Gerrit Bruhaug
@gbruhaug.bsky.social
Finally a real scientist with a real job. All bad opinions are my own, all good ones are my friends.
It’s fun to be back at the @UofR LLE and doing laser wakefield based radiography again. Fingers crossed we get some good images out!
October 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
It’s fun to be back at the @UofR LLE and doing laser wakefield based radiography again. Fingers crossed we get some good images out!
Today is my first day as a staff scientist. After literal decades of school, I finally have a “real” job.
September 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Today is my first day as a staff scientist. After literal decades of school, I finally have a “real” job.
I just saw an add on broadcast TV to join ICE… Christ man, I never thought I would see adds for the modern day Gestapo on live TV but I suppose I should have expected it. Also $50K signing bonus plus more than scientist pay!? I see where all of our deficit spending is going now days.
September 28, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I just saw an add on broadcast TV to join ICE… Christ man, I never thought I would see adds for the modern day Gestapo on live TV but I suppose I should have expected it. Also $50K signing bonus plus more than scientist pay!? I see where all of our deficit spending is going now days.
I picked up some light reading for the weekend. I'm excited to learn just how nuts those 50's/60's weapons scientists were!
September 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I picked up some light reading for the weekend. I'm excited to learn just how nuts those 50's/60's weapons scientists were!
Welp, the tariffs got me. I ordered some optics from France(literally the only supplier in the world for these parts) and they are now hundreds of dollars more expensive and massively delayed in customs. Are we winning yet Donnie?
August 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Welp, the tariffs got me. I ordered some optics from France(literally the only supplier in the world for these parts) and they are now hundreds of dollars more expensive and massively delayed in customs. Are we winning yet Donnie?
I finally got to see the NIF today and just… wow. What a massive scientific cathedral! I also really like how they kept the target holders from the first burning plasma and ignited shots! Those are great pieces of history.
August 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I finally got to see the NIF today and just… wow. What a massive scientific cathedral! I also really like how they kept the target holders from the first burning plasma and ignited shots! Those are great pieces of history.
I have finally been in a truly autonomous car (Waymo)! It’s a very neat and seamless experience, although notably more expensive and less responsive than Uber/Lyft. The cars a nice though, and drive quite well.
August 17, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I have finally been in a truly autonomous car (Waymo)! It’s a very neat and seamless experience, although notably more expensive and less responsive than Uber/Lyft. The cars a nice though, and drive quite well.
I was lucky enough to be able to see the SLAC facility (LCLS-II and I) yesterday. These are honest to god x-ray lasers! I would argue that this is probably the most useful scientific facility this country has made yet.
August 16, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I was lucky enough to be able to see the SLAC facility (LCLS-II and I) yesterday. These are honest to god x-ray lasers! I would argue that this is probably the most useful scientific facility this country has made yet.
I just had the most Bay Area experience ever. I went to a coffee shop where the coffee was made and served by a robot! The bot proceeded to spill everywhere and the coffee cost more than just going to Starbucks, so I think barista jobs remain safe.
August 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I just had the most Bay Area experience ever. I went to a coffee shop where the coffee was made and served by a robot! The bot proceeded to spill everywhere and the coffee cost more than just going to Starbucks, so I think barista jobs remain safe.
It’s always fun to get to see accelerators, especially such historic machines! This is using the steel from one of Lawerence’s original cyclotrons to make the Crocker cyclotron at Davis. It’s used for space radiation, isotope production, and eye cancer treatment.
August 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
It’s always fun to get to see accelerators, especially such historic machines! This is using the steel from one of Lawerence’s original cyclotrons to make the Crocker cyclotron at Davis. It’s used for space radiation, isotope production, and eye cancer treatment.
I signed my Scientist 2 conversion paperwork today at LANL! It’s been a whirlwind post-doc, but I’m excited to stay on and work on modernizing our nations radiographic capabilities. I’ll do some fusion and pure accelerator physics on the side as well.
