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A new welding technique for high-temperature superconductors is adding to the range of practical applications for these materials, which conduct electricity without resistance.
High-temperature superconductors, which lose electrical resistance when cooled with liquid nitrogen, were discovered in the late 1980s. They hold the potential for generating more efficient magnetic fields and transmitting electricity without loss to resistance. Some applications are in use, but most ideas require large components.
Researchers have been unable to grow large high-performance superconducting structures that carry current uniformly and have found it difficult to join smaller sections together without interfering with electrical flow.
Now, however, materials scientists at Argonne have developed a way to weld components made of these materials with strong bonds that preserve uniform electrical flow across the joint. These welded units can be used for current leads, fault current limiters, energy storage devices, high-energy-density motors, and high-current wire or cable.
"This innovation is an essential, and long-awaited, key to widespread use of high-temperature superconductors in the electric-power industry," said Boyd Veal, who developed the technique along with Helmut Claus, Jennifer Zheng and George Crabtree (all MSD).
The welding process bonds pieces of yttrium-based barium-copper-oxide (YBCO) using layers of thulium-based barium-copper-oxide (TmBCO). TmBCO's melting point is about 20 degrees Celsius cooler than YBCO. The materials are heated to a temperature about midway between their melting points. As the joint cools, the YBCO "seeds" the liquefied TmBCO, providing a pattern at the interface for the TmBCO to follow as it cools. This leads to a weld that is mechanically strong and carries current as well as undisturbed bulk YBCO.
Superconductors are materials that lose their resistance to electrical currents at reduced temperatures. The first ones identified were metals that became superconductive when brought near absolute zero (-273.16 degrees C or -459.69 degrees F.).
High temperature superconductors, found in the late 1980s, lose their resistance at temperatures that allow the use of inexpensive refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen, which forms at -320 F (-196 C). YBCO, discovered in 1988, becomes superconductive at -294 F. (-181 C).
-- Richard Greb
A new feature on the Electronics and Computing Technologies Web site lets employees make sure their anti-virus software is on and working.
The ECT Site Licenses Web page has a virus simulation file produced by the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research. The simulation is not intended to tell employees if they're protected from the likes of the "Melissa" or "LoveBug" viruses, but only that their anti-virus software is functioning.
The page also has the latest version of Command AntiVirus Virus Protection Software.
For more information, call Mike Thommes (ECT) at ext. 2-5461.
Brian Wartchow (RPS-SEC) has been named the first winner of Argonne-West's new Safety and Quality Recognition Program. Wartchow developed a method to ensure that the Idaho site's Security Force follows the principles of Integrated Safety Management.
The Safety and Quality Recognition Program was recently instituted to honor Argonne-West employees who make special contributions to safety or quality at the Idaho site. All Argonne-West employes are encouraged to nominate co-workers who deserve special recognition for actions, ideas or continued outstanding contributions that improve safety or quality. Winners will have their names engraved on a plaque and receive lunch for themselves and a friend in the cafeteria.
Wartchow, a Security Department safety representative, developed a form that ensures Security Force employees follow the principles of Integrated Safety Management when conducting training not covered in the Training Policy and Procedures Manual. He developed a "Training Exercise Approval Request" (TEAR) form, used to make sure proper controls and approvals are addressed.
The TEAR form makes sure security management, crew supervisors, crew members and Reactor Program Services-Safety employees are informed of possible hazards during training exercises. It also includes controls to reduce or eliminate hazards. Wartchow developed a TEAR-form tracking system and monitors the status of approved training exercises.
Wartchow worked closely with Don Nielsen (RPS-Safety) to ensure the TEAR form would include critical safety concerns. The form's success has led to its use in exercises and training covered in approved safety plans.
To nominate an employee for the Safety and Quality Recognition Program, or for more information, call Gary Marshall (RPS) at ext. 3-7666 or Bob Phipps (OD) at ext. 3-7269.
Sunil K. Sinha (XFD) has received the Advanced Photon Source (APS) Compton Award for his theoretical and experimental contributions to X-ray scattering in material physics. The award was established in 1995 to recognize important technical or scientific accomplishments at, or beneficial to, the APS.
Sinha's award cites his development of the general theory of off-specular surface scattering to reveal the structure of rough surfaces. This theory has already been applied to studies of corrosion, the structure of liquid surfaces and the growth of thin films and multi-layers.
