News
News Releases QkarD cellphone technology makes Scientific American podcast
February 3, 2012—Scientific American magazine's "60 Second Tech" podcast, accessible online and via iTunes, features the quantum key distribution team's QKarD (Quantum Smart Card) technology.
LANL sponsored construction services conference on Feb. 9
February 2, 2012—Learn specifics about the task order agreements at a free general construction services solicitation conference from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. February 9 at the Buffalo Thunder Resort in Pojoaque.
Baron awarded National Intelligence Medallion
February 2, 2012—Miles Baron of Los Alamos National Laboratory has been awarded the National Intelligence Medallion from James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Spacecraft reveals new observations of interstellar matter
February 2, 2012—Researchers this week presented new data from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), which directly sampled material carried from outside our solar system across the galaxy by solar and stellar winds. The NASA space probe uses a pair of special cameras, one of which was developed to a large degree at LANL, to sample neutral atoms reaching Earth’s surroundings from the edges of the solar system and its immediate neighborhood.
Stockpile stewardship video now on YouTube
January 31, 2012—A shortened, nine-minute version of the Bradbury Science Museum's video, Stockpile Stewardship at Los Alamos: Heritage of Science, is now available on the LANL YouTube channel.
New technology brings quantum cryptography to handhelds
January 20, 2012—LANL researchers have developed an impenetrable line of defense known as QKarD (Quantum Smart Card) that loads quantum cryptography onto a smartcard or smart phone.
Bradbury Science Museum website revamped
January 19, 2012—With a sleek design, the new site reaches a global audience while providing locals information about the Museum’s popular annual events such as High-Tech Halloween and Summer Adventures in Science.
DOE/NNSA, NMED agree to realign environmental priorities
January 6, 2012—The Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced Thursday evening (January 5) that they have agreed "to address the highest risk, above ground transuranic waste currently located within Technical Area 54 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (the Laboratory or LANL) and to establish an action-oriented approach that makes optimum use of available resources."
LANL earns high marks from community leaders
January 4, 2012—Northern New Mexico community leaders continue to give the Laboratory high marks in the areas of corporate citizenship, economic development, education, and partnering with local governments.
LANS receives additional contract year, 89 percent of available fee
January 4, 2012—In its annual performance evaluation report, Los Alamos National Security, LLC received 89 percent of the available performance-based fee from the National Nuclear Security Administration for managing and operating LANL in fiscal year 2011.
Lab achieves wastewater milestone
January 3, 2012—Millions of gallons of industrial wastewater will be recycled at LANL due to a long-term strategy to treat wastewater rather than discharging it into the environment.
Eight LANL researchers named 2011 APS Fellows
December 23, 2011—The American Physical Society (APS) has selected eight LANL scientists as 2011 Fellows. The APS is a nonprofit organization working to advance the knowledge of physics through its research journals, scientific meetings, outreach, advocacy, and international activities.
Update on LANL environmental cleanup activities to be given at January 5 CAB meeting
December 23, 2011—Representatives from the New Mexico Environment Department, LANL, and the Los Alamos Site Office will present information on environmental cleanup priorities and activities planned over the next two years at a special meeting of the Northern New Mexico Citizens’ Advisory Board.
Technology improvements help accelerate waste shipments
December 14, 2011—LANL’s TRU Waste Program recently achieved a milestone when it shipped several boxes of mixed low-level legacy waste to a licensed disposal facility.
Nicholas: Institute of Nuclear Materials Management Fellow
December 14, 2011—The Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) elected Nancy Jo Nicholas of the Laboratory's Global Security Nuclear Nonproliferation and Security Program Office to the rank of Fellow in recognition of her distinguished contributions to the field of nonproliferation and nuclear security.
Lujan Center aids understanding of model membranes
December 13, 2011—Model membranes on solid supports have important applications for biophysical studies and novel biosensors. However, interactions between the solid support and membrane components could have a negative effect on the membrane’s architecture and physical properties.
Frank Pabian named Visiting Fellow at Stanford's CISAC
December 1, 2011—Frank Pabian of LANL's International Research and Analysis group will serve an eight-month appointment at the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) as a Visiting Fellow.
Program earns completion certificates for remediation efforts
November 22, 2011—The LANL Corrective Actions Program received 83 certificates of completion from the New Mexico Environment Department for remediating environmental sites on current and former Lab property during fiscal year 2011.
McMillan, NNSA officials address safety board
November 21, 2011—Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan joined a panel of high-ranking officials to address the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board at the start of a seven-hour public meeting and hearing in Santa Fe on Thursday (November 17).
Two Lab computer systems in top 10 of TOP500 listing
November 21, 2011—The TOP500 project was started in 1993 to provide a reliable basis for tracking and detecting trends in high-performance computing. Twice a year, a list of the 500 most powerful computer systems is announced.
Dane Spearing named a 2011 American Ceramic Society Fellow
November 14, 2011—Dane R. Spearing is among the American Ceramic Society’s (ACS) 2011 Class of Fellows. The Society’s Panel of Fellows selected the 20 new Fellows, which includes members from around the globe, based on outstanding contributions in scholarship, industry, or service to the Society.
Atomic magnetometers used to make ultra-low field MRI
November 7, 2011—LANL researchers are developing a system to make ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) commercially viable for medical applications.
Community leaders briefed at quarterly breakfast meeting
November 3, 2011—A short video story about the latest Community Leaders Breakfast is now on the LANL YouTube Channel.
A winning hand at Technical Area 51: ACES Complex opens
October 27, 2011—Over the summer, significant investment went into refurbishing Technical Area 51, a facility occupied by the Laboratory's Earth and Environmental Sciences Division. The renovated facility was christened “ACES,” for Atmosphere, Climate, and Ecosystem Science.
Parney Albright named director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
October 27, 2011—Penrose "Parney" C. Albright has been named director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
McMillan outlines priorities to legislators
October 27, 2011—Director Charlie McMillan told a state legislative committee Tuesday (October 25) that his top priorities for the future are to deliver on LANL's commitments to the nation through science, teaming, and innovation.
Paul Burgardt named American Welding Society Fellow
October 27, 2011—Paul Burgardt of the Laboratory's Metallurgy group has been selected as a 2011 American Welding Society (AWS) Fellow.
Apply for new Marie Curie Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow appointment for women until Nov. 15
October 25, 2011—LANL's new Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow appointment, the Marie Curie Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow, is open to outstanding women scientists and engineers of all nationalities.
New deputy, Michael Burns, has experience helping to keep nation safe
October 21, 2011—Michael J. Burns has been chosen as deputy principal associate director for Global Security. Burns's appointment was announced this week by Terry Wallace, principal associate director for Global Security.
Beverly Agnew dies at 91
October 18, 2011—Beverly Agnew, the wife of the Laboratory's third director, Harold Agnew, died October 11 in Solana Beach, California, where the Agnews have lived for more than 30 years.
NNSA issues amended Record of Decision to build nuclear facility at LANL
October 13, 2011—The National Nuclear Security Administration has issued an Amended Record of Decision concerning the Nuclear Facility portion of the Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Replacement project.
LANL takes delivery of new unclassified supercomputer
October 6, 2011—The Los Alamos National Laboratory's Institutional Computing Program is installing a new supercomputer nicknamed "Mustang."
Lab, subcontractors help flood-damaged Santa Clara Pueblo
October 6, 2011—LANL and a consortium of major subcontractors, including EnergySolutions and Frank's Supply Company, teamed to help Santa Clara Pueblo this week as families there struggle with the effects of flooding caused by the Las Conchas Fire.
LANL develops first genetically engineered "magnetic" algae
September 27, 2011—LANL scientists have genetically engineered "magnetic" algae to investigate alternative, more efficient harvesting and lipid extraction methods for biofuels. The researchers seek to reduce the cost of algae-based biofuel production.
Pesiri to lead Technology Transfer Division
September 22, 2011—David Pesiri has been named the new leader of the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Technology Transfer Division, replacing Steve Girrens (Associate Director for Engineering).
Three LANL scientists named ASM Fellows
September 20, 2011—Robert Field, Deniece Korzekwa, and Amit Misra were selected as ASM Fellows for their distinguished contributions in the field of materials science and engineering by the ASM International board of trustees.
Making metamaterials with sound waves in five minutes or less
September 8, 2011—LANL researchers Dipen Sinha, Farid Mitri, and Fernando Garzon of the Laboratory's Sensors and Electrochemical Devices group have achieved an important step in metamaterials development: they've developed fast and inexpensive tools for engineering these materials.
Los Alamos team aids understanding of astrophysical mystery
September 8, 2011—Thanks to the Los Alamos RAGE computer code and a series of supercomputers, a research team now understands more about how observed shock waves, knots, and filamentary structures in these supersonic glowing jets evolve in the stellar environment.
Radiation detection instrument receives patent
September 1, 2011—Scientists from the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Physics, Intelligence and Space Research, and Nuclear Non-proliferation divisions and collaborators from the Raytheon Company recently received a patent for a "Multimodal Radiation Imager."
Sanitary Effluent Reclamation Facility goes online
August 22, 2011—The Laboratory’s recommissioned Sanitary Effluent Reclamation Facility (SERF) at Technical Area 3 is scheduled to go back online this week. The 4,350-square-foot facility is located east of the TA-3 Steam Plant.
"Thank You" event August 25
August 18, 2011—A community-wide event to personally thank the firefighters, first responders and others who helped keep Los Alamos safe during the Las Conchas fire will be held at Ashley Pond from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 25.
Farmington Fire Department wins 2011 HAZMAT Challenge
August 8, 2011—The 2011 HAZMAT Challenge concluded last week with the Farmington Fire Department coming in first overall and first in technical events. The Farmington Fire Department also did well in last year's competition, finishing third overall.
New TRU processing line will reduce legacy waste
August 5, 2011—A new waste-processing capability allows Los Alamos National Laboratory to repackage oversized transuranic (TRU) waste containers and accelerate inventory reduction of TRU waste at TA-54, Area G.
