HIGH FLIGHT — The Space Shuttle Columbia is pictured here in June of 1992 rocketing toward a cloud bank on its 12th flight. Argonne scientists are developing methods of analyzing the heat-resistant tiles that protect the shuttles from the heat of re-entry.

Argonne, NASA team up on shuttle safety

By Megan Mills

Argonne is collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a method of inspecting the leading edge thermal protection system for space shuttle wings.

Researchers in the Energy Technology Division have been conducting tests on shuttle wings since April and are working to meet an early fall deadline to provide two or three of their best potential investigation methods.

The Argonne work is a part of NASA’s effort to examine the cause of the Feb. 1 Columbia accident, in which the space ship broke up upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Researchers want to define methods to eliminate or significantly reduce the chance for reoccurrence.

Launch films show that a piece of foam insulation from the external fuel tank on the shuttle broke off during liftoff and smashed into the left wing. The impact may have created a hole about the size of a small suitcase, according to simulations performed at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.

NASA researchers suspect that the impact may have damaged one of the ceramic composite panels that protect the wing’s leading edge. Upon re-entry, the shuttle would encounter temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit from extremely hot gases generated. Such gases could eat away the wing’s frame in minutes, it is believed, and could have led to the shuttle break-up.

“NASA invited us to work on this very short-term effort because we have been working on inspection methods for ceramics funded by the Department of Energy for 20 years,” said Bill Ellingson (ET). “We have the knowledge base for developing inspection methods for ceramics at high temperatures.”

The leading edge of the wing and the nose cap of the space shuttles are composed of reinforced carbon-carbon material, which is made up of carbon fibers in a carbon matrix. This type of ceramic composite is extremely tough at high temperatures.

“The material is so tough that even at extremely high temperatures it can be thrown at a brick wall and only the brick will chip,” said Ellingson.

Researchers have intentionally been putting flaws in the NASA samples to see if flaws can be detected using their proposed inspection methods. So far the tests have been successful.

Four teams are working with the thermal material from the leading edge of the wings. Argonne heads the team working on ultrasound and has technical members in the three other teams dealing with infra-red imaging, eddy-current technology and shearography. Members of these teams include Energy Technology Division researchers Ellingson, Jiangang Sun, Chris Deemer and Sasan Bakhtiari. Staff member Dick Koehl and students Julian Benz, Zachary Metzger and Jeffrey Wheeler are also involved in the research.

Other researchers participating in the teams are from the NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Sandia National Laboratories and commercial vendors.

“After the meeting this fall, when we decide which methods to further develop, we will need the commercial vendors to build the hardware,” said Ellingson. “Each of the four teams has involved at least one commercial vendor to make the appropriate equipment.”

The NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston is managing this project.

“We have worked with NASA prior to this project, but mostly through research operations,” said Ellingson. “The work on the shuttle is the first work that we’ve done as a direct application. It is more likely that we will have more interaction with NASA on other parts of the shuttle following the completion of this project.”

Young scientists share their research results

By Rhianna Wisniewski

Dozens of graduate and undergraduate students gathered last month to learn about their colleagues’ research.

Funded by the Division of Educational Programs, the Second Annual Young Scientist Day allowed graduate and undergraduate students a chance to attend seminars and poster presentations about each others’ work as well as a chance to interact with their peers.

Committee chair Jason Shergur (PHY) said there were about 70 participants, more than half of whom were undergraduate students.

“It was definitely a success,” Shergur said. “The quality of the presentations has improved and participation has doubled since last year.”

Monetary awards were given to the best two presenters in the poster and seminar categories. Awards for poster presentations were given to Marc Esposito (ES) for his poster “Aptamer-Based Biochips to Detect Metabolites,” and to Li-Bang Wang (PHY) for his poster “The Search for Anomalously Heavy Helium Isotopes in the Atmosphere.”

Top seminar presenters were Wei Fan (MSD) and Jufeng Peng (MCS). Fan’s spoke on “Integration of Layered Cu-Based Electrode with (BaxSr₁-x)TiO₃ Thin Films for Application to High Frequency Devices.” Peng’s presention was “Optimization in Multiple Dynamic Sessions.”

Tab collection to benefit families of sick kids

The Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) is collecting pop-top tabs from canned drinks to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

The ACA will collect the tabs until late January 2004. The tabs will be recycled and the proceeds presented to the Ronald McDonald House.

Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Some children must travel great distances to get the medical attention they need, and their treatment may last one day, a year or even longer. For the families of these children, accommodations can be hard to come by; options are often limited to costly hotels or hospital chairs and benches.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a comfortable, supportive temporary residence where family members can sleep, eat, relax and find support from other families in similar situations. In return, families are asked to make a donation ranging from $5 to $20 per day; if that isn’t possible, their stay is free. This pop-tab collection will assist in ensuring a place to stay for these families.

Tabs can be deposited in small boxes with corresponding posters near vending machines and kitchen areas at Argonne-East. For more information, call Fran Coose (XFD) at ext. 2-4955 or Sandra Biedron (XFD) at ext. 2-1162. More information on the Ronald McDonald House in Hyde Park is online.

ASK THE DIRECTORATE

Q: It would be great to have access to our vacation and sick-leave balances 24/7. Why not make it available to all employees via the Web using our payroll number?

A: In FY 2004, a new time reporting system will be implemented for all employees. The system will be Web-based and employees will be allowed the 24/7 access you ask about. The system will include vacation and sick balances.

“Ask the Directorate” lets employees ask senior Argonne management direct questions about the laboratory’s operations, policy, strategy, mission, budget and goals. Employees should continue to refer job- or workplace-specific questions to their immediate supervisors.

Employees may submit questions to askthedirectorate@anl.gov or fax them to 2-5274. Only questions that include the name of the questioner and contact information, such as e-mail address, office extension or fax number, will be answered.

An appropriate member of the Argonne Directorate will answer each question, and the answer will be sent directly to the employee. In addition, the Argonne News will periodically print selected responses, and all answers will be posted on the Web at www.anl.gov/OPA/ local/askthedirectorate/

Questioners will remain anonymous in the Argonne News and on the Web.

A link to the Ask-the-Directorate Web site can be found on the Inside Argonne home page at www.inside.anl.gov/.

Nominations are sought for Argonne named fellowships

Nominations are being sought for Argonne’s named fellowship program. This year, four superb scientists and engineers who show definite promise of becoming outstanding leaders will be awarded fellowships named after scientific and technical luminaries associated with the laboratory, its predecessors and the University of Chicago.

The Director’s Office initiated these special postdoctoral fellowships, to be awarded internationally on an annual basis to outstanding doctoral scientists and graduate engineers who are at early points in promising careers.

Fellowships are awarded for a two-year term, with a possible renewal for a third year, and carry a stipend of $70,000 per year with an additional allocation of up to $20,000 per year for independent research support and travel. The fellows, who will be competitively selected by a special fellowship committee, are given the freedom of either working independently or associating with Argonne scientists in a research area of common interest.

Applications should be sent via e-mail to fellowships@anl.gov before Nov. 14, and must include:

Letter of nomination (A recommendation from an individual who supports the candidacy.)

Curriculum vitae (Include the names of the nominator and two additional references.)

Two letters of reference (It is the candidate’s responsibility to arrange that the two reference letters be sent to the laboratory via e-mail prior to the Nov. 14 deadline.)

Bibliography of publications

Bibliography of preprints

Description of research interests to be pursued at the laboratory. (Applicants are encouraged to contact Argonne staff in their areas of interest in order to explore possible areas of research.)

All correspondence should be addressed to “Argonne Named Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.” One application is sufficient to be considered for all named fellowships. Argonne is an equal opportunity employer.

Zeiss ’scopes to be shown in mobile lab

The “Mat Mobile,” an 18-wheel microscopy laboratory from Carl Zeiss, Inc., will visit Argonne-East Friday, Nov. 7.

The Mat Mobile will exhibit materials microscopes in the Building 212 parking lot, just south of the Building 213 Cafeteria, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Zeiss is touring the United States to showcase and demonstrate its newest optics and contrasting techniques for research and materials analysis. Equipment on display will include stereo and laser scanning confocal microscopes.

Workplace law topic of seminars

“Update on Workplace Conduct” will be presented by Matt Schiff, founding partner of the labor and employment law firm of Schiff & Hulbert, Tuesday, Sept. 9.

One-hour sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Argonne-East’s Building 362 Auditorium. Schiff will provide updates on discrimination law, including sexual harassment, the Americans with Disabilities Act, family and medical leave and other aspects of employment law.

Participation in this update training is highly recommended for all supervisory employees. Understanding the legal basis of Argonne policies and procedures can help supervisors create an environment that supports each employee.

Pre-registration is not necessary. However, to have credit for this course appear on your Training Management System (TMS) profile, register by contacting a TMS representative.

