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U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert came to Argonne-East Nov. 26 for a briefing on technologies the laboratory has developed that can aid homeland security.
"At times like these we realize how important our national research labs are," Biggert said after learning about three projects: biochips for detecting biological agents, a cyanide gas microsensor, and a chemical agent early-warning and crisis-management system for subway operators.
"There's a tendency to think that only the defense labs do this kind of work and that's not true," she said to reporters and others gathered for a news conference in the lobby of Building 201.
Argonne Director Hermann Grunder concurred, saying "Argonne has many technologies developed for other purposes that can be readily diverted to anti-terrorism activities."
For example, biochips developed by researchers at the laboratory's Biochip Technology Center for use in sequencing DNA also have the potential for use as field detectors for biological agents such as anthrax. Such a detector might have limited the evacuation of congressional offices caused by anthrax-tainted mail.
"I just spent three weeks out of my office," Biggert said. "It would be nice to have something where you could go in and test right away."
Another technology discussed in the briefing was a miniature chemical sensor array. The system miniaturizes lab measurement techniques to produce a detection module with flexible "lab-on-a-chip" capabilities.
The palm-sized prototype can be integrated into personal monitors to detect chemical agents and other hazardous gases.
A third technology highlighted at the briefing was an early warning system to help emergency workers deal with chemical agent attacks in subways.
The system, developed by Argonne and Sandia National Laboratories, combines chemical agent detection, closed circuit TV cameras and computer modeling to determine the spread of below-ground contamination. Above-ground meteorology and computer modeling predicts the spread of contamination from vents and exits, and communications systems keep emergency management informed of conditions.
"Basic research has come up with technologies that are extraordinary in fighting terrorism," said Grunder. "This war we are in, more than any in the past, is based in technology, and Argonne is technology."
Biggert said she plans to invite Tom Ridge, director of homeland security, to Argonne to see first-hand the work Argonne has done. "There's nothing like seeing it in person," she said.
Biggert represents Illinois' 13th District, which includes Argonne.
-- Donna Jones Pelkie
The Christmas-New Year closing at both Argonne-East and Argonne-West begins Saturday, Dec. 22, and continues through Tuesday, Jan. 1.
Only employees required to properly maintain the laboratory's facilities will be scheduled to work.
Paychecks: Monthly paid checks will be
distributed or deposited on Friday, Dec. 21.
Biweekly paid employees will receive their payroll checks or deposits for the two weeks ending Sunday, Dec. 30, on Friday, Dec. 21, based on actual time cards submitted to the Payroll Department. The deadline for all time cards, including those of employees who are expected to work on the weekend, will be Friday, Dec. 14. Pay for any adjustments, such as overtime, not incouraged to call the Paymaster's Office at ext. 2-6893 to have their checks mailed to their home addresses.
Employees reporting sick leave on the Dec. 16 time card in excess of established laboratory and bargaining agreements must submit their physician statements to the Medical Department by Thursday, Dec. 13. Managers and supervisors of these employees will also need to submit an ANL-10 form (Sick Leave Form Bi-Weekly) to the Medical Department by that date.
Site access at Argonne-East: North
Gate will be open 24 hours through the holiday break. West Gate will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1,
but will otherwise operate on its normal schedule -- 6:15 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. on weekdays. East Gate
will be closed through the holiday break.
The Argonne Information Center (AIC) will also be closed through the holiday break. Security should be advised of visitors expected during this period. Call ext. 2-5755 by Friday, Dec. 21.
Deliveries, shipments: No deliveries
can be accepted at the laboratory during the holiday break. Commercial package delivery companies
will hold all shipments until Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002.
Employees expecting shipments to arrive during the break should make arrangements to have the items delivered off site. Federal Express will collect items in on-site drop boxes once a day, except for Christmas day and New Year's day, when there will be no pickup. For more information, call ext. 2-2934 or ext. 2-2930.
PFS-SS will be refilling liquid
nitrogen dewars on Wednesday, Dec. 26 from 8 a.m. to noon. Liquid helium orders may be set up for
delivery dates of Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Friday, Dec. 28. Orders for both helium and nitrogen must
be called in the week of Dec. 17 and will be taken up to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21. Call ext. 2-3440
to make arrangements.
The World Travel BTI (WTBTI) on-site
travel office in Argonne-East's Building 201 and Argonne-West's Building 710 will be closed Dec.
22-Jan. 1. Business travelers with trips scheduled during the holiday break or immediately after
the laboratory reopens should pick up their tickets and travel packets before 5 p.m. Friday, Dec.
21.
To make arrangements or change travel arrangements during the holiday break, business travelers should call WTBTI at (800) 355-8313, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
On weekends, Tuesday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Jan. 1, and after 5 p.m., call (877) 898-4806. Employees should identify themselves as Argonne business travelers.
Travel authorizations for trips starting Dec. 22 through Jan. 1 should be submitted to the Travel Office by noon Friday, Dec. 21. "Verbal approvals" should be avoided on Dec. 21.
Argonne Credit Union offices at both
sites will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. The Argonne-West and Bldg. 900 offices will be
closed Dec. 26-28 as well; refer all business to the main office at Argonne-East Bldg. 233 or call
(630) 252-5800.