July 30, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I signed my Scientist 2 conversion paperwork today at LANL! It’s been a whirlwind post-doc, but I’m excited to stay on and work on modernizing our nations radiographic capabilities. I’ll do some fusion and pure accelerator physics on the side as well.
This is a really, really big deal. A top Republican NRC appointee has resigned in protest over what the admin, and DOGE in particular, are trying to do to them. This is a bad sign for both nuclear safety and the industry. kaufman.substack.com/p/a-top-us-n...
A top U.S. nuclear regulator is resigning amid Trump changes
EXCLUSIVE: NRC Commissioner Annie Caputo is leaving the nation's atomic regulator.
kaufman.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
This is a really, really big deal. A top Republican NRC appointee has resigned in protest over what the admin, and DOGE in particular, are trying to do to them. This is a bad sign for both nuclear safety and the industry. kaufman.substack.com/p/a-top-us-n...
80 years on from Trinity, the true start of the Atomic Age. Here’s hoping none of us ever get to see the terrifying beauty of one of these monsters in the open. Credit @wellerstein.bsky.social awesome article for the quote!
July 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
80 years on from Trinity, the true start of the Atomic Age. Here’s hoping none of us ever get to see the terrifying beauty of one of these monsters in the open. Credit @wellerstein.bsky.social awesome article for the quote!
Interesting thought for yall. If companies like @KairosPower provide a large enough enriched Li-7 supply, designs for mobile, lithium cooled reactors like the LCRE could become practical. Could be fun to reconsider at least! www.osti.gov/servlets/pur...
www.osti.gov
July 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Interesting thought for yall. If companies like @KairosPower provide a large enough enriched Li-7 supply, designs for mobile, lithium cooled reactors like the LCRE could become practical. Could be fun to reconsider at least! www.osti.gov/servlets/pur...
Reposted by Gerrit Bruhaug
I waited to write a 4th of July post until I got proper riled up on sun and cheap beer.
"July 4th is wrong this year, it feels like there's nothing to celebrate."
Not true. This is the easiest Independence Day we might have ever had. Do you believe in freedom from tyrants? Then this Bud's for you.
"July 4th is wrong this year, it feels like there's nothing to celebrate."
Not true. This is the easiest Independence Day we might have ever had. Do you believe in freedom from tyrants? Then this Bud's for you.
July 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I waited to write a 4th of July post until I got proper riled up on sun and cheap beer.
"July 4th is wrong this year, it feels like there's nothing to celebrate."
Not true. This is the easiest Independence Day we might have ever had. Do you believe in freedom from tyrants? Then this Bud's for you.
"July 4th is wrong this year, it feels like there's nothing to celebrate."
Not true. This is the easiest Independence Day we might have ever had. Do you believe in freedom from tyrants? Then this Bud's for you.
If you go to any 4th of July parties today, I urge you to play this song and make any confederate flag waving weirdos cry. m.youtube.com/watch?v=DhSz...
Union Dixie
YouTube video by Tennessee Ernie Ford - Topic
m.youtube.com
July 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
If you go to any 4th of July parties today, I urge you to play this song and make any confederate flag waving weirdos cry. m.youtube.com/watch?v=DhSz...
And my latest paper has finally been published! This was based on an INFUSE grant from the DOE to investigate powerful THz sources with TAE Technologies. pubs.aip.org/aip/pop/arti...
Directional, joule per steradian THz pulses from multi-joule laser irradiation of wires
We report on THz pulses with energy flux exceeding 2.5 J/sr and high directionality, generated from picosecond, joule laser irradiation of microwires. The impac
pubs.aip.org
July 2, 2025 at 12:52 PM
And my latest paper has finally been published! This was based on an INFUSE grant from the DOE to investigate powerful THz sources with TAE Technologies. pubs.aip.org/aip/pop/arti...
