Thirty-seven middle school-aged girls participated in “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” at Argonne on Thursday, Feb. 24. Dan Prokop (NE-EO) shows Sarah Derry (left) and Sade Hunt (at right) how engineers use computers to design and visualize buildings. Photo by George Joch.

March 14 , 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

Lab-university seed grant proposals sought

Proposals are being sought for a competitive grant program designed to support the development or continuation of collaborative projects between University of Chicago faculty and Argonne reseachers.

The University of Chicago Board of Governors for Argonne National Laboratory Collaborative Research Program: 2005 Seed Grants may be used to support any aspect of the work, like individual effort, workshops, materials or equipment purchases. The grants are sponsored by the University of Chicago Office of the Vice President for Research and for Argonne National Laboratory.

The office expects to fund about five awards of $80,000 to $100,000 each. Awards will be renewable for a second year, upon review, and a longer-term investment is possible for outstanding successes. Selected members of the university's Board of Governors for Argonne will evaluate the proposals and select projects for funding. Awards will be made on the merits of the individual projects.

Detailed information about the program is online, or contact Fred Stafford, director, special projects, Office of the Vice President for Research and for Argonne National Laboratory
(f-stafford@uchicago.edu). Application deadline is April 30.

The seed grant program started in 1996 and has helped bring about projects like the FLASH Center for Study of Thermonuclear Astrophysical Flashes, the Pierre Auger Project for studies of the highest energy cosmic rays and a project for modeling ancient settlement systems.

Award highlights fast response to electrical problem

By David A. Barry

Building Maintenance Foreman Russ Jennings (PFS) has been honored with a Quality and Safety Recognition Award (QASR) for identifying, immediately investigating and reporting the an unusual electrical condition.

Jennings saw an armored cable hanging from the ceiling in a conference room in Building 202. There were three wires protruding from the cable, with wire nuts covering the ends. Jennings recognized the condition as unusual and potentially hazardous because he was unaware of any scheduled work in the conference room. He informed his line management, the building manager and the safety representative of the organization responsible for preparing audio-visual and computer equipment for removal from the conference room.

It was determined that the work was performed without properly de-energizing the electrical system, without a required "hot work" permit to verify zero energy, and without proper personal protective equipment.

As a result of this incident, Argonne Director Hermann Grunder ordered a "stand-down" of all electrical work at the laboratory, and all employees who work with energized electrical equipment were required to take a refresher class.

Jennings' actions demonstrate the effectiveness of the laboratory's Integrated Safety Management (ISM) program, said Audra Karalius, director of Environment, Safety and Health/Quality Assurance Oversight.

"ISM's core function calls for employees to identify a possible hazard and promptly follow up to control that hazard," Karalius said. "Jennings' actions may have prevented serious injury. It's reassuring to know that PFS employees are truly concerned about the safety of others."

Jennings received his QASR Award at the laboratory management council meeting Feb. 22. He received a certificate and lunch tickets for two at his choice of the Argonne Guest House or the Building 213 Cafeteria. His name will 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 Karalius at karalius@anl.gov.

Argonne to help develop nanoscience curriculum

By David A. Barry

Argonne is lending its instructional laboratories and scientific expertise to a new effort that will bring nanotechnology into science classrooms across the United States. The Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT), recently established at Northwestern University by a five-year, $15 million National Science Foundation grant, will partner Argonne with five Midwestern universities.

Before nanoscience and technology teaching modules can be introduced to actual classrooms, teachers must test the modules to find out what works. "You don't just pull it off the shelf — you have to experiment," said Harold Myron, director of educational programs at Argonne. Argonne, which has one of the few laboratories designated for science teachers, will assist in the center's training of top science teachers from around the United States.

As part of NCLT, Argonne will also expand its own efforts to train the next generation of nano-scientists and engineers. Both undergraduate and graduate students will have opportunities to interact with Argonne scientists through Web-based seminars and on-site programs like a one-week graduate school in nanoscience.

Eric Isaacs, director of Argonne's Center for Nanoscale Materials, said Argonne stands to benefit when its scientists and facilities like the Center for Nanoscale Materials are featured in outreach programs. "Students across the country can see the Midwest and Argonne as a focal point for world-class nanoscience," he said.

Colloquium to focus on questions of biology

Robert Eisenberg, chairman of molecular biophysics and physiology at Rush Medical College, Chicago, will present "Life Across the Length Scales" at a Director's Special Colloquium Wednesday, March 16, starting at 2 p.m. in the Building 362 Auditorium.

The presentation will focus on the challenge and excitement of biology, and the "unity" arising from the questions scientists ask about biological systems and the evolutionary processes that created those systems.

Eisenberg's recent research has centered on ion channels, proteins with holes down their middles that act as gatekeepers for cells. Ion channels control an enormous range of biological function in health and disease, and have a simple enough structure that they can be analyzed with the tools of physical science.

