Kathleen Lizarraga, center, of Rachel Carson Elementary, Chicago, teacher is presented the Steinberg Award. Presenting the award are Terry Steinberg, right, wife of the late Ellis Steinberg, and Harold Myron, director of the Division of Educational Programs (DEP). The Steinberg Award honors the commitment to excellence in science education as demonstrated by the late Ellis P. Steinberg, who built an illustrious career in nuclear chemistry. Photo by George Joch.

June 6, 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

'SAMM' to boost microscopy capabilities

By Dave Jacque

Argonne will soon be home to a new Sub-Angstrom Microscopy and Microanalysis (SAMM) facility, which will house four cutting-edge electron microscopes. Construction of the new stand-alone building will begin in August just east of Building 212.

SAMM will be a user facility, open to researchers at Argonne and from industry and academia. Its powerful electron microscopes will give researchers atom-scale views of the structure of materials, with a focus on nanoscience. Nanoscale materials, consisting of particles just a few molecules across and measured in billionths of meters, often have enhanced properties when compared to the materials in bulk.

"Electron microscopes are natural instruments for nanoscience," said George Crabtree, director of the Materials Science Division. "They have the best resolution of any of the scattering probes: You can get down to imaging a single atom — Angstrom resolution. Therefore they are very effective for probing nanoscale structures."

The new center will make the power of electron scattering more widely available for forefront materials science. Electron microscopy's higher spatial resolution for imaging and diffraction complements to Argonne's other user facilities, the Advanced Photon Source and the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source. Argonne is unique in having facilities for electron, X-ray and neutron scattering facilities at the same site.

Nanoscience is one driving factor behind the SAMM facility. But in addition to studying materials, researchers at SAMM will design, build and operate a new kind of electron microscope — part of a national effort to develop a Transmission Electron Aberration-corrected Microscope (TEAM). One of the four microscopes at SAMM will be the prototype TEAM instrument.

"The vision is to use TEAM to dramatically enhance the impact of electron microscopy on materials science," Crabtree said. "This will define the next generation of electron microscopes."

The TEAM project aims to achieve a resolution of 0.5 Angstrom — about one million times smaller than the diameter of a human hair — by the end of the decade. Another objective is to acquire three-dimensional images at atomic resolution. Today's best microscopes can only produce three-dimensional images at much lower resolution.

The substantial expense of developing and maintaining such aberration-corrected electron microscopes is beyond the ability of individual investigators or even university centers. Argonne is teaming with Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge national laboratories and the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to develop the concept. Argonne scientists and engineers are designing the "ultracorrector," the electron lens system at the heart of the new approach. Once developed, the TEAM concept will be transferred to commercial manufacturers.

"In addition to improved resolution, aberration correction offers increased experimental space around the sample and the ability to penetrate, with a minimum loss of resolution, a thicker sample," said Dean Miller, director of Argonne's Electron Microscopy Center and MSD associate division director. "We can use this ability to examine samples inside a gas reaction cell, for example, to analyze catalysis, corrosion or oxidation processes."

Researchers will also study ferroelectric materials — substances with internal electric fields — and will be able to watch nanoscale material self-assembly processes.

"We'll be able to conduct experiments in situ — where we can watch the sample respond in real time to external conditions like changing magnetic fields," Miller said. "Doing experiments inside the microscope, while you're watching, will be groundbreaking."

New types of sample holders will be developed to enable these in-situ experiments.

Isolation

Microscopes of this precision are incredibly sensitive to their environment, Miller said, so the SAMM Building will require special construction techniques and utilities. The microscopes can be affected by electrical systems in the building, ground vibrations, variations in temperature and other factors.

"We have all kinds of ways to measure magnetic fields, acoustics and other factors, but the microscopes that we put in the building will be the most sensitive detector of their environment — more sensitive than the things we can use to measure it," Miller said.

For example, the body heat of the operators — and even their voices — can affect the microscope's resolution. Operators will operate the microscopes remotely from separate rooms. Each instrument will sit on its own floor slab, decoupled from the walls, with a specially engineered base to attenuate vibrations.

The SAMM facility was designed using the existing drawings and specifications for a similar facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory resulting in significant cost savings. DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences supplied $2.5 million toward the design and construction of the $4.5 million facility. SAMM should be ready for operation by summer 2006.

