San Diego

Sandia National Laboratory, a nuclear weapons lab in New Mexico, has launched plans for an applied-technology laboratory on the border between the United States and Mexico.

Scientists and engineers at the Bi-National Sustainability Laboratory would work on developing technologies to make new products in the fields of energy, water, air quality, health care and information services.

The new lab would be sited in the border cities of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, Mexico. These are part of a jointly planned development area that includes a border crossing.

The lab is being promoted by Sandia's Advanced Concepts Group, which pursues new research ideas. “The idea is a mix of a scientific incubator, think-tank and technology start-up,” says Sandia engineer Vipin Gupta, a member of the group.

Sandia officials hope the new lab will be funded equally by the US and Mexican governments, and be staffed by scientists from both countries. Sandia planners were in Mexico last week looking for an agency there to be the primary partner. The United States–Mexico Foundation for Science, a think-tank based in Mexico City, Mexico, is helping with project planning.

The cost of building and operating the lab has yet to be determined, although Sandia officials have employed an architect to create a model of the facility.

The location and focus of the lab are the idea of Sandia engineer Gerry Yonas. “We see this as a tremendous opportunity,” he says. “But if we are going to make this concept a reality, we need a full partner in Mexico.”