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Engine Research Facility Dedicated

Argonne-East's Building 376 high bay was renovated into a test facility to investigate new methods for improving diesel engine emissions and efficiency in Argonne's growing area of advanced transportation technologies research. The facility can handle all sizes of engines.

The first research project underway is a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract with General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) to improve the performance of its new H-engine.

"Argonne is a great new partner for EMD. Our work will create an engine with great reliability and durability," said William Happel, general manager of EMD, during the dedication.

Argonne installed a one-cylinder version of the company's new four-stroke, 6,000 horsepower, direct-injection diesel locomotive engine in Building 376. Argonne researchers will test designs of subsytems and components. Evaluating its performance with alternative fuels is an integral part of the test program.

More than 70 employees of Argonne and EMD attended the dedication ceremony.

"This project is a paradigm for what will increasingly become a core of Argonne activity and is within one of our areas of competence targeted for growth -- Advanced Transportation Technologies," said Argonne Director Dean E. Eastman.

Argonne's work with EMD grew out of the lab's diesel engine research using oxygen-enriched air for increased performance. Data collection on the single cylinder engine is scheduled to begin in February 1997.

Harry Bell and Argonne Choral Group
mark 15th holiday season with song

Each year since, Harry Bell (PFS) has lead the group in spreading holiday cheer. "Every year I say I'm going to quit," Bell said. "Along about August people start calling me asking `Are we singing this year?' I say, `No, I'm quitting,' and they say `You can't quit!'"

So each November, Bell and a group of volunteer singers begins rehearsing for the annual performance in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria and the lobby of Building 201.

The group changes in size each year and has had as many as 31 people. Bell's instructions to the group remain the same, however, no matter how large or small: "We're here to have fun."

And that's why Bell keeps the tradition: He enjoys doing it and likes the happiness it brings to others. "If I stand up here and sing and see someone smiling or tapping their feet, then I'm happy," he said.

Bell chooses which carols the group sings, but all solos and duets are done on a strictly voluntary basis, and he says he never lacks for volunteers. "I don't turn anyone away who wants to sing," he said. "If you can talk, you can sing. It's all a matter of blending."

A 33-year lab employee, Bell has done a lot of singing in his life. Currently, he sings in his church choir at St. James A.M.E. Church in Chicago. He has sung for weddings and parties and years ago performed in a club in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. "I pattern myself after Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams," he said.

His own favorite holiday songs are "The Christmas Song" and "White Christmas." He admits he is very big on Christmas. "Whether I get gifts or not, I love to see people smile."

As long as listeners keep smiling, Harry Bell and the Argonne Choral Group will keep singing.

-- Donna Jones

Lake Michigan water
on its way to Argonne

The new water supply will also assure s that Argonne complies with Environmental Protection Agency standards for "total dissolved solids" in water discharged off-site.

Most compliance problems should be solved by the use of Lake Michigan water. The remaining compliance issues should disappear when Argonne's upgraded water treatment plants come on line next year.

The water commission began construction this spring on a pipeline to connect Argonne to the commission's water supply system. The commission ran sections of pipe from an existing water main at 75th Street and Plainfield Road in Darien to Argonne and built a meter station on Cass Avenue near the site. At Argonne, the Plant Facilities and Services Division made final water connection points and built a pressure regulating station adjacent to Building 129 on the east side of the laboratory.

"Once the piping system is intact this month, workers from the commission will build pressure slowly through the pipes to purge air out, flush the system to remove dirt and dust and then chlorinate the water," said Russ Kasten (PFS).

At first, Lake Michigan water will be mixed in with the treated well water already in the water tanks on site. This slow introduction is necessary because of the temperature difference in the two water sources, which could cause stress on the underground pipes. Once that water is used, the tanks will retain only Lake Michigan water.

"PFS will use the holiday break to check the system, make adjustment, and be prepared to deliver water in January," said Kasten.

The Lake Michigan Project began in April 1996 and was completed in December. The project was a team effort spearheaded by PFS and included ESH, EMO, and PRO, and the DuPage Water Commission.

Web page highlights
`Arts in Science'

The photos were part of an exhibit of fine-art photography presented in the lobby of Argonne-East's Building 201 by Arts at Argonne, the laboratory's fine-arts program. The exhibit, which was held from Sept. 17 through Oct. 11, showed 37 photographs.

The 10 photos on the new Web site were selected from entries submitted in the category "Arts in Science" by an external jury comprising artist-photographer Sandra Newbury, commercial photographer Elizabeth Ernst and gallery owner Carol Ehlers.

Last issue of 1996;
watch this space for updates

However, the World Wide Web version of Argonne News -- including seminar listings -- will be updated on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Classified ad listings received this week will be posted on the Web page Jan. 2 and in the Jan. 13 issue of the newsletter.