McMillan thanks community leaders for support during fire
August 4, 2011—Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan thanked nearly 200 invited community leaders last Thursday (August 4) for the support LANL received during the recent Las Conchas Fire and said he looks forward to a continued, positive relationship with LANL's neighbors.
LANL innovation: Harvesting concentrated biofuel from algae
August 4, 2011—Scientists are optimizing the R&D 100 award-winning Ultrasonic Algal Biofuel Harvester to obtain concentrated biofuel from algae.
ChemCam and Mars Science Laboratory get final destination
July 26, 2011—After months of analysis and discussion, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover team has picked a landing site on which the rover's adventures can begin.
Las Conchas Recovery Challenge Fund created at LANB
July 13, 2011—Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) has given $50,000 as seed money to establish a fund at Los Alamos National Bank to reimburse area businesses that provided goods and services during the Las Conchas Fire. Employees and the public can make a donation to the fund at any LANB branch in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, or Albuquerque.
Check out the new Facebook page for LANL volunteers related to Las Conchas Fire
July 12, 2011—Learn about volunteer opportunities related to the Las Conchas Fire by going to a new Facebook page.
Volunteering makes for good neighbors
July 11, 2011—More than 200 eligible nonprofit organizations received monetary donations from Los Alamos National Security, LLC at a volunteer recognition event June 22 on the Fuller Lodge lawn.
Tips to protect yourself from wildfires
June 24, 2011—As Northern New Mexico communities experience the fallout from Arizona and New Mexico fires, employees are increasingly thinking about how to reduce danger to their homes and workplaces from wildfires. One way to achieve this is by creating defensible space, a practice that becomes especially salient when employees are sheltering in place.
LANL students get rare, exclusive visit to Trinity Site
June 23, 2011—It happens only twice a year for the general public—but summer students at LANL were given special access this month (June 14) to tour the Trinity Site, where Manhattan Project scientists conducted the world’s first atomic blast in 1945.
Civil Air Patrol volunteers spot Pacheco Fire
June 23, 2011—Lab employees Mike Strevell of Project Management, and Bill Wolfe of Fire Protection provided the initial report of the Pacheco Canyon forest fire currently burning near the Santa Fe Ski Basin.
Fukushima disaster: LANL scientist offers insights
June 21, 2011—Lab air specialist Mike McNaughton talked about local radiation readings following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster during an interview on local radio station KRSN AM 1490 set to air Thursday morning (June 23).
Summer adventure offers glimpse into the past
June 20, 2011—With its "Summer Adventures in History and Science" program, the Bradbury Science Museum teams up with community partners to offer unique, hands-on history and science experiences for the entire family that are as entertaining as they are educational.
Lab's instruments ready to measure Vesta
June 16, 2011—Carrying a gamma-ray and neutron detector developed at LANL, NASA's Dawn spacecraft is en route to study the asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.
"Terrywallaceite" now in official roster of known minerals
June 8, 2011—The Laboratory’s principal associate director for Science, Technology and Engineering has been granted the unusual and prestigious honor of having a mineral named after him.
Air quality alert: take precautions
June 7, 2011—The New Mexico Department of Health has issued an air quality alert due to various wildfires blowing smoke into the region. Laboratory employees, especially those with respiratory illnesses or heart disease and the elderly, should avoid outdoor exercise and keep windows and doors closed.
"Produced water" used to grow algae for biofuels
June 7, 2011—Scientists recently conducted the first pilot-scale test of algae growth using water from an oil-production well in Jal, New Mexico. This impure water, called "produced water," is pumped to the surface concurrently with the extraction of oil, gas, and coal bed methane from underground formations.
"Indigenous People" June 7 kicks off Summer Adventures series
June 7, 2011—With its "Summer Adventures in History and Science" program, the Bradbury Science Museum teams up with community partners to offer unique, hands-on history and science experiences for the entire family that are as entertaining as they are educational.
Congratulatory messages to Charlie McMillan
May 27, 2011—Messages of congratulations were offered to Charlie McMillan on his appointment as the next LANL director.
23rd Rosen Prize goes to Shoemaker
May 27, 2011—Daniel P. Shoemaker, a postdoctoral fellow at Argonne National Laboratory, is the winner of the 23rd Rosen Prize. The prize, established in honor of Louis Rosen, the father of LANSCE, is awarded for the most outstanding doctoral or master's thesis based on experimental or theoretical research performed at LANSCE.
Hundreds learn legacy of Louis Rosen
May 25, 2011—Rosenfest Lectures, in honor of Louis Rosen, the Father of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF), now known as the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), gave the public a rare opportunity to hear about the eclectic science conducted at LANL’s signature science facility.
Higdon named American Statistical Association Fellow
May 24, 2011—David Higdon of the Laboratory's Statistical Sciences is a new American Statistical Association (ASA) Fellow. The designation of Fellow has been a superlative honor in ASA for more than 90 years. Fellows have made outstanding contributions in some aspect of statistical work.
Nobel Laureates to meet with outstanding LANL students
May 23, 2011—Two outstanding Laboratory students will be attending the 61st Meeting of Nobel Laureates o be held June 26 to July 1 in Lindau, Germany. Graduate students Dominique Price and Michael Jablin have been selected to attend the event.
CMRR Environmental Study: How you can comment
May 19, 2011—A series of hearings and written comment periods will give the public, including LANL employees, opportunities to weigh in on environmental aspects of key LANL and NNSA activities.
Planets with no sun to circle are focus of study
May 19, 2011—Free-floating planets, long predicted, have finally been observed by a New Zealand/Japanese survey, NASA reports. The orphan planet study, led by Takahiro Sumi from Osaka University in Japan, appears in the May 19 issue of the journal Nature.
Lab seeks permit to continue detonating high-explosive waste
May 17, 2011—Lab officials will host a public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (May 18) in White Rock to discuss LANL’s application to continue safely detonating high-explosive (HE) wastes.
Lab to discuss runoff controls at public meeting
May 17, 2011—LANL experts on Tuesday (May 17) will describe how the Lab is complying with a new EPA stormwater permit that regulates runoff at several hundred Cold War-era environmental sites.
Lab researchers investigate ice-mass loss from Greenland's Mittivakkat glacier
May 17, 2011—Warming in the Arctic during the past several decades has caused Greenland's ice sheet and outlet glaciers to thin and retreat. The lost ice mass makes a growing contribution to global sea-level rise.
Rosenfest will provide diverse program of lectures and events
May 12, 2011—The upcoming Rosenfest Lectures on May 18-20 hold something for everyone. A series of lectures in honor of Louis Rosen, founder of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), will highlight the past and future for LANL’s signature science facility.
P2 awards recognize more than 400 employees
May 9, 2011—LANL's 2011 Pollution Prevention Awards Ceremony, held April 21 on the lawn at Fuller Lodge, honored more than 400 Lab employees for their success in incorporating pollution prevention strategies—reducing pollution, enhancing operations, saving money, or reducing environmental impacts—into their daily work.
James N. Johnson wins George E. Duvall Shock Compression Science Award
May 3, 2011—James N. Johnson has received the American Physical Society’s 2011 George E. Duvall Shock Compression Science Award. A longtime Lab employee and retiree, Johnson currently serves as a consultant in the Laboratory's Physics and Chemistry of Materials group.
Hecker interviewed for TV documentary about Pete Domenici
April 28, 2011—Former Lab Director Sigfried Hecker was interviewed on camera in his LANL office last week for a television documentary about former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici scheduled to air this fall in New Mexico, stations and times to be announced.
Paul Johnson named American Geophysical Union Fellow
April 25, 2011—Paul Johnson of the Laboratory's Geophysics group has been selected as a 2011 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow.
New hydro power project brings Lab closer to goals
April 25, 2011—Nearly half of LANL's renewable energy goals for 2013 will be met, thanks to a new low-flow hydroelectric turbine now running at Los Alamos County's Abiquiu power facility.
Everyday heroes help out during gas outage
April 14, 2011—When the emergency call came in to the Lab’s Maintenance and Site Services (MSS) Division on February 4, Division Leader Sue Waylett and her team were concerned. About 32,000 New Mexicans had lost natural gas service in the midst of a deep freeze.
Celebrating 10 years of successful small-business assistance
April 14, 2011—The New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) program recently celebrated "10 Years of Innovation" at an event in Albuquerque.
Amit Misra receives Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award
April 12, 2011—Amit Misra of the Laboratory's Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies was honored with the 2011 Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award from the Materials Processing and Manufacturing Division (MPMD) of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) at its recent annual meeting in San Diego.
Jamil Farshchi receives Compass Award
April 11, 2011—Chief Information Security Officer Jamil Farshchi received the 2011 Compass Award from CSO Magazine for his achievements in change leadership and for creating a strategic planning framework that aligns security with organizational goals.
Big hearts, little shoes
April 11, 2011—Thanks to employees’ generosity, hundreds of less fortunate Northern New Mexico kids, as well as people in need in Haiti and Pakistan, recently received shoes.
Site restoration complete at former Cold War-era facility
April 4, 2011—Crews have completed grading and site restoration at the former site of a cluster of buildings on the east end of Technical Area 21.
Lab directors, NNSA administrator speak at Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing
March 31, 2011—Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio, NNSA Administrator Tom D'Agostino, and the directors of Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories spoke on March 30 to the Senate Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Strategic Forces about President Obama's fiscal year 2012 budget request.
New scholarship for Eddy County students
March 28, 2011—High school seniors and undergraduate students in Eddy County in southeastern New Mexico have an opportunity to apply for a college scholarship to pursue a science, technology, math, or engineering degree, thanks to the generosity of Laboratory employees working at Carlsbad and Los Alamos National Security, LLC.
Nastasi named Materials Research Society Fellow
March 21, 2011—Michael Nastasi of the Laboratory's Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies has been selected as a 2011 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fellow. The Fellows are outstanding MRS members whose sustained and distinguished contributions to the advancement of materials research are internationally recognized.
