LEAD NANOPARTICLES — These lead nanoparticles were created with a new electrodeposition technique. Shaped nanoparticles include icosahedrons (a), decahedrons (b), tripods (c) and nanobrushes (d). The bar at the top of each image represents 500 nanometers (billionths of a meter).

Electricity used to control nanocrystal shape

By Margret Chang

Wires, tubes and brushes make it possible to build and maintain the machines and devices we use on a daily basis. Now, with help from a surprising source, these same building blocks can easily be created on a scale 10,000 times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

Researchers at Argonne have figured out the basics of using electrochemistry to control the architecture of nanocrystals — small structures with dimensions in billionths of meters. Their findings, published in the March 3 edition of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, provide a practical method of generating large quantities of architecture-controlled nanocrystals, such as superconductors, ferromagnets and noble metals.

"The architectures of the nanocrystals are mainly controlled by applied voltages," said lead scientist Zhili Xiao (MSD). "This gives us much greater control over the growth conditions of the nano-crystals. We were able to create a great variety of structures with greater convenience and predictability compared with more traditional methods."

Traditional methods of fabricating nanocrystals involve rapidly injecting chemicals into a heated solution at high temperatures. The downside to this approach, however, is the difficulty of controlling the solution concentration, which changes as the reaction proceeds. This change in concentration leads to changes in the electrochemical potential — the measure of a compound's ability to react in solution. Since a stable electrochemical potential is crucial for forming well-shaped nanocrystals, scientists using this method often found themselves struggling to control solution concentrations and to time the right moment to stop the reaction.

In contrast, Xiao and his colleagues found that they could easily control the electrochemical potential by using electric voltage. The scientists used a technique called electrodeposition, which uses electricity passing through an electrode to reduce ions from solution on a given surface.

By changing the applied voltage value and the type of chemicals in the solution, the Argonne researchers were able to synthesize large quantities of nearly 30 different nanostructures, including nanoparticles of various shapes, nanowires, nanobrushes and nanoscale tripods.

"We found, for example, that shaped nanoparticles tend to form at lower voltages while higher voltages tend to produce structures such as nanowires and nanobrushes," explained Xiao.

With large quantities of these nanocrystals in hand, scientists are exploring their physical and chemical properties. These structures can lead to discoveries of new phenomena and applications, such as the use of ferromagnetic nanocrystals as components in ultra high-density storage media and the use of certain metal nanocrystals as catalysts for hydrogen production and sensing.

"When you alter the shape of a nanocrystal, you're basically setting new boundaries to the space in which its electrons can move," said Wai-Kwong Kwok, leader of the Superconductivity and Magnetism group in the Materials Science Division. "This, in turn, affects its physical properties, which explains why a triangle and a sphere made of lead can have completely different superconducting properties."

The research work by scientists in Argonne's Materials Science Division was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the University of Chicago-Argonne Consortium for Nanoscience Research.

Transuranic waste shipments nearing completion

After three years of ongoing effort and dedicated work, Argonne's Plant Facilities and Services-Waste Management Operations (PFS-WMO) is counting down the days until the final transuranic waste shipment leaves Argonne-East for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant — the world's first underground repository licensed to dispose of transuranic radioactive waste.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is located in the desert near Carlsbad, New Mexico. It features disposal rooms mined 2,150 feet underground in a stable salt formation nearly 2,000 feet thick.

In 2000, Argonne-East was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of three sites to initiate a central-program approach to characterizing and certifying waste for shipment to the plant. Three years later, Argonne became the first site to ship transuranic waste directly to the facility. This waste, in 55-gallon containers, was generated as part of past and ongoing research and decontamination projects. Argonne also assisted with the transfer and characterization of seven drums of transuranic debris from the Missouri University Reactor before shipment to the New Mexico plant.

In early 2001, a central characterization team was mobilized at Argonne to assist with characterization and certification for the duration of the WIPP project. Specific Argonne activities included program management, project and quality oversight, container handling, safety, health physics and facility infrastructure support. Argonne and other collaborators successfully responded to a stringent audit process from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Carlsbad Department of Energy Field Office and the State of New Mexico for certification to characterize and ship the transuranic waste.

Characterization activities included analysis for volatile organic compounds, radiological assays and visual examination under a rigorous quality assurance program. Waste mechanics, health physics technicians and foremen from PFS-WMO worked around the clock to meet schedule deadlines.

Other Argonne organizations contributing to the success of this project included PFS-Site Services, PFS-Safety Emergency Services, PFS-Building Systems Maintenance, Nuclear Engineering, ESH-QA Oversight, Energy Technology, and the Information and Publishing Division. Characterization work was also performed at Argonne-West.

By the end of this project, more than 450 drums of radioactive waste will have been characterized and shipped to the plant. Shipments began in May 2003, and to date, 370 drums have been shipped from the site.

"So far, the success of this WIPP project has been the result of excellence in communication, willingness to adapt to constant change, and a strong commitment to achieving success by all involved," said Cynthia Rock, manager of Waste Management Operations. "I am grateful to Argonne employees and contractor staff for their contribution in making this project safe and operationally successful."

The work was accomplished in conjunction with Washington TRU Solutions, LLC.

Foley to lead national security programs

Alan A. Foley has been named Argonne's associate laboratory director for national security.

Foley most recently was director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's Center for Weapons Intelligence, Nonproliferation and Arms Control. He was associated with the CIA for 26 years, and served as chief of the Arms Control Intelligence Staff and as senior member of the U.S.- Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (SALT) from 1987 to 1990.

Foley was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptional performance, leadership and professionalism" in 2001. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Tufts University, a master's degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and was a Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Fellow at Moscow and Leningrad State Universities.

In his new role at Argonne, Foley will head the laboratory's $40 million research effort in national security programs. Argonne researchers are providing scientific and technical support to assist the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense and other public agencies in accomplishing their mission to reduce threats to national security.

Argonne's research and development program includes three major components:

Nuclear non-proliferation, treaty verification, arms control and counter-terrorism technology. This effort includes initiatives to research and test reactor security, reactor fuel safety projects, nuclear materials monitoring activities and nuclear security training. In support of these efforts, Argonne is equipped to perform nuclear-related field and laboratory measurements, radiation dose estimations, decontamination, emergency construction, radioactive materials handling, nuclear risk management and nuclear threat attribution.

Domestic infrastructure assurance. This effort includes vulnerability assessments focused on physical, operational and cyber security, and the interdependencies of such critical infrastructures as electrical, natural gas, transportation and telecommunication systems. Under the sponsorship of DOE and DHS, Argonne is engaged in activities that aim to increase the emergency preparedness and security awareness of infrastructure owners and operators and their host communities and states.

Chemical and biological counter-terrorism science and technology. Argonne capabilities include instruments and sensors for detection of chemical and biological agents in the air, water and soil, whether dispersed over a wide area or hidden within sites and caches. Facilities are also available for evaluating the effectiveness of monitoring methods at both the laboratory and field scales. The laboratory can provide technical assistance in emergency situations and deploy fast-response systems for protecting first responders, decreasing exposure times, estimating population exposures and reducing risk.

Security and Counterintelligence Division formed

The Office of Safeguards and Security (OSS) has been combined with the Office of Counterintelligence to form the Security and Counterintelligence Division (SCD).

This new organizational alignment will result in a more effective and coordinated approach to laboratory security.

Larry Collins has been appointed director of this new division. Since June 2000, Collins has served as the laboratory's Counterintelligence Program Manager. He has raised performance in this area to among the best in the Department of Energy laboratory system.

Prior to joining Argonne, Collins had a distinguished 27-year career with the FBI. He has served as special agent in charge of the bureau's Chicago Field Office, the fourth largest FBI office in the country.

Collins will continue to report directly to the laboratory director on counterintelligence and will report through the Chief Operations Officer on security.

Mike Boxberger, who managed OSS for the past three and one-half years, has taken a new position in Engineering Research.

Lunchtime celebration to mark new safety record

Argonne-East employees are invited to a celebration Monday, March 15, to mark the site's new safety record — now officially 2.2 million hours without a lost-workday injury — and the unveiling of the new safety slogan.

From Oct. 24, 2003 to Feb. 19, 2004, Argonne-East employees worked 2,263,000 without a lost-workday injury.

