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Government

Sandia and UNM partner for enhanced rocket efficiency

Sandia National Laboratories has recently announced that nuclear engineer Sal Rodriguez is leading an innovative rocket project in collaboration with the University of New Mexico and student Graham Monroe. The initiative, which has its roots in Monroe's work as a student intern with Rodriguez at Sandia in 2019, has evolved into Monroe's master's thesis project. This builds upon Rodriguez's copyrighted dimpling program from 2014.


Government

MVD proposes digital driver’s licenses

The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department has announced that the New Mexico Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) is proposing legislation to introduce electronic driver’s licenses and identification cards. If passed, this legislation would allow the MVD to provide electronic credentials to customers at no additional cost alongside their physical licenses and identification cards.


Government

Environment Department seeks input on strategic water supply

The New Mexico Environment Department has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the strategic water supply. This action represents the initial phase in the development process of the strategic water supply, setting the groundwork for future actions and initiatives.


Government

Mars' methane release tied to atmospheric pressure fluctuations

Los Alamos National Laboratory has revealed that its researchers, utilizing high-performance computing clusters, have simulated the movement of methane in underground fractures. They discovered that fluctuations in atmospheric pressure could potentially release subsurface methane on Mars. This significant insight is expected to assist NASA's Curiosity rover in determining when and where to search for potential signs of life.


Government

CYFD and NMDWS hosts roswell rapid hire event for job recruitment

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) recently announced that the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), in partnership with NMDWS, hosted a Rapid Hire event in Roswell, New Mexico. The aim was to fill a variety of positions. In preparation for the event, New Mexico Workforce Connection Career Consultants offered assistance to individuals in crafting, updating, and printing their resumes.


Government

Sandia advances resilient microgrid algorithms

Sandia National Laboratories recently announced a collaborative study with New Mexico State University. The partnership aims to develop algorithms that can be coded into grid relays, enhancing the resilience of the grid. The joint project by Sandia enables microgrids to recover autonomously from damage, fostering connectivity among them to share power and maximize customer service.


Government

Los Alamos scientists explore topological phases for quantum device advances

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as part of a collaborative team, have embarked on the exploration of topological phases of matter. This venture aims to drive advancements in innovative quantum devices. The team employed a novel strain engineering approach to transform hafnium pentatelluride (HfTe5) into a robust topological insulator, thereby increasing bulk electrical resistance while simultaneously reducing surface resistance.


Government

New Mexico State Rep. Jim Townsend: ‘This decision is meant for elected representatives to discuss and debate’

New Mexico State Representatives Jim Townsend, Larry Scott, and Rod Montoya recently wrote a letter to Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D-N.M.) urging her to consider adding House Bill 76. This bill seeks to repeal a recent rule implemented by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board. The rule mandates that a certain percentage of vehicles sold in New Mexico in 2026 must be zero-emission. According to Townsend, this is not the type of decision that an unelected body should have the authority to make.


Government

Sandia engineer receives national award

Sandia National Laboratories has announced that one of its engineers, Anthony Louis Garcia, has been awarded the 2023 Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers STAR of Today award for technical achievement. This esteemed accolade, which acknowledges exceptional performance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), underscores Garcia's contributions to his profession and his significant work in research and community outreach.


Government

Sandia study reveals insights into arctic warming trends

Sandia National Laboratories has revealed that its researchers are currently studying the acceleration of Arctic warming, a phenomenon driven by the reduction in sunlight reflectivity, also known as albedo. The research team has leveraged data from GPS satellite radiometers to capture sunlight reflections off the Arctic, providing new insights into this alarming trend.


Government

Los Alamos unveils enhanced permafrost mapping with new ai technology

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has revealed that researchers, in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, have used supervised machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), to evaluate the precision of three AI methodologies. The trials incorporated data from three watersheds with sporadic permafrost on Alaska's Seward Peninsula.


Government

NM museum unearths massive relative of Tyrannosaurus rex in western discovery

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs has revealed that researchers from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) have discovered the earliest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex in North America. This newly unearthed dinosaur is more primitive than T. rex, yet it shares a similar impressive size.


Government

Bernalillo County updates 2024 capital improvement program website

Bernalillo County has recently unveiled its revamped website, providing a detailed overview of the county's capital improvement program and capital outlay requests. The website includes background information and project summaries, serving as an exhaustive guide to all capital outlay requests scheduled for presentation in the 2024 legislative session.


Government

Bernalillo County introduces ACE

Bernalillo County has announced the launch of ACE, an acronym for Assessor's Office Community Educator. This initiative is designed to address inquiries about the Bernalillo County Assessor's Office, its programs, forms, or general information. ACE aims to provide answers and assistance to anyone seeking information within the Bernalillo County community.


Government

Mark Roper appointed as Acting Secretary of EDD

The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced a reshuffling of key roles within the department. Mark Roper has been appointed as the Acting Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Jon Clark who will now assume the role of State Investment Officer with the New Mexico State Investment Council.


Government

Bernalillo County secures extra opioid settlement funds

Bernalillo County has announced additional settlement funds obtained from litigation against pharmaceutical distributors implicated in the damages caused by the marketing and misuse of synthetic opioids. The Office of the Attorney General is tasked with managing the payments collected from these defendants, and has outlined plans for semi-annual distribution of these funds.


Government

Bernalillo County approves $1 million for new South Valley Pre-K

Bernalillo County recently announced that the Bernalillo County Commission has approved a $1 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The funds are earmarked for the development of a new early learning Pre-K facility in South Valley, with the commission's unanimous 4 to 0 vote securing this initiative's funding.


Government

Los Alamos AI innovation generates images from nothing

Los Alamos National Laboratory has announced the development of an innovative artificial intelligence framework, "Blackout Diffusion," which is designed to generate images from nothing. The team at Los Alamos conducted comprehensive testing of Blackout Diffusion, evaluating its capabilities on a variety of standardized datasets.


Government

Bernalillo County outlines legislative priorities for 2024

Bernalillo County has announced that its Board of Commissioners will prioritize six key items for review during the upcoming legislative session. This move signifies the county's strategic focus on legislative matters.


Government

NMDA to accept Healthy Soil Program grant applications

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has announced the commencement of the grant application process for the Healthy Soil Program. Both Eligible Entities and Individual Applicants are invited to submit their proposals.