Argonne paused to remember the nation’s veterans Nov. 10 with a ceremony in the Building 402 Auditorium. Ed Oldis, veteran of the U.S. Navy, was one of the many veterans attending the ceremony. Photo by George Joch.

Nov. 21 , 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

Grants fund Argonne-university joint work

By Steve Koppes, University of Chicago News Office

The University of Chicago's Board of Governors for Argonne has selected seven proposals for 2005 Collaborative Research Seed Grants of $80,000 to $100,000 each. The grants are renewable for a second year.

The recipients come from three divisions of the university and its medical school and six divisions at Argonne. They are the most recent beneficiaries of the seed grant program, designed to enhance the intellectual relationship between the university and Argonne. The program has awarded $6.6 million in research funding since it began in 1996.

Managed by the university for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, Argonne has been the university's research partner throughout its history.

2005 grant recipients and their projects are:

Rustem Ismagilov, associate professor in chemistry, and Philip Laible (BIO), for "Microfluidic Strategies for High-Throughput Crystallization of Membrane Proteins."

Lin Chen (CHM) and Luping Yu, professor in chemistry and the university's undergraduate college, for "Fundamental Electronic Processes and Rational Design of Novel Organic Photovoltaic Materials for Future Generation of Solar Cells."

Henry Frisch, professor in physics and the university's undergraduate college, and Carlos Wagner (HEP) for "Joint Institute on High Energy Collider Physics."

Melina Hale, assistant professor in organismal biology and anatomy, and Wah-Keat Lee (XFD) for "Use of the Advanced Photon Source to Identify Physiological and Functional Anomalies in Drosophila Models of Disease and Development."

William Ellingson (ET) and Adam Smith, associate professor in anthropology and the university's undergraduate college, for "The Making of Ancient Eurasia: Objects Within and Between the Social Worlds of The Caucasus, the Steppe and China."

Chin-tu Chen, associate professor in radiology, and Liaohai Chen (BIO) for "Radiophage: A New Generation of Radiotracer and Molecular Imaging."

Andrew Davis, senior scientist in geophysical sciences and the Enrico Fermi Institute, and Zheng-Tian Lu (PHY) for "Proposal to Develop a Novel Atom Counter for Applications in Cosmochemistry and Geochemistry."

The seed grant to Ismagilov and Laible will combine two unique technologies, microfluidics from the university and membrane protein expression from Argonne, to expedite the study of important biological processes at the molecular level.

The team is especially interested in using the high-brilliance X-rays of the Advanced Photon Source to determine the three-dimensional structure of membrane proteins, which help regulate what goes into or out of a cell. Once the sample materials are obtained using Argonne's membrane protein expression techniques, it takes weeks or months to produce crystals suitable for structural analysis.

Ismagilov and Laible aim to cut crystal-production time to just days using microfluidics, a technology that enables researchers to precisely control the flow of fluids through channels thinner than a human hair.

Hale and Lee will use Argonne's Advanced Photon Source to learn how genetic mutations affect the biomechanics and physiology of fruit flies. This study will be done in collaboration with Urs Schmidt-Ott, assistant professor in organismal biology and anatomy, Kamel Fezzaa (XFD) and Mark Westneat of the Field Museum and a lecturer in the Committee on Evolutionary Biology.

In earlier research involving beetles and ants, Lee and Westneat demonstrated that the Advanced Photon Source can produce detailed X-ray images of the internal structures of living insects. In its follow-up studies, the team will focus on Drosophila , the fruit fly, a genetic and developmental model organism.

The grant to Ellingson and Smith will enable analysis of ancient artifacts with a variety of innovative scientific instruments at Argonne to gain new insights into how the artifacts were manufactured and used.

2005 performance appraisals due on Dec. 19

This year's performance appraisal cycle is coming to a close. All performance appraisals are due electronically to Human Resources by Monday, Dec. 19.

At this point in the process, performance appraisals have been approved by your division and are ready to be released to employees.

Next steps for employees

Employees will receive an e-mail letting them know that they may now view or print completed performance appraisals on the Web application.

Next, employees will have conversations with their supervisors to discuss the performance appraisal.

After meeting, employees will receive another e-mail letting them know they can sign their performance appraisals electronically.

Next steps for supervisors

After division approval, supervisors may release completed performance appraisals electronically to employees for viewing or printing.

After meeting with employees to discuss their performance appraisals, supervisors must electronically document the date of the meeting. At this time, they may also add comments and edit the employee's section 3 goals.

If the employee signs the performance appraisal with no comments, the performance appraisal is completed and will be forwarded to Human Resources. If the employee adds comments, both the supervisor and the second-level supervisor must review the comments and re-sign the performance appraisal electronically before the performance appraisal is completed and forwarded to HR.

Detailed instructions are on the Performance Appraisal Web page.

Online open enrollment period will end Nov. 23

This is the final week for benefit-eligible employees to change their medical plans, enroll in the health care or dependent care flexible spending accounts, and complete student verifications for 2006.

Late enrollees and late changes will not be accepted after open enrollment ends Wednesday, Nov. 23. The open enrollment Web site can be found at inside.anl.gov. An Argonne login ID and password must be used to access the site.

Employees who do not have access to a computer can use the computers available in the Employee Benefits Conference Room in Building 201. Assistance will be available.

Delta to be laboratory's new dental provider

Although Argonne's dental plan is not changing, Delta Dental will replace CIGNA as the laboratory's dental provider. This change is automatic and requires no action by employees. New cards will be sent to employees' homes in late December. Present the new card to providers for all services on or after Jan. 1, 2006.

Delta Dental has two preferred provider discount networks. Argonne has access to both networks. The PPO network has the best discounts, although the Premier network also offers discounts. As in all dental plans, most dentists will bill Delta Dental directly, but only in-network dentists guarantee direct billing. Delta Dental will always send the participant a check if the dentist is out of network. They will pay in-network dentists directly.

To find a dental provider, either go to Delta Dental's Web site at www.deltadentalil.com or call the company's customer service number at 1-800-323-1743.

Student health insurance requires verification

Student verification for 2006 is changing from a paper form mailed to students' homes to an electronic verification through Open Enrollment. Student verification is required if an employees' dependent child will be between the ages of 19 and 23 during calendar year 2006.

Verification of student status is required to maintain health insurance for the student. Online student verification is required even if the employee does not change medical plan options. Each year this verification is completed by the laboratory and the medical plan providers.

If you do not verify student status, your dependent child age 19 or older will not have medical, dental or prescription drug coverage as of Jan. 1, 2006.

To complete student verification, log in to Inside Argonne at www.inside.anl.gov, then:

Select the Personal Info tab

Select the My Benefits tab

Select Health Benefits from the left menu

Select Verify Full-time Student Status and complete requested information

Click Save

Energy projects win award

Energy-saving measures that have saved the laboratory more than $312,000 per year have also been recognized with a U.S. Department of Energy Management Award for energy savings performance contracting.

The award recognizes the laboratory's creativity and diligence through the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts to complete highly successful energy projects — achieving energy and cost savings sooner than if conventional funding sources were used.

Energy-saving measures included the site-wide re-insulation of more than two miles of above-ground steam piping, installation of energy-efficient windows, replacement of inefficient lighting fixtures and ballasts, upgrading heating, ventilating and air-conditioning controls, and adding variable-frequency drives for building fans. Together, the projects save about 2.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and more than 47 billion British thermal units (Btu) of energy annually — equivalent to the annual energy used in more than 460 typical households in the region — saving more than $312,000. The projects also resulted in improvements to the integrity, safety and productivity of the affected work environments.

"A critical factor in our success was the close coordination between the contractor, Argonne, the DOE Argonne Site Office and the DOE/Federal Energy Management Program Office," said Rab Malhotra, associate director of Plant Facilities and Services. Malhotra accepted the award on behalf of the laboratory at the DOE Energy Management Award ceremonies, held Oct. 26 in Washington, D.C.

New security software available for home use

Argonne's Cyber Security Program Office has purchased Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security for employees of the laboratory to install on their home computers.

Every year, when the contract renews, the office receives new license keys to use with the latest version of the software. Employees should update the software on their home computers to the most current release in order to receive the latest pattern files.

