Science & Technology in Support of National Security

AnanthaKrishnan is currently the Associate Director for the Engineering Directorate at LLNL. In this role, he is responsible for leading a diverse organization of 1400 personnel that provides the engineering science and technology to ensure the success of the Laboratory’s programs and institutional goals. These efforts include both large- and small- scale systems and components engineering, computational code development and simulation, engineering design and requirements, specialty manufacturing, prototyping and assembly, experiment execution, and the operation of critical engineering facilities. He also oversees and directs engineering research and development activities in computational engineering, micro- and nanotechnologies, pulsed power, precision engineering, advanced diagnostics, and knowledge management systems.

Before coming to LLNL, Ananthawas a Program Manager at DARPA from 1999 to 2005. He managed several programs in the area of nano-bio-technology for the Defense Sciences Office (DSO) as well as programs in the area of high performance microelectronic circuit design for the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). In recognition of his efforts at DARPA, he was awarded the Medal for Exceptional Public Service by the Secretary of Defense in 2005. From 1989 to 1999, he held various positions, including Vice-President for Advanced Technology, at Computational Fluid

Dynamics Research Corporation (CFDRC) where he managed several programs in the areas of semiconductor processing technology, MEMS/bio-MEMS, supercritical fluid technology, crystal growth and aerospace/rocket propulsion.

Ananthaobtained his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989 and his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1986. He completed his undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology in India in 1984. 

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a Department of Energy (DoE) National Laboratory with its core mission focus in areas such as (i) Nuclear Security, (ii) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, and (iii) Energy and Environmental Security. LLNL’s science and technology competencies cover a broad range of multi-disciplinary areas such as Materials Science & Engineering, Nuclear Science & Technology, Lasers and Optical Technologies, High Performance Computing, Information Systems & Data Science/Analytics, Computational Science & Engineering, and Biological sciences & Bio-Engineering. In addition to these competencies, LLNL maintains a number of unique experimental facilities to conduct the research & development needed to carry out its missions successfully.

This seminar will give a broad overview of LLNL capabilities followed by a description of specific science & technology thrusts within the Engineering Directorate in (i) Materials Engineering & Manufacturing, (ii) Bio-Engineering, (iii) Data & Decision Technologies and, (iv) Computational Engineering. The Engineering Directorate is seeking potential collaborations with Purdue faculty and students working in these areas.