SNL Fact sheet
At Sandia National Laboratories, we pride ourselves on our state-of-the-art capabilities and facilities that are designed to foster innovation and collaboration. Our extensive range of resources includes advanced laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technology and specialized research environments that support a diverse arrayof scientific disciplines.
More than reactors, Sandia delivers whole-system energy solutions from beginning to end to support Launchpad USA developers
Our scope covers the front end and back end of the nuclear energy fuel cycle, including safety and risk assessment, physical and cyber security, safeguards, transportation and packaging, accident consequences and emergency response, and long-term disposal of spent fuel and radioactive materials.
Key Testing Capabilities
The Lurance Canyon Burn Site offers controlled fire environments in which to perform fundamental studies, simulate transportation and handling accidents for nuclear safety studies, and evaluate and certify hazardous materials shipping containers.
The Aerial Cable Facility offers drop and high-velocity impact testing, suspension of large items hundreds of feet above the ground and simulated free flight along an aerial cable. This is the high-level description of this section. Another sentence may be here.
The Cylindrical Boiling Facility (CyBL) is a stainless-steel reactor-scale facility, designed for thermal hydraulic investigations and fire ignition related to nuclear power plant safety.
The Sandia Pulsed Reactor Facility (SPRF) is designed to conduct benchmark-quality experiments, supporting safe and efficient operations involving fissionable materials, including processing, handling, storage, packaging, and transportation
National Solar Thermal Test Center and Molten Salt Test Loop. High temperature testing environment to evaluate materials and heat transfer systems
The Surtsey Testing Facility simulates nuclear detonation effects and includes large testing areas, three spent fuel canisters, and a 1/10th scale nuclear power plant containment vessel with advanced instrumentation and control features.
The 185-foot Drop Tower Facility provides a controlled environment for testing a wide variety of small and large test items, including those containing radioactive or high-explosives.
Sandia’s Rocket Sled Track is a high-speed testing facility designed to evaluate the performance and safety of various materials and systems under extreme conditions, utilizing rocket-propelled sleds to simulate dynamic environments for research in defense, aerospace, and other applications.
The Mobile Instrumentation Data Acquisition System (MIDAS) is a versatile platform designed for real-time data collection and monitoring in various experimental environments, enabling enhanced analysis and decision-making during testing and research activities.
The Brayton Cycle Test Loop at Sandia National Laboratories is an experimental facility designed to study and optimize the performance of Brayton cycle power generation systems, focusing on advanced thermal energy conversion technologies for applications in nuclear and renewable energy.
Annular Core Research Reactor & Gamma Irradiation Facility. Powerful neutron and gamma testing environments to validate materials and components for advanced nuclear systems.
Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525