UAF signs agreement with Sandia National Laboratories

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has signed a new agreement with Sandia National Laboratories to conduct basic science, energy and security research in the Arctic.

Under the agreement, UAF and Sandia’s efforts will include:

• Advocating for a comprehensive multiagency research facility that tackles overarching Arctic issues.
• Supporting efforts to improve Alaska’s resilience against natural disasters and the harsh environment.
• Studying the suitability of renewable energy and microgrids for the Arctic environment.
• Flying tethered balloons and drones to measure atmospheric temperatures.

“There are a lot of concerns in science, security and energy stability where Sandia’s capabilities are complementary or distinct from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’, and this partnership is an opportunity for us to help the U.S. manage the risks and responsibilities that come with the changes in the Arctic,” said Lori Parrott, a Sandia atmospheric sciences manager. “The opening up of sea ice is going to lead to concerns for border security. As a country, we must consider how to ensure that our fourth coast is as secure as our other coasts.”

Sandia manages two facilities on Alaska’s North Slope as part of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program, a national scientific user facility funded through the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. It also manages two areas of controlled airspace from Alaska’s northern coast toward the North Pole on behalf of the Department of Energy.

UAF is a leader in research on Arctic issues like permafrost, coastal erosion, sea ice, search and rescue operations, glaciers, remote energy systems and more. The UAF Geophysical Institute hosts the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, which develops, tests and uses unmanned aircraft technology in the Arctic and sub-Arctic.

“We have a shared interest in the Arctic and Arctic science,” said Nettie LaBelle-Hamer, the Geophysical Institute’s deputy director. “It’s part of our DNA here at UAF. Arctic-related science and infrastructure collaboration on the researcher level have been pretty successful between Sandia and UAF over the years. We have a lot in common, and as projects move forward, we’ll be better together.”

The partnership is in early stages, but work has already begun on several joint projects.

The new partnership between Sandia and the University of Alaska Fairbanks will be discussed at Alaska National Lab Day, May 30-31, in Fairbanks. The event will feature a variety of speakers and sessions from the Department of Energy’s national laboratories, plus Alaska academia and industry, that highlight partnerships and opportunity for collaboration on national security, science and energy research.