The Francis and Catherine Bard Professor at Rush Medical College, Eisenberg has also chaired the school's Physiology Department. He has taught physiology and conducted research at the University of California at Los Angeles and Duke University.

He is a fellow and former executive board member of the American Physical Society, and a member and former executive board member of the Biophysical Society. Eisenberg has given many invited lectures and has written or co-written more than 100 publications on electrical properties of tissues, theoretical analysis and modeling of the spread of current, electrical properties of ionic channels, and other physiology topics.

Argonne volunteers are wanted for Science Bowl

Argonne employees are invited to participate as moderators, judge-timekeepers and scorekeepers at the U.S. Department of Energy Middle School Science Bowl Competition, to be held Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The assistance of Argonne employees has been essential for this program's past success.

The event will be held in the Building 402 Auditorium, where eight teams will compete in a fast-paced "quiz-show" style head-to-head competition, which will include preliminary and double elimination rounds. Students will answer either multiple choice or short-answer questions relating to science and math facts or concepts. There will be two types of questions: "toss-up," and "bonus" questions. The preliminary rounds begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.  Volunteers at this event are not required to assist at the related model car competition Saturday, April 30.

  A practice session, including a review of rules, for moderators, judges and scorekeepers, will be held Thursday, March 31, and Thursday, April 7. First-time and veteran volunteers are encouraged to attend.

More information is online. To volunteer for all or part of the competition, contact Lou Harnisch (DEP) at ext. 2-6925, lharnisch@dep.anl.gov.

Web site is home for light sources

A new Web site, www.lightsources.org, is dedicated to providing the media, general public and scientific community with the latest news and information on the world's accelerator-driven light sources — synchrotrons and free-electron lasers — and the science they produce.

The site features the latest news on cutting-edge areas of advanced light source applications for science and technology from facilities around the world, including Argonne's Advanced Photon Source. Subscribers to the site's "News Flash" can receive the latest news by e-mail. Also available on the Web site are an image bank of light source-related photos and graphics, clippings of news stories and links to light source facility Web sites.

`Leprechaun Run' planned for March 17

The Argonne Running Club will hold its Leprechaun Fun run and walk Thursday, March 17, starting from the Argonne Pool-Freund Lodge area at noon.

There will be a three-mile running course and a two-mile walking course. Employees of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Refreshments will be served after the event. Prizes will be awarded to those with the most Irish spirit and those wearing the most green.

More information about the Argonne Running Club is online.

Computers at home can be protected

The Cyber Security Program office has created a `how-to' document employees can use to secure their home computers.

Securing computers at home will help defend against malicious viruses as well as computer attacks. The document is available online.

For more information, contact the Cyber Security Office at ext. 2-3456 or e-mail Mike Wisniewski at wiz@anl.gov.

Service Awards

Service Awards for March include:

40 Years

Frances R. Clark (NE), Richard J. Prien (ASD).

30 Years

Michael E. Bartos (OCF), Eddie Davis (NE), Raymond M. Miller (ER), Jerome W. Rathke (CMT), Dorathea A. Seymour (DIS).

25 Years

William G. Brown (PFS), Thomas M. Burt (CMT), Janice M. Coble (MSD), Teresita D. Mendoza (OCF), Donald G. Sutter (PFS), Yvette N. Woell (IPD).

20 Years

Kurt C. Picel (EA), Branko Ruscic (CHM).

15 Years

Anita C. Alamillo (CMT), Rogelio Camacho (PFS), Janet M. Carothers (CMT), Efim Gluskin (XFD), William D. Gropp (MCS), Mary Kay Jakovich (ASD), Sandra S. Landers (HR), Karen M. Neumann (PFS), Leslie A. Nieves (DIS), James R. Spindler (IPNS), Eugene F. Ulas (PFS), Patrick L. Wilkey (ES).

10 Years

Guo-Ren Bai (MSD), Karen Byrum (HEP), Kelly Hansen (PFS), Hubert Ley ((NE), John A. Schlueter (MSD), Margaret R. Vigliocco-Hagen (AOD).

5 Years

Zachary T. Baker (CIS), Robert I. Bertrand, Jr. (IPNS), Marell M. Charan (BIO), Randal E. Foster (SCD), Rebecca Gagnon (XFD), Michael T. Oprondek (OCF).

Recycling transparency film can save landfill space

Argonne employees can help save valuable landfill space by recycling overhead transparencies through the 3M Corporation's recycling program.

To participate, mail used transparencies directly to:

Ms. Lothanine Stefanides

3M Recycle Program
c/o Gemark
99 Stevens Lane
Exeter, PA 18643

(570) 654-5511

The 3M Corporation will protect the confidentiality of transparency images during the recycling process.

Transparencies can also be sent to Gregg Kulma (EQO) in Building 331, room C103.

Transparencies are made of polyester, which can be recycled into a variety of everyday items: fiber fill for chairs and carpeting, automotive products, more transparency film, insulation and other products.

More information is available online.

