A “sandwich cluster” is a molecule consisting of alternating layers of metal atoms and organic molecules, such as vanadium (circles) and benzene (hexagons).

Nov. 22, 2004 -- Some of this week's stories:

Sandwich clusters may feed magnetic storage

By Raquel Harper

A new type of molecular magnet known as a "sandwich cluster" is being studied under a joint research collaboration between Argonne, the University of Chicago and Keio University in Japan.

These molecular magnets could be useful for magnetic storage or spintronics, developing technologies that could enable computers to have ultra-small storage capabilities with faster and more energy-efficient systems.

The three collaborating institutions have been funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency to explore the magnetic properties of these newly found molecules.

Argonne has received $93,800 this year to focus on the magnetic properties of these clusters and to work on developing techniques to deposit the clusters onto surfaces. Argonne expects to receive additional funding through fiscal year 2007.

Argonne is an excellent place to study these clusters, as it houses a Stern-Gerlach molecular beam deflection apparatus. Only three of these devices exist in the world, and Argonne is home to the only one at a U.S. national laboratory.

The Stern-Gerlach apparatus contains a special magnet that generates small deflections in a molecular beam of metal clusters that travel inside a high vacuum chamber. "We can determine how interesting these magnetic clusters are with the molecular beam deflection apparatus," said Mark Knickelbein (CHM). "From the magnitude of the deflections, we can determine the `magnetic moments' of the clusters — the most fundamental measure of their magnetism."

A "sandwich cluster" is a molecule consisting of alternating layers of metal atoms and organic molecules, such as vanadium and benzene. They can be several nanometers (billionth of a meter) in length, depending on the number of layers in the cluster, which in turn depends on the types of metal atoms and organic molecules used and the temperature of the atoms and molecules at creation. The clusters, which Knickelbein and other researchers at Argonne are currently studying, display different magnetic behaviors than regular bulk metals.

Argonne has already made several research developments on sandwich clusters. For example, researchers have discovered how to generate clusters larger than ever observed before by reacting laser-generated metal atoms with benzene and other molecules at low temperatures.

The other lead researchers on the project, in addition to Argonne's Knickelbein, are Steve Sibener from the University of Chicago and Atsushi Nakajima from Keio University.

The combined effort among the three institutions allows advanced research on the development of the new molecular magnets, which may be valuable candidates for magnetic storage and spintronics.

More information about the project is available online.

More natural prairie, savanna to bloom at ANL-East

Argonne-East's grassy site will soon include prairie-like plants along the roadways and under the oak trees. The Land Management and Habitat Restoration Committee, along with Plant Facilities and Services, will convert these mowed areas to more natural prairie and savanna with native plants.

The native plants will reduce soil erosion and floods, conserve fossil fuels, improve habitats for wildlife and beautify the laboratory setting for employees' enjoyment.

These restoration efforts are consistent with Argonne's Environmental Protection Policy and the Department of Energy's requirements for appropriate use of native plants.

Rab Malhotra, chair of the Land Management and Habitat Restoration Committee, said the program will benefit the environment.

"The laboratory will rely on ecological principles to guide converting some of the mowed areas to prairie and savanna, thereby fulfilling our responsibilities as good stewards of the land as well as meeting our environmental requirements," he said. "This program will allow the laboratory to increase its reliance on controlled burning and the use of fire-tolerant native plant communities that had originally created and sustained the landscape prior to settlement and development."

The general goal of the program is to promote long-term stewardship of the natural resources, Malhotra said.

The committee continues to look for innovative actions that will aid in the management of the laboratory. Employees interested in learning more about what the committee does or interested in getting involved in the project can contact Malhotra at ext. 2-5315 for more information.

Researchers to present results of LDRD research

Researchers will present short discussions of their laboratory-directed research and development (LDRD) projects from 2-3:45 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30, in Building 201, Conference Room 190A and B.

Presentations will include:

"Modeling Near-field Atmospheric Dispersion and the Potential Health and Economic Impacts from Terrorism Scenarios Involving `Dirty Bombs' or Similar Devices" by Bruce Biwer (EA)

"Fuel Cycle Strategy and Cost Modeling Development and Evaluation" by Abdellatif Yacout (NE)

"Analysis and Mitigation Methods for Electrical Arc Injuries in Medical Environment" by Isak Konkashbaev (ET)

"Core-shell Nanocrystal Spring Magnets" by Xiao-Min Lin (MSD)

"Developing X-ray Transparent Windows Sustainable to Dynamic High-pressure and High-temperature for Imaging Applications at the APS" by Deming Shu (XFD)

"Simulation and Modeling of Reactivity in Nanoporous Materials" by Larry Curtiss (MSD)

"Hydrogen Production from Low Temperature Thermocouple Cycles Compatible with Heat from a Na-cooled Nuclear Reactor" by Michelle Lewis (CMT)

Performance Appraisals due by Dec. 6

This year's performance appraisal cycle is coming to a close. All performance appraisals must be electronically submitted to Human Resources by Monday, Dec. 6.

To submit a performance appraisal:

The appraisal must be completed by the supervisor.

The appraisal must be approved by the second-level supervisor.

The supervisor and employee must meet, and the meeting must be electronically documented.

The employee must sign the performance appraisal electronically.

Additional guidance is online.

Bubulka, Daum recognized for safety efforts

By Raquel Harper

Mike Bubulka and John Daum (both PFS) received Argonne Quality and Safety Recognition Awards (QASR) for having Argonne-East's nitrogen tanks evaluated after a leak occurred at Argonne-West.

On March 11, a liquid nitrogen tank at Argonne-West leaked an estimated 1,200-1,300 gallons of liquid nitrogen into the atmosphere. An overpressure relief valve on the nitrogen tank separated from connected piping, which allowed the nitrogen to vent into the air.

Bubulka and Daum arranged for Argonne-East's gas supplier to come and review the Illinois site's nitrogen tanks.

"Several people became concerned about Argonne-East's tanks after reading the Occurrence Report for Argonne-West's nitrogen leak. I responded to everyone's concerns by having an expert come in to talk about it," said Bubulka.

The supplier discussed what happened at Argonne-West and explained how the tanks at Argonne-East are set up differently.

"The vendor really did a good job of covering all the necessary basics about liquid nitrogen tanks," said Daum. "There was a great turnout to the meeting. Everyone was able to ask the questions that had been troubling them. The vendor's presentation was really well received."

Bubulka and Daum were commended at the Oct. 19 Management Council Meeting. Both received certificates and lunch tickets for two at their choice of the Argonne Guest House or the Building 213 Cafeteria. Their names will also be added to the QASR Award winners' plaque.

The QASR Award recognizes employees' contribution to safety and quality at the laboratory. To nominate an employee, contact Audra Karalius (EQO) at karalius@anl.gov.

Former animal research facility converted to offices

By Raquel Harper

New office suites and storage areas in Building 202 are benefitting several Argonne divisions. Almost half of the building has been converted from animal research facilities into desperately needed office space and laboratories.

In the late 1960s, at its peak, Building 202 was home to approximately 825 beagles. The dogs were used primarily for low-level radiation exposure research. They enabled scientists to determine radiation exposure hazards, such as cancer and other health risks.

"Beagles from Argonne were the gold standard for understanding radiology effects," said former Argonne veterinarian Tom Fritz (BIO).

The animal research facility, which concentrated on research involving beagles and rodents, took up approximately 86,000 square feet of the building's total area of 181,620 square feet.

Today the converted area of Building 202 is rented out to various Argonne divisions. The majority of the space is divided between the Biosciences Division, Energy and Environmental Science and Technology, the Environment, Safety and Health/Quality Assurance Oversight Division and the Plant Facilities and Services Division. These divisions use the space for numerous offices, computer labs, conference rooms and storage for unused furniture and reusable lab equipment. Counterintelligence also occupies a renovated area that now contains 16 offices.

The construction of new office space continues. A 1,000 square-foot facility formerly used for research isolation of rodents is being converted into an additional office suite for the Biosciences Division.

"Basically, we were hard-pressed for office space, and so now many of the former animal rooms are being converted to office suites. There is still a lot of construction going on," said Don LeBuis (BIO), former Building 202 manager.

Since the early 1980s animal research at Argonne has slowly declined. The last few dogs left Building 202 in 1991 while research using rodents continued until the fall of 2002. The Biosciences Division has shifted from radiation exposure research to cellular studies. The renovated Biosciences area now houses a new mass spectrometer and a robot facility instead of animal research facilities.

Donations sought for injured scientist Dongqi Li

Donations to defray medical costs for MSD scientist Dongqi Li are being sought by Argonne's Chinese Association, Women in Science and Technology and the Materials Science Division.

Li was severely injured in a car accident April 7. After extensive therapy in the United States, her husband Wilson Li, on unpaid leave from Lucent Technologies, took her to China for traditional therapy. Her condition is slowly improving, but the Li family is facing huge medical costs.

To contribute, send a check payable to Dongqi Li or Wilson Li to Haifeng Ding (MSD) in Argonne-East's Building 223, Room D125. Checks may be sent to Bank One, 1300 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville, IL, 60540. Add a note saying "please deposit" with checks sent to Bank One. (Contributions are not tax-deductible). Receipts are available on request.

