Sandia National Laboratories (DOE)

Featured Topics in Government Research Laboratories: Savannah River National Laboratory (DOE) | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (DOD) | Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA) | Glenn Research Center (NASA) | Brookhaven National Laboratory (DOE) | all topics

Filter by: News | Articles | New to Market | Tools & Technology | Videos | Podcasts | Journal Articles | White Papers

Gold and silver nanowires bond naturally

Welding uses heat to join pieces of metal in everything from circuits to skyscrapers. But Rice Univ. researchers have found a way to beat the heat on the nanoscale. The group discovered that gold wires between three-billionths and 10-billionths of a meter wide weld themselves together quite nicely—without heat.

Glitter-sized solar photovoltaics produce competitive results

Glitter-sized solar photovoltaics produce competitive results

Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used. The tiny cells could turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they were fastened to flexible substrates molded around unusual shapes, such as clothing.  

Sequencing microbial genes for potential biofuels use

Sandia researchers and others at the Univ. of New Mexico (UNM), the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Novozymes, and North Carolina State Univ.’s Center for Integrated Fungal Research (NCSU-CIFR) have received a DNA sequencing award from the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) to study microbial genes in arid grasslands. The research combines interests in fundamental microbial ecology with DOE goals to exploit microbes in the production of biofuels.

Magnetic mixing creates a stir

Magnetic mixing creates a stir

Sandia researchers have developed a process that can mix tiny volumes of liquid, even in complicated spaces. In the new method of mixing, when one turns on a particular kind of magnetic field, the magnetic particles suspended in the fluid form chains like strings of pearls. The chains start swirling around and that’s what does the mixing. The particles are then removed magnetically, leaving a nice mixed-up liquid.  

CRADA Improves Biofuel Energy Yield

CRADA Improves Biofuel Energy Yield

Cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) between private companies and government research labs allow partners to optimize their resources and share technical expertise in a protected enivironment.

Using 100,000 degree heat to study plasma

Using 100,000 degree heat to study plasma

This sort of extreme temperature is necessary for a Univ. of Nevada researcher who is trying to mimic what happens to matter in accretion disks around black holes. The massive x-ray source at Sandia National Labs creates non-equilibrium plasmas at high temperatures and equally astonishing pressures. In comparison, the sun burns at “only” about 10,000°F.

Superhydrophobic Coatings

Superhydrophobic Coatings

A transparent coating that is not just impermeable to water, but actually makes it bounce off a surface to help prevent corrosion, protect electronic and antiquities, or provide a new, more efficient surface to collect pure water.

Purer water possible with a single atom substitution

Purer water possible with a single atom substitution

By substituting a single atom in a molecule widely used to purify water, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a far more effective decontaminant with a shelf life superior to products currently on the market.

A toolkit for building with nanotubes

Instead of a knife and a welding torch, carbon “pumbers” from two universities and a national lab employed an electron microscope and a scanning probe generating 2000°C to modify a graphene sheet to accept installations of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes.

Mesoscale Calibration Goes High Profile

Mesoscale Calibration Goes High Profile

To achieve high accuracy at mesoscale, the Silicon Micromachined Dimensional Calibration Artifact for Mesoscale Measurement Machines, produced by Sandia National Laboratories, feature a nanometrically sharp yet microscopically long edge that can be located using a tactile probe on high-accuracy coordinate measuring machines. Chrome-on-glass grid artifacts can only be calibrated optically because they are essentially 2-D.

Blogs

more

Much ado about next to nothing

Much ado about next to nothing

The recent review of the past 10 years of the National Nanotechnology Initiative--as presented by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology--suggested the rise of nanomanufacturing as the near future of nanotechnology. But the actual proposed funding reflects a cautious approach, even about nanotech in general.

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

Multimedia

more

NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard First Response Protective Clothing are lightweight coveralls, jackets, and pants that provide protection from heat and flame while keeping the wearers body temperature constant.

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Professor David Wessel shows his multi-touch interface that uses computer technologies that allow him to experiment with fine controls to "caress" the instrument.

New To Market

more

Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time
Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time

Fluid Imaging Technologies recently introduced its Submersible FlowCAM particle and cell imaging and analysis system at Ocean Sciences 2010 in Portland, Ore. The remote sensing platform can be used for continuous, unattended monitoring tethered to research vessels or autonomous submersibles.

Daytime running light has just two LEDs

The new OSTAR Compact LED from OSRAM has been developed specifically for use in vehicle headlights. Despite drawing just 5 W, the device provides 300 lumens of power and meets ECE/SAE color binning requirements for use on motor vehicles.

Tools & Technology

more

Software solution for microarray image analysis
Software solution for microarray image analysis

BioDiscovery Inc. released ImaGene 9.0 for microarray image analysis. The new features include improved memory performance for the latest high density arrays, streamlined processing pipeline focused on image quantification and intensity extraction, and new modular design with options to add modules for analysis of gene/miRNA expression or CGH data.

3D electromagnetic design tool

Cobham Technical Services is launching a 3D version of its rapid electromagnetic design tool for rotating electrical machines—the Advanced Machines Environment. The new software combines the accuracy of finite-element analysis (FEA) simulation with a design entry system that creates full 3D models of electric motors or generators.

Advertisement

Advertisement