The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) named Lawrence Livermore engineer and physicist Vincent Tang as a Program Manager of the Year for 2016. The award recognizes Tang for leading a program involving multiple agencies to develop and deploy networked sensors for dynamic, real-time radiological and nuclear threat detection over large urban areas. Tang has created and led multiple efforts, including the SIGMA program, which is aimed at creating cost-effective, continuous, city-to-region-scale radiation monitoring networks to help prevent attacks involving radiological “dirty bombs” and other nuclear threats. Out of approximately 100 program managers at DARPA, Tang is 1 of 2 to win the award for 2016.
Lawrence Livermore researchers Jonathan Belof and Eric Duoss were named recipients of the 2016 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This honor is the highest bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers who are early in their independent research careers. PECASE winners receive $50,000 a year over five years to pursue research in their field.
Belof, a group leader in the Design Physics Division in the Weapons and Complex Integration Principal Directorate, won for his work in phase transition dynamics and nonequilibrium systems. He was also recognized for his efforts teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), mentoring underprivileged students, and participating in the Laboratory’s High-Energy-Density Physics summer scholar program.
A member of Livermore’s technical staff, Duoss was honored for his research in advanced materials and manufacturing combined with microarchitected design. He has dedicated himself to educating the younger generation of scientists and engineers about STEM pathways, volunteering in outreach programs, and conducting Laboratory tours for students and teachers.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has bestowed its highest honor, election as a Member, to Lawrence Livermore senior scientist Charlie Westbrook. He was recognized for his “pioneering development, applications, and leadership in chemical kinetic modeling to advance combustion science and technology.” Westbrook was part of a 105-person class inducted in October 2016. NAE members are peer-elected in recognition of their innovations in research, technology, education, or business. For more than 40 years, Westbrook has worked at the Laboratory, where he continues his research on chemical kinetic modeling with next-generation fuels.
Eight teams of Lawrence Livermore researchers and one individual were honored with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The awards honored work performed in 2015 that proved critical to ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
The 2015 L1 Reuse Milestone Team developed and strengthened capabilities for enabling reuse designs in the future stockpile. The Implosion Dynamics and Performance Team used breakthrough analytical methods and simulations of experimental data in support of the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP). Both teams also won the recognition of “Exceptional Achievements.” The Planetary Defense team addressed a critical planetary defense challenge related to the threat posed by asteroids to the planet. The Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) Commissioning Team successfully commissioned ARC at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The NIF Shot Rate Enhancement Team implemented shot rate improvement projects that enabled an 86 percent increase in experiments. The Commodity Technology System-1 (CTS-1) Procurement Team initiated the delivery of CTS-1 clusters that will support NNSA’s life-extension programs. The "FEusion" Library Productization Team created significant simulation capabilities that allow two distinct computational meshes to interact within one hydrodynamic simulation. The Radiochemical Threshold Detector Data and Uncertainty Assessment Team assessed and documented values and uncertainties for a complete suite of underground nuclear test threshold detector data. Finally, Frank Graziani led an effort to develop a working plan for addressing the “boost issue” in nuclear weapons performance.