Chikara, Manore, Moore, Myers chosen as Postdoc Research Day presentation winners

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Shalinee Chicara

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Shalinee Chikara (Condensed Matter and Magnetic Science, MPACMMS; Vivien Zapf, mentor) presented “Beyond Conventional Magnetism: New Path to Multiferroic Behavior.” Chikara’s work demonstrated for the first time multiferroic behavior due to spin-state transitions using high magnetic fields at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory facilities at Los Alamos and in Tallahassee, FL. She concluded that spin state transitions is a novel way to obtain multiferroic behavior without requiring long-range magnetic order. Occurrence of these transitions in metal organics at room temperature might make room temperature multiferroics realizable.

Research Day is a Laboratory-wide event where postdocs are provided the opportunity to present a summary of their research in an environment fostering enhanced collaboration and technical discussions among postdocs, staff, and management. This year, 59 LANL postdocs and 10 Sandia National Laboratory postdocs showcased their research. Senior management selected 20 participants to give a three-minute overview presentation about their research. Four postdocs received an “Outstanding Presenter” designation, as described in the following paragraphs.

Carrie Manore (Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, T-6 and Intelligence and Systems Analysis, A-2; Benjamin McMahon, Nick Hengartner, and Sara Del Valle, mentors) presented “Modeling Zika Virus and Mosquito-Borne Disease Risk in the United States.” Manore used data from past chikungunya outbreaks, the current Zika outbreak, and mosquito data from researchers in the US, to design and simulate a mathematical model quantifying the risk of disease spread in the Mid-Atlantic states. She showed that isolated outbreaks will likely occur, particularly if introduced at the right time of the year and in areas with high mosquito densities.

Cameron Moore (Inorganic, Isotope and Actinide Chemistry, C-IIAC; Andrew Sutton, mentor) presented “Atom-Efficient Upgrading of Isopropanol/Acetone Mixtures Produced by Microbial Fermentation of Biomass Hydrolysates.” Moore described development of selective catalytic routes to synthesize potential fuel molecules from acetone/isopropanol chemical feedstocks that can be produced by microbial fermentation of biomass. The catalytic conditions can be modified to produce a range of products, such as gasoline components, solvents, paint additives, chemical precursors, and diesel components.

Thomas Myers (High Explosives Science and Technology, M-7 and Nuclear and Radiochemistry, C-NR and C-IIAC; David Chavez, Susan Hanson, and Jackie Veauthier, mentors) presented: “Energetic Chromophores: Tuning Charge Transfer in Explosive Fe (II) Tetrazine Complexes for Laser Initiation.” Myers developed air-stable explosive materials that are more sensitive than the explosive PETN towards laser initiation while also being less sensitive than PETN towards conventional stimuli. Researchers are incorporating the materials into prototype optical detonators.

Additional information, regarding all poster participants, presenters, and review panelists. Technical contact: Mary Anne With

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Carie Manroe

 

Cameron Moore

 

Thomas Myers