'Self-service' benefits Web site debuts June 22

Changing and enrolling in Argonne's many benefit options will be easier with a new "self-service" format Web site making its debut June 22.

A series of meetings will be held during June to provide an overview of the new system and its many features, which allow employees to view, change, enroll and cancel benefits (see below).

"HR personnel will still be available to answer questions and solve problems, but most routine activities can be handled quickly and easily online," said Benefits Manager Rich Rons (HR).

Some of the features of the new Web site include:

Personal information, like change of address and emergency contacts, can be changed online at any time.

Personalized benefits statements.

Health plan details like the ability to add or delete dependents, view details of claim procedures and see links to health care provider Web sites.

The current elections and the ability to make changes to, flexible spending accounts and life insurance programs.

A "two-track" system that presents different options for new hires and active employees. Employees new to the laboratory will see a checklist specific to each person, along with access to basic information on benefit enrollment and background information. The system will send e-mail reminders before important dates.

"We made this system as self-contained as possible," Rons said. "It's consistent and user-friendly."

Additional upgrades are in the works, Rons said. Retirement plan information, forms and links to providers are available, and employees will be able to change their deductions and allocations online. Employees will also be able to check time off, leave and sick leave balances.

Information meetings

Meetings on the new employee benefits Web site will be held:

Tuesday, June 7, in Building 900, Room A04/A05, at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, June 8, in Building 201, Room 190 A and B, at 2 p.m.

Thursday, June 9, in the Building 203 Auditorium, at 10 a.m.

Friday, June 10, in the Building 402 Auditorium at 10 a.m. and in the Building 362 Auditorium at 2 p.m.

University of Chicago to honor nine employees

The University of Chicago will honor nine Argonne employees with Distinguished Performance Awards or Outstanding Service Awards at a ceremony Thursday, June 16. These awards are the highest honor the university bestows on Argonne employees.

The University of Chicago Board of Governors 2005 Awards Program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Building 213 Cafeteria. A reception will follow. All Argonne and U.S. Department of Energy employees whose schedules permit are invited to attend.

Distinguished Performance Awards, which recognize outstanding scientific or technical achievements or a distinguished record of achievements, will be awarded to Michael Billone (ET), Stephen Choi (ET), Julius Jellinek (CHM), Wah-Keat Lee (XFD) and Jin Wang (XFD).

Outstanding Service Awards, the highest honor the university gives to Argonne employees in support positions, will be awarded to Catherine Ann Carbaugh (CHM), Clyde B. Dennis (ER), Edward J. Mickulas (SCD) and Vernon F. Stipp (IPNS).

Scholarships

Argonne-University of Chicago Scholarships will be awarded at the June 16 ceremony to Elizabeth Baldo, daughter of Peter Baldo (MSD); Sarah Butler, daughter of James P. Butler (EAD), and Jeffrey K. Picel, son of Kurt and Mary Picel (both EAD).

ANL physicist honored by American Physical Society

Senior Scientist Roy Holt of Argonne's Physics Division is the winner of the 2005 Tom W. Bonner Prize of the American Physical Society.

The prize, consisting of $7,500 and a certificate, recognizes and encourages outstanding experimental research in nuclear physics, including the development of a method, technique or device that significantly contributes in a general way to nuclear physics research.

The prize recognizes Holt's pioneering role in experimental studies of the structure of the deuteron and especially for his innovative use of polarization techniques in these experiments. Deuterons are the nuclei of deuterium (also known as "heavy hydrogen"), consisting of one proton and one neutron.

"The deuteron is the simplest nucleus, and it serves as a test bed for many aspects of physics," Holt said. "We've thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the deuteron at a number of laboratories. It's a real gemstone of nuclear physics."

Holt helped develop a polarimeter to detect the spin alignment of deuterons after they have been scattered from a target, an innovative storage cell to hold polarized deuterons, and the first laser-driven polarized deuteron target. These experimental techniques helped shed light on theories of the structure of the nucleon, the nucleon-nucleon interaction, the three-nucleon force, and the effects of quarks and gluons in nuclear reactions.

Holt joined the staff of the Physics Division at Argonne in 1974, after serving two years on the research staff at Yale University. While at Argonne he conducted experiments at several laboratories. In 1994 he became a professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also served as a director of the Nuclear Physics Laboratory and continued his research. He returned to Argonne in 2000, and now serves as chief of the Medium Energy Physics group in the Physics Division. His present research interests include the structure of nucleons and the nucleus as well as low energy tests of the Standard Model of physics.