EYH Conference debunks myths about girls and science
March 21, 2011—The myth that girls are less interested in math and science than boys just got busted. More than 80 young women from New Mexico middle and high schools attended this year's Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science™ Conference.
Water flea genome: a sentinel for the environment
March 16, 2011—The journal Science has published the recently completed 200-million base-pair genome sequence of the water flea, Daphnia pulex. The DNA code is the largest number of genes ever recorded for a multicellular animal (more than in the human genome), and one-third are of unknown function.
New Human Resources division leader selected
March 15, 2011—Donna J. Hampton has been named the new Human Resources Division leader. She replaces Ben Glover, who will be leaving the Laboratory to pursue other interests.
Carlos Tomé honored at TMS symposium
March 1, 2011—Carlos Tomé of the Laboratory's Structure/Property Relations group is being recognized for his contributions to the field of Mechanical Behavior of Polycrystalline Materials during a symposium at the 2011 TMS (The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society) Annual Meeting (February 27 to March 3) in San Diego, California.
Citizens Advisory Board learns how LANL protects water
February 24, 2011—Members of the Northern New Mexico Citizens Advisory Board learned about how LANL monitors groundwater. The CAB is a DOE-chartered board that makes recommendations about LANL legacy cleanup.
LANL worker wins Lineman-of-the-Year Award
February 23, 2011—Daniel Trujillo, a journeyman lineman in the Laboratory's Central Shop Operations, has received the International Apprentice Lineman-of-the-Year award from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Possibility of primitive energy-harnessing system
February 23, 2011—LANL scientists recently conducted research that may prove the possibility of energy transfer and storage during Earth's prebiotic era-before living things.
The right Toole for the job
February 18, 2011—Speaking before the New Mexico House Energy and Natural Resources Committee Feb. 16, LANL scientist Loren Toole offered a technical overview of the "conceptual underpinnings" of New Mexico’s recent natural gas outage, an event that threw several thousand New Mexico households into a winter deep freeze for days.
Los Alamos radio station features TA-21 pollution prevention
February 17, 2011—Al Chaloupka, program manager for the Material Disposal Area B cleanup project, was interviewed about his team's use of OREX protective suits.
Talk examines options for dealing with Earth-bound asteroids
February 15, 2011—Laboratory scientist Catherine Plesko will talk about asteroids at three Café Scientifique talks in Española, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos. Plesko will discuss the various options of dealing with Earth-bound asteroids, which are being explored using Earth-based computer simulations and small experiments.
Space-saving bulb crusher used Labwide
February 14, 2011—LANL this month expanded the use of a fluorescent bulb-crushing machine to handle waste bulbs Labwide. It’s a move that could save tens of thousands of dollars in waste disposal fees and will prevent mercury from escaping into the environment.
New quantum-based technologies help ensure cyber security
February 9, 2011—In today's technological world, the information passed through optical fiber networks every second is as valuable as currency, but often the security is not adequate for growing network capabilities and the threats against them. LANL researchers are helping address these cyber security threats through two recently unveiled technologies.
Dissolving suits save money, protect environment
February 8, 2011—LANL will save more than $800,000 and reduce the amount of material sent to a landfill by expanding the use of protective clothing made from a revolutionary recyclable fabric.
Luján Applauds LANL’s Efforts During Gas Outage
February 8, 2011—I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone at Los Alamos National Laboratory for their efforts during the gas outage. The LANL community came together to assist those struggling to get through this crisis, from reducing energy consumption to providing assistance to those without heat.
LANL powers down in emergency
February 7, 2011—When an extraordinary cold spell last week caused natural gas wells to clog up and gas was cut off to area communities, Laboratory infrastructure staff went into action. "Freeze offs" and rolling electrical blackouts at the well sites in West Texas, it seems, had destabilized the flow of natural gas down the supply pipelines into New Mexico, and the gas supplier determined that shutting down key pipelines would prevent a more catastrophic failure of the larger system. As a result, the Laboratory switched its central steam heating and power generation source from natural gas to diesel fuel that afternoon.
Another section complete at Manhattan Project landfill
February 3, 2011—With excavation complete, crews are placing clean soil in the second of seven sections of Material Disposal Area B along DP Road at TA-21.
AIDS research pioneer dies
February 2, 2011—Laboratory Fellow and AIDS research pioneer Gerald "Gerry" Myers died at his Santa Fe home on January 25.
Gregory Kubas wins inorganic chemistry award
February 1, 2011—The Fred Basolo Medal for outstanding research in inorganic chemistry was awarded to Gregory Kubas of the Lab's Inorganic, Isotope, and Actinide Chemistry group by Northwestern University and the American Chemical Society's Chicago Section.
Scott Crooker and William Daughton named APS Fellows
January 31, 2011—Scott Crooker of the Lab's Condensed Matter and Magnet Science group and William Daughton of the Plasma Theory and Applications group have been named American Physical Society Fellows.
Lab completes excavation at TA-15 landfill
January 31, 2011—LANL subcontractor crews last month completed an important environmental milestone: excavation at another former material disposal area. It’s the eighth disposal area to be excavated, or otherwise completed, of 26 across the Lab slated for remediation.
Simulated nuclear test site inspection
January 27, 2011—Watch a video about an inspection of a simulated nuclear test site by a team of United Nations specialists from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization.
Greenland icesheet may reach "tipping point" in near future
January 26, 2011—By combining observations and modeling, Sebastian Mernild of LANL's Computational Physics and Methods group and his colleagues concluded that Greenland's glaciers have not fully responded to global temperature increases and could be seriously affected and reach a "tipping point" in the near future.
Lab wins prestigious technology transfer awards
January 24, 2011—LANL has received two 2011 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) awards for excellence in Technology Transfer. The highly prestigious award honors scientists and research organizations that successfully advance their technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace.
New 3D tracking microscope allows scientists to follow individual molecules in live cells
January 20, 2011—Scientists with the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies have developed a 3D tracking microscope to follow three-dimensional movement of individual protein molecules inside live cells.
Community leaders receive Lab update
January 13, 2011—Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio talked to area community leaders about Laboratory programs and his recent retirement announcement at a regional community leaders breakfast January 11.
Choudhury receives professional development award
January 6, 2011—Samrat Choudhury of the Laboratory's Structure/Property Relations group has received the 2011 Young Leader Professional Development Award from The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society.
Leadership changes in Prime Contract Office and ADCLES
December 23, 2010—Steve Shook joins the Laboratory as director of the Prime Contract Management Office. Nan Sauer will serve as acting associate director for Chemistry, Life, and Earth Science.
Curry ruling on open burning
December 23, 2010—New Mexico Environment Secretary Ron Curry this week granted a LANL motion allowing the Lab to continue open burning of high explosive residues while a supplemental permit application is prepared and filed.
Lab researcher recognized by French Acoustic Society
December 22, 2010—Paul A. Johnson of LANL's Geophysics group received the Médaille Étrangère from the Société Française d'Acoustique (French Acoustic Society). He was nominated for his work in geophysics, medicine and nondestructive evaluation, as well as his work with French students.
Scientists celebrate "finishing" 500th genome
December 16, 2010—The finishing team for the Genome Science (B-6) Group recently celebrated a record year, "finishing" its 500th genome and completing 151 genomes for the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and more than 20 additional genomes for other sponsors, such as the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
LANL makes progress on town site cleanup projects
December 16, 2010—The New Mexico Environment Department has granted LANL "certificates of completion" on 21 environmental sites on former Lab property in the Los Alamos town site. A certificate of completion means that no further remediation action is needed at a site.
NNSA recognizes LANL for meeting mission goals
December 13, 2010—The National Nuclear Security Administration recently highlighted a number of program goals met by the Laboratory during fiscal year 2010. For a list of the program goals that were met, see the Los Alamos Site Office's news release.
Research Library team wins 2010 Digital Preservation Award
December 9, 2010—Herbert Van de Sompel, Robert Sanderson, Lyudmila Balakireva, and Harihar Shankar of the Laboratory's Research Library and collaborators at Old Dominion University have won the 2010 Digital Preservation Award for Memento, a framework for time travel on the web.
Quantum dots breakthrough is a boon to bioimaging research
December 7, 2010—Jennifer Hollingsworth of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy group and a team of researchers have developed an inorganic shell approach to suppress “blinking” in nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs).
NMED Secretary Curry issues ruling on LANL hazardous waste permit
December 1, 2010—Tuesday afternoon, New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry issued his final ruling on LANL's hazardous waste permit. Curry granted the 10-year permit renewal, allowing storage and management of hazardous waste at certain Lab locations, but denied the Lab's application for open burning of high-explosive wastes.
Multi-million dollar energy efficiency project begins
December 1, 2010—Late last Wednesday, after most of the Laboratory had headed home for the Thanksgiving holiday, a small crew officially started work on a much-anticipated $28 million energy efficiency project.
Scientists predict characteristics of cities
December 1, 2010—Cities are some of the most complex human organizations, yet they share remarkably similar characteristics as they grow in size. The developed world is already about 80% urban, and the rest of the world is expected to follow suit by 2050. Urbanization defines much of what we can expect to experience in our homes, work, and social interactions.
LANS invests in SFCC's Sustainable Technologies Center
November 30, 2010—Los Alamos National Security, LLC invested $100,000 in Santa Fe Community College's Sustainable Technologies Center. The funds will be used to support the center's operating costs, and salaries of instructors in the program.
Feed the 500 a huge success
November 24, 2010—Lab employees again demonstrated their generosity by donating 560 turkeys and enough nonperishable food items to fill 688 food baskets during the Feed the 500 initiative, which ended Tuesday.
New computational method helps trace HIV outbreak
November 23, 2010—Thomas Leitner of the Laboratory's Theoretical Biology and Biophysics group and collaborators at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analyzed a recent outbreak of HIV among injecting drug users in Stockholm, Sweden using a new computational method developed by Lietner for genetic analyses.
Employees demonstrate generosity, caring
November 23, 2010—Phase one of the Lab's annual holiday drive concludes today with Take a Turkey to Work Day. As of Monday afternoon, 488 boxes of food items had been boxed by employee volunteers with food items still coming in.
