Los Alamos Press Highlights

Los Alamos scientist works to increase availability of medical isotope

Iain May, LANL photo.

A scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory was recently recognized by the National Nuclear Security Administration for his work towards ensuring the reliability and domestic supply of a critical medical isotope used for diagnostic imaging. Iain May received the award in recognition of his work to support the development of new production methods for molybdenum-99, the precursor isotope used to formulate radiopharmaceuticals that diagnose heart disease, cancer, neurologic disease and other applications. (Full Story)

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Rocket motor concept could boost CubeSat missions

Six motor test firing, LANL image.

The primary roadblock to CubeSat propulsion has always been safety. Typical spacecraft propulsion systems utilize fuels that are intrinsically hazardous, like hydrazine, or compressed gasses. Since CubeSats are usually deployed via "rideshare" or "piggyback" on a larger satellite deployment or other large space mission, even a small margin of risk is unacceptable.

"Obviously, someone who's paying half a billion dollars to do a satellite launch is not going to accept the risk," said Bryce Tappan. "So, anything that is taken on that rideshare would have to be inherently safe, no hazardous liquids." (Full Story)

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Los Alamos scientists win top American Physical Society prizes

Alan Perelson (left) and Joe Carlson, LANL photo.

Two senior scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory are being honored by the American Physical Society (APS) for their fundamental contributions in nuclear physics and biophysics.

Joe Carlson of the Laboratory’s Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology group is the winner of the APS’ 2017 Herman Feshbach Prize in theoretical nuclear physics.

Alan Perelson, of Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, is the recipient of the APS’ 2017 Max Delbruck Prize in Biological Physics. (Full Story)

SACNAS vital as ever, Native scientists still needed

Gabe Montano, SACNAS photo.

Four thousand people attended the recent annual meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americas in Science. Los Alamos National Laboratory biophysical chemist and current SACNAS president Gabe Montano talked about the need for diversity and the myth of “color blindness.”

In his talk he traces his own journey as a biology undergrad from Santa Clara Pueblo, to where he is today as an internationally recognized and highly sought after speaker, and author of many books on the topic of indigenous knowledge. (Full Story)

Cleanup at 4 sites in LA Canyon complete

High-angle cleanup work in LA Canyon, LANL photo.

Four toxic waste sites located on the south rim of Los Alamos Canyon have been cleaned of toxic waste, according to the Department of Energy and the Environmental Management Field Office.

The sites, located on the south-facing side of the canyon, contained surface deposits of waste leftover from the Manhattan Project. (Full Story)


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