Blog

Meet a Machine: Sandia Labs' Thor doesn't need a hammer to support national security

Thor’s aim is to study materials at extreme pressures, which helps NNSA ensure a safe, secure, effective nuclear deterrent. Thor is di...

National Nuclear Security Administration

July 1, 2016
minute read time
meetamachine-THOR-01.png
meetamachine-THOR equation-01.png
22825878583_a0071f638b_k.jpg
22941662559_b24209c191_k.jpg

Thor’s aim is to study materials at extreme pressures, which helps NNSA ensure a safe, secure, effective nuclear deterrent. Thor is different from previous pulsed-power accelerators, which are comprised of a few massive components, because it instead uses many small capacitors linked together. Its novel design saves time and wastes less energy, and its components will last longer with less maintenance. One of Thor’s first goals is to create a new X-ray diagnostic to probe the atomic structure of materials under extreme pressure. Another purpose is to help develop designs for affordable and compact power accelerators that could be operated at universities.

Tags:
  • Nuclear Security
  • National Labs
  • Next-Generation Materials
  • Advanced Manufacturing Processes
  • Energy Security