Alan Graham elected 2010 AIChE Fellow
November 17, 2010—Alan Graham of the Laboratory’s Applied Electromagnetics group has been named a 2010 Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Bradbury Science Museum on Travel Channel tonight
November 16, 2010—The Laboratory's Bradbury Science Museum is in the spotlight tonight on the Travel Channel's Mysteries at the Museum series. The show airs at 7 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.
Five selected as LANL Fellows
November 15, 2010—Five Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists from diverse fields of research have been named Laboratory Fellows. The researchers are Brenda Dingus, William (Bill) Louis, John Sarrao, Dipen Sinha, and Giday Woldegabriel.
Tokyo physics professor is new Seaborg Scholar
November 10, 2010—University of Tokyo physics professor Hiroshi Yasuoka this month began a nine-month appointment as the Seaborg Scholar at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Glenn T. Seaborg Institute.
LANL fuel-cell paper declared a “classic”
November 10, 2010—The Electrochemical Society recently deemed a LANL research article, "Polymer Electrolyte Fuel-Cell Model," a "classic" paper for its significant impact on fuel-cell research. The article focused on the development of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) model that enabled efficient and clean energy conversion.
Two Lab researchers named ASME Fellows
November 10, 2010—Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers Michael Prime of the Advanced Engineering Analysis group and Edward Rodriguez of the Weapons Directorate have been named 2010 Fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Lab scientist wins Presidential Early Career Award for work in condensed-matter physics
November 9, 2010—Physicist Eric Bauer of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Condensed Matter and Magnet Science has won a 2010 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Lab wins awards at FLC regional meeting
November 3, 2010—LANL recently won three awards at the 2010 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Mid-Continent and Far West Regional Meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The FLC is a nationwide network of federal laboratories that strives to link laboratory-developed technologies and expertise with the private sector.
Breakfast, flag-raising, and fun walk part of Veterans Day celebration Nov. 9
November 3, 2010—The Laboratory will honor veterans at the annual veterans breakfast, flag-raising ceremony, and fun run/walk on Tuesday, November 9.
Prevention and management of oral diseases may get a boost
October 28, 2010—LANL scientists along with collaborators from the University of Oklahoma have completed the first gene catalog of the community of microorganisms in human healthy dental plaque.
New technology may help nation's port-of-entry and border security
October 21, 2010—LANL researchers and collaborators from MER Corporation and Sandia National Laboratories have developed an oxide ceramic scintillator with high optical transparency that ultimately may be used in the detection and verification of shielded special nuclear material at the nation's ports of entry and in large panels for radiation monitoring along unattended U.S. air, land, and sea borders.
NNSA holds scoping sessions for CMRR environmental study
October 21, 2010—Dozens of citizens turned out this week for NNSA's public meetings to gather input on what should be studied in a new supplemental environmental impact statement for the CMRR project.
With LANL help, students learn about water quality during massive Rio sampling event
October 21, 2010—In the biggest simultaneous sampling event ever along the Rio Grande, students from 40 schools in the U.S. and 17 in Mexico—ranging from the headwaters in southern Colorado to the estuary in the Gulf of Mexico—waded in and tested the waters.
High-Tech Halloween is Oct. 29 at Bradbury Science Museum
October 21, 2010—When does science get spooktacular? To find out, climb into your costume and head on over to the Bradbury Science Museum for “High-Tech Halloween!” Back for its 17th year, the creepy educational event is from 4 to 7 p.m. October 29.
Help needed in elk-shooting investigation
October 21, 2010—Do you know anything about the illegal shooting of a bull elk near Valles Caldera National Preserve and in close proximity to Laboratory property? If so, Emergency Management and Response asks that you contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Former Director Browne, Lab scientists to discuss future of nuclear weapons
October 19, 2010—A talk by Richard Rhodes, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Making of the Atomic Bomb and Twilight of the Bombs, will be followed by a discussion between the author and a panel of experts, including former Laboratory Director John Browne and other Los Alamos scientists. The talk is from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Forum at Santa Fe University of Art & Design (formerly College of Santa Fe), 1600 St. Michael’s Drive.
Public gets opportunity to weigh in on CMRR environmental study
October 18, 2010—NNSA will hold two public scoping meetings this week in New Mexico to gather input on what should be studied in a supplemental environmental impact statement for the CMRR facility.
New deputy principal director for Weapons Infrastructure selected
October 15, 2010—Craig Leasure is the new deputy principal director for Weapons Programs responsible for the coordination, management, and integration of the Weapons Infrastructure Program.
Next generation MagViz technology demonstrated at Albuquerque International Airport
October 15, 2010—Visitors to the Albuquerque International Sunport found a high-tech security demonstration underway on Wednesday (October 13) when a next-generation liquid- and gel-scanning system for airport travelers was demonstrated for the public, media, congressional staff and U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials.
October Connections newsletter highlights Lab's impact in local communities
October 13, 2010—Helping to improve math and science teaching in area schools. Supporting today's students to become tomorrow's high-tech employees and science literate adults. These and more news items are highlighted in the October issue of the Connections newsletter now online.
New PADGS associate director for Threat Identification and Response named
October 12, 2010—Scott Gibbs has been named associate director for Threat Identification and Response, a newly created position within the Global Security Principal Associate Directorate.
National Science Foundation funds Computer Systems Research Center at the New Mexico Consortium in Los Alamos
October 7, 2010—The National Science Foundation awarded $10 million to the New Mexico Consortium (NMC), the Laboratory, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Utah, and the University of New Mexico, to build and operate the Parallel Reconfigurable Observational Environment (PRObE), a computer systems research center.
NNSA to analyze environmental impact of Chemical and Metallurgy Research Replacement Project
October 7, 2010—The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has published a notice of intent in the Federal Register detailing its decision to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement for construction and operation of the Laboratory's Chemical and Metallurgy Research Replacement facility.
Lab's Safety Short program wins prestigious DOE Innovation Award
October 6, 2010—The Laboratory recently received the Department of Energy Voluntary Protection Program’s Innovation Award for its Safety Short program of videos, fliers, and posters at a DOE-VPP conference in Orlando, Florida.
Talk Thursday at UNM explores role of S&T in transforming global health
October 6, 2010—The Lab's Community Programs Office invites employees and the public to a talk about the importance of science and technology to transforming global health on October 7.
LANL posts latest Environmental Surveillance Report
October 4, 2010—The Laboratory's 2009 Environmental Surveillance Report is now online. "Environmental Surveillance at Los Alamos during 2009" describes the results of the Laboratory's monitoring of air, surface water, groundwater, storm water, sediments, soils, and biota.
Learn about distracted driving during Drive Safely Work Week
October 4, 2010—The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has announced October 4-8 as Drive Safely Work Week. The NETS and National Safety Council websites have extensive information on distracted driving, including an excellent research-based article.
Officially off the books: DOE approves completion of first LANL Recovery Act project
October 1, 2010—The building is down, the rubble is gone, and LANL has obtained the Department of Energy’s first “CD-4” approval for a Recovery Act capital project.
Lab's social media links now on homepages
October 1, 2010—Social media is all the rage for those who want to stay up to the minute. Now with just a click of an icon on the Lab’s external homepage, keep up with LANL news, views, sights and sounds through Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
LANL lends its scientific expertise to clean energy and carbon sequestration projects
September 29, 2010—Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced that as part of the DOE Fossil Energy Program, the agency is funding large, complementary projects that will focus on clean energy and carbon sequestration. And LANL is deeply involved in two of these projects - the Clean Coal Center and the Carbon Capture and Storage Simulation Initiative.
The Triple Crown of R&D 100 Awards: Lab researcher wins prestigious award three years in a row
September 29, 2010—In 1963, the editors of R&D Magazine established the annual R&D 100 Awards competition to identify the 100 most technologically significant new products of the year from multiple disciplines. James Maxwell of the Lab's Nuclear Counterterrorism Response has enjoyed such recognition for his work for the past three years in a row.
Safe water: LANL flotilla sets off down Rio Grande
September 29, 2010—Mist rose from the Rio Grande early Monday morning, as crews prepared a dozen inflatable rafts for LANL’s annual four-day float trip to sample remote springs which emerge near the river.
Another dome down and one step closer to TA-54 closure
September 28, 2010—Last Thursday, the Laboratory began demolishing Dome 281, a 4,100 sq. ft. metal and fabric dome at Technical Area 54.
Lab researchers discover novel approach to antireflection coating
September 23, 2010—Houtong Chen, Jiangfeng Zhou, John O'Hara, Frank Chen, and Abul Azad of the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (MPA-CINT) and Antoinette Taylor of Materials Physics and Applications Division (MPA-DO) have discovered a novel approach to antireflection coating.
New Science on Wheels programs focus on renewable energy
September 22, 2010—The Bradbury Science Museum’s Science on Wheels educational program is offering new, renewable energy-related workshops.
Cost savings help Lab add additional well to Recovery Act project
September 22, 2010—Part of the $212 million in Recovery Act environmental projects at LANL was the installation of 16 groundwater monitoring wells.
Bradbury Science Museum takes part in Smithsonian’s Museum Day September 25
September 21, 2010—The Bradbury Science Museum is participating for the sixth year in the Smithsonian’s Museum Day on Saturday, September 25.
R&D winner Scott Watson presents "world's fastest camera" on KRSN 1490 AM
September 17, 2010—Scott Watson of Advanced Nuclear Technology (N-2), who won a prestigious 2010 R&D 100 award for his extreme slow motion camera MOXIE, an acronym for "Movies Of eXtreme Imaging Experiments," spoke about the technology on local radio station KRSN AM 1490.
Lab researchers developing affordable, flexible, and rapid prototyping option for lab-on-a-chip applications
September 13, 2010—Los Alamos researchers have demonstrated the ability to fabricate robust components with a variety of microfluidic functions. The process is an affordable, flexible, and rapid prototyping option for lab-on-a-chip applications.
