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Sept. 23, 2002 -- Some of this week's stories:
Space power program lands at Argonne-West
Benedict to lead ANL-West
Health screenings, information offered at fair
Oktoberfest coming to ANL-East
LDRD projects to be discussed at symposium
ANL-East car show set for Sept. 25 |
It's official: Argonne-West will host the nation's heat source-radioisotope power system assembly and test operation, ensuring that NASA and other agencies have a steady supply of reliable onboard power sources for their spacecraft. The multi-million-dollar program will require a dedicated staff of 20 to 25 employees.
"The fact that Argonne was selected for this work just proves that they are an organization whose presence in Idaho brings us worldwide prestige," said Idaho Senator Larry Craig. "I congratulate the men and women of Argonne for securing this important mission."
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said, "Over the years, Idaho and its workforce have proven again and again that they are strong contributors to our nation's nuclear research and development projects, and they will do so again with this program. This news is welcome, and will allow Argonne a much larger role in developing space technology."
"DOE's decision to move the program to Idaho will bring new jobs and new work complementing the INEEL and Argonne's expanding nuclear research mission," said Idaho 2nd District U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson.
These systems include radioisotopic heat sources and thermoelectric generators that have powered all of NASA's deep space probes, including the Galileo, Pioneer and Cassini spacecraft. They are needed when chemical batteries or solar energy are impractical, such as in the exploration of the outer solar system.
Since the early 1980s, the program had been conducted at the Energy Department's Mound Site near Miamisburg, Ohio. Relocating the project to Argonne-West will save taxpayers nearly $34 million over 10 years.
"The department's manufacture of these power systems is essential to NASA and others," said Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. "Relocating this program will assure reliable, safe and secure conduct of these operations well into the future. It is also another step forward in meeting our commitment to sustain new missions in Idaho."
Transition of the program will be completed over the next two to three years.
Robert W. Benedict was recently appointed deputy associate laboratory director for Argonne-West.
"In addition to taking the Idaho helm in my absence, Bob will focus his attention on managing the day-to-day infrastructure of the site," said John I. Sackett, associate laboratory director for engineering research.
Benedict also will assist with the planning and execution of general strategies for the future of the laboratory.
He joined Argonne in 1988, following a successful career as a chemical engineer and engineering manager with Allied Chemical Company, Energy Inc., and Waste-Tech Services.
During his time at Argonne, Benedict has been responsible for most EBR-II spent nuclear fuel treatment development and demonstration activities at Argonne-West, as well as some mixed waste stabilization demonstrations. Twice, his work in these areas has earned him recognition as an Argonne pacesetter.
Prior to his recent appointment, Benedict served as director of the Engineering Technology Division and manager of the spent fuel treatment project. He has published more than 25 technical papers, and is author of a chapter in the "Standard Handbook for Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal."
"Health Fair 2002" will be held at Argonne-East, Tuesday, Oct. 1. The fair will give employees a chance to interact with representatives from the laboratory's health care vendors and companies who provide health care services.
The Health Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Building 213 Cafeteria.
Cardiovascular and diabetes screenings (for a nominal fee) will be offered as well as free eye exams, blood pressure readings, health risk assessments, body fat measurements, information on exercise programs, consultations with Medical Department physicians and psychologist and with a Weight Watchers representative, and more.
The Health Fair is sponsored by Human Resources-Benefits and the Medical Department's Wellness Program.
Argonne Club will sponsor an Oktoberfest party Thursday, Sept. 26, from 4-8 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria and on the lawn.
There will be a $1 cover charge. Spirits, brats, burgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase.
The 10th mini-symposium on the results of Laboratory- Directed Research and Development (LDRD) projects will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, from 2-4 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 402, Room A1100.
Presentations will include:
"Hybrid Structures," by Ulrich Welp
(MSD)
"Investigations of Nonlinear Harmonics
in High-Gain, Single-Pass Free Electron Lasers," by Sandra Biedron (AOD)
"Sensor Guided Semi-Automatic
Teleoperation for RTF and D&D," by Young Soo Park (TD)
"Nanoscale Thermal Transport," by Jeff
Eastman (MSD)
"Table-Top Terawatt Lasers:
Subpicosecond Pulse Radiolysis and Plasma Physics Relevant to Fourth-Generation Light Sources," by
Robert Crowell (CHM)
"Catalytic Decomposition of Alcohol
for In-Situ Hydrogen Generation in Fuels," by Ken Anderson (CHM)
"Formation and Subsurface Mobility of
Radionuclide-Bearing Colloids," by Carol Mertz (CMT)
A display of antique and classic cars owned by Argonne-East employees will be be held in the Building 360 parking lot Wednesday, Sept. 25, at lunchtime. All employees are invited to stop by, view the cars, take pictures and ask questions.
In case of rain, the car show will be held Wednesday, Oct. 2.
