Friday, January 5, 2018



Los Alamos group hopes bacterial sensor will help doctors better treat infections

Jessica Kubicek-Sutherland demonstrates the process, New Mexican photo.     

Harshini Mukundan’s research team at Los Alamos is working to develop a bacterial sensor to allow doctors to quickly determine the type of infection that is ailing a patient. “Immediate diagnostics that can guide decision-making at that point are unavailable,” Mukundan said.

Because different classes of bacteria are best treated with different types of antibiotics, she added, such a device could ensure speedier and more effective treatment of diseases. “I think we can actually make an impact on health care,” she said. (Full Story)




New double-pane quantum dot solar windows generate power with better efficiency

Double-pane solar windows that generate electricity, LANL image.

Double-pane quantum dot solar window research could lower the cost of solar power, according to lead researcher Victor Klimov, who said in a statement, “Because of the strong performance we can achieve with low-cost, solution processable materials, these quantum-dot-based double-pane windows and even more complex luminescent solar concentrators offer a new way to bring down the cost of solar electricity.” (Full Story)

Also from Daily Energy Insider



LANL year in review for 2017

This has been an eventful year for Los Alamos National Laboratory. Particularly of note was the announcement in September that Director Charlie McMillan would retire Dec. 31. Los Alamos National Security in early December appointed Terry Wallace to replace McMillan as LANL director and president of LANS, the company that manages and operates the Laboratory for the National Nuclear Security Administration. Wallace, 61, told the Los Alamos Daily Post that as a native of Los Alamos there is no greater honor. Wallace becomes the 11th director in the Laboratory’s nearly 75-year history when he takes over the reins Jan. 1. (Full Story)

Also from the Daily Post in the past two weeks

LANL giving campaign nets $3 million for nonprofits


Employee Giving Champion Mary Hockaday, left, and Kathy Keith of Community Partnerships raise the thermometer for the annual fundraising campaign, Daily Post photo.

In the 2018 Los Alamos Giving Campaign, 1,716 Laboratory employees—more than ever before—have pledged more money than ever before; $2.6 million of this year’s contributions will stay in New Mexico and benefit organizations that improve the quality of life in the state. (Full Story)




Mexican spotted owl population holds steady on LANL property

Mexican Spotted Owl, LANL photo.  

Los Alamos National Laboratory released it’s annual survey earlier this month of three endangered species that live within the 38-square-mile boundaries of its property. The species surveyed included the Mexican spotted owl and others.

The 2017 survey found that a pair of Mexican spotted owls is living and breeding in Threemile Canyon and there is at least one Mexican spotted owl in Mortandad Canyon. There may also be siblings living in Acid Canyon, according to the survey. (Full Story)

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