The serial number and download information is online.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) software is required to access Inside Argonne and the download Web page from home. Employees are also encouraged to read "Securing Home Computers" at https://credentials.anl.gov/.

Forum planning meeting, luncheon

The First Friday Forum will meet Friday, Dec. 2, at noon in Building 362, Conference Room F108. The speaker will be Adam Cohen, Argonne's chief operations officer.

The First Friday Forum holiday luncheon will meet Friday, Dec. 9, at noon in the Guest House. Contact Cristina Negri (ES) at ext. 2-9662 or negri@anl.gov to register. Registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 2

The First Friday Forum is an informal gathering of Argonne women usually held on the first Friday of each month. The group explores career and gender issues related to women. Meetings are open to all Argonne and U.S. Department of Energy employees.

Toy drive to benefit needy kids

The Argonne Hispanic-Latino Club will sponsor a holiday toy drive through Friday, Dec. 2.

Toys will be donated to needy children, infants through 12 years, in the Chicago area. Toys should be new and unwrapped.

Drop-off boxes are in Buildings 200, 201, 202, 203, 205, 208, 302, 360, 362, 401, the Building 213 Cafeteria and the Argonne Credit Union.

For more information, contact Giselle Sandi-Tapia (CHM) at ext. 2-1903.

Heart disease in women topic of talk

Annabelle Volgman, medical director for the Heart Center for Women at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, will speak on "Heart Disease in Women" at Argonne Wednesday, Nov. 30.

The one-hour talk will begin at noon in the Building 200 Auditorium.

Volgman is an internationally renowned speaker and researcher in cardiology. The lecture is sponsored by the Argonne Wellness Program.

University teams with Jacobs Engineering

The University of Chicago has selected Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. as its principal industrial partner for the Argonne management and operating contract competition.

Jacobs is one of the world's largest and most diverse providers of technical, professional and construction services globally. This relationship is the result of a careful process in which the university evaluated numerous potential partners.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Jacobs to our team," said University of Chicago President Don Randel. "The company's core competencies and demonstrated success in support of the Department of Energy's science mission were key factors in our decision. The university's success in working with Jacobs in the past gives us confidence that this is our industrial partner of choice."

The university will retain full management responsibility for the execution of the Argonne science program and look to Jacobs to complement the university's proven management capabilities.

With annual revenues exceeding $5 billion, Jacobs offers full-spectrum support to industrial, commercial and government clients across multiple markets. Jacobs' services include scientific and specialty consulting as well as all aspects of engineering, construction, and operations and maintenance.

The university has managed Argonne for the U.S. Department of Energy since the laboratory was founded in 1946.

Argonne hosts symposium for undergraduates

More than 300 undergraduate students from colleges and universities throughout the Midwest converged at Argonne Nov. 4-5 for the 16th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

Young scientists and engineers make their marks in the academic world through presentation of research papers and publications. The Argonne-sponsored symposium offers students an opportunity to present the results of their research to the scientific community, including university faculty members and Argonne scientists, who could one day supervise the students' future graduate studies. The symposium is one of Argonne's contributions to the overall Department of Energy goal of encouraging science careers for students.

Students gave 15-minute presentations on a variety of research topics, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, engineering, materials science, physics and structural biology. Among those listening to the presentations were Argonne scientists, graduate students and university faculty.

"Participating students get valuable experience in making scientific presentations, plus an opportunity to network with students and faculty from other universities as well as Argonne staff," said Harold Myron, director of Argonne's Division of Educational Programs. Participation in this program recognizes the students' efforts and active involvement in scientific research.

Tours of Argonne research facilities were included in the program.

The symposium was sponsored by Argonne, the National Science Foundation-funded Illinois Alliance for Minority Participation, Argonne Women in Science and Technology, the Argonne chapter of Sigma Xi and Central States Universities, Inc.

R&D 100, Green Chemistry entries are due

Argonne entries for the R&D 100 Awards and Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are being requested by the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT).