Holt is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the Institute of Physics (U.K.). He has served on program advisory committees for several accelerator facilities, Nuclear Science Advisory Committee subcommittees, panels for the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, and editorial boards of Physical Review C , Nuclear Physics A and the Journal of Physics G .

Holt received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and his master's degree and Ph.D. from Yale University.

Argonne's previous winners of the Bonner Prize include:

Lowell M. Bollinger (1986) for his contributions to and leadership in the development of the superconducting linear accelerator for the production of high-quality ion beams, the technology at the heart of the Argonne Tandem-Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS). ATLAS is the world's first superconducting linear accelerator for heavy ions at energies best suited to study the properties of the nucleus, the core of matter and reactions that fuel the stars.

John P. Schiffer (1976), for his significant contributions to the understanding of nuclear structure through studies of nuclear reactions, particularly his work on nuclear Coulomb energies and the effective residual interactions in the shell model. Schiffer's high standards for precision and clarity had a profound influence on the nuclear physics community.

Argonne one of `101 Best & Brightest' to work for

Argonne National Laboratory has been named one of Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for by the National Association of Business Resources. The award is made even more significant by the organization's decision to recognize only 40 area organizations this year.

The National Association of Business Resources citation says that winners of the 2005 Best & Brightest awards are companies that "work with imagination and conviction to create organizational value and business results through their policies and best practices in human resources management. This distinction is bestowed in honor of an organization's recognition of their employees as their greatest asset."

Some of the other winning companies this year are Banco Popular North American, DiamondCluster International, Ernst & Young, Foote Cone & Belding, Schawk and Verizon Wireless.

The categories in which Argonne was judged include communication, community initiatives, compensation and benefits, diversity and multiculturalism, employee education and development, employee engagement and commitment, recognition and retention, recruitment and selection, and work-life balance. Final judging was based on a detailed description of laboratory business practices as well as the results of an opinion survey issued to a random sampling of 250 Argonne employees.

"This recognition from the National Association of Business Resources reaffirms Argonne's commitment to developing strong leadership, supporting a creative and diverse workforce, and recruiting, developing and retaining the talent needed to implement the laboratory's programmatic activities and initiatives," said Argonne deputy director Don Joyce. "Receipt of this award helps confirm the success of the laboratory in its commitment to continue the reputation of Argonne National Laboratory as `The Employer of Choice.'"

Cafeteria will close early

The Building 213 Cafeteria will close at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, due to a special event.

Estate planning topic of seminar

Mark Perkins, from the estate and trust law group Perkins & Zayed, will present an estate planning seminar Thursday, June 16, at 11:30 a.m. in the Building 402 Auditorium.

Perkins will discuss how to avoid probate and minimize estate taxes with a proper estate plan. He will also cover powers of attorney, living trusts, wills and care of minors.

Seminar to cover postpartum depression

"Postpartum depression" will be the subject of a one-hour telephone seminar by CIGNA Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program.

The talk will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 8. Employees can pre-register online or register two hours prior to the event by calling (888) 253-4037 and entering passcode 831107.

Grads' health coverage can be extended

Under Argonne's health care plans, graduating students ages 20 to 23 who are not continuing as full-time students lose their dependent healthcare coverage at the end of the month in which they graduate.

These students are eligible for continuation of coverage under COBRA if Human Resources-Benefits is notified within 30 days of graduation. Failure to report the graduation in that time will result in personal liability for ineligible healthcare costs and a loss of health insurance continuation rights that are available under COBRA.

Employees should send written notification that includes the date of graduation, employee badge number, name and address of dependent to Fran Perri (HR) in Building 201 or e-mail fperri@anl.gov.

Room-temp superconductivity topic of conference

"Prospects of Room Temperature Superconductivity," an Institute of Theoretical Sciences conference, will be held Friday, June 10, through Saturday, June 11, at Notre Dame University.

The conference organizers are Materials Science Division Director George Crabtree, Wai Kwok, Mike Norman and Boldizsar Janko (all MSD). For more information, contact one of the conference organizers or visit the conference Web site.

Plotkin honored for transportation analysis

Steve Plotkin of Argonne's Center for Transportation Research has won the Society for Automotive Engineers 2005 Barry D. McNutt Award for Excellence in Automotive Policy Analysis.