At Argonne-East, the credit union will open a half-hour early, at 7:30 a.m., and close at 5 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. On Jan. 2, Argonne-East offices will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the Bldg. 900 and Argonne-West offices will be open with regularly scheduled hours.
Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria
and the Argonne-West Cafeteria will be closed after lunch Friday, Dec. 21, and will reopen
Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Guest House: The Guest House
restaurant will close at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21. It will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2 for lunch.
The 5 to 9 Grill will be open regular hours through Sunday, Dec. 23. The restaurant will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1 and will reopen Jan. 2.
The Guest House front desk will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23 and will reopen Jan. 2 at 6 a.m.
Shuttle Bus: There will be no shuttle
bus service to the University of Chicago Friday, Dec. 21 through Jan. 1. Service will resume Jan.
2.
The Argonne Choral Group will perform old and new holiday favorites at Argonne-East Thursday, Dec. 13.
Under the direction of Harry Bell (PFS-DR) the group will sing in the Building 213 Cafeteria at noon and in the Building 201 lobby at 2 p.m.
Music, prizes, food and adult beverages will help put the "merry" into the holidays at a party at Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria Thursday, Dec. 13.
The party, sponsored by Argonne Club and Sodexho, will take place from 4:30-8 p.m. There will be a $2 cover charge.
All non-Argonne employees must be badged at the Visitor Reception Center before 4 p.m., and vehicles will be subject to search.
IPD Visual Arts will offer photos of children and families visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus during Argonne-East's "Breakfast with Santa," Dec. 8.
A photographer will be at the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proofs will be displayed at the cafeteria the week of Dec. 10. Details on how to order prints will be provided at the event and in the cafeteria with the proofs. "Thumbnail" proof images may be posted on the Web; information will be available online on Argonne News Extra.
Prints will be 5x7- inch, color, borderless photos in a festive envelope. They will be delivered by Tuesday, Dec. 18. Photos will cost $10 each. Additional copies will be $5 each.
How many randomly generated arithmetic problems can your elementary-school children answer in 60 seconds?
Find out by downloading and playing "The ArithmAttack," a free software program offered by Argonne to anyone who wants to learn or teach arithmetic.
This upgraded version of the game creates arithmetic problems using numbers that the player sets between zero and 25. Players can focus exclusively on addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, or can let the game choose at random.
Many elementary schools play this kind of game in class with students answering a sheet full of arithmetic problems while the teacher times them.
Now, parents and teachers can download free software and play the game on any computer running a Windows 95 or higher operating system. A 2.7 MB .zip file for installation can be downloaded from the Web.
"I wrote the ArithmAttack to help my children when they were learning arithmetic in elementary school," said David Baurac (OPA). "It didn't take them long to become very good at basic arithmetic.
"We hope children will use it at home and that teachers and schools will download it for their classrooms," he said. "We want to make it easy and fun for anyone to acquire strong basic skills in arithmetic."
For non-Windows computers, an earlier version, written in JavaScript, can be played or downloaded on the World Wide Web or downloaded free for use on individual computers.
The JavaScript version runs as a Web page on both major Web browsers -- Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 3.0 or higher, and Netscape Navigator, version 3.0 or higher.
Open enrollment confirmation notices will be mailed Tuesday, Dec. 11, to employees who changed medical plans or elected to participate in Argonne's flexible spending account plan for 2002.
Argonne-East employees who do not receive a confirmation notice by Dec. 18 should contact Human Resources at ext. 2-2991. At Argonne-West, call ext. 3-7227.
Argonne engineer Shoei-Sheng Chen (STA) has received the Pressure Vessel and Piping Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
The medal honors Chen for advancing the understanding of dynamic instability in magnetic levitation systems. It also recognizes his technical contributions and publications in fluid-induced vibration and dynamic fluid-structure interactions.
The medal, established in 1980, was presented to Chen at ASME's Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference in Atlanta, Ga.
Chen has more than 30 years of experience in engineering mechanics with emphasis on fluid-structure interactions. He joined Argonne in 1968. He retired in 1997 and is now a special term appointee.
ASME International is a 125,000-member organization focused on technical, educational and research issues. The organization sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing standards.
The Argonne Guest House will not serve lunch Friday, Dec. 14 due to a special event.
The Dec. 17 issue will be the final Argonne News of 2001.
The Argonne News Web site will be updated Thursday, Jan. 4 -- or as needed -- and the newsletter will return Jan. 14.
A representative from MetLife will be available at Argonne-East Tuesday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 18, to meet with individual employees and provide insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.
To schedule an appointment, call Craig Riddick at (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees should fax their auto policy renewal statements to (630) 810-1628 before their appointments.
A 30-day free trial of the Delphion System, which allows employees to perform online searches of the world's top patent collections, ends Sunday, Dec. 16.
The Argonne Legal Department and the Argonne Library System are jointly hosting the trial of Delphion's web-based "Patent Office Solution." The system allows users to search patent collections of the United States, Europe, Japan, World Intellectual Property Organization, INPADOC and Derwent.
Complete patent information, including some images, is included in the trial service. The Delphion trial is available through the Argonne Information Management system. For assistance in searching the Delphion System, contact any Argonne librarian. For information about subscribing to the Delphion System via an Argonne group purchase, contact Elsie Quaite-Randall in the Legal Department at ext. 2-1346.