Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "NNSA Marks Three-Year Anniversary of Sandia's MESA Complex"

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Abstract:
Completed Three Years Early, MESA Project was Originally Scheduled to be Completed This Year

NNSA Marks Three-Year Anniversary of Sandia's MESA Complex

Washington, DC | Posted on August 23rd, 2010

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) today marked the three-year anniversary of the Microsystems and Engineering Sciences Applications (MESA) complex at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. The $518 million MESA project, the largest in Sandia history, was formally dedicated on Aug. 23, 2007. The construction program, which was completed three years ahead of schedule and $50 million under budget, was originally scheduled to conclude this year.

"Instead of attending a ribbon cutting marking opening of a crucial facility that was originally scheduled to come on line this year, we are marking the third anniversary of a project that was completed three years early and tens of millions of dollars under budget," said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Don Cook. "Not only is MESA a demonstration of our commitment to being effective stewards of the taxpayers money, it is an example of the groundbreaking science and technology we employ to ensure the safety, security and effectiveness of our nuclear stockpile. As we work to revitalize the physical infrastructure of our nuclear security enterprise and revitalize the human capital required to implement the President's nuclear security agenda, we remain committed to improving the way we do business."

The 400,000-square-foot complex combines the most advanced design and simulation tools and the most advanced microsystems and nanotechnologies to meet NNSA mission requirements. The complex consists of three discrete buildings: the Microelectronics Development Laboratory and MicroFab, the Microsystems Laboratory, and the Weapons Integration Facility.

Sandia has the primary role of developing and designing the electronic systems that operate nuclear warheads. A key component of those systems are radiation hardened microelectronics, devices that are designed, qualified, and fabricated in Sandia's MESA facilities.

MESA consists of three discrete buildings: the Microelectronics Development Laboratory and MicroFab, the Microsystems Laboratory, and the Weapons Integration Facility.

The MESA Complex is part of Sandia's Innovation Corridor which includes the Red Storm HPC Facility, and the Joint Computation and Engineering Lab (JCEL). The Computational Science Research Institute (CSRI) and the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), located in the Sandia Science & Technology Park, are also part of the Innovation Corridor.

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About NNSA
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science in the nation's national security enterprise. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; reduces the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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Contacts:
NNSA Public Affairs
(202) 586-7371

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