This series of images was taken from a three-dimensional AgentCell animation that shows more than 1,000 virtual cells swimming in an environment that grows richer in nutrients as they move toward the top of the image. From an animation by Brad Gallagher, Accelerated Strategic Computing Flash Center Visualization Group, University of Chicago.

July 5, 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

University honors distinguished researchers

The University of Chicago presented Distinguished Performance Awards to Michael Billone (ET), Stephen Choi (ET), Julius Jellinek (CHM), Wah-Keat Lee (XFD) and Jin Wang (XFD) at a ceremony Thursday, June 16. These awards, the highest honor the university bestows on Argonne employees, recognize outstanding scientific or technical achievements or a distinguished record of achievements.

Michael Billone (ET) has been a valued contributor to several U.S. Department of Energy programs in both fusion and fission reactor development. In 2003, he led a team of engineers and technicians to complete the first in-cell tests to simulate the effects of a hypothetical loss-of-coolant accident on high-burnup reactor fuel. This achievement and the data it generated have won the praise of program managers at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Electric Power Research Institute and have brought international recognition to Argonne. The data developed are important for understanding the potential impacts of higher fuel burnup on cladding integrity. Follow-on studies may make possible revisions of the regulations on fuel behavior that will provide an improved process for the licensing of new, better performing, cladding materials.

Stephen Choi (ET) was recognized for pioneering scientific achievements and outstanding leadership in nanofluid research. Nanofluids are a new class of heat transfer fluid engineered by dispersing nanometer-size solid particles in traditional heat transfer fluids. Experiments conducted by Choi's group demonstrated that nanofluids conduct heat much faster than scientists had predicted possible at very low volume fractions of nanoparticles. This unexpected result represents a fundamental discovery in basic heat transfer. Choi also directed a theoretical study that led to the discovery of the mechanisms behind this anomalous thermal behavior. Nanotechnology-based fluids have potential applications ranging from transportation to electronics and photonics.

Julius Jellinek (CHM) is a world leader in the area of atomic and molecular clusters, the scientific basis for the whole field of nanoscale materials. His most notable contributions include his studies of cluster chemical reactivity; explorations of the size-evolution of structural, dynamical, and electronic properties of one- and two-component metal clusters; and investigations of thermal stability, phases, and phase transitions in finite systems. His work has spanned a broad range of important, fundamental topics with implications for other fields.

Jin Wang and Wah-Keat Lee (both XFD) are being honored for their success in using X-rays in a wide range of research. Wang is a world-renowned expert in the application of X-ray scattering to a variety of material science problems. He is best known for his research into the dynamics of fuel sprays, where he applied an innovative research approach and achieved unique results. Lee, after many years of developing successful high-heat load X-ray optics, switched fields and became an expert in phase contrast X-ray imaging. The results of his "in-vivo" imaging of breathing insects have been acclaimed worldwide. Wang and Lee currently collaborate on projects that use their combined expertise to great effect. They have developed a technique using phase-contrast methods to make images using the Advanced Photon Source with exposure times on the order of submicroseconds. The technique has many possible applications, and is expected to have a significant impact on a variety of scientific areas.

Outstanding support staff at Argonne recognized

The University of Chicago honor four Argonne employees with Outstanding Service Awards at a ceremony Thursday, June 16. These awards are the highest honor the university bestows on Argonne employees in support positions.

Vernon Stipp was honored in recognition of his exceptional service to the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) and before that, to the ZGS (Zero Gradient Synchrotron). Now linac group leader, Stipp joined the ZGS linac group as an electronics technician in 1961, just prior to first beam. He has spent his career ensuring that the linac exceeded the high standards demanded of it, initially as the injector to the ZGS, and since the late 1970's, as the injector for the IPNS rapid-cycling synchrotron. He was instrumental in the upgrade of the linac to the 30 pulse-per-second operation demanded for IPNS. Since the early days of IPNS, the linac has operated at an availability level approaching 99 percent, far in excess of that achieved at other accelerator facilities.

Security Administration Manager Edward J. Mickulas (SCD) has consistently and significantly contributed to the varied and continued success of Argonne's Safeguards and Security Program. Mickulas has had a number of critical roles in his 33-year career, ranging from a lead supervisor-special response team leader for the protection of Category I special nuclear materials to the lead contact for local and federal law enforcement during President Bush's visit in 2002. His diverse and extraordinary depth of knowledge of both the laboratory and Safeguards and Security has been a critical component of the long-standing success achieved by Safeguards and Security.

Staff Assistant Catherine A. Carbaugh (CHM) was recognized as an example of exceptional sustained professional service during her more than 30 years at Argonne. Carbaugh has had a long-term impact on the smooth operation of the division's administration. She has been asked to serve in several capacities, each time learning new skill sets, often under difficult circumstances. After beginning her career in a secretarial position, she became an administrator in the division's computing group, and later moved into the division's financial office. Recently, Carbaugh was asked to add the role of human resource coordinator to her existing workload; her performance has been outstanding. She also organizes the division's activities for the Argonne Open House, student tours, celebration coffees, and assisting in the organization of program reviews.

Mechanical Engineer Clyde B. Dennis (ER) has been with Argonne for most of his professional life and with ER's Applied Geosciences and Environmental Management section since its inception. He has consistently exemplified complete dedication to AGEM's work, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of soil and groundwater contamination at former grain storage facilities. His innovative approaches to data management, and his diligent preparation of documentation, presentations and reviews, have proven invaluable to the program. He has contributed expert assistance in developing computational strategies for environmental assessments and taken leadership in quality control of field sampling and resulting analytical data.

'Digital bacteria' forge advances in biomedical

By Steve Koppes, University of Chicago News Service

Scientists at the University of Chicago and Argonne have constructed a computer simulation that allows them to study the relationship between biochemical fluctuations within a single cell and the cell's behavior as it interacts with other cells and its environment.

The simulation, called AgentCell, has possible applications in cancer research, drug development and combating bioterrorism. Other simulations of biological systems are limited to the molecular level, the single-cell level or the level of bacterial populations. AgentCell can simultaneously simulate activity on all three scales, something its creators believe no other software can do.

"With AgentCell we can simulate the behavior of entire populations of cells as they sense their environment, respond to stimuli and move in a three-dimensional world," said Thierry Emonet, a Research Scientist in Philippe Cluzel's laboratory at the University of Chicago's Institute for Biophysical Dynamics.

Emonet and his colleagues have verified the accuracy of AgentCell in biological experiments. AgentCell now enables scientists rapidly to run test experiments on the computer, saving them valuable time in the laboratory later.

Emonet is the lead author of a paper announcing the development of AgentCell that was published in the June 1 issue of the semimonthly journal Bioinformatics . His co-authors are Argonne's Charles Macal and Michael North (both DIS), and the University of Chicago's Charles Wickersham and Philippe Cluzel. The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Chicago/Argonne National Laboratory Seed Grant Program.

AgentCell will be used to tackle a major goal in single-cell biology today: to document the connection between internal biochemical fluctuations and cellular behavior. "The belief is that these fluctuations are going to be reflected in the behavior of the cell as shown experimentally by John Spudich and Daniel Koshland in 1976," Emonet said. They may even reveal why cells sometimes act as individuals and sometimes as part of a community.

AgentCell was made possible by agent-based software, which researchers developed to simulate stock markets, social behavior and warfare. Argonne's Macal and North contributed their agent-based software expertise to the project. Macal and North operate Argonne's Center for Adaptive Systems Simulation.

Cluzel's laboratory began its collaboration with Macal and North following a suggestion by Robert Rosner, Argonne's director and the William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Chicago. Before shifting to Cluzel's lab, Emonet worked with Rosner in devising simulations to understand how the sun reverses its magnetic field every 11 years.

Each digital cell in AgentCell is a virtual Escherichia coli , a single-celled bacterium, which is equipped with all the virtual components necessary to search for food. These digital E. coli contain their own chemotaxis system, which transmits the biochemical signals responsible for cellular locomotion. They also have flagella, the whiplike appendages cells use for propulsion and the motors to drive them.

Emonet and his associates have designed their digital bacterial system in modules, so that additional components may be added later.

"Right now it's a very simple model," Emonet said. "Basically the only thing those cells have is a sensory system." But additional components that simulate other biological processes — cell division, for example — can also be introduced. And the software is available to other members of the research community for the asking.

"The hope is that people will modify the code or add some new capabilities. The code will soon be available for download from our Web site, www.agentcell.org," Emonet said.

AgentCell has already yielded benefits in Cluzel's laboratory, even in its current rather simple configuration. In his simulations, Emonet discovered that one type of protein controlled the sensitivity of E. coli 's chemotaxis system, which helps the bacteria find food. "When you changed the level of that protein, it would change the sensitivity of the cell," Emonet said. Subsequent laboratory experiments came out exactly the same way.

Sometimes, though, conducting the actual experiment would be undesirable. Preparing for a bioterrorism attack is one example. "You can actually try to simulate dangerous experiments," said Cluzel, an Assistant Professor in Physics. "For instance, if you mix a pathogenic strain with a friendly strain, which one is going to win, and with what kind of speed?"

Annual Argonne employee picnic set for July 9

The Argonne Employee Picnic is set for Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food and drink will be available for purchase. There will be games and activities for all ages.

The picnic is located in Argonne Park behind the Argonne Child Development Center (building 952). Exit I-55 on Cass Ave. South. Proceed south on Cass Ave. about one mile; the park entrance will be on the left. Visitors do not need to register at the Argonne Visitor Center to attend the picnic.

For more information, contact the Argonne Club at argonneclub@anl.gov.

Employee picnic's success depends on volunteers

Each year, a small group of people make the Argonne Employee Picnic run smoothly: volunteers.

Giving as little as an hour of their time, volunteers help set up tents and games before the picnic, run the games , and direct traffic. And with their help, the picnic is fun for everyone, said Argonne Club President Susan Grask.

"We have volunteers who come back every year," Grask said. "They continue to support the Argonne community through this annual event."

Some of the ways volunteers can help at this year's picnic include:

Setting up tents and games before the picnic or "tearing down" afterwards

Calling bingo games and handing out prizes to the lucky winners

Being an Official "Prize Giver" for the kiddie games where every player wins

Handing out the free popcorn for all to enjoy

Directing traffic

The Argonne Club still needs more volunteers to make this year's picnic a success. All volunteers receive a free T-shirt for their efforts. For more details or to signup, visit the volunteer page at www.argonneclub.picnic.anl.gov/ or contact the Argonne Club at argonneclub@anl.gov.

The Argonne Employee Picnic is set for Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food and drink will be available for purchase, and there will be games and activities for all ages.

Employees urged to update contacts, beneficiaries online

Human Resources is requesting that all employees update their beneficiaries and emergency contact information online using the Personal Info Section of Inside Argonne ( https://inside.anl.gov).

"For this online system to be everything it should be to employees, beneficiaries should be entered online," said Marge Vaught (HR), Senior Employee Benefits Specialist. "Employees will be able to view, at any time, who their beneficiaries are for basic life insurance, supplemental life and business travel accident insurance. As life events happen such as marriage, divorce, birth of child, death of family member, employees can view who they had and make changes right then. It is a win-win situation for employees and the laboratory."

Employees without Argonne computer access can find a computer and assistance in the Benefits Conference Room (straight across the Building 201 Lobby, toward the Medical Department). Computers are also available in the Argonne libraries. Beneficiary and emergency contact information can also be updated via supervisors or co-workers with computer access.

Begin by logging in using your Argonne account. For password assistance, call the help desk at ext. 2-9999 and press option 2. Once logged in, click on the "Personal Info" tab. Using the menu on the left side of the page, check that the contact information is correct on all three pages, paying special attention to emergency contact information.