The safety celebration will be held at noon in the Building 213 Cafeteria. Cake will be served by Argonne Director Hermann Grunder, Deputy Laboratory Director Don Joyce, Chief Operations Officer Mike Derbidge and EQO Director Adam Cohen.

Argonne's new safety slogan will be unveiled at the safety celebration. The slogan was chosen by a committee of representatives from programmatic and operations divisions from among the nearly 1,200 submissions by Argonne employees. The employee who submitted the winning slogan will win $250. A prize of $150 will be awarded to the employee with the second-place slogan, and the third-place entry will get $100.

3 newsletters debut on AIM

Three new electronic newsletters devoted to environmental and energy policy are now available to Argonne-East employees at www.aim.anl.gov: Environment & Energy Daily, Greenwire and Land Letter.

Environment & Energy Daily tracks environmental and energy action in Congress, Greenwire summarizes important environmental coverage from hundreds of media and online sources, and Land Letter reports on a wide range of natural resource development and conservation issues.

These titles join The Energy Daily, available at www. aim.anl.gov from the desktops of employees at both the Illinois and Idaho sites, in supplying up-to-date worldwide information relating to business, science and government.

St. Pat's Day run planned

The Argonne Running Club will hold a St. Patrick's Day run Wednesday, March 17, starting from the Argonne Pool at noon.

There will be a three-mile running course and a two-mile walking course. All site employees and their guests are welcome to participate. Refreshments will be served after the event.

Applications accepted for executive MBA program

Applications are being accepted for the 2004 University of Chicago Executive Master's of Business Administration Program.

This year Argonne management will select one employee to participate in this program, offered through the university's Graduate School of Business.

Applications may be obtained online or by calling the Human Resources Performance Development section at ext. 2-3410. The deadline for returning completed applications to Human Resources is Friday, March 26.

This program is designed for middle and upper-level managers who are expected to retain full job responsibilities while attending classes in advanced studies in management every other Friday and Saturday beginning in July. The program spans 20 months.

Each applicant is asked to have a reference letter from his or her current division director. Call Geralyn Becker (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for more information.

Representative to answer
Social Security queries

A representative of the Social Security Administration's Joliet office will visit Argonne-East's Human Resources office Wednesday, March 17, from 8 a.m. to noon. The representative can:

Take applications for new Social Security cards, including original cards for newborns, corrected cards due to marriage, or replacement cards.

Help with earnings posting problems.

Answer general questions about the Social Security program.

To schedule a meeting, call ext. 2-2989.

HR classes

Human Resources is offering a series of classes at Argonne-East to help those who want to improve their communication skills. For more information, call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410. Complete course descriptions are online.

"Conducting an Effective Interim Conversation" (HR347) — Friday, March 19, 9-11 a.m., Building 201, Room 190.

"Successful Proposal Writing" (HR343) — Thursday, March 25, 10:30 a.m.- noon, Building 401 Gallery.

"Presentation Skills" (HR284) — Monday, March 29, and Tuesday, March 30, 1 - 5 p.m., Building 212, Conference Room B102. Cost $50

CIS Classes

Classes offered by Computing and Instrumentation Solutions are held in Argonne-East's Building 201, Room 167. Unless otherwise specified, class sizes are limited to eight participants and cost $215. Complete computer class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are available online.

For information about enrollment, contact Diane Cavazos (CIS) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov.

April Classes include:

"Introduction to Word 2000" (CIS100) — Thursday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to Excel 2000" (CIS101) — Friday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to Access 2000" (CIS102) — Monday, April 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to PowerPoint 2000" (CIS106) — Tuesday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Advanced to PowerPoint 2000" (CIS107) — Wednesday, April 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Argonne Club election to be held online

The Argonne Club is holding an online election to fill two open board member positions.

The election will run from Monday, March 15 - Friday, April 9. There are four candidates. The two candidates with the most votes will serve on the board until 2006.

Details are online.

Club plans St. Pat's party

The Argonne Club is set to host a St. Patrick's Day party on Thursday, March 18, at 617 Lower Level from 4:30 - 8 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the person wearing the most green. There is a $3 cover charge and adult beverages will be available.

All visitors must be badged by the Argonne Information Center prior to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Web site.