Argonne scientists have achieved the first successful synthesis of a diamond-nanotube nanocomposite, setting the stage for several fundamental advances in the field of nanostructured carbon materials. The resulting material has many potential applications.

Sept. 12, 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

World's hardest, strongest materials combined

By Catherine Foster

Argonne researchers have combined the world's hardest known material, diamond, with the world's strongest structural form, carbon nanotubes. This new process for "growing" diamond and carbon nanotubes together opens the way for its use in a number of energy-related applications.

The technique is the first successful synthesis of a diamond-nanotube nanocomposite, which means for the first time this specialized material has been produced at the nanometer size — one-millionth of a millimeter, or thousands of times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

The result established for the first time a process for making these materials a reality, setting the stage for several fundamental advances in the field of nanostructured carbon materials.

The resulting material has potential for use in low-friction, wear-resistant coatings, catalyst supports for fuel cells, high-voltage electronics, low-power, high-bandwidth radio frequency microelectromechanical/nanoelectromechanical systems, thermionic energy generation, flat-panel displays and hydrogen storage.

"Diamond is hard because of its dense atomic structure and the strength of the bonds between atoms," said John Carlisle (MSD), one of the developers of the new material. However, diamond is brittle and normally not electrically conducting.

Nanotubes, on the other hand, are incredibly strong and great electrical conductors, but harnessing these attributes into useful materials has proved elusive.

By integrating these two novel forms of carbon at the nanoscale, a new material is produced that combines the material properties of both diamond and nanotubes.

The new hybrid material was created using Ultranano crystalline™ diamond (UNCD™ ), a novel form of carbon developed at Argonne. The researchers made the two materials — ultrananocrystalline diamond and carbon nanotubes — grow simultaneously into dense thin films.

This was accomplished by exposing a surface covered with a mixture of diamond nanoparticles and iron nanoparticle "seeds" to an argon-rich, hydrogen-poor plasma normally used to make UNCD. The diamond and iron "seeds" catalyze the UNCD and carbon nanotube growth, respectively, and the plasma temperature and deposition time are regulated to control the speed at which the composite material grows, since carbon nanotubes normally grow much faster than ultrananocrystalline diamond.

The next step is to develop patterning techniques to control the relative position and orientation of the ultrananocrystalline diamond and carbon nanotubes within the material.

"In addition, we hope to understand the structure and properties of these materials, particularly the mechanical, tribological and transport properties," said developer Orlando Auciello (MSD). Other developers include Jeffrey Elam (ES) and Xingcheng Xiao (MSD).

The research was featured in June on the cover of the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Materials .

A patent has been applied for by Argonne based on this innovation. The patent has been licensed by Advanced Diamond Technologies, Inc., the Argonne startup company that is currently working to develop a number of products based on ultrananocrystalline diamond.

Nuclear programs under investigation by DOE

Argonne's nuclear and radiation safety program has been the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Price-Anderson Enforcement.

The investigation, conducted Aug. 30-Sept. 1, stems from deficiencies identified during the Independent Oversight Inspection of Environment, Safety and Health Programs (OA) review and the Price Anderson Amendments Act Program Review conducted in spring 2005. The reviews identified significant opportunities for improvement in the nuclear and radiation safety programs. Specifically, they cited the need for rigor in meeting DOE expectations and enhancing compliance with regulatory requirements.

"There is no threat to the health and safety of Argonne employees or the public, and there were no exposure incidents," said Argonne Director Robert Rosner.

"Argonne's nuclear programs and facilities are staffed by skilled, knowledgeable people, working safely. However, the audits indicate that we need more rigorous implementation of our nuclear and radiation safety program parameters," Rosner said.

"The laboratory takes these citations very seriously," said Rosner, "and we are in the process of implementing an aggressive corrective action plan. As part of that plan, Argonne is hiring a permanent Radiation Safety Officer who will report to me directly, and who will reorganize the radiation safety organization across the lab. We have engaged a contractor who will work with us to accelerate revision of our safety basis documentation and another contractor who will independently assess the validity of all nuclear safety documents. In addition, we have hired a company that will work with us to address Natural Hazard Assessment. We will also be centralizing policy setting and implementation in the Environmental, Safety and Health group."