Wilson Li has set up a Web site with updates on Dongqi's condition.

Carpenter honored for neutron sources work

Jack Carpenter, technical director of the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS), received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Materials Science and Technology Division of the American Nuclear Society Nov. 17 , in Washington D.C.

Carpenter was recognized for “significant and sustained contributions to the development and application of neutron sources for the understanding of materials structure.” The award is presented to scientists from around the world who have made exceptional and unique achievements in nuclear technology. Only 17 individuals have received the award since the honor began in 1979.

Carpenter is a leader in spallation neutron source design. He originally designed a way to use neutrons created by the process of spallation for neutron scattering experiments, first demonstrated in 1974 in the prototype ZING-P at Argonne . Spallation is a nuclear reaction in which some neutrons are knocked out (“spalled”) from their corresponding atomic nucleus as a result of a collision between a fast particle, like such as a proton, and a heavy atomic nucleus.

Carpenter's efforts led to the May 1981 startup of IPNS, which is used for the study of atomic structure and motion in liquids and solids. IPNS remains one of the world's most productive neutron-research facilities, achieving many “firsts” in neutron scattering. Several scientific and technical innovations have been made possible because of IPNS, including uranium targets, cryogenic moderators and a wide variety of neutron scattering instruments.

The facility is the nation's most reliable source of neutrons for materials research. These neutrons are useful for research that involves penetrating power (neutrons can penetrate several centimeters of steel), research about materials containing atoms of the lighter elements ( like such as hydrogen and oxygen) and for investigating polymers (materials made from long chains of molecules).

IPNS was the first Department of Energy (DOE) facility dedicated to researchers, with about 75 percent of its time available to outside users. More than 4,000 experiments have been conducted at IPNS by scientists from around the world.

IPNS is now playing a critical role in instrument design and creation of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), a DOE project that is currently under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee . The SNS will provide the most intense pulsed neutron beams in the world for scientific research and industrial development.

Carpenter continues to contribute to atomic structure science in IPNS as a senior physicist and technical director and serves as a senior advisor to the SNS project as well as consultant to neutron sources worldwide.

Stalker is new medical director

Jamie Lynn Stalker (HR-MD) has been named Argonne Medical Director. Stalker will direct Argonne occupational health and wellness programs, manage the Medical Department and provide physician services for these programs.

Stalker has broad experience in the medical profession, having served as a clinician in private practice, clinical instructor, assistant professor in internal medicine and occupational medicine practitioner at Argonne .

Frank Strehl (HR-MD), who served as a physician and medical director for 45 years, will retire in January 2005.

XFD's Gabrielle Long named AAAS fellow

Gabrielle Long, associate director of Argonne 's Experimental Facilities Division, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

AAAS elects fellow s from among its members whose “efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished.”   The honor of being elected a fellow of AAAS began in 1874 and is acknowledged with a certificate and a rosette.

Long was honored for outstanding leadership in the development and application of advanced X-ray and neutron measurement techniques for materials analysis.

Long is responsible for the growing number of research sectors (pairs of X -ray beamlines) now managed by the Advanced Photon Source. Long's research interests include microstructure characterization of ceramics, nanoscale materials, and plasma-sprayed coatings and free standing structures. She has long-standing interests in materials deformation, small-angle scattering and x-ray optics, x-ray inelastic scattering, anomalous scattering, and dynamical diffraction by imperfect (real) crystals.

She conceived, built, commissioned , and operated unique national facilities at the National Synchrotron Light Source and the APS that enable the atomic, molecular, microstructural, interfacial , and surface characterization of materials at levels previously unattainable , and she has been a leader in the use of these facilities to resolve important issues in materials science.

“Gabrielle joined the APS management team at a very exciting and challenging time,” said Efim Gluskin, director of the Experimental Facilities Division, “when new strategic initiatives for future APS science are being explored. She brings to the APS the wide-ranging experience in science and the excellent organizational skills that are needed to open new technical and scientific horizons for our user community.”

Before coming to Argonne, Long was acting chief of the Ceramics Division and leader of the Materials Microstructural Characterization Group in the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

She received her Ph.D. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now Polytechnic University) in 1972 , and she served in research and teaching positions in physics at Columbia University, Vassar College , and the State University of New York at Stony Brook before coming to the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in 1980.

She is a fellow of the American Physical Society , and her work has been recognized by numerous awards. She was the Maria Goeppert Mayer Goeppert-Mayer Distinguished Scholar at ANL Argonne in 2001-2002. Long has co-authored more 115 papers and has served as lead editor of a volume on synchrotron radiation instrumentation.

Children of lab employees eligible for fellowship

Applications are now being taken for the University of Chicago's J. Harris Ward Graduate Fellowship, which benefits of the son or daughter of an Argonne National Laboratory employee.

The fellowship will be awarded annually as a $4,500 flat stipend and is for the fellow's first year of graduate study at the University of Chicago. It is not renewable.

To be eligible for the award, a candidate must be a son or daughter of a current Argonne employee. There is no restriction on the candidate's intended field of study; he or she must have been admitted to one of the departments or committees of the university's four graduate divisions or to one of the six professional schools of the university.

Candidates who have been granted admission will be reviewed for consideration by the director of the Office of Graduate Affairs of the university with the help of the laboratory director.

Interested, eligible candidates should write to Madeline Hamblin, director, Office of Graduate Affairs, University of Chicago, 5801 Ellis Avenue, Room 228, Chicago, Illinois 60637. The letter should include a statement of interest in being considered for the fellowship, the name of the program to which the candidate has applied , and the name of a parent. The letter must be received no later than Jan. 31, 2005.

J. Harris Ward (1908-1975) was president of Commonwealth Edison from 1959 to 1964 and chairman of the board from 1961. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago from 1956 to 1974. The University of Chicago has established this fellowship in recognition of the fact that his many contributions to the university included a deep interest in the work of Argonne, especially in the field of nuclear energy.

New method studies living bacteria cells

Argonne researchers have found a new way to study individual living bacteria cells and analyze their chemistry.

In research published in Science, the scientists used high-energy X-ray fluorescence measurements for mapping and chemical analyses of single free-floating, or planktonic, and surface-adhered, or biofilm, cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens. The results showed differences between the planktonic and adhered cells in morphology, elemental composition and sensitivity to hexavalent chromium, a heavy-metal contaminant and a known carcinogen. The biofilm cells were more tolerant of the contaminant, while it damaged or killed the planktonic cells.

In addition to determining the chemical differences between the cells, the work also pioneers a potentially revolutionary new technique for investigating microbiological systems in natural subsurface environments. This study advanced the development of high-energy X-ray microprobes and methods for using the microprobes to investigate single bacterial cells. The new capabilities set the stage for future studies defining mineral-metal-microbe interactions in contaminated environments.

“This technique also should be directly applicable to investigations of microbial processes in extreme subsurface environments and to studies of a variety of astrobiology topics, such as detection of past or present life in samples returned from Mars, or determinations of the origins of life,” said lead author Ken Kemner (ER).

No previously available techniques had the spatial resolution needed to analyze individual bacterial cells noninvasively and nondestructively. Recent developments at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne enabled the production of X-ray beams small enough to probe single bacterial cells, which are typically one-hundredth the diameter of a human hair. The APS provides the nation's most brilliant X-rays for research.

In these experiments, scientists exposed both planktonic and biofilm cells to elevated concentrations of hexavalent chromium. The researchers then used X-ray fluorescence microscopy to measure the concentrations of elements in individual cells before and after exposure to the heavy metal. The results indicated that X-ray fluorescence analysis had distinguished living bacterial cells from dead cells for the first time. The analysis also showed that a bone-like mineral deposit had formed around the surface of the adhered cells. This deposit made the adhered cells much more tolerant than planktonic cells to elevated levels of the contaminant.

Next, the researchers used the energy tunability of the APS X-ray beamline for spectroscopy experiments on the bacterial systems. These experiments showed that the surface adherence of the biofilm cells promoted tolerance to the chromium and reduced its toxicity level.

Finally, when the cells made the transition from the planktonic state to the biofilm state, the scientists observed changes in the concentrations of many transition metals required for bacterial life. These results suggest that X-ray fluorescence analysis might be useful for determining whether a bacterial cell is living or dead.

“No other technique has been capable of determining the metabolic state of a single hydrated cell and the chemical speciation of metals on, in or near a bacterial cell,” Kemner said. “The achievements of this study have the potential to revolutionize the way scientists investigate mineral-metal-microbe systems.”

Other authors on the report, in addition to Kemner are Shelly D. Kelly, Edward J. O'Loughlin and Deirdre Sholto-Douglas (all ER); Barry Lai, Joerg Maser and Zhonghou Cai (all XFD); Mark Schneegurt (Wichita State University); Charles F. Kulpa, Jr. (University of Notre Dame); and Kenneth H. Nealson (University of Southern California).

Funding for this project came from the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation program of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research.

Economics, computation are topics of conference

Argonne employees are invited to attend the 2004 "Frontiers in Economics and Computation Conference," sponsored by the University of Chicago Economics Research Center.

