Science

LANL: Exploring Carbon Nanotube Optics As Pathway For Quantum Information Processing

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Depiction of a carbon nanotube defect site generated by functionalization of a nanotube with a simple organic molecule. Altering the electronic structure at the defect enables room-temperature single photon emission at telecom wavelengths. Courtesy/LANL

 

LANL News:

 

Researchers at Los Alamos and partners in France and Germany are exploring the enhanced potential of carbon nanotubes as single-photon emitters for quantum information processing. Their analysis of progress in the field is published in this week’s edition of the journal Nature Materials.

 

“We Read More

Authors Speak Presents Dr. Stephen LeDoux With A New Book On The Scientific Study Of Human Behavior

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Dr. Stephen F. Ledoux and his new book on the scientific study of human behavior. Courtesy photo
 
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Remember behaviorism? B.F. Skinner’s best-selling book for popular audiences, “Beyond Freedom and Dignity” published in 1971 had everyone talking about behavioral analysis as a tool to change human society and solve global problems. Inevitably, the public moved on to “the Next Big Thing” and behavioral analysis returned to university classrooms.

Dr. Stephen Ledoux has spent his career doing behavioral analysis, now Read More

Los Alamos Faith And Science Forum June 27: Beyond The Neo-Darwinian Evolution Synthesis

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Crowd at a Los Alamos Faith and Science talk at the Unitarian Church. Courtesy/LAFASF

Los Alamos Faith and Science Forum News:

Glenn Magelssen presents the fourth talk in the Los Alamos Faith and Science Forum summer series Wednesday, June 27. The title of Magelssen’s talk is “Beyond the Neo-Darwinian Evolution Synthesis”. The theme of the 2018 Summer Series is “Purposeful Evolution”.

Most people are familiar with Darwin’s ideas about evolution. For example, natural selection and, more recently, the role that genetics and small random mutations play in the evolutionary process (Neo-Darwinian Read More

LANL: Study Confirms Beetles Exploit Warm Winters To Expand Range

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Courtesy/LANL
 
Devin Goodsman
 
LANL News:
 
A new study by Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists and colleagues confirms that increasing minimum winter temperatures allow beetles to expand their range but reveals that overcrowding can put the brakes on population growth.
 
“It has long been predicted that warming winters will allow range expansion. This is the first large dataset that demonstrates that warmer winter temperatures are likely allowing mountain pine beetles to establish outside of their native range,” said Devin Goodsman, a Los Alamos postdoctoral
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NNSA Conducts Rocket-Based Research In Hawaii With ‘HOT SHOT’

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Sample of an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. Courtesy image

DOE/NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and Sandia National Laboratories successfully launched a research rocket in May that carried a series of experiments designed to deepen scientific understanding and support the stewardship of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile.

This launch marks the first time NNSA has used scientific instrument-carrying rockets, Read More

Summer Solstice Event At Nature Center Planetarium

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Celebrate the summer solstice 7 p.m., Friday at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Astrophysicist Dr. Rick Wallace will present a lecture on the tradition, folklore and astronomical significance of the summer solstice, 7 p.m. Friday at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road.

Astrophysicist Dr. Rick Wallace

Before the lecture in the planetarium, the Los Alamos Folk Dance Club will perform a Polish Solstice dance until 7:15 p.m. outside the nature center. The audience will then gather inside the planetarium to hear from Dr. Wallace, who will lead a discussion and Read More

AGU: Explosive Volcanoes Likely Spawned Mysterious Martian Rock Formation

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An isolated hill in the Medusae Fossae Formation. The effect of wind erosion on this hill is evident by its streamlined shape. Courtesy/High Resolution Stereo Camera-European Space Agency
 
AGU News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Explosive volcanic eruptions that shot jets of hot ash, rock and gas skyward are the likely source of a mysterious Martian rock formation, a new study finds.
 
The new finding could add to scientists’ understanding of Mars’s interior and its past potential for habitability, according to the study’s authors.
 
The Medusae Fossae Formation is a massive,
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LANL Responds To Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Reports On Plutonium Facility

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Technicians work in the pit manufacturing area of the Laboratory’s plutonium facility located at TA-55. Courtesy/LANL
 
By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

Los Alamos National Laboratory spokesman Matt Nerzig responded this morning to two recent reports filed by Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board on-site inspectors at LANL’s Plutonium Facility in May – one identifying skin contamination on a craft worker’s hands and the other process deviations.

May 14, a work team declared a potential deviation when the total mass of nuclear material listed for a glovebox

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‘Ignite Los Alamos’ Draws Overflow Crowd

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The first ‘Ignite Los Alamos’ event took place at Los Alamos Makers Saturday, June 16. The event drew a full house with overflow outside. A diverse group of 11 speakers took on the challenge and shared their stories, insight and expertise. Teen videographer Sam Crooks recorded the event live. Courtesy/Los Alamos Makers

After the ‘Ignite Los Alamos’ event, LANL engineer Conrad Farnsworth relaxed outside Los Alamos Makers, surrounded by his supporters. Courtesy/Los Alamos Makers

The inaugural ‘Ignite Los Alamos’ event attracted an eclectic group of speakers. Videos will later be Read More