One year(ish) into being at LANL and I’m batting 250/330 (depending on how you want to count) on LDRDs. It would be nice to hit off even more, but it feels good to get one the first time around as is! Now to actually accomplish what I claimed we could…
July 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
One year(ish) into being at LANL and I’m batting 250/330 (depending on how you want to count) on LDRDs. It would be nice to hit off even more, but it feels good to get one the first time around as is! Now to actually accomplish what I claimed we could…
Reposted by Gerrit Bruhaug
🗽Unlike most states, New York can directly order the construction of a nuclear plant. As @fredstaffordcs.bsky.social points out, Hochul doesn’t have to beg private developers to do it.
This is abundance.
🔌💡 www.wsj.com/business/ene...
This is abundance.
🔌💡 www.wsj.com/business/ene...
Exclusive | New York to Build One of First U.S. Nuclear-Power Plants in Generation
Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed the state’s public electric utility to add at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear-power production.
www.wsj.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
🗽Unlike most states, New York can directly order the construction of a nuclear plant. As @fredstaffordcs.bsky.social points out, Hochul doesn’t have to beg private developers to do it.
This is abundance.
🔌💡 www.wsj.com/business/ene...
This is abundance.
🔌💡 www.wsj.com/business/ene...
In today’s tiny bit of good news, I just had a paper accepted for publication! It always feels so damn good when you get that email.
June 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
In today’s tiny bit of good news, I just had a paper accepted for publication! It always feels so damn good when you get that email.
Reposted by Gerrit Bruhaug
Some more...anodyne...☢️ commentary, perhaps ill timed, but I was reminded today.
The public comment period for the NNSA draft Environmental Impact Statement for the new Savannah River plutonium pit facility is open for another month. I encourage followers to write in support of the project. 🧵
The public comment period for the NNSA draft Environmental Impact Statement for the new Savannah River plutonium pit facility is open for another month. I encourage followers to write in support of the project. 🧵
June 17, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Some more...anodyne...☢️ commentary, perhaps ill timed, but I was reminded today.
The public comment period for the NNSA draft Environmental Impact Statement for the new Savannah River plutonium pit facility is open for another month. I encourage followers to write in support of the project. 🧵
The public comment period for the NNSA draft Environmental Impact Statement for the new Savannah River plutonium pit facility is open for another month. I encourage followers to write in support of the project. 🧵
After ~52 hours of travel I have *finally* made it home. The CDG airport really does its best to ruin my trips and this time was an exceptionally unpleasant example. Paris should probably level that place and try again.
June 9, 2025 at 10:48 PM
After ~52 hours of travel I have *finally* made it home. The CDG airport really does its best to ruin my trips and this time was an exceptionally unpleasant example. Paris should probably level that place and try again.
Weddings in India really are as hectic, big, and amazing as everyone says they are. I’m feeling very blessed to be able to attend one.
June 5, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Weddings in India really are as hectic, big, and amazing as everyone says they are. I’m feeling very blessed to be able to attend one.
I’ve learned a couple of things so far in India. First, the food rocks as you would expect. Second, the people are all incredibly friendly. Third, the taxi drivers all have the divine protection of Vishnu, since nothing else would keep them alive driving like that.
May 31, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I’ve learned a couple of things so far in India. First, the food rocks as you would expect. Second, the people are all incredibly friendly. Third, the taxi drivers all have the divine protection of Vishnu, since nothing else would keep them alive driving like that.
#nukesky thought experiment for yall. The year is 2031 and President Buttigieg (a hopeful future) has ordered an underground nuclear test. You are given the privilege to push the button. What do you say as you do it? I would go for “flame on” just because it’s so stupid no one would believe it.
May 22, 2025 at 12:17 AM
#nukesky thought experiment for yall. The year is 2031 and President Buttigieg (a hopeful future) has ordered an underground nuclear test. You are given the privilege to push the button. What do you say as you do it? I would go for “flame on” just because it’s so stupid no one would believe it.