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News Releases Scientists tout importance of research at LDRD Day
Laboratory's science is on display
Sy Stange, right, and Adrian Figg, both of Safeguards Science and Technology, talk about their work in developing a scintillating neutron detector at LDRD Day. Their project won the best poster presentation award. Photos by James E. Rickman
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. One of the goals of LDRD Day is to present science done at LANL to the public in an approachable, understandable way.
LDRD projects fell into one of four categories: Energy Security, Nuclear Security, Global Security, and Scientific Discovery. A wide range of subjects was covered. The projects included development of microbes that could be a non fossil-fuel dependent method of producing the most commonly used industrial chemicals, methods of detecting drug-resistant strains of HIV and TB, and development of technology that can more accurately detect and distinguish between different types of radioactive material being shipped into the country.
The best poster award was given to Ernst Esch and colleagues for their development of a scintillating neutron detector.
LDRD Director William Priedhorsky gave introductory remarks, followed by talks from Principal Associate Director for Weapons Programs Charles McMillan, and Associate Director for Theory, Simulation, and Computation Alan Bishop. In the afternoon, former New Mexico congresswoman Heather Wilson gave a talk on American innovation in a competitive global market, and Chief Scientist for International Space and Response Herb Funsten spoke about space sciences.
Laboratory Directed Research and Development invests in potentially high-payoff projects at the discretion of the Laboratory director. These investments allow the Laboratory to anticipate and prepare for emerging national security challenges.
LDRD Director Bill Priedhorsky talks with Al Migliori of Condensed Matter and Magnet Science at LDRD Day.
Bette Korber of Theoretical Biology and Biophysics explains her and her colleagues' research on detection of drug resistant HIV and tuberculosis.
Fast Facts
People
11,127 total employees
Los Alamos National Security, LLC 8,683
SOC Los Alamos (Guard Force) 419
Contractors 606
Students 1,101
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.
Replacement value of $5.9 billion
Budget FY 2012: Approx. $2.2 billion
57% Weapons programs
9% Nonproliferation programs
7% Safeguards and Security
8% Environmental Management
4% DOE Office of Science
4% Energy and other programs
11% Work for Others
Workforce Demographics (LANS and students only)
34% of employees live in Los Alamos, the remainder commute from Santa Fe,
Española, Taos, and Albuquerque.
Average Age: 46
70% male, 30% female
43% minorities
63% university degrees
· 23% hold undergraduate degrees
· 16% hold graduate degrees
· 24% have earned a Ph.D.
Major Awards
121 R&D100 awards since 1978
31 E.O. Lawrence Awards
The Seaborg Medal
The Edward Teller Medal
The Nobel Prize in Physics, Frederick Reines