Club offers passes for dinner, movie

“Buy one, get one free” ticket passes are available to Hollywood Blvd. theater through the Argonne Club.

Hollywood Blvd. theater is the Chicago area’s first full-service, fully integrated restaurant, bar and movie theater. Theater attendees must be 18 or older unless they are viewing a family matinee program on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Visit the Hollywood Blvd. Web site for details and show times.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children. The theater is located at 75th Street and Lemont Road in Woodridge.

For passes or more information, contact Susan Grask at ext. 2-3531 or sgrask@argonnecu.org.

Oktoberfest, Halloween parties set

The Argonne Club will host two parties this fall:

The annual Oktoberfest party will be Thursday, Sept. 25, from 4:30 - 8 p.m at 617 Lower Level. Food and adult beverages will be available for purchase.

A Halloween Party will take place Thursday, Oct. 30, from 4 - 8 p.m. at 617 Lower Level. There will be a $3 cover charge, door prizes and a prize for the best costume. Adult beverages will be available for purchase.

All employees, friends and families are invited to these parties. Visitors must be badged by 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Argonne Club Web site or e-mail argonneclub@anl.gov.

MCS to host theory institute on optimization

Argonne’s Mathematics and Computer Science Division will host a Theory Institute on Global Optimization Sept. 8-10 at Argonne-East.

The aim of the Global Optimization Institute is to review, evaluate and chart future directions in deterministic global optimization algorithms and software. These problems arise in major applications, but their solution is intractable except in special cases.

The Global Optimization Institute is being organized by Sven Leyffer and Jorge Moré (both MCS). The institute will consist of invited presentations from prominent researchers in theoretical and computational global optimization with significant scientific applications. Ample time has been allotted for questions and discussions among participants.

The Global Optimization Institute is open to Argonne researchers, but attendance is limited to 50 participants. Interested researchers should register with Judy Beumer (MCS) beumer@mcs.anl.gov by Monday, Sept. 1.

For more information, visit the Global Optimization institute Web site or contact Leyffer at leyffer@mcs.anl.gov and Moré at more@mcs.anl.gov.

First Friday Forum to meet Sept. 12

Maryka Bhattacharyya (BIO) will provide an overview of her 25 years of research on the connection between cadmium exposure and Itai-Itai disease at the First Friday Forum meeting Friday, Sept. 12.

Bhattacharyya will also discuss how her research led her on a journey to Japan’s Jinzu River basin in June.

The meeting will be held in Argonne-East’s Building 202, Room B-169, starting at 12:15 p.m.

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

HR CLASSES

To enroll, contact a Training Management System Representative. For more information, call Betty Iwan at ext. 2-3410. Complete course descriptions are online.

September classes:

“Writing Performance Appraisals” (HR294) -- Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1 - 3 p.m. Building 201, Conference Room 190.

“Crafting Goals” (HR295) -- Thursday, Sept. 11, 1 - 3 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190.

“The Conversation” (HR296) -- Friday, Sept. 12, 1 - 3 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190.

“English as a Second Language – Writing Skills” (HR300) -- Wednesday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 167C.

“The Supervisory Role in Managing Employee Issues” (HR643) -- Wednesday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Building 212, Conference Room A157.

“Performance Management” (HR561) -- Thursday, Sept. 25, 1 - 5 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190.

October classes:

“Writing Performance Appraisals” (HR294) -- Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1 - 3 p.m. Building 201, Conference Room 190.

“Crafting Goals” (HR295) -- Thursday, Oct. 9, 1 - 3 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190.

“The Conversation” (HR296) -- Friday, Oct. 10, 1 - 3 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 190.

November classes:

“English as a Second Language: Writing Skills” (HR300) -- Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Building 201, Conference Room 167C.

Questions about Social Security can be answered

A Social Security representative will be available in Argonne-East’s Human Resources office from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The representative can:

Conduct Social Security enrollment

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 Social Security.

To schedule a meeting, call Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989.

Retirement vendors to visit ANL-E

The laboratory’s retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne-East during September. They will meet individually with employees to answer questions about retirement plans or retirement plan assets. To schedule an appointment, call the number listed. Appointments last a half-hour.

For appointments, call:

Fidelity -- Tuesday, Sept. 9, and Tuesday, Sept. 23; (800) 642-7131

TIAA-CREF -- Thursday, Sept. 18,and Friday, Sept. 19; (800) 842-2005

Prudential -- Wednesday, Sept. 3, and Wednesday, Sept. 17; Cheryl, (847) 619-3519