Sinha's four-decade career has focused on both neutron and X-ray scattering studies in a wide variety of areas. He has held research positions at three national laboratories (Argonne, Ames and Brookhaven), a professorship at Iowa State University, and was a senior researcher at Exxon Research and Engineering Company. Sinha's prior awards and honors include a DOE Outstanding Research Award, a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship and the Ernest O. Lawrence Award.
The Arthur H. Compton award is named after a physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927 for discovering and explaining changes in X-ray wavelengths resulting from collisions with electrons, now known as the Compton effect. This important discovery in 1922 confirmed the dual nature (wave and particle) of electromagnetic radiation.
Argonne will sponsor a series of lectures on complementary health therapies, in response to a recent employee survey
The series will encompass lectures, discussions and demonstrations on traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, herbal medicine, medical qigong), massage therapy, meditation, pranic healing (energy healing), tai chi, chiropractic, and yoga.
Pieter Van Heule, a licensed health care provider with degrees in acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy, will be among the lecturers. He will lead a discussion on the integrative and holistic nature of complementary medicine and the role the individual plays in the healing process.
Lectures will be held in Argonne-East's Building 362 Auditorium. Information on dates, topics and presenters will appear on flyers and in future editions ofArgonne News.
Argonne-West's automotive hobbyists will display their cars at a barbecue and car show at lunchtime Thursday, June 1, in the parking lot in front of the old fire station.
Visitors can have lunch at the outdoor barbecue and then take a walk through the display without having to process through the Security Building.
On display will be sports cars, classics, street rods, custom cars, antiques, racers, motorcycles and specialty cars.
For information, call Doug Schwartzenberger (OD) at ext. 3-7614.
A disaster relief fund has been established to help employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos Area Office. A forest fire has devastated the area, burning more than 200 homes and tens of thousands of acres.
Donations will be used to assist employees and communities with unforeseen and uncovered expenses in the coming months. Donations are tax deductible.
Financial donations can be sent to the U.S. Department of Energy, Attention: Northern New Mexico Fire Recovery Fund, P.O. Box 500, Germantown, MD 20874-0500.
Checks should be made payable to the Department of Energy and indicate they are for the Fire Recovery Fund.
"Principles of Accident Investigation," a two-day workshop, will be held Wednesday and Thursday, June 28-29, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 212, Room A157.
The workshop will provide participants with a solid grounding in the process of accident investigation. Instructor Fred Davies, of the System Safety Development Center, Pocatello, Idaho, will cover:
* Evidence collection
* Chain of custody and security techniques
* Communicating with witnesses, other investigators and the public
* Analyzing the causes of accidents and understanding the accident completely
* The principles of writing accident investigation reports.
The workshop is sponsored by Human Resources and Environment, Safety and Health and Quality Assurance Oversight. Cost is $525 per participant. Employees involved in any aspect of accident investigation are encouraged to attend. Call John Hyzer (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for more information or to enroll in this workshop, HR250.
A representative from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MetLife") will visit Argonne-East Tuesday, June 20, and Tuesday, June 27, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.
To schedule an appointment, call (630) 810-0346, ext. 143.
Before each appointment, employees should fax a copy of their auto policy renewal statements to Craig Riddick at (630) 810-1628.
Electronics and Computing Technologies will offer several classes in office computer software during June.
Full class descriptions, schedules and prerequisite information is online. Unless otherwise noted, classes will be held in Argonne-East's Building 221, Room A142, will be limited to 10 participants and will cost $195.
All computer classes will now be Microsoft Office 2000.
For more information about enrollment procedures, call Diane Cavazos (ECT) at ext. 2-7153 or send e-mail to dkcavazos@anl.gov.
* Beginning Unix (ECT564) -- This class consists of two, three-hour sessions for a total of six hours. First session: Tuesday, June 6, 9 a.m. - noon. Second session: Thursday, June 8, 9 a.m. _ noon. Cost: $245.
* Microsoft Outlook 2000 (ECT377) -- Monday, June 12, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
* Advanced Word 2000 (ECT378) -- Tuesday, June 13, 8:30 a.m. _ 4:30 p.m.
* Advanced Excel 2000 (ECT379) -- Wednesday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
* Advanced Access 2000 (ECT380) -- Thursday, June 15, 8:30 a.m. _ 4:30 p.m.
* Visual Basic for Access 2000 (ECT381) -- Friday, June 16, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Class size limited to eight.
