Sandia National LaboratoriesSince 1949, Sandia National Laboratories has developed science-based technologies that support our national security. Today, the 300+ million Americans depend on Sandia's technology solutions to solve national and global threats to peace and freedom. As part of Sandia National Laboratories, the Physical, Chemical, and Nano Sciences Center provides new scientific knowledge in support of Sandia's national security mission, especially in the areas of nuclear weapons, energy and infrastructure assurance, nonproliferation and assessments, military technology and applications, and homeland security. We provide science-based solutions for the mission needs of our parent agency, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), with an emphasis on areas where we have unique expertise. Of equal importance, we are Sandia's leading performer of focused long-term scientific research in anticipation of future national security needs, particularly in the physical, chemical, and nano sciences. We focus on five technical thrusts: science-based solutions for enduring NNSA mission needs, collective hierarchical systems, compound semiconductor science and technology, nanosciences, and optical sciences.