The programmatic groups will review program specific safety documentation, and the Corrective Action Plan will be implemented across the laboratory.

More information will appear in Argonne News as it becomes available.

Garwin to speak at Fermi lecture

Richard L. Garwin, IBM Fellow Emeritus at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center, will speak on "The Future of Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons" at the 2005 Enrico Fermi Lecture in Physics Thursday, Oct. 6.

The talk will begin at 2 p.m. in the Building 362 Auditorium. All employees whose schedules permit are invited to attend.

Garwin has made contributions in the design of nuclear weapons, instruments and electronics for research in nuclear and low-temperature physics, computer elements and systems, communication systems, the behavior of solid helium, the detection of gravitational radiation and in military technology.

He has published more than 500 papers and been granted 45 patents. He has testified before many Congressional committees on national security, transportation and energy policy and technology issues. He was a member of the President's Science Advisory Committee from 1962-65 and from 1969-72, and of the Defense Science Board from 1966-69.

Vacation balance limit to fall to 36 days

The vacation accrual balance limit for non-union employees will be changed effective Dec. 31 to a maximum of 36 days. Employees have until Dec. 31 to get their vacation accrual balance reduced to 36 days.

CIGNA, WHI act to support hurricane-affected areas

Due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina, CIGNA HealthCare and WHI, the laboratory's prescription drug provider, have taken actions to support employees and retirees who may have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Employees who are in contact with retirees and other Argonne employees who may have been affected should pass along this information.

CIGNA HealthCare will waive any pre-certification or authorization penalties for any covered hospitalization provided by participating and non-participating providers beginning Aug. 25 in southern Florida (end date to be determined) and beginning Aug. 27 in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi (end dates to be determined).

To help deal with emotional problems or challenges in the aftermath of the disaster, employees who have CIGNA Healthcare or HMO Illinois can access the services of a behavioral health specialist by calling 1- 888-371-1125.

To ensure that participants have access to prescription drug refills, WHI will not enforce "refill too soon" requirements in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas for employees and retirees with WHI prescription drug plans. In addition, the "refill too soon" policy will be waived for employees and retirees who are residents in these states and are currently residing elsewhere.

Participants will be able to refill any current prescriptions before the normal refill period has expired. Prescriptions may have been mailed by WHI to participants in areas that have been destroyed or where delivery services are unavailable. Affected participants should contact WHI at 1-800-207-2568.

Appeal recommends Tribune's hurricane fund

The Argonne Combined Appeal recommends that employees who wish to donate to hurricane relief efforts contribute to the McCormick Tribune Foundation's campaign.

 All administrative costs will be paid by the foundation so that all funds can be distributed directly to disaster relief organizations that provide short and long-term aid to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

 More information on how to give is posted on the Argonne Combined Appeal Web site.

Double Eagles golf league plans outing for Sept. 26

The 2005 Double Eagles Golf Outing will take place at Prairie Bluff Golf Course in Lockport Monday, Sept. 26.

There will be a shotgun start with a tee-off time of 8:30 a.m. The price will be $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers, and includes 18 holes of golf, cart, an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch with three entrées and an open bar.

Free range balls will be available. All participants will be eligible for prizes for closest-to-the-pin and longest drive on selected holes.

Contact Richard Rosenberg at rar@aps.anl.gov for more information. Contact Ron Richardson at RRichardson@anl.gov to make reservations, state pairing preferences and submit payments.

Information about the course is online.

Video of Wang's presentation is online

A presentation by Argonne's Michael Wang (ES) at the Ethanol Energy Open Forum at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. is now available online.

Wang is a world-leading expert on the energy and environmental impacts of ethanol fuel. He presented the results of analysis of ethanol fuels conducted by Argonne's Center for Transportation Research.

The Aug. 23 forum addressed the recent national debate over the net energy and environmental benefits of ethanol as a substitute for gasoline in transportation fuels.

