|
|||
| ARGONNE HOME PAGE | ARGONNE INTRANET | NEWS HOME PAGE | BACK ISSUES |
|
|
|||
| ARGONNE HOME PAGE | ARGONNE INTRANET | NEWS HOME PAGE | BACK ISSUES |
Two Argonne scientists are among 60 researchers named recipients of the fourth annual Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on professionals at the outset of their research careers. The researchers received their awards April 12 from President Bill Clinton in a White House ceremony.
Argonne's winners are Ken Kemner (ER) and John Mitchell (MSD).
"We honor these outstanding young scientists and engineers for their research contributions, for their promise, and for their commitment to broader societal goals," President Clinton said. "They will do much to shape our society and advance our national interests in the 21st Century."
The scientists and engineers receive up to a five-year research grant to further their study in support of critical government missions.
Kemner
has developed new synchrotron techniques for the study of
a
variety of environmental research issues, including the
binding mechanism of mercury to newly created materials for
waste liquid treatment.
He has also collaborated on the development and application of X-ray microbeams and Xray microtomography techniques for two-dimensional and three-dimensional Xray imaging of environmental samples such as mycorrhizal fungi and embryonic fish.
He is also using a variety of X-ray imaging, spectroscopy, and microspectroscopy techniques to investigate how metal-reducing bacteria can be used to clean up heavy metal contaminants. Also, in a collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Kemner is using synchrotron radiation to detect past or present life activity in minerals. Results from his X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies provide an explanation for the source of oxygen produced when water was added to Martian soil during NASA's Viking mission, a question that has puzzled scientists for over 20 years.
Mitchell's
work has centered on magnetoresistive materials, which
change their electrical resistance when they are near a
magnetic field. These materials are critical to magnetic
information storage technologies and a host of magnetic
sensor applications.
His research is to develop the next generation of magnetoresistive materials, with the hope of achieving higher sensitivities to tiny magnetic fields, allowing increased storage capacity of computer hard disks.
These new disks would be made from the ultra-sensitive materials that can detect the magnetically-stored information and convert it to electrical signals.
The research is examining ways to arrange the atoms into a crystal structure that builds a material with the greatest possible sensitivity to magnetic fields.
The most advanced, presently available magnetoresistive materials are made by creating alternating layers of different kinds of atoms using sophisticated deposition techniques to enhance the magnetoresistive sensitivity. Mitchell and his team of researchers are taking a different approach, creating materials where layering occurs naturally as the crystal structure is formed. This technique allows the creation of layered structures with atomic dimensions and accuracy that cannot be achieved with artificial layering techniques.
Argonne-West is one of the facilities being considered as the new home of "Technical Area 18," a nuclear facility scheduled to move in 2004, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said April 11.
Currently located at Los Alamos National Laboratory, "TA-18" performs general-purpose nuclear materials handling for a variety of experiments, measurements and training. Its 80 full-time employees conduct studies relating to stockpile stewardship, emergency response and safeguards and arms control.
TA-18's aging facilities are increasingly expensive to maintain and operate, leading to the decision to relocate, Richardson said.
According to legend, Sir Isaac Newton -- the great 17th century scientist -- needed an apple to fall on his head to help him decipher the laws of gravity.
But today's science students and teachers tackling tough science questions only need to log on to Argonne's free online service called NEWTONfor help. And they are doing so in record numbers. During February, NEWTON recorded nearly one million "hits," or visits, to its Web site.
NEWTON provides a place for students to practice telecommunications, retrieve information on a wide variety of subjects and contact research scientists from all over the world. For teachers, it provides a variety of discussion areas, ideas for curriculum development and Internet service.
"To succeed in the 21st century, students will need a top-notch science education," said Harold Myron, director of Argonne's Division of Educational Programs. "NEWTON is a resource teachers can use to help them provide that education. For students, the ability to interact with working scientists via NEWTON is invaluable."
Denis Kazelas, a chemistry instructor and science department chairman at Marist High School in Chicago, uses the teleconferencing and "white board" areas of NEWTON just before giving major exams.
"We use the white board to draw out structures, set up and solve various calculation problems," said Kazelas. "I have anywhere from a few students to more than 15 students online during these evening sessions."
One of NEWTON'S most popular features is "Ask a Scientist," where teachers and students can pose questions to scientists and engineers on subjects including astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics. Answers are received via e-mail. Questions and answers are posted to the "Ask a Scientist" archives located on NEWTON's web site.
"Ask a Scientist" receives questions 365 days a year, with the greatest number flowing in between January and March. The average turnaround time for receiving an answer is between 24 and 48 hours, although some questions do take longer. Thousands of questions have been answered and archived since the service went online in 1991; the NEWTON archives often already contain the information students need.
The biology category has received the most questions over the years, followed by physics. Other categories are astronomy, chemistry, computers, environmental science, engineering and general science.