HR would like to replace old, possibly outdated paper copies with electronic beneficiary information that allows employees to view and update their life insurance beneficiaries at any time. Once submitted in the system, employees will receive a confirmation by mail, and the paper copy currently on file will be cancelled.

Information needed to add beneficiaries includes Social Security numbers (if available), birth date, and relationship to employee. If the beneficiary is a trust, the complete name of the trust is required.

To change life insurance beneficiaries:

Next to the Contact Info tab is the "My Benefits" tab. Click this tab to see a list of options. Click on "Life Insurance" to see the various types of life insurance available and the amounts currently selected. Since beneficiaries are now kept on paper, the system currently shows "None."

To update the beneficiary, click the link at right, "Change my basic life insurance beneficiaries," which provides the option to add or remove beneficiaries.

As each beneficiary is added and saved, indicate whether the beneficiary is the primary (first to receive proceeds upon the employee's death) or contingent beneficiary (receives proceeds if all primaries are deceased). The allocation is a percent the beneficiary will receive upon your death. It must be a whole number. Once primary and contingent beneficiaries each equal 100 percent, save the information; it may also be printed for record-keeping. The system will indicate if an error is made.

Call the Benefits group at any of the following extensions for assistance: 2-2989, 2-2991, 2-2985, 2-2992, or 2-2988.

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.

"Leadership and Motivation" (HR641) — Thursday, July 21, 1 - 5 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190. Employees will analyze the characteristics of leadership, apply a model to create a work environment that fosters highly motivated employees and understand the internal nature of motivation.

"Brown Bag: Office of Technology Transfer" (HR399) — Thursday, July 28, Noon - 1 p.m., Building 362, Conference Room F108. Topic to be determined.

"Presentation Skills" (HR284) — Thursday, Aug. 11, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Building 202, Conference Room B169. Employees will learn to increase their effectiveness and confidence as a presenter.

"Situational Leadership" (HR360) — Wednesday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190. Register by Monday, Aug. 1. Cost is $190. Employees will participate in a leadership self-assessment and apply the concepts to their work situation.

"Excelling as a Highly Effective Team Leader" (HR359) — Tuesday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Building 401, Conference Room E1100. Register by Monday, July 25. Cost is $200. Employees will learn to set clear goals and boundaries and resolve common problems that can negatively affect team productivity.

Tamale sale to support club activities

The Argonne Hispanic Latino Club will hold its second annual tamale sale during July.

Orders will be taken Tuesday, July 5, through Friday, July 22. Pre-payment is required. Tamales will sell for $10 per dozen or $6 per half-dozen. Order forms are available at the Hispanic Latino club Web site.

The tamales will be ready for pickup Wednesday, July 27, in Building 201, Conference Rooms 190 A and B. Desserts and sodas will also be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Vanessa Mendez (OTT) at ext. 2-5152.

Guest House, grill change hours for 4th

The Guest House restaurant will be closed Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4.

The 401 Grill will be open from 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, July 2; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, July 3, and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, July 4.

'Xtreme run' to support local schools

All Argonne employees are welcome to join the Argonne Running Club in a run to support Anne M. Jeans Elementary and Burr Ridge Middle school. The Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 run will take place Saturday, August 13, at Argonne Park.

The money raised from registration fees for the race and from sponsors will be used for programs in School District 180.

Cost is $30 prior to Aug. 7; employees can register online The 10-mile adult run will start at 8 a.m. and 1-1/4-mile youth run will start at 10:15 a.m. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded following the race.

For more information, call Paul Eident (CHM) at ext. 2-3579.

Managing stress topic of talk

"Managing Stress at Work" is the topic of a Wellness Program seminar Wednesday, July 6.

The seminar will be held at noon in the Building 213 Cafeteria, Dining Rooms A and B.

For more information or to register, contact the Medical Department at ext. 2-2800.

Positive workplace is topic of seminar

"Creating a Positive Workplace" is the subject of a one-hour telephone seminar by CIGNA Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program.