A link to the 10-minute video can be found on Inside Argonne .

Toastmasters elect officers

Argonne's Chapter of Toastmasters has elected new officers.

Officers are Cory Upmeyer (DOE), president; Debra Marcantonio (DOE), vice president of education, Betty Iwan (HR), vice president for membership; Cathy Nelson (TSD), vice president of publicity; Lois Martin (HR), treasurer; Arnetta Bryant (TSD), secretary; Gloria Griparis (TSD), sergeant-at-arms.

Toastmasters helps individuals improve their communication skills through public speaking. The Argonne Toastmasters meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. in Building 201, Conference Room 190 A & B.

For more information, call Cathy Nelson at ext. 2-9567.

Workshop to focus on cross-cultural communication

A workshop Sept. 15 on cross-cultural communication will explore how forms of communication vary from culture to culture — knowledge that can help employees in Argonne's diverse workforce increase successful communication and decrease misunderstanding.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, "Cross Cultural Communication," which is sponsored by Human Resources.

Presented by Bernd Widdig, associate director of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiative, the workshop will discuss the connection between culture and communication. Examples from particular countries will illustrate how a culture's fundamental beliefs and assumptions affect communication patterns and styles. Best practices for effective intercultural communication and suggestions for how participants can learn more will be interwoven into the discussion.

Widdig has been team-teaching a course on cross-cultural communication at MIT for the last three years. He frequently holds workshops on this topic in academic and corporate settings in the United States and Germany.

Contact a Training Management System representative to enroll. Two sessions are scheduled: from 1-2 p.m. or 3-4 p.m. in the Building 203 Auditorium. Call HR Performance Development at ext. 2-3410 for more information.

TIAA-CREF 'microsite' manages investments online

Argonne is working closely with TIAA-CREF to make it easier to manage retirement investments online and customize a retirement portfolio that suits your individual needs. A new Argonne "microsite" at www.tiaa-cref.org/anl is a customized online resource for tracking and managing TIAA-CREF retirement plan choices.

Highlights of the new features include more flexible investment choices:

One Decision — Take a "hands free" approach to managing your portfolio by choosing one of the TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Funds, which target your expected retirement date and gradually shift their focus from stocks to bonds as you approach that date.

Build Your Own Portfolio — "Hands on" investors can tailor their long-term portfolios by choosing from a menu of TIAA-CREF investment choices.

Personalized, objective advice will be available to help employees make educated decisions about TIAA-CREF's expanded retirement choices.

Employees will receive more information about the upcoming changes through the mail, articles in Argonne Today and materials available in the Human Resources Benefits Office.

Employees should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Call 800 842-2776 or visit www.tiaa-cref.orgfor a prospectus that contains this and other information; read the prospectus carefully before investing.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, provides advisory services and distributes securities products. TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association), New York, N.Y., issues annuities.

Nominees sought for tech transfer FLC awards

Argonne's Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is soliciting nominations for the Federal Laboratory Consortium 2006 Awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer.

These awards recognize laboratory employees for outstanding work in the process of transferring a laboratory-developed technology into use. Each laboratory may submit up to four nominations. OTT manages the preparation and submission for these awards.

Candidate technologies are evaluated based on the benefits offered by the technology, the role of the laboratory in its development and the technology transfer process. Scoring emphasizes market impact and significance of the technology transfer process. Past winning submissions have typically involved a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) or work for others (WFO) project, but several have resulted from collegial interchanges, staff exchanges and other methods.

If you have a technology that either has recently been, or is in the process of being transferred to commercial practice, and would like to learn more about submitting it as a candidate for the awards, contact Cynthia Wesolowski (OTT) at ext. 2-7694 or weso@anl.gov by 5 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 14.

English classes offered

The Newcomers Assistance Office (NAO) through the Division of Educational Programs is offering free conversational English classes for those accompanying visiting scientists at Argonne.

Experienced teachers Ildiko Svetics and Linda Swift will lead the classes, giving newcomers to the United States an opportunity to make new friends and improve their English skills.

Classes will be held Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. in Building 223, Room L-119 beginning Sept. 15. Depending on skill levels and number attending, the group may be divided into two sections.

In memoriam

Former director of international nuclear school

Rollin Taecker, former director of Argonne's International Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, died in Naperville Aug. 19 of natural causes. He was 86.

Taecker was respected internationally for his contributions to global nuclear non-proliferation as an educator in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and science. A chemical engineer, Taecker joined Argonne in 1953 and was promoted to director of the new institute three years later. The institute, an initiative of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" program, offered other nations help from the United States in harnessing the power of nuclear energy for peaceful uses. When the school closed in 1965, 800 students had participated in the training program.

Taecker was a fellow at the Saclay Nuclear Institute from 1962-63, where he taught and conducted research on heavy water separations. He served the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as its chief of fellowships and training from 1969-71. Before retiring from Argonne in 1981 with 27 years of service, he shared responsibility for safety at Argonne's experimental breeder reactor in Idaho.

Music, dance to mark Hispanic Heritage Month

The Argonne Hispanic/Latino Club, along with the Argonne Diversity Program Office and DOE Diversity Office, will recognize Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15) with various events:

Thursday, Sept. 15 — Fiesta Hispana, featuring Latin dance instruction, music, food, games and prizes. Building 617 Exchange Club, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 28 — Nelson and Paola Sosa. A native of Los Andes, Chile, Nelson Sosa has been singing and performing for more than 40 years in several Latin American countries and since 1982 in the United States. His daughter, Paola, is following his footsteps and will perform with him. Building 362 Auditorium, noon.

Wednesday, Oct. 12: Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, a Mexican folk dance troupe from Aurora. Building 362 Auditorium, noon.

Sept 15 to Oct. 12: Poster session highlighting Hispanic scientists and research, Building 213 Cafeteria.

The Argonne Hispanic/Latino Club was formed in 2003. One of its goals is to promote greater understanding about the Latino community. One way to achieve this goal is to capitalize on national events like Hispanic Heritage Month which promotes Latino achievements and cultural differences.

"We all strive for the same things at work: career development, effective work relationships and job satisfaction," said Rex Gerald (CMT), club president. "What's more difficult to understand and tolerate is that everyone approaches it differently because of culture, life style, etc. We hope these events will bring people together to bridge these differences."

The club is open to all employees; about one-third of the members are non-Latinos. The club holds several fund raisers throughout the year; proceeds are used to sponsor club activities.

Speakers' resources updated

The Speakers Resources section of Inside Argonne contains a recently updated and expanded collection of PowerPoint presentations and associated notes employees can use to support their presentations about Argonne

If you have comments or suggestions for additional speakers resources that would be useful, please contact Dave Baurac (C&PA) at ext. 2-5584 or baurac@anl.gov.

Working safely

Pedestrians, drivers share responsibility

Drivers and pedestrians are both responsible for traffic safety. Without a vehicle or protective equipment, pedestrians are most at risk in traffic. A simple rule is that drivers — on or off the Argonne site — should always be prepared to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians whether the crosswalk is marked or unmarked.

Drivers must also yield the right of way to pedestrians at any marked crosswalk not at an intersection. The Argonne site has many such crosswalks.

Drivers must park only in designated parking areas. Parking on road shoulders, lawns, driveways, in front of hydrants, fire sprinkler connections, vehicle access ways or in loading dock areas is prohibited unless otherwise posted.

Pedestrians should always use marked crosswalks when available and avoid crossing at unmarked locations.

Pedestrians must yield the right of way to drivers, including delivery vehicles, when not at an intersection or at a marked crosswalk, when in parking lots, and when in driveways leading into dock areas.

Pedestrians must be alert to vehicle back-up alarms when walking through driveways and follow the directions of spotters assigned to assist drivers when vehicles are backing into or pulling away from docks.

Walkers and joggers should use jogging paths or sidewalks where provided on site. If not provided, joggers and walkers should face oncoming traffic and step off to the shoulder to allow vehicles to pass them safely. At night or anytime visibility is poor joggers and walkers should be in well lighted areas and wear reflective clothing.