The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of improved federal automotive policy. Through this award, SAE recognizes the importance of sound policy analysis and inspires members of the transportation community in government, industry and elsewhere to strive for excellence.

Plotkin is a transportation energy analyst whose recent work focuses on advanced automotive technology, greenhouse gas reduction strategies and automotive fuel economy policy. He was one of the principal investigators on the joint Department of Energy-Natural Resources Canada study on fuel economy standards and is a consultant to the National Research Council's study on the effectiveness and impact of Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. He will be a lead author on the forthcoming Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chapter on mitigating greenhouse gas emission from the transportation sector.

The McNutt award, established in 2004, recognizes Barry D. McNutt for his contributions to rational and effective public policy and encourages others to strive to advance the ability of government and industry to serve the public good.

Argonne water in compliance with EPA standards

Argonne's drinking water has very low or undetectable levels of contaminants and poses no known or expected risks to health, according to a report required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The U.S. EPA requires that water system users receive an annual Consumer Confidence Report listing detailed data on contaminants. The report contains details on the drinking water source, the level of detected contaminants and compliance with drinking water regulations.

Argonne gets its drinking water from the DuPage Water Commission, which gets Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago's Department of Water.

Detected Contaminants

Chicago Water Department monitoring information for 2004 is summarized in the chart below. EPA-identified contaminants are monitored and analyzed using methods specified by the agency. The chart shows results for constituents that were present in high enough amounts to be detected; regulatory limits are included for comparison. All other monitored constituents were below detection limits.

All monitored concentrations were less than the applicable regulation-based maximum contaminant levels, which indicates the drinking water contaminant levels show no known or expected risk to health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence does not necessarily pose a health risk. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems — such as those undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV, AIDs, or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants — can be at risk from infections.

For more information, call Jim Heine (PFS-US) at ext. 2-7922. Questions on the analytical data should be directed to Norbert Golchert (EQO), at ext. 2-3912.

For information about EPA guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection from microbial contaminants, and information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Contaminant	Units	MCLG	MCL	Level Found
Turbidity	%<0.5 NTU	NA	TT	100%*
Turbidity	NTU	NA	TT=1	0.11
Barium	ppm	2	2	0.02
Nitrate (as Nitrogen)	ppm	10	10	0.38
Nitrate and Nitrite	ppm	10	10	0.38
Total Trihalomethanes	ppb	NA	80	18.6
Italoacetic Acids	ppb	NA	60	8.9
Sulfate	ppm	NA	NA	18.6
* 100% means all samples met standards

Key: NTU — Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. ppm — parts per million. ppb — parts per billion. NA — not applicable. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) — The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — The highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as is feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MetLife rep to visit ANL

A representative from MetLife Auto & Home will meet with individual Argonne employees Tuesday, June 14, and Tuesday, June 28, for 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.

Retirement vendors on site

The laboratory's retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne during June.

To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.

Fidelity —Tuesday, June 7, and Tuesday, June 21. Call the appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.

TIAA-CREF — Monday, June 13, and Tuesday, June 14. Call the appointment desk at (800) 842-2005 or see www.tiaa-cref.org/moc .

Prudential — Wednesday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 15. Call Cheryl at the appointment desk at (630) 285-8876.

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 Critical Conversation Series: Resolving Conflict and Moving toward Solutions" (HR385) — Wednesday, June 8, noon - 2 p.m., Building 222, Conference Room A240. Employees will learn to develop an approach that can help work through critical conversations.

"The Supervisory Role in Managing Employee Issues" (HR643) — Thursday, June 16, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Employees will learn the importance of proper documentation and the application of corrective action.

"Facilitating Effective Meetings" (HR636) — Tuesday, June 21, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Building 202, Conference Room B169. Employees will learn a six-step meeting process and practice group facilitation techniques to build consensus, handle conflict and keep meetings on target.

RETIREES

Ivars Ambats (HEP) retired April 14 with 34 years of service.

Joanne I. Day (APS) retired April 15 with 38 years of service.

Loretta Fagiano (PFS-CU) retired April 22 with 13 years of service.

Edward N. May (HEP) retired April 7 with 28 years of service.

M. H. Mendelsohn (ES) retired April 15 with 29 years of service.

Larry E. Putty (CMT) retired April 1 with 18 years of service.

Beverly J. Woelfer (AST) retired April 29 with 37 years of service.