Kazelas said he finds "Ask a Scientist" helpful for students who have questions about scientific principles or who need help understanding concepts.
The volunteer scientists who answer these questions come from around the U.S., as well as from other countries including Canada and Australia. They work in government laboratories -- including Argonne -- universities and private industry.
NEWTON's Telnet site also receives and stores information on world medical concerns, Jet Propulsion Laboratory news, computer technical assistance and Problem Based Learning listservers.
-- Donna Jones Pelkie
Dave Kosicek (PFS) received the Argonne Fire Department's first Lifesaving Award for using the Heimlich maneuver -- an emergency procedure he learned in an Environment, Safety and Health Division CPR class -- to save a person from choking in a local restaurant.
Kosicek had stopped at the McDonald's Restaurant on 75th Street in Woodridge Feb. 29 for a quick lunch on his way to work at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source. As he took his seat, he noticed an older gentleman coughing, and his woman companion hitting him on the back. Two young children with the elderly couple were watching. Kosicek tried not to stare, but by the time he took his seat, he could tell the man was in obvious distress.
"By this time, the woman had tears in her eyes, the man's color had started to turn blue, and the kids had started to cry," Kosicek said. "There was no time to think if I should do anything. I knew I had to act, and act fast."
Kosicek used the Heimlich maneuver: he wrapped his arms around the choking victim from behind, brought his fists together above the man's navel and pulled his fists sharply inward and upward. On the third try, Kosicek managed to dislodge the food that had become stuck in the victim's throat.
Free classes
Argonne offers free CPR classes through the ESH Division, according to Cynthia Hijuelos (ESH-FD), the class coordinator. Up to 10 three-hour classes are offered each month, depending on demand.
Although some divisions require this training, enrollment for most employees is voluntary.
Choking deaths account for 2,000 - 3,000 accidental deaths per year, and is the seventh leading cause of accidental death.
For more information on CPR classes, call Hijuelos at ext. 2-6136.
-- Linda Jakubowski
Argonne will honor its administrative professionals Wednesday, April 26, with a buffet breakfast and program in the Argonne-East Building 213 Cafeteria.
Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m., with the program starting at 8:45 a.m.
Details will appear in next week's issue ofArgonne News.
The Argonne Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a dinner meeting open to all employees Wednesday, May 17.
Past presidents of the chapter will be the guests of honor at the dinner, to be held at White Fence Farm, 11700 Joliet Road, Lemont, starting at 5:30 p.m. For reservations, call Elaine London (ESH) at ext. 2-3180.
The Argonne IAAP group provides professional growth for its members through dinner meeting speakers and attendance at annual division and district meetings and an annual international convention.
Since 1996, the chapter has provided two $500 scholarships to high school students working at Argonne. This year's scholarships will be presented during Administrative Professionals Week (April 25-29).
Monthly IAAP chapter meetings are open to all interested Argonne employees. Contact London at ext. 2-3180 For more information.
As Easter and Secretary's Day draw near, Fanny May candies will be offered for sale in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria Tuesday, April 18, and Wednesday, April 19.
Candy will be sold at 15 percent off the retail price. The sale is sponsored by Sodexho Marriott.
Computer users can learn to avoid health problems in "Computer User Ergonomics" (ESH Course 583), to be presented Thursday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Argonne-East's Building 202, Room B169.
Participants will learn to prevent disorders like tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain, and neck strain caused by computer use. The class will also cover appropriate furniture, input and comfort devices; how to set up a work station ergonomically, and stretching and flexibility exercises.
Employees who spend four or more hours working on a computer each day are encouraged to attend, but even less-intensive users can benefit from the class.
This course will not be offered in May, and will likely be presented only once during the summer.
Register through a Training Management System representative.
Chair demo
Immediately after class, in Building 202, E126, there will be demonstrations of ergonomic chairs, adjustable work stations, copy holders, and other items.
Demonstrations will be held continuously Thursday, April 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. No registration is required, and all are welcome, especially those who have Bodybilt chairs and are unfamiliar with their features or those who have purchased a new chair.
Early registration for Joliet Junior College fall classes will be offered Tuesday, April 25, at Argonne-East.
College representatives will be available in the Human Resources office in Building 201 from noon to 4 p.m. to register students for summer classes. Employees must bring completed and approved educational assistance forms (ANL-89) to the registration.
Call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for information on college and educational assistance.
Seminars on financial services and European travel are planned at Argonne-East by the Argonne Credit Union. The seminars are open to both members and non-members.
Global
Holidays: London and The South of
France
-- Tuesday, April 18, noon, Building 208, Room 138A.
Plan
America, Members Financial Services Seminaron Long-Term
Health Care Planning -- Tuesday, May 16, at noon in the
Building 213 Cafeteria, Private Dining Room B.