Scientists tout importance of research at LDRD Day
September 10, 2010—More than 40 scientists and researchers discussed their Laboratory Directed Research and Development-funded research at the second annual LDRD Day Wednesday at the Buffalo Thunder Hotel in Pojoaque.
Sen. Udall tours LANL Recovery Act cleanup sites
September 8, 2010—New Mexico Senator Tom Udall toured Recovery Act cleanup sites at the Lab's Technical Area 21 on Tuesday.
Lab researcher named Fellow of American Ceramic Society
September 2, 2010—Quanxi Jia of the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Los Alamos has been selected as a 2010 American Ceramic Society Fellow for his outstanding contributions to the ceramic arts or sciences.
Lab attracts record number of students this summer
August 31, 2010—This year, the Laboratory attracted a record number of student interns, giving them the opportunity to conduct exciting and important research in a wide range of disciplines.
Seven Lab employees to serve on Los Alamos Employees' Scholarship Fund advisory committee
August 27, 2010—Seven Laboratory employees recently were elected to serve three-year terms on the Los Alamos Employees' Scholarship Fund scholarship advisory committee. Elected were Clare Webber, Leo Jaramillo, Claudette Chavez, Phillip Goldstone, Randy Erickson, Craig Leasure, and Phil Tubesing.
2009 Distinguished Performance Award winners announced
August 26, 2010—Five individuals, five small teams, and seven large teams are receiving 2009 Distinguished Performance Awards, a program that recognizes job performance above and beyond what is normally expected.
NNSA Defense Programs chief to tour Lab, have All-Employee Meeting
August 26, 2010—The new NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, Don Cook, will spend two days touring key facilities and getting a wide variety of briefings at the Laboratory starting Monday, August 30.
Lab researcher receives prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award
Nathan G. McDowell of Earth Systems Observations (EES-14) has received a Fulbright Scholar Award. The 10-month award will enable him to study vegetation mortality patterns and mechanisms, carbon cycling, and climate in the European Union. McDowell will be based in Slovenia, where he also will present guest lectures in plant physiology and forestry courses at the University of Ljubljana.
Second LDRD Day showcases Lab's scientific research
August 24, 2010—The Los Alamos Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program will host the second LDRD Day on September 8 at the Hilton Hotel at Buffalo Thunder Resort in Pojoaque.
Global security topic of talk at American Chemical Society meeting
August 24, 2010—The role of chemists in national security science was a hot topic Monday (August 23) at the American Chemical Society's Boston meeting, when Principal Associate Director for Global Security Will Rees addressed the crowd.
Administration Building demolition project continues
August 23, 2010—The institutionally funded decontamination and decommissioning of the former Administration Building (SM-43) at Technical Area 3 is making progress.
Filing for occupational illness compensation? Satellite office available on-site
August 23, 2010—Monetary compensation and payment of medical expenses are available to current and former Laboratory workers who may have contracted an illness related to chemical exposure while working in a covered Department of Energy facility, as well as to the workers’ survivors.
Awards Recognize Outstanding Science and Technology available to the private sector
August 20, 2010—The 12th Annual Technology Transfer Recognition and Awards reception honored Laboratory scientists and technicians who develop scientific technologies in support of the Laboratory’s mission that have great potential for commercialization in business and industry.
Raising the flag: Ceremony marks Lab receiving VPP Merit-level recognition
August 20, 2010—Officials from NNSA presented an official Voluntary Protection Program flag to Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio in acknowledgement of the Laboratory receiving Merit-level recognition from the Department of Energy as part of DOE's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
Heavy rains test Lab erosion control systems
August 19, 2010—Inspections since the heavy rains are revealing damage to some important parts of LANL’s erosion and sediment control systems, said the Lab’s stormwater program manager.
Lab research demonstrates how iron artifacts sequester plutonium from their local environment
August 19, 2010—Researchers collected discarded iron artifacts, such as nails, washers, rebar, and saw blades; from the outdoor environment and analyzed their surfaces for adsorbed plutonium.
Back-to-School Bash at Central Park Square caps successful School Supply Drive
August 19, 2010—Nearly 60 Laboratory employees and their family members participated in the "Kicks for Kids" 3-kilometer fun walk Wednesday as part of the Back-to-School Bash at Central Park Square.
Lab researchers help develop power spectrum emulator code for cosmology studies
August 18, 2010—Many of the most exciting questions in cosmology, including observational probes of dark energy, rely on an understanding of the nonlinear regime of cosmic structure formation. In order to exploit the information available from this regime and to extract cosmological constraints, accurate theoretical predictions are needed.
Repaving of West Jemez Road continues; Pajarito Road being milled now
August 17, 2010—Repaving of a short section of West Jemez Road has begun and cold milling of a 3.5-mile stretch of Pajarito Road also is under way. Drivers are reminded to reduce their speed, use caution, and be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians when traveling through the work area.
New school year is starting; slow down and use caution in school zones
August 17, 2010—The new school year is under way across Northern New Mexico, with Los Alamos public schools starting on Thursday (August 19). Drivers are reminded to be aware of the increased presence of children and to slow down in school zones. Students should be careful getting to school and use caution around buses.
LANSCE sponsors-neutron scattering school on structural materials
August 10, 2010—At this year's Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) School on Neutron Scattering, 34 graduate students and postdocs from all over the world are learning about "Structural Materials." The event began August 5 and runs until Friday (August 13).
Romero Cabin in downtown Los Alamos opening to public
August 9, 2010—The Romero Cabin, the last remaining Hispanic Homesteader’s Cabin not lost in the Cerro Grande Fire in 2000, recently received a sprucing up, thanks in part to a $3,000 grant from Los Alamos National Security, LLC.
LANL Recovery Act project hits hiring peak, exceeds job goals
August 3, 2010—One of New Mexico’s largest Recovery Act projects will hit its hiring peak this summer when an additional 125 people are hired to work on an environmental remediation project at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
Roadrunner inspires Lab researchers to develop a new hybrid cosmology simulation code
August 3, 2010—Roadrunner, the world's first petaflop computing platform, inspired a new LANL-developed hybrid cosmology simulation code that uses hardware acceleration to help meet these goals.
Oklahoma fire department defends Hazmat Challenge title
August 2, 2010—Midwest City, Oklahoma's Fire Department successfully defended its title in winning the 14th annual Hazmat Challenge hosted at the Lab's Technical Area 49.
Repaving on West Jemez Road scheduled to begin August 2
August 2, 2010—Milling and paving operations are scheduled to begin August 2 and will run through September 30 on West Jemez and Pajarito roads.
Lab buys Sandia tools worth $5.8 million for $500K
July 29, 2010—Imagine investing your nest egg and having your investment come back more than ten-fold. That's similar to what happened when the Lab's Prototype Fabrication (PF) Division acquired machine tools worth $5.8 million for just $500,000 from Sandia National Laboratories after SNL closed down their machine shop in November 2009.
Lab researchers examine the impact of a thawing permafrost on Arctic landscapes
July 27, 2010—Observations indicate that over the past several decades, surface processes in the Arctic have been changing or intensifying. These processes include erosion, expansion of water channel networks, landslides, and degradation of frozen ground previously stable for thousands of years.
Los Alamos County releases 2009 water quality report
July 22, 2010—Los Alamos County recently released its 2009 Drinking Water Quality Report. The report provides detailed information on the quality of the drinking water in Los Alamos.
Lab researcher honored with Albert Einstein Professorship Prize
July 20, 2010—Wojciech Zurek of the Lab's Physics of Condensed Matter and Complex Systems has been awarded the Albert Einstein Professorship Prize by the Foundation of the University of Ulm in Germany.
Lab director shared thoughts on New START Treaty before Senate committees
July 16, 2010—Lab Director Michael Anastasio appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee to respond to the Committee’s questions on the New START Treaty and the ability of the national laboratories to maintain the safety, security, and effectiveness of the stockpile into the future.
Lab student and earthquake survivor featured on Larry King show highlighting Haiti reconstruction
July 15, 2010—Christa Brelsford, a summer student working on her doctoral dissertation in Energy and Infrastructure Analysis (D-4), was among the featured guests on the July 12 “Larry King Live” program on CNN.
Lab research may aid characterization and development of nanoparticles and sensing applications
July 12, 2010—The development of a full spectral, in-flow Raman instrument created by LANL researchers is a powerful new tool for nanomaterials development. The instrument has uses beyond traditional biological applications of flow cytometry.
Lab researcher contributes to new understanding of supernova neutrinos
July 8, 2010—Supernova explosions caused by the collapse of stellar cores play an essential role in the evolution of the Universe, from controlling the temperature of the gas and the rate of star formation in the galactic disk to synthesizing and dispersing heavy elements.
Employees, family members turn out to make Pancakes on Plaza another success
July 8, 2010—Alison Gilstrap of Ethics and Compliance is all smiles Sunday morning on Santa Fe's downtown plaza. Gilstrap was one of 60 Laboratory employees and their family members who volunteered to make and serve pancakes at the 35th annual Pancakes on the Plaza event on July 4.
Valles Caldera Summer Environmental Camp inspires science teachers
July 7, 2010—It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful place for the nation’s science teachers to become better instructors than in that vast outdoor classroom known as the “Valles Caldera.”
Safety first during excavation of World War II landfill
July 6, 2010—The setup for work at Material Disposal Area B is a far cry from grandfather’s dump site. Excavation started last week at MDA B, on the south side of DP Road, where workers will scoop out 22,000 cubic yards of dirt and LANL trash disposed from 1944 to 1948.
New anti-neutrino oscillation results from MiniBooNE
July 6, 2010—MiniBooNE recently announced new oscillation results at the international Neutrino conference in Athens, Greece. The MiniBooNE experiment studies these oscillations by creating intense beams of muon neutrinos and antineutrinos, and directing them at an 800-ton sphere filled with mineral oil and located a half a kilometer away from the beam’s source.