R&D 100 awards are presented annually by R&D magazine to recognize the "100 most technologically significant products" of the preceding year. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards acknowledge innovative technology that promotes industrial ecology or reduces or prevents pollution in a significant way. Application or commercial use of the technology is also important in this award.

R&D 100 candidates must be technologies or products that are available for license to industry or could be ordered as products in 2005. The entry will be strengthened if there is tangible evidence of private-sector interest, such as a cooperative research and development agreement, joint venture, partnership with industry, licensing to industry or some other contractual arrangement with industry.

More information is available online.

Final entries for Green Chemistry are due to OTT by Friday, Dec. 16. Final entries for R&D 100 are due to OTT by Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.

For additional information, contact Cynthia Wesolowski (OTT) at ext. 2-7694 or weso@anl.gov.

Holiday to change Guest House, Grill hours...

The Guest House Restaurant will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 27.

The 401 Grill will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and open from 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 27.

... and Dec. 5 ANL News deadline

All news items, seminar listings and classified ads for the Dec. 5 issue of Argonne News must be received by Wednesday, Nov. 23, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The deadline for the Dec. 19 issue — the last of calendar year 2005 — will be Friday, Dec. 9.

Enterprise added to car rental options

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is now an alternate rental car provider for Argonne business travelers through a new agreement with the Argonne Travel Department.

Both National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car offer special rates that include domestic insurance for Argonne business travelers. By contracting with these vendors, Argonne travelers will have more options available and the level of service expected from a corporate partner.

To take advantage of these preferred rates, travelers can book their rentals through GetThere, the laboratory's online booking tool. For more information, visit the Travel Information page on Inside Argonne.

Questions and comments should be directed to Travel Manager Rich Crowley (OCF-ACT) at rcrowley@anl.govor ext. 2-7111.

MetLife to offer insurance quotes

A representative from MetLife Auto and Home will visit Argonne Tuesday, Nov. 22, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowner insurance program.

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

Autumn increases threat of car-deer collisions

November and December — deer mating season — are the months when drivers are most likely to collide with deer. The animals are more active, and more drivers are heading home in twilight or darkness. There are also more deer to hit: In the 1980s, the deer population of the United States was about 10 million. Today, there are more than 25 million.

In the past year, five deer have met their fate on Argonne's roadways. To avoid hitting deer:

Be vigilant in early morning and evening hours, the most active time for deer.

If you see a deer, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.

Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path. Do not swerve: It can confuse the deer and cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Always wear your seat belt (this is required by state law and by the laboratory). Most people injured in car-deer crashes are not wearing seat belts.

Look for other deer after one has crossed the road. Deer seldom run alone.

If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. The best procedure is to get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police.

If the collision occurs on the Argonne site, Security should be notified immediately at ext. 2-5754. If there are injuries, other than the deer, call 911. To initiate a 911 response from a pay or cell phone, dial 252-1911.

CIS classes

Computing classes offered by the Computing and Information Systems Division are held in Building 201, Room 167C. Unless otherwise noted, classes cost $225 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 2003" (CIS124) — Monday, Dec. 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Introduction and Intermediate Word.

"Advanced Excel 2003" (CIS127) — Tuesday, Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Intermediate Excel.

"Advanced Access 2003" (CIS130) — Wednesday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Intermediate Access.

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

"Advanced PowerPoint 2003" (CIS132) — Friday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Introduction to PowerPoint.

"Beginning Unix" (CIS564) — Tuesday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. - noon is the first session. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m. - noon is the second session. There is no cost for this course.

"vi Editor in Unix" (CIS567) — Friday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. - noon. There is no cost for this course. Prerequisite: A general knowledge of Unix, especially Unix file management commands.

Retirement vendors offer one-on-one sessions

Argonne's retirement vendors will send representatives to the laboratory to meet individually with employees and answer their questions about retirement plans and retirement plan assets. To schedule an appointment, call the number listed. Appointments are for one-half hour each.

Fidelity — Tuesday, Dec. 6, and Tuesday, Dec. 20. Call the appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.

TIAA-CREF — Thursday, Dec. 1, and Friday, Dec. 2. Call the appointment desk at (800) 842-2005 or www.tiaa-cref.org/moc.

Prudential — No appointments this month.