The conference will be held at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center Wednesday, Dec. 1. The one-day meeting of leading minds in economics and numerical computation will provide a place for economists to make connections with numerical analysts and learn state-of-the-art computational methods. The conference will encourage interdisciplinary contacts between economists and non-economists interested in computational methods.

The conference is open to the public and is free of charge. Those interested in attending should contact Adam Zanolini at a-zanolini@uchicago.edu . Details and updates are online.

No liquid nitrogen, helium deliveries Nov. 25 - 28

There will be no liquid nitrogen Dewar pick-up and delivery service during the Thanksgiving holiday closing, Thursday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 28.

The last day to have individual liquid nitrogen Dewars filled will be Wednesday, Nov. 24, by noon. Normal service will resume Monday, Nov. 29.

During this brief holiday closing, normal AGA bulk liquid nitrogen monitoring and filling will continue.

In addition, there will be no liquid helium pick-up or delivery service during the holiday closing. BOC Gases will make a delivery Wednesday, Nov. 24, and will return Monday, Nov. 29.

All liquid helium orders needed for Wednesday, Nov. 24, must be called in by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23. All helium orders needed for Monday, Nov. 29, must be called in by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24.

To order liquid helium, contact Mary Lipowski (PFS-MAT) at ext. 2-3440.

Those with questions or concerns can contact Michael Bubulka, supervisor of Shipping, Receiving, and Material Handling, at ext. 2-4939.

Multiple risk factors warrant visit to doctor

By David Ronin, Director of Wellness Programs

A recent cardiovascular and diabetes screening at the Argonne-East Medical Department points to the need for Argonne employees with multiple risk factors to see their personal physicians for guidance and possible treatments, including intensive diet and medication intervention for elevated cholesterol.

There were 127 participants at the Sept. 14 screenings: 80 men and 47 women. Eighty-one percent were from 40 to 69 years of age. There were 14 smokers. Nineteen had diagnosis of high blood pressure and seven had diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes screening revealed 13 individuals who had high fasting blood sugar of more than 110 md/dl.

Several risk factors besides high blood pressure increase the risk of future heart attacks. These risks include age, smoking and low HDL cholesterol level. The more risk factors present, the higher is the chance of a future heart attack.

The cardiovascular screening indicated that participants with the highest number of risk factors were more likely to have elevated cholesterol levels. Eighty-six percent of the participants with three or more risk factors for future heart attack had elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Sixty-nine percent of employees in a high-risk group (those who had a heart attack in the past and those who have diabetes) had elevated LDL cholesterol levels.

CIS classes

Computing classes offered by the Computing and Instrumentation Solutions Division are held in Building 201, Room 167. Unless otherwise noted, classes cost $215 and are limited to eight participants. Complete class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are online. For more information about enrollment procedures, contact Diane Cavazos (CIS) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov .

Classes offered in December will include:

“Advanced Word 2002” (CIS119) — Wednesday, Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: “Intermediate Word 2002.”

“Advanced Excel 2002” (CIS120) — Thursday, Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: “Introduction and Intermediate Excel 2002.”

“Advanced Access 2002” (CIS121) — Friday, Dec. 3, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: “Intermediate Access 2002.”

“Introduction to PowerPoint 2002” (CIS114) — Monday, Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

“Advanced PowerPoint 2002” (CIS118) — Tuesday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: “Introduction to PowerPoint 2002.”

“Beginning Unix” (CIS564) — Tuesday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m. - noon and Thursday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. - noon . No cost.

“vi Editor in Unix” (CIS567) — Friday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. - noon . No cost.

HR classes

To enroll, contact a Training Management System representative. A class enrollment form is also available online. Call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for more information.

“The Supervisory Role in Managing Employee Issues” (HR643) — Thursday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Supervisors will gain a clear understanding of the laws governing the workplace and the necessary skills to handle difficult employee issues.

“Employee Development for Maximum Performance” (HR265) — Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1 – 5 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190. Supervisors will learn skills to encourage and support excellence in the people who work for them.

“Survival Skills Workshop: Negotiation Skills” (HR342) — Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1 – 3 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Students will learn integrative tactics and expertise to prepare for the negotiation, sharpen communication skills, composure and professionalism.

Retirees

Glen L. Chapman (CMT) retired Oct. 20 with 41 years of service.

Richard Jordan (PFS-FD) retired Oct. 29 with 42 years of service.

Ronald E. Kulak (NE) retired Oct. 18 with 30 years of service.

Terran J. Lucitt (NE) retired Oct. 18 with 36 years of service.

Stanley A. Reinke (CIS) retired Oct. 11 with 34 years of service.