Come to the Next Big Idea July 16-17
July 2, 2010—Are you interested in talking with children and adults about the exciting science taking place at the Laboratory? Then come to The Next Big Idea July 16 and 17 at the Bradbury Science Museum, Fuller Lodge, and Ashley Pond.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visits Laboratory
July 1, 2010—Secretary of Defense Robert Gates came to the Laboratory on Wednesday for briefings from Director Michael Anastasio and others on LANL's warfighter program and stockpile stewardship efforts.
Kevin W. Smith named new Los Alamos Site Office manager
July 1, 2010—Kevin W. Smith is the new manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Los Alamos Site Office.
New NNSA deputy administrator for defense programs named
July 1, 2010—Donald Cook has been confirmed and sworn in as the National Nuclear Security Administration's deputy administrator for defense programs.
Lab scientists involved in $122 million Nuclear Energy Innovation Hub recognized
June 28, 2010—Laboratory materials scientists and computer modeling experts are participating in an effort by the Department of Energy to create a “virtual” reactor that could lead to the next generation of safer, longer-lasting, and less-expensive nuclear reactors.
Postdocs take center stage at Postdoc Research Day
June 28, 2010—Sixty-eight Laboratory postdocs touted their research at Postdoc Research Day earlier this month.
Lab completes 100th shipment to WIPP repository
June 25, 2010—LANL, for the second consecutive year, has hit a milestone of 100 transuranic waste shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad.
2010 Los Alamos Employees' Scholarship drive reaches goal
June 25, 2010—The 2010 Los Alamos Employees' Scholarship Fund drive met its goal. As of June 23, more than $253,000 in donations has been received.
Anastasio: Lab's students are 'nation's hope for the future'
June 24, 2010—Calling Laboratory students the nation's hope for the future, Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio on Wednesday said, "Maybe one of you will be up here in 20 years' time, directing the Laboratory. I sure hope so."
Hitting the mark: Spallation neutron target expected to double cold neutron flux
June 23, 2010—All systems are green for the new Mark-III spallation neutron target at the Lujan Center at LANSCE. Earlier this month, the first proton beam hit the Mark-III target.
Molecular forensic science studies nuclear materials from Chernobyl
June 17, 2010—Marianne Wilkerson leads a research team that is developing analytical, nuclear forensics techniques and tools to address signatures that arise from production, conversion, and aging process that are chemical in nature resulting in sometimes obvious and other times subtle changes in chemical speciation.
Information meeting draws hundreds to Española
June 17, 2010—Hundreds turned out to an informational meeting Wednesday in Española. Sponsored by the Laboratory, the meeting was held to give the public information about planned construction projects on Pajarito Road.
LDRD science serving the nation showcased at D.C. symposium
June 16, 2010—More than 200 researchers from the national laboratories, including Los Alamos, as well as government officials, industry and the military participated in the 2010 NNSA Laboratory Directed Research and Development Symposium.
LANS donates funds to LANL Foundation for new science education consortium
June 14, 2010—Los Alamos National Security, LLC presented a check for $171,500 to the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation for a new science education consortium to train teachers and principals in four local school districts.
Advocates of employee giving campaigns honored at Fuller Lodge luncheon
June 11, 2010—Employee advocates and Laboratory business partners working together to foster the Laboratory’s giving programs were officially recognized at a luncheon at Fuller Lodge.
LANS recognizes Lab employee, retiree volunteer efforts
June 11, 2010—Saying that he was proud of Laboratory employees and retirees for their volunteer efforts in local communities, Deputy Laboratory Director Ike Richardson joined Los Alamos National Security, LLC and the Community Programs Office in recognizing employee and retiree volunteers during a ceremony at Fuller Lodge.
Brian Munsky wins 2010 Leon Heller Postdoc Publication Prize
June 8, 2010—Brian Munsky, a Richard P. Feynman Distinguished Postdoc Fellow in the Information Sciences and Advancement Measurement Science (CCS-3/B-9) groups, received the 2010 Leon Heller Postdoctoral Publication Prize in Theoretical Physics.
Former LANL chemist returns as DOE assistant secretary, tours Recovery Act work site
June 7, 2010—Saying New Mexico is her second home, former LANL chemist Inés Triay returned to Los Alamos on Friday, this time as DOE’s Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management. Triay received a ceremonial key to Los Alamos County and toured Recovery Act cleanup work sites at TA-21.
June Connections newsletter available online
June 4, 2010—The Laboratory has a long history of serving the nation, from its Manhattan Project beginning in the 1940s to responding to national needs today. In the June issue of the Connections online newsletter, read about how Lab expertise is coming to bear in responding to emergencies across the nation, including in the Gulf.
Lab researchers develop simple method to prepare nanostructured metals for sensing applications
June 2, 2010—Ping Xu, Nathan H. Mack, Sea-Ho Jeon, and Hsing-Lin Wang of the Lab's Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy group, Stephen Doorn of Center for Integrated Nanotechnology, and collaborators at the Harbin Institute of Technology in China have developed a novel synthetic platform for nanomaterials by using the conjugated polymer, polyaniline (PANI), as a reductive substrate.
Senator Bingaman applauds LANL and Sandia for helping address the Gulf oil well leak
May 27, 2010—Senator Jeff Bingaman, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, recently visited the Gulf Coast to learn more about BP's plans to plug the leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico and to clean up the resulting oil spill.
Local nonprofits receive $25,000 from URS Washington Group
May 27, 2010—Eleven local nonprofit organizations received a certificate and checks totaling $25,000 on Wednesday from URS Washington Group, one of the parent companies of Los Alamos National Security, LLC.
Lab researchers shed light on rapid drug resistance in hepatitis C treatment
May 26, 2010—Libin Rong, Harel Dahari, Ruy Ribeiro, and Alan Perelson of Theoretical Biology and Biophysics (T-6) used published data from patients treated with the antiviral drug telaprevir to analyze and explain the emergence of drug-resistant HCV variants.
Lab researcher honored by New Mexico Business Weekly
May 20, 2010—John Singleton of Condensed Matter and Magnet Science was honored recently for his research on practical applications of pulsar physics by New Mexico Business Weekly, which included him in its annual “Who’s Who in Technology” acknowledgment.
Platinum scholarship recipient Trujillo exudes confidence
May 17, 2010—Some people call it cocky, but Escalante High School senior Estevan Trujillo calls it confidence. The 18-year-old Trujillo said he had an inkling he would receive a Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund scholarship. But he didn’t think he’d receive the $7,500-a-year for four years platinum scholarship.
Hard work pays off for Peñasco High student, LAESF scholar
May 10, 2010—Desiree Garcia is a young woman on the go. Literally. She’s up at 6 every morning and out the door by 7:15 a.m. to drive from Española to Peñasco High School where she is a senior. Garcia is one of 55 Northern New Mexico area students who received a Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund scholarship.
Latest issue of Connections newsletter available online
May 10, 2010—In the May issue of the Connections online newsletter, read about how the fourth annual Chile Bowl raised more than $20,000 for the San Martin de Porres soup kitchen.
Lab builds distillation test station for energy savings in light hydrocarbon separations
May 6, 2010—In support of its Energy Security mission, the Laboratory is developing methods to increase the energy efficiency of light hydrocarbon separation — the most recent achievement is completion of a sophisticated distillation test station.
Los Alamos a key partner in alliance to develop viable alternative fuels
May 6, 2010—Los Alamos National Laboratory showed its leadership in alternative energy development during the official kickoff of the nation’s largest consortium for research and innovation in advanced algal biofuels.
Lab receives two Awards of Excellence in Technology Transfer
May 5, 2010—The Laboratory recently received two Excellence in Technology Transfer Awards from the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC). The FLC Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer recognizes science and technology employees in more than 250 FLC laboratories who have accomplished outstanding work in the process of transferring federally developed technology to industry.
May is Electrical Safety Month
May 4, 2010—May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the Laboratory is teaming up with the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to launch an awareness campaign to educate workers about the steps that can be taken to prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities in the home and the workplace.
Memorial service planned May 18 for Los Alamos Medal winner Conrad Longmire
May 4, 2010—A memorial service for longtime Laboratory scientist and 2004 Los Alamos Medal recipient Conrad Longmire is May 18 at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos. Longmire died March 22 in Santa Barbara, Calif. at age 88. The service begins at 4 p.m.
Fifty-five New Mexico students receive LAESF scholarships
May 3, 2010—Fifty-five New Mexico students are receiving scholarships thanks to the generosity of Laboratory employees who donated to the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund.
LANL wins first- and second-place Telly Awards
May 3, 2010—The Laboratory beat out thousands of contenders to win the top Telly Award for 2010 in the safety category for its video, "Being Human - What happens before mistakes?" Another Lab video, "Stairs and Handrails," received the second-place Telly. Both videos were produced, directed, written, and narrated by Health and Safety Communications Project Leader Rob Nicholas of Industrial Hygiene and Safety.
Melrose High School team wins Supercomputing Challenge with wildfire project
Apr. 28, 2010—A trio of students from Melrose High School captured the top prize in the 20th New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge hosted by the Laboratory. "Control and Spread of Wildfires II" by brothers Richard and Randall Rush and Kyle Jacobs garnered each student a check for $1,000.
LANL receives a medical imaging grant from DOD Breast Cancer Research Program
Apr. 28, 2010—LANL scientist Lianjie Huang of the Geophysics group and medical collaborators Francesco Simonetti of Imperial College London, Donald Ingber of Harvard Medical School and Michael Williamson of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine recently were awarded a $7.6M breast-cancer-imaging grant from the Breast Cancer Research Program of the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
Employees, community leaders line up to testify at LANL waste hearing
Apr. 26, 2010—Dozens of commenters, from Los Alamos County Councilors and a state representative to Lab retirees and a LANL principal associate director, spoke out at the New Mexico Environment Department's hearing for the Lab's hazardous waste permit April 23.
Increasing awareness of science across the nation is goal of National Lab Day
Apr. 26, 2010—Connecting teachers and students with scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and industry professionals across the country is the goal of National Lab Day, a year-around initiative spearheaded by President Obama. The Laboratory is joining other Department of Energy labs and several other organizations nationwide in recognizing National Lab Day, with events May 4 and 5 at the Bradbury Science Museum.
