Frontiers Lecture Series 
Engineering at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
3:10 - 4:00 p.m.
Kingsbury N101
All are invited to attend
Dennis W. O'Brien '77
Chief Electronics Engineer
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
ABSTRACT—
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a premier applied physics laboratory with a rich tradition of experimental and computational achievement in engineering as well as the sciences. Livermore is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, Limited Liability Company (LLNS, LLC) for the National Nuclear Security Agency of the US Department of Energy. A brief overview of the Laboratory, its mission and its programs will be presented. Livermore was established as the nation’s second nuclear weapon design laboratory. Livermore, and its sister laboratory Los Alamos, are responsible for the nation’s nuclear stockpile. In its 57-year history, Livermore has diversified into a number of national security and energy programs important to the future of the country. A discussion of the recently dedicated National Ignition Facility (NIF) covers its unique capabilities and the engineering challenges in the 12-year construction of a $3.5B stadium-sized laser. The broader engineering capabilities, workforce, and research and development at Livermore, and challenges that lay ahead, are also discussed.
BIO—
Dennis O’Brien is a distinguished graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a BSEE in ’75 and MSEE in ’77. Upon leaving us at UNH, Dennis joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and has seen a rich and varied 32-year engineering career that included R&D and technical, program and line management roles. He has worked in government programs as diverse as the Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Test programs; engineering technology development; Basic Energy Sciences; development and commercialization of production technologies; and construction of two major experimental facilities, including the National Ignition Facility. He has garnered 7 patents and published 30+ papers. Dennis is currently the Chief Electronics Engineer at LLNL responsible for engineering standards, quality and safety; and workforce planning and development for a technical staff of 1300 engineers, designers and technicians.
Courtesy Photo Caption:
Top: A view of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Target ChamberBottom Left: Cryogenic Ignition Laser Target
Bottom Right: The NIF Target Alignment System
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