Sandia researchers Jeff Gruda (left) and Jim Phelan use Sandia National Laboratories' Visualization Lab to examine the results of a computer simulation that models the effects of an explosion on an aircraft fuselage. The simulation was conducted under the National Nuclear Security Administration's Advanced Simulation and Computing program for the Transportation Security Administration. The research is helping develop a scientific basis for aviation security explosive detection requirements. (More information). Photo courtesy Sandia National Laboratories.

Computational neuroscientist Frances Chance is revealing insights into how dragonflies intercept their prey in flight, which might be useful for missile defense. The Sandia research is examining whether dragonfly-inspired computing could improve missile defense systems, which have the similar task of intercepting an object in flight, by making on-board computers smaller without sacrificing speed or accuracy. Dragonflies catch 95% of their prey, crowning them one of the top predators in the world.

In recent computer simulations, faux dragonflies in a simplified virtual environment successfully caught their prey using computer algorithms designed to mimic the way a dragonfly processes visual information while hunting. The positive test results show the programming is fundamentally a sound model.

Learn more at bit.ly/2K5Za1A.

Photo by Randy Montoya

8-17-15

8-17-15

8-17-15

8-17-15