Laboratory publication wins graphic design award of excellence
Apr. 23, 2010—Currents, the Lab's former monthly employee magazine, recently received a national design award of excellence from Graphic Design USA for the January 2010 issue.
New on YouTube: LANL helps save lives on today's battlefields
Apr. 22, 2010—A new LANL video posted to YouTube shows how Lab scientists and bomb squad technicians are helping save lives on today's battlefields. The video chronicles a March 31 training course for New Mexico National Guard members at TA-49.
Hundreds turn out for Lab sponsored small-business forum
Apr. 22, 2010—Los Alamos Smalll Business Program Office Manager Dennis Roybal, right, talks with Donna Bohannon and Ron Bohannon at the Small Business Forum Tuesday at Ohkay Owingeh Conference Center. Donna Bohannon is owner of Tierra West, a small-business civil engineering firm.
Leaders from throughout Northern New Mexico attend breakfast and briefings at Lab
Apr. 22, 2010—Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio talks with New Mexico Highlands University President Jim Fries at the April 21 regional community leaders breakfast. Anastasio briefed attendees, who also had a chance to look at poster presentations from representatives of nearby colleges and nonprofit organizations that received community giving grants from Los Alamos National Security, LLC. Invited guests also could sign up to take one of several tours of Lab facilities.
Next Frontiers in Science lectures go inside the Sun
Apr. 21, 2010—What goes on inside the Sun? Do scientists know what happens inside the Sun’s core merely by observing its surface? These and other questions will be explored by Laboratory physicist Joyce Guzik in the next series of Frontiers in Science talks beginning April 27 in the Duane Smith Auditorium at Los Alamos High School.
DOE recognizes Lab's lighting research achievements
Apr. 21, 2010—The Department of Energy recently recognized a team of researchers from Materials Physics and Applications Division and the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center for their research to develop new materials to lower the cost of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) manufacturing.
Recipients of the 2010 LANL Star Award to be honored
Apr. 20, 2010—Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio will recognize twelve female employees as the 2010 LANL Stars during an award ceremony on April 27. The award recognizes women who go above and beyond the call of duty in the performance of their job functions, women who have achieved scientific or technical success, women who make important contributions to the community, or women who are stars in other important ways.
Students descend on Laboratory April 26 and 27 for Supercomputing Challenge
Apr. 19, 2010—More than 250 New Mexico middle- and high-school students and their teachers are at the Laboratory April 26 and 27 for judging and the awards ceremony in the 20th annual New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge expo and awards ceremony.
Expanding Your Horizons conference empowers young women
Apr. 12, 2010—Drawing young women from schools as far away as Gallup, this year's Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science™ Conference was a resounding success. The April 6 event gave middle- and high-school girls from Northern New Mexico an opportunity to learn more about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Lab's economic development efforts touted in April issue of Connections
Apr. 9, 2010—The Laboratory has long been a major supporter of the Northern New Mexico economy. In the April issue of the Connections online newsletter, read about how the Lab continues to invest in Northern New Mexico through economic development, community giving, and science education outreach.
Governor Richardson visits Lab for national security, science briefings
Apr. 9, 2010—Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson leave the National Security Sciences Building on Thursday on the way to a Lab technical area for another briefing and demonstration. The governor received a number of briefings on Laboratory national security and science programs.
New research finds a linked, alternating pattern in Arctic and Antarctic warming trends
Apr. 7, 2010—Analyzing century-long worldwide temperature records to distinguish human-induced warming from natural variability, Petr Chylek of Space and Remote Sensing, Manvendra Dubey of Earth Systems Observations, and collaborators from the British Meteorological Office and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia have discovered anti-correlations between temperature trends in the Arctic and Antarctic — when the Arctic warms, the Antarctic cools, and visa versa.
Laboratory communicators capture numerous STC awards
Apr. 6, 2010—A number of Laboratory technical communication staff recently received award notifications from the 2009 Technical Publications and Online Communication Competition that was sponsored by the East Tennessee chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC).
Newest supercomputer coming to Los Alamos
Apr. 5, 2010—The National Nuclear Security Administration officially has announced the acquisition of its newest supercomputing platform from Cray Inc. The contract was awarded late last week. The new platform, named "Cielo," the Spanish word for sky, will support all three NNSA national laboratories — Los Alamos, Sandia, and Livermore.
New head of Ethics and Audits joins Lab today
Apr. 5, 2010—The Laboratory has chosen Jeanette Young Bennion as its new top manager of ethics and audits. Bennion joins LANL from Shaw Group, Inc., a multibillion dollar global engineering and construction firm.
Rhyne named Neutron Scattering Society of America Fellow
Mar. 31, 2010—James J. Rhyne, deputy group leader for Science in the LANSCE-Lujan Center, is a new Neutron Scattering Society of America Fellow. He is cited for “extraordinary research on magnetic materials and thin films and outstanding leadership and support of major U.S. neutron facilities and research opportunities.”
New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment leaders visit LANL
Mar. 30, 2010—Several LANL initiatives funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the federal "Stimulus" Project, received a visit last week from former New Mexico Gov. Toney Anaya, director of the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, as part of an ongoing effort to provide transparency for all Stimulus-funded projects.
Two LANL “intelligent wind turbine” projects aim to assess operations under varying weather conditions
Mar. 25, 2010—The Department of Energy has a goal of generating 20 percent of the U.S. energy using wind resources by 2030. However, there are technical challenges to overcome before this goal can be reached. Although wind turbines can last for 20 years, the high failure rates of turbine blades, gearboxes, and electronic components and the resulting unscheduled maintenance diminishes the return on investment for wind-farm operators. These high failure rates may be caused by unsteady loading on the turbines from atmospheric turbulence and shear layers.
Lab scientists awash in flood modeling
Mar. 19, 2010—Staff members in the Lab's Decision Application Division’s Energy and Infrastructure Analysis are working on a number of "fast response" efforts in support of the Department of Homeland Security as part of the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC). Recently, the staff provided rapid response analysis of potential tsunami impacts following the Chilean earthquake, correctly indicating that the impact on the United States would be minimal.
LANL's Ron Wieneke talks about Pueblo Elementary Schools Consortium
Mar. 19, 2010—"Herbie the Mouse Bot" is just one of the many teaching aids Ron Wienecke of the Lab's Project Engineering Office uses to bring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into pueblo elementary school classrooms. Wieneke talked about the Pueblo Elementary Schools Consortium program sponsored by the Lab, Northern New Mexico College, and the LANL Foundation on KRSN 1490 AM Thursday.
Lab researchers examine impact of sample-collection methods on pathogen sample recovery
Mar. 18, 2010—Elizabeth Hong-Geller, Yulin Shou, and Babs Marrone of Biosecurity and Public Health; Yolanda Valdez and John Dunbar of Bioenergy and Environmental Science; and Thomas Yoshida of Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering have evaluated sample recovery efficiencies for Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pesti, the causative agents of anthrax and plague. Increasing the number of bacteria removed from a surface, the "efficiency of recovery" enhances the likelihood that there will be enough sample for analysis. The research team is trying to determine the impact of different sample collection methods on the recovery of pathogen signatures from nonporous surfaces.
Lab geophysicist discusses LDRD-funded project and earthquake triggering research on local radio stations
Mar. 17, 2010—Lab geophysicist Paul Johnson recently talked about research funded by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program that uses image reconstruction with time reversal mirrors. Johnson also talked about earthquake triggering research he and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University are currently conducting.
Magviz commercialization workshop draws interest
Mar. 17, 2010—Attendees of last week’s Commercialization Workshop for LANL's Ultra Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology (also known as Magviz), view a demonstration of the technology presented by Michelle Espy, the project's lead scientist. Magviz is a revolutionary technology that can detect dangerous carry-on liquids at airports. The workshop provided interested parties with information about the technology and afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the technology's inventors. Technology Transfer Division staff were on hand to answer questions regarding the licensing process and intellectual property portfolio, and mechanisms for collaborating with LANL.
NNSA marks 10th anniversary of Multispectral Thermal Imager satellite: LANL part of project team that built satellite
Mar. 15, 2010—The National Nuclear Security Administration recently commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Multispectral Thermal Imager (MTI) satellite, an interlaboratory effort to develop and evaluate space-based technology used for nonproliferation-treaty monitoring and other national security and civilian applications. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River National Laboratory, and numerous other agencies and academic institutions participated in the project.
Lab's role in science education outreach highlighted in latest edition of Connections
Mar. 15, 2010—March means spring is around the corner. It also means that academic competitions are heating up locally and across New Mexico. In the March issue of the Connections online newsletter, read about the Lab's role in science education outreach in local communities.
The issue also highlights community giving and economic development efforts involving the Lab, including the LANL Laces program, which recently provided 300 pair of shoes for local children in Las Vegas and Española, New Mexico, and the recent awards from the Venture Acceleration Fund to two New Mexico companies.
Lab postdoctoral researcher receives Trailblazer Award from the Minorities in Research Science Council
Mar. 11, 2010—Postdoctoral researcher Francisco "Javier" Baca of LANL's Materials Physics and Applications Division received a Trailblazer Award from the Minorities in Research Science Council (MiRS). The award recognizes the contributions of American minorities leading the way in scientific research and development, and those who enable this research.
Lab CRADA supports cyber education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Mar. 10, 2010—Los Alamos National Laboratory has a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS), a not-for-profit cyber education company in Pennsylvania, to showcase LANL science that will be used for public education and the national Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. The NNDS has interviewed numerous LANL scientists for the "Cutting Edge Science" series of online courses, which is part of its Lincoln Interactive© curriculum that charter schools, public schools, and individuals can purchase and use to obtain a nationally accredited high-school education.
Rapid nucleic acid assay protocol shows strong potential for use in diagnostics and surveillance: Researchers detect three biothreat agents
Mar. 9, 2010—A Lab research team has developed a rapid, nucleic acid assay protocol for detecting disease-causing pathogens using a multiplex oligonucleotide ligation-polymerase chain reaction (MOL-PCR). Unlike other ligation-based assays that require multiple steps, this protocol consists of a single tube reaction, followed by hybridization to a microsphere array for detection.
