University of Utah and Sandia National Laboratories agree strategic partnership

In Utah, the University of Utah and Sandia National Laboratories have agreed to a strategic partnership that will look to help develop collaborations in various technical areas, as well as give U researchers and students opportunities to develop new skills and research paths via working on projects in Sandia facilities.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) document signed by both parties, the partnership will allow Sandia and U of U researchers and students to have presence on each other’s campuses. Students and faculty will have the chance to work for designated periods on projects in Sandia facilities. Graduate students will have opportunities to develop new skills and research paths via joint research collaborations. Sandia says partnerships with universities and other labs bring new technologies to the marketplace and contribute to the economic wellbeing of the nation.

With the strategic partnership in place, the U and Sandia will look to develop collaborations in various technical areas which could lead to the development of funded programs. Some of the areas include:

·      Biological Science: Biomanufacturing (e.g., bioenergy and biomass conversion), biodefense (e.g., emerging infectious disease and pathogenesis), etc.

·      Computing, Information Science, and Mathematics: Artificial intelligence, future computing technologies (e.g., Quantum and device physics), high performance computing, new mathematics and algorithms, etc.

·      Earth, Energy, and Environmental Science: Earth and Geosciences, renewable energy technologies, greenhouse gas mitigation, climate change adaptation, climate intervention strategies, etc.

Sandia and the U of U will look to expand collaboration and participation in U-led activities that have a high degree of mutual interest within these areas, including the Aerospace Research Hub and Energy Futures Research Engine; Center for Engineering Innovation; Utah Nanofabrication Laboratory; and the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy, among others.