The talk will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. Employees can pre-register online or two hours prior to the event by calling (888) 253-4037 then enter passcode number 990017.

ACA raffle tickets now available

Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) raffle tickets are available from ACA division coordinators or in the Building 213 Cafeteria from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through July 8. Tickets will also be sold at the Argonne Picnic July 9.

Prizes include two United Airlines tickets, overnight weekend stays at the Oakbrook Hilton, "Bagels for a Year" from Panera, restaurant gift certificates, movie passes, golf rounds, and more. A large poster displayed at the raffle ticket table will list all of the prizes.

Tickets cost 50 cents each or 12 for $5. Raffle winners will be drawn and announced at Argonne's picnic. (Winners need not be present.)

In addition, ACA mugs are on sale for $5 in the cafeteria. The cost includes a free soft drink fill-up, courtesy of Guckenheimer, Argonne's cafeteria food service. Proceeds from the raffle ticket and mug sales will support ACA activities and charities.

"The ACA Steering Committee appreciates the generous raffle prizes donated by local businesses," said Kathy Whitney and Katie Carrado-Gregar, 2005 ACA Co-Chairs. "Their donations contribute greatly to the giving spirit of our campaign."

For more information about the raffle, contact Kathy Ruffatto (DIS), ext. 2-6015 or an ACA Division Coordinator.

Retirement vendors on site

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

To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.

Fidelity —Tuesday, July 5, and Tuesday, July 19. Call the appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.

TIAA-CREF — Thursday, July 7, and Friday, July 8. Call the appointment desk at (800) 842-2005 or www.tiaa-cref.org/moc.

Prudential — Wednesday, July 6, and Wednesday, July 20. Call Cheryl at the appointment desk at (630) 285-8876.

Children of Argonne employees win scholarships

The children of three Argonne employees won this year's University of Chicago-Argonne Scholarships. Winners were:

Elizabeth Baldo, daughter of Peter Baldo (MSD).

Sarah Butler, daughter of James P. Butler (EAD)

Jeffrey K. Picel, son of Kurt and Mary Picel (both EAD)

The scholarship program gives the sons and daughters of laboratory employees a chance to compete for full-tuition scholarships to the university. Children of regular, full-time Argonne employees are eligible. Applicants must be accepted for freshman-level admission to the College of the University of Chicago and must be among the most qualified applicants from Argonne families, as judged by the university. Once awarded, a scholarship is automatically renewed for an additional three academic years for full-time students in good academic standing.

Winners were announced June 16 at the Distinguished Performance and Outstanding Service awards ceremony.

Dolecek to be remembered at service

There will be a memorial service for Senior Health Physicist Elwyn Dolecek Sunday, July 17, at 3 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 508 Lemont Street, (corner of Lemont and Lincoln), Lemont, Ill. Dolecek died May 12 after succumbing to prolonged health problems.

Dolecek joined Argonne's Radiation Protection Program in 1977 applying his expertise in the external radiation dosimetry program and training health physics technicians. Dolecek went on to head the External Dosimetry Group and was a pioneer in application of thermoluminescent dosimetry. Dolecek brought recognition to Argonne by helping in development of the national voluntary laboratory accreditation program for external dosimetry, and was among the first to achieve U.S. Department of Energy accreditation for a national laboratory.

Dolecek is survived by two sons, Timothy and Jeffrey.

Goretta named ceramics fellow

At its 2005 meeting, the American Ceramic Society honored Argonne's Ken Goretta (ET) with a promotion to Society Fellow.

Goretta was one of 21 new Fellows recognized for broad and productive scholarship in ceramic science and technology, for conspicuous achievement in the ceramic industry or for outstanding service to the society. The society has 7,500 members.

Goretta holds 10 patents and has co-written more than 300 papers about superconductors, ceramic composites and mechanical properties of metals, ceramics and composites. He received a doctorate in metallurgical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Although still a fulltime Argonne employee, Goretta has been on assignment to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Tokyo since 2001, managing material science and engineering programs throughout the Pacific Rim for the Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development. He plans to return to Illinois in July.