Lab warehouse's new wireless receiving system is faster, more accurate: First DOE facility to use wireless receiving technology
Mar. 9, 2010—If you think that what goes on at the SM-30 Warehouse, stays at the warehouse, think again. You’d be surprised at how quickly and efficiently goods arriving at the Lab’s central receiving facility are processed these days, thanks to a new wireless receiving system that was launched on March 1. It’s the first system of its kind in the Department of Energy complex.
Lab signs Smart Grid modeling and simulation agreement: Lab LDRD project could assist smart-grid reliability and viability
Mar. 8, 2010—Karl Jonietz of the Lab's Applied Energy Programs, and Takefumi Fukumizu, president of NEDO, a Japanese energy consortium, signed an agreement Friday outlining LANL's participation in a Smart Grid modeling and simulation project. A Smart Grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using two-way digital technology to control appliances at consumers' homes to save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability. The collaborative research between NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) and the Lab could help improve Smart Grid technology by providing tools to forecast and respond to power supply needs created through consumer behaviors or provide other efficiency or reliability improvements.
Four Lab researchers win LANL Distinguished Postdoctoral Awards
Mar. 3, 2010—Stosh Kozimor, Jian Wang, Andrey Kovalevsky, and Suzanne "Zoe" Fisher have been honored with the Los Alamos National Laboratory Distinguished Postdoctoral Award for fiscal year 2009. The award, which is limited to current Lab postdoctoral researchers or those who were a Lab postdoc during the fiscal year of note, recognizes individuals or small teams who have made outstanding contributions to the Lab's programmatic or scientific work during a fiscal year. Their accomplishments display unusual creativity, innovation, or dedication.
Lab researchers examine accelerator-production process at LANSCE for a medical therapy isotope
Mar. 2, 2010—The Isotope Program of Los Alamos National Laboratory is receiving American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funding from DOE’s Office of Science to develop a proof of concept accelerator production process for Actinium-225 (225Ac), using proton beams available at LANL’s LANSCE complex (in the Isotope Production Facility) and the Lab’s Weapons Neutron Research facility.
Excavation begins at LANL's first-ever waste disposal area
Feb, 25, 2010—A heavy equipment crew on Tuesday began excavation at a LANL landfill that’s been closed since 1948. Material Disposal Area B, on DP Road in the Los Alamos town site, is a strip of land about seven football fields long. Soil and waste will be scooped out and disposed out-of-state on an accelerated schedule, thanks to about $88 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
Vivien Zapf receives Lee Osheroff Richardson prize
Feb, 25, 2010—Vivien Zapf of the Lab’s Materials Physics and Applications Division is the recipient of the 2010 Lee Osheroff Richardson U.S. Prize for research in physical science. The annual award, sponsored by Oxford Instruments NanoScience, which designs and manufactures tools and systems for industry and research in science and technology, is given to promote and support the career development of early career scientists in North America who conduct research employing low temperatures and/or high magnetic fields. A committee of senior academics throughout North America selects the recipient.
Genome sequencing evidences nature, roles of microorganisms in carbon cycle, other bio processes
Feb, 24, 2010—Lab scientist Cheryl Kuske spoke about her Lab-funded research project, “A New Approach to Unravel Complex Microbial Community Processes,” on local radio station 1490 AM Monday. Kuske and her team are harnessing the Lab’s metagenomics capabilities to identify microorganisms found in soil and discover the roles they play in a myriad of important biological processes, such as the global carbon cycle.
Lab participates on GOSAT team for verification science
Feb, 18, 2010—This is the dawn of a satellite era in which greenhouse gas verification and large-scale carbon sequestration can be used effectively to ensure that the risks of future climate change are managed responsibly and equitably. And Los Alamos National Laboratory is using its scientific expertise to help enable this monitoring effort. An example is its role on the Japanese Greenhouse Gas Observation Satellite (GOSAT) science team.
Juan Duque discusses Lab-funded solar energy research on radio
Feb, 18, 2010—Juan Duque, a postdoc with the Lab's Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy group, spoke about his solar energy research involving nanotubes on local radio station KRSN 1490 AM Wednesday. The research is funded through LANL's Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program.
Lab responds to Project on Government Oversight's Feb. 11 news release
Feb, 11, 2010—In response to a Feb. 11 news release from the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) citing an internal NNSA memo and requesting White House intervention to correct "systemic safety issues" at LANL, the Laboratory issued the following response:
Lab postdoc wins 2009 Best Young Scientist prize
Feb, 10, 2010—Postdoctoral researcher Krzysztof Gofryk of the Lab’s Materials Physics and Applications Division won the Best Young Scientist prize for 2009. The award, presented by the Joint Research Centre, is based on research he conducted at the Institute for Transuranium Elements in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Laboratory directors brief Vice President Biden
Dec. 18, 2009—Laboratory Director Mike Anastasio had the honor yesterday afternoon of joining fellow lab directors from Lawrence Livermore and Sandia for an in-person briefing of Vice President Joe Biden in the White House.
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Poneman, National Nuclear Security Administrator Tom D'Agostino, and officials from the Departments of State and Defense were also present.
2009 performance review gives LANS, LLC 90% of available award fee and another year to contract term: By comparison, the award fee for FY08 was 88% and 81% for FY07
Dec. 15, 2009—The National Nuclear Security Administration has evaluated the Laboratory's performance for fiscal year 2009 and awarded LANS, LLC 90 percent of the available award fee and added another year to the term of the LANS contract to manage and operate Los Alamos National Laboratory. That extension stretches the contract term through September 30, 2015. By comparison, the award fee for FY08 was 88 percent and 81 percent for FY07. NNSA cited its "very high expectations" and noted significant progress in the Lab"s performance overall, especially in achieving its mission and delivering on program assignments.
Cerrillos and Roadrunner rank in the top10 of world's most energy-efficient supercomputers: Majority of top 25 systems based on NNSA, DOE technology
Dec. 2, 2009—NNSA Administrator Thomas D’Agostino congratulated the Advanced Simulation and Computing program for two supercomputers ranked in the TOP Green500’s top 10 most energy-efficient supercomputers in the world as of November 2009. The two computers in the top 10 are housed at LANL: Cerrillos (#4) and Roadrunner (#9). Six other supercomputers housed at NNSA sites were also ranked in the TOP Green500 list.
LANL scientists have the edge on wind energy: Ammerman, Hemez discuss cutting-edge project in radio interview
Dec. 1, 2009—Today Americans get about 1 percent of the electricity they consume from wind but by 2030, DOE wants to see 20 percent of the nation's electricity generated by wind, Lab scientist Curtt Ammerman told a KRSN audience yesterday morning. Along with François Hemez of Verification, he talked about their Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD)-funded project, “Intelligent Next-Generation Wind Turbines,” on the AM radio morning show. Not only will these new turbines perform better, Ammerman explained, they'll also be more reliable and less costly to operate and maintain.
“The Los Alamos skyline is starting to change.”
Dec. 1, 2009—"The Los Alamos skyline is starting to change." Walls come down sooner, thanks to Recovery Act funding Dec. 1, 2009—LANL Tuesday began full-scale demolition at TA-21, the Cold War-era complex of buildings that once housed plutonium production and historic, nonweapons research. “We’re seeing something this morning that has not happened since the late 1940s,” said Isaac “Ike” Richardson, the Lab’s deputy director. “The Los Alamos skyline is starting to change.”
Lab has turned a corner on information-security issues
Nov. 10, 2009—NNSA wants to partner to support the Lab's mission: auditors from Health, Safety, and Security (HSS) in DOE's Office of Independent Oversight arrived in August of 2009 to review the Lab's information security and quickly determined that the Lab had made substantial improvements.
Science news: perchlorate groundwater studies, energy projects, Handbook of Modern Ion Beam Analysis—New studies, money fuel science programs
Nov. 4, 2009—Chlorine isotopic signature distinguishes natural and anthropogenic perchlorate in groundwater; New energy projects support the Lab’s Energy Security Capability; Publication of the second edition of the Handbook of Modern Ion Beam Analysis by the Materials Research Society continues to bring worldwide recognition to LANL work in ion beam analysis and ion-solid interactions.
LANL: the Plutonium Center of Excellence for the DOE complex—its mission is the responsibility to lead science, engineering and technology development across a broad range of plutonium-centric programs
Oct. 5, 2009—As part of these efforts, Charlie McMillan, Principal Associate Director for Weapons Programs (PADWP), and Terry Wallace, Principal Associate Director for Science, Technology and Engineering (PADSTE), have chartered the development of an institutional plutonium science strategy. The strategy will provide a road map for plutonium research and development efforts across the Lab's three mission pillars: Nuclear Deterrence, Global Threat Reduction, and Energy Security.
Fast Facts
Read about Los Alamos National Laboratory: Fact Sheets
People
11,782 total employees
Los Alamos National Security, LLC 9,665
SOC Los Alamos (Guard Force) 477
Contractors 524
Students 1,116
Place
Located 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, New
Mexico, on 36 square miles of DOE-owned property.
More than 2,000 individual facilities, including 47 technical areas with 8 million square feet under roof.
Operating costs FY 2010: about $2 billion
51% NNSA weapons programs
8% Nonproliferation programs
6% Safeguards and Security
11% Environmental Management
4% DOE Office of Science
5% Energy and other programs
15% Work for Others
Workforce Demographics (LANS and students only)
42% of employees live in Los Alamos, the remainder commute from Santa Fe,
Española, Taos, and Albuquerque.
Average Age: 45
67% male, 33% female
43% minorities
72% university degrees
· 31% hold undergraduate degrees
· 19% hold graduate degrees
· 22% have earned a Ph.D.
Major Awards
118 R&D100 awards since 1978
28 E.O. Lawrence Awards
The Seaborg Medal
The Edward Teller Medal