From the Chief Technology Ocer

The Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program is the sole discretionary research and development (R&D) investment program at Sandia. LDRD provides the opportunity for our technical sta to contribute to our Nation's future, to our collective ability to address and nd solutions to a range of daunting scientic and technological challenges. The results of their work will shape the course of science and technology in the remainder of the twenty-rst century and beyond. From nuclear weapons to renewable energy, biodefense to cyber security, and computer science, to microelectronic engineering, LDRD projects support Sandia's national security missions, and hence, address the Nation's most-pressing challenges. This brochure oers an overview of 31 Sandia LDRD projects that were ongoing in FY 2009, and also highlights seven recent projects that were selected for an LDRD Award for Excellence. Both scientic excellence and potential for mission impact were considered in awarding projects the Award for Excellence. This brochure highlights only a small sampling of the LDRD program, providing a window into the program's S&T advances and their potential impact on National imperatives. About LDRD Maintaining Sandia's world-class science, technology, and engineering capabilities and anticipating their evolution in response to future challenges are absolutely essential to the Laboratories' ability to address national security needs. Authorized by Congress in 1992, the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program reects precisely that congressional intent — to encourage and sustain preeminent science and technology by investing in high-risk, potentially high-payo research and development. The program is designed to proactively anticipate the breadth and depth of research and technological development that oncoming challenges will require. LDRD projects seek innovative technical solutions to our nation's most-signi-cant challenges, often in collaboration with corporate and academic partners. LDRD allows Sandia to recruit and retain outstanding scientic and engineering talent in service to the Laboratories' ve primary strategic business areas: