Public research body · Science policy · Albuquerque, New Mexico · Est. 1945
Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) is a U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) focused on national security and technology innovation.
Sandia is a multimission laboratory operated under a government-owned/contractor-operated (GOCO) model: National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (NTESS)—a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc.—operates Sandia as a contractor for DOE/NNSA. Sandia’s public mission framing emphasizes serving national security and technology decision-makers through long-horizon science, engineering, and systems work across areas including nuclear weapons, national security programs, global security, and energy-related technology efforts. Operationally, Sandia’s strategic differentiation includes (1) mission integration and systems engineering for complex national-security programs, (2) high-consequence test and experimentation infrastructure (notably pulsed-power capabilities such as the Z machine), and (3) high-performance computing and AI-enabled workflows used across engineering and mission analysis. Sandia also supports technology transfer and partnerships via its intellectual property and licensing functions, and it maintains a broad workforce including regular employees, students, post-docs, and faculty/recurrent staff.
Sandia describes an approach using generative AI/large language models to detect and locate cyber-physical threats to the electrical grid as part of its grid security work.
Rapidly testing portable security systemsSandia reports leading a two-week field exercise intended to test rapidly deployable security technologies in rugged, remote conditions, integrating drones, sensors, radar, cameras, communications, and portable systems.
Investing in deterrenceSandia and NNSA leaders conduct a ribbon cutting at a new Energetic Manufacturing Science and Technology Facility; Sandia states it will support production of critical war-reserve components for nuclear deterrence systems and energetic manufacturing capability development.
Crystal power: Magnetic field sensors for fusion researchSandia describes research exploring crystals (including rare earth garnets) for measuring intense magnetic fields in harsh experimental environments such as those used for fusion research and high-energy physics experiments.
Aires Tide, a new concept for fast-tracked flight tests, debuts on National MallSandia describes “Aires Tide” as an AI-designed, 3D-printed prototype being displayed on the National Mall, stating it is intended to measure heat and vibrations a nuclear weapon would experience, with development credited to collaboration across multiple national labs.
Inside Cronus, the hybrid supercomputer built for AI and ModSimSandia describes Cronus as a new AI-forward NVIDIA-based system and reports on its availability to workforce users, including references to its role in AI-forward and modeling/simulation workflows.