A pre-retirement program designed for employees approaching retirement within the next few years will be offered by Human Resources.
The program will provide information about Argonne retirement benefits, distribution options, Social Security/Medicare, financial planning and estate planning.
Employees who have not attended this program in the past and would like to be put on a list for future seminars should contact Julie Losinski (HR) at ext. 2-2992 or jlosinski@anl.gov. HR will invite future participants from this list.
Clowns, games, food and live music drew supporters from all over Chicago area to a family festival benefitting Misericordia/Heart of Mercy, one of the charitable organizations supported by the Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA).
Misericordia is home to more than 550 children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Many of these residents find vocational training through the agency's employment services.
"I've been to charity picnics before, but I've never seen anything like this," said Bryan Schmidt (IPD), ACA co-vice chair.
Throughout October, the ACA campaign provides employees opportunities to contribute to health and human service agencies through payroll deductions. As a member of the ACA Qualifications Subcommittee, Schmidt helps evaluate the agencies supported by the campaign. This task brought him to the Misericordia fundraising festivities in Chicago Sept. 8.
Schmidt said he was impressed by Misericordia, the scale of its festival, and the care it offers residents.
"They bring meaning to people who otherwise might not have much meaning in their lives," Schmidt said.
-- Jennifer Ann Hutt
Agencies supported by the Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) campaign will send representatives to Argonne-East to provide information and answer questions.
Visits are scheduled through Thursday, Sept. 26, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Building 213 Cafeteria Lobby. Free popcorn will be available.
Participating agencies include the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, College Fund/UNCF, FISH, Inc., Health Research Institute-Pfeiffer Research Center, Little City Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and United Way Chicago.
The ACA gives employees an opportunity to support nonprofit health and welfare agencies. Details can be found on the ACA Web site.
Security officers at the Argonne-East entrance gates have discovered many Argonne photo badges in such poor condition that they cannot be used for site access. The badge owners must report to the Visitor Reception Center for a gate pass.
With the heightened level of security and the "touch badge" procedure in place at the entrance gates, security officers will err on the side of caution if a badge appears to be damaged, said Security Manager Dave Metta. "Damaged badges, or those that have separated from the plastic laminate, cannot be used for site access. Security officers in the field have no way to tell if such badges have been altered."
Occasionally the Office of Safeguards and Security receives defective card stock that will separate from the plastic covering. Routine wear and accidental trips through the washing machine can also damage badges.
To reduce traffic slowdowns and forestall a visit to the Argonne Information Center for a gate pass, employees should periodically check their Argonne IDs for damage, especially if the laminate covering is separating from the badge. Argonne-East employees with damaged badges can call Ben Clement (OSS) at ext. 2-5757; in many cases he can have a replacement badge made and ready for pickup at the Badging Office in Building 302, Room 205. Office hours are 8:30-11 a.m. and noon-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
George Cutwright, a representative of the Social Security Administration's Joliet office, will visit Argonne-East Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Cutwright will be available to:
Enroll employees in Social Security.
Take applications for new Social
Security cards, including original cards for newborns, corrected cards due to marriage, or
replacement cards.
Help with earnings posting problems.
Answer general questions about the
Social Security program.
To schedule a meeting, call Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989.
Argonne's retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne-East to meet individually with employees to answer their questions about retirement plans and assets.
Appointments last a half-hour. To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.
Fidelity: Tuesday, Oct. 8, and
Tuesday, Oct. 22. Call (800) 642-7131
TIAA-CREF: Monday, Oct. 14, and
Tuesday, Oct. 15. Call (800) 842-2005.
Prudential: Wednesday, Oct. 2, and
Wednesday, Oct. 16. Call (847) 619-3519.
Information and promotional materials about MetLife group automobile and homeowners insurance will be available Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MetLife insurance is a voluntary benefit available to regular Argonne employees and Argonne retirees. Participants enrolled in the program can insure their cars, homes and other personal property at group rates.
To contact MetLife's licensed insurance consultants for comparisons, quotes and enrollment, call (800) 438-6388.
Quotes offered
A representative from MetLife will visit Argonne-East Tuesday, Sept. 24, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.
To schedule an appointment with Craig Riddick, call (630) 810-0346, ext. 143.
Classes offered by Electronics and Computing Technologies are held in Argonne-East's Building 201, Room 167. Unless otherwise specified, class sizes are limited to eight participants and cost $215.
October classes include:
Introduction to Word 2000 (ECT369) --
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Introduction to Excel 2000 (ECT370) --
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Introduction to Access Version 2000
(ECT371) -- Thursday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Introduction to PowerPoint 2000
(ECT372) -- Friday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $140.
Intermediate PowerPoint 2000 (ECT373)
-- Friday, Oct. 4, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $140.
Complete computer class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are available online. For information about enrollment, contact Diane Cavazos (ECT) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov.