can be used to identify patterns in large datasets.
The Recodable Locking Device is a minuscule mechanical device that uses microelectromechanical system technology to create an extremely difficult-to-break code entry system. This device is designed to prevent unauthorized access to computer systems, making it virtually impossible for hackers to breach even the most secure networks.
The Mexico Renewable Energy Program, sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories, has installed nearly 200 photovoltaic and wind energy projects in eight states, providing energy to over 9,000 people. The program aims to expand markets for US industry, increase agricultural production, and combat greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed tests to determine how well bipolar electronics, commonly used in satellites, can survive long-term radiation exposure. The tests, led by Sandia National Laboratories, predict a 10-year response in just a few weeks and have already benefited systems, preventing potential failures.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) prototype that functions as a clock source, replacing traditional quartz crystals. The MEMS devices are made from polysilicon and can be built on one chip with integrated circuits, reducing manufacturing costs and increasing reliability.
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories and UNM develop a rapid method to self-assemble diverse materials into coatings mimicking seashell structures. The coating process creates tough, strong, optically transparent coatings suitable for automotive finishes, optical lenses, and other applications.
A new device, patented by Sandia National Laboratories, uses a color-changing material to detect when frozen food has thawed and been refrozen, potentially posing food safety risks. The device, which can be made for pennies per unit, relies on an inexpensive 'smart' wire that changes shape at specific temperatures.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing high-temperature electronics to improve geothermal energy production. This could reduce costs by eliminating the need for protective Dewar flasks, which currently add significant expense to drilling operations.