By Katherine Hollen
The High Explosives & Energetics (HE&E) Research Workshop for National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Missions was recently hosted by the Nuclear Security Office (NSO). Here, nuclear experts from across the country came together to share their ongoing research projects and ideas for advancing the field.
Researchers from NNSA national laboratories, plants, and universities alike discussed topics ranging from shock and detonation physics to new dynamic testing and analysis methods. The HE&E workshop allowed them to discuss manufacturing, modeling, simulation, and even different perspectives on what it is like to be working in nuclear security right now.
Ultimately, the goal of the workshop was to facilitate not only the exchange of ongoing research but also the formation of new partnerships among attendees. By bringing together minds from industry and academia, the workshop aimed to enhance each person’s capabilities. Proposals for new partnerships will be solicited this spring.
And not only did professionals in the field get a chance to share their knowledge, but students did as well. The HE&E workshop also hosted a student poster presentation featuring budding young researchers from Texas A&M University, Case Western Reserve University, and Purdue University, who presented their current projects.
At the end of the night, attendees voted for their favorite presenter, and Angelique Klimek from Purdue University won the People’s Choice Award for her poster, “From Code to Casting: Computational-Experimental Integration for Melt-Castable Energetics.” Her research focuses on the use of AI modeling and experimental characterization to design new, safer, and better-performing energetic materials.
Angelique’s work and that of all the experts at the HE&E workshop exemplify a strong commitment to safeguarding national security, reflect the values of the NSO, and help advance the NNSA’s nuclear mission.