Inventors

The following Argonne employees reported their inventions to the U.S. Department of Energy in the second half of fiscal year 2004. Report new inventions at www.anl.gov/invent/.

Oyelayo O. Ajayi, Khalil Amine, Hassan Arafat, Samuel D. Bader, Robert C. Baker, Uthamalingam Balachandran, Walter Bullock, John A. Carlisle, Darrell P. Chandler, Zenghu Chang, Liaohai Chen, Boris K. Chernov, Stephen U.S. Choi, Seok-Hwan Chung, Chris M. Deemer, Mark Donnelly, Sang-Kee Eah, Jeffery W. Elam, William A. Ellingson, Ali Erdemir, Osman L. Eryilmaz, George R. Fenske, Eduard Gordiyenko, Julia B. Golova, Dieter M. Gruen, Michael Henry, Axel F. Hoffmann, John N. Hryn, Andrzej Joachimiak, Christopher S. Johnson, David Y. Kaufman, Brian K. Kay and Robert J. Klingler.

Michael Krumpelt, Alexander V. Kukhtin, Carl D. Landahl, Sheldon H.D. Lee, John W. Lewellen, Naichao Li, Xiao-Min Lin, YuPo J. Lin, Chin-Mei Liu, Jing-Yuan Liu, Steven A. Lottes, Beihai Ma, Lee Makowski, Steven S. McConnell, Dean J. Miller, Paula J. Moon, Paul A. Nelson, Suhas Niyogi, John Noonan, Valentyn Novosad, Bookeun Oh, Michael J. Pellin, Joseph M. Perez, Vitalii Pishko, Oleg Poluektov, Jerome W. Rathke, Sanjib Saha, Daniel S. Schabacker, Ramanujam R. Sekar, Laura R. Skubal, Seth W. Snyder and Edward J. St. Martin.

Michael M. Thackeray, David M. Tiede, Krishna K. Uprety, George F. Vandergrift, III, John T. Vaughey, Richard B. Vilim, Robert J. Visher, Vitalii K. Vlasko-Vlasov, Michael C. Vogt,  Hsien-Hau Wang, Jian Wang, Jin Wang, Qingzheng Wang, Xiaoping Wang, Ulrich Welp,  Jeffrey Wheeler, Gary P. Wiederrecht, John B. Woodford, Michael Wyrick, Jianhong Yang, and Volodymry Yefremenko.

Party inspires employees to think `green'

The Argonne Club will hold a St. Patrick's Day party Thursday, March 17, at the Building 617 Lower Level from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the person who wears the most green. The cost is $3, and adult beverages will be available.

All visitors must be badged by the Argonne Information Center prior to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Argonne Club at argonneclub@anl.gov or visit the Argonne Club Web site.

CIS Classes

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

Classes offered in the April will include:

"Introduction to Word 2003 (CIS122) — Monday, April 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to Excel 2003" (CIS125) — Tuesday, April 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to Access 2003" (CIS128) — Wednesday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to PowerPoint 2003" (CIS131) — Thursday, April 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Advanced PowerPoint 2003" (CIS132) — Friday, April 8, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Beginning Unix" (CIS564) — Tuesday, April 19, 9 a.m. - noon is the first session. Thursday, April 21, 9 a.m. _ noon is the second session. No cost.

"vi Editor in Unix" (CIS567) — Friday, April 22, 9 a.m. - noon. No cost.

Golf league gets ready for season

The Argonne Engineering Golf League will hold an organizational meeting Monday, March 14, in Building 401, Room A1100, starting at noon.

Participants are welcome to bring their lunches to the meeting. New members are welcome to attend, and door prizes will be awarded.

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.

"Presentation Skills" (HR284) — Wednesday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. _ 4:30 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190. Students will learn to increase their effectiveness and confidence as a presenter.

"The Supervisory Role in Managing Employee Issues" (HR643) — Thursday, March 24, 9 a.m. _ 4 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Supervisors will gain an understanding of the laws governing the workplace and the necessary skills to handle difficult employee issues.

"Survival Skills Workshop: The Art of Effective Communication and Networking" (HR375) — Wednesday, March 30, 1:30 _ 3:30 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Students learn tips on delivering confident, powerful and persuasive presentations and sharpening their professional networking skills.

MetLife rep to visit ANL

A representative from MetLife Auto and Home will visit Argonne Tuesday, March 15, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.

To schedule an appointment, call Craig Riddick at (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees can also receive a quote over the phone by calling 1-800-438-6388.

Obituaries

James R. Deen , a nuclear engineer with 28 years of service in NE, died Jan. 29.

Robert Flegel , a retired instrument maker with 36 years of service in CS, died Feb. 9. His wife, Evelyn, survives him.

Max Matheson , a retired senior chemist with 28 years of service in CHM, died Jan. 26. His children, Linda, Marc, and Jean Fornango, survive him.

Peter C. Sacco , a retired maintenance mechanic I with 23 years of service in PFS, died Feb. 15. His wife, Johanna, survives him.