Christmas bash
set for cafeteria

The party will feature a disk jockey and dancing. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

There is no charge for admission.

Energy savings rewarded

Chief Operations Officer Ron Teunis received the check Dec. 2, 1996, at an award ceremony at the Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago.

Argonne joined the Commonwealth Edison Energy Cooperative (CEEC) in 1992. CEEC members, which include more than 100 companies, can be requested to reduce electrical demand from June through September between noon and to 8 p.m. At Argonne-East, employees are asked to turn off non-essential lights and equipment. Standby diesel generators are started to augment the electricity supply.

"We receive $35 from Com Ed for every kilowatt saved," said CEEC Coordinator Jug Uppal (PFS). "Since 1992, the laboratory has received more than $385,000 by reducing electricity during peak periods."

This year, Argonne was asked to curtail power on three times, totaling 18 hours, and reduced power consumption by about 2,000 kilowatts.

Guest house has
new phone number

The facility, located on the grounds of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne-East, has 161 rooms and suites, a 220-seat restaurant, recreation area and a gift shop. The Guest House's general manager is William J. Schaefer, of Marriott Corp.

An open house will be held in January; details will appear in a future issue of Argonne News.

Pool League seeks
shooters to fill teams

Weekly play begins again on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 6 p.m. at LeCue Billiards & Sports Lounge, 8109 S. Cass Avenue, Darien. Anyone interested in joining the Tuesday-night league should call Debbie Mounce at ext. 2-3372 or send e-mail to dmounce@anl.gov.

Accelerator physics class
offered via teleconference

The course originates from the Michigan State University Department of Physics and Astronomy and is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 9 through the end of April, from 9:20 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.

The course can be taken for college credit by registering with MSU and paying tuition, or it can be audited without charge. The course is aimed at technical and scientific employees involved with accelerators. Pre-requisites are upper-level undergraduate courses in classical mechanics and electricity and magnetism.

Details about the course are on the World Wide Web.

For more information, contact Jerry Nolen (PHY) at Nolen@anl.gov.

Service awards for December include:

40 Years

William H. Gunther (RE).

35 Years

Roy M. Kliss (ASD).

30 Years

Irshad Ahmad (PHY), Thomas M. Galvin (ET), Marion L. Kopriva (OCF), Sherry L. Moller (OCF), Floyd H. Munson Jr. (PHY).

25 Years

Roger L. Cole (ES)

20 Years

Frank J. Bittles (ECT), Michael J. Chen (CMT), Linda L. Gaines (ES), Kwan Ho Im (TD), Edward N. May (HEP).

15 Years

Patricia D. Canaday (OPA), Stephen T. Pratt (ER).

10 Years

David H. Banks (PFS), Margaret M. MacDonell (EA), Steven F. Miller (ES).

5 Years

Harry Cavett (PFS), Rudolph Damm (ASD), Nancy Eklund (PFS), Jeff Enger (PFS), Brian W. Haney (OD), Jenny Hill (OCF), Tom Horka (PFS), Terry Janssen (DIS), Ray Kieronski (OCF), Richard Koldenhoven (ASD), Alex Lumpkin (ASD), Maria C. Negri (ES), Roy D. Rubick (RPS), John Surdey (ESH), Eugene Swetin (ASD).

'Twas the night before shutdown

'Twas the night before Shutdown
and all through the site,
Employees left early
and turned off the lights.

I had just settled down for a long data crunch
Just my Pentium and me and a Snickers to munch.
When what through my safety glasses appeared
But a red-suited guy with a long snowy beard.

"Ho ho!" said the guy, "I need some help here --
Donner's mixed up with those gosh-darned white deer."
Quick as a wink we dashed into the night,
(Just pausing to wait for the "go in peace" light).

Sure enough, there was Donner making friends with a doe
And so was old Rudolph, his proboscis aglow
And Vixen--that vixen!--was in Santa's sack
With a fallow deer buck with a very big ... rack.

"Please help me round up these amorous deer,"
Said the nocturnal bringer of Christmastime cheer,
"And the lab's Xmas wish list I'll fulfill with haste.
Now let's fire up this cattle prod -- no time to waste!"

It took a few tries, but with a zap! and a sizzle!
The reindeers' amour was reduced to a fizzle.
Said Santa, "My promise is good, thanks to you.
What the lab needs, it will get, before I am through."

"Let's begin," I began with a teeth-gritting glower,
"With a billion or two for more nuclear power.
Let the rest of us know what they all know out West,
That with fossil-based fuel we're just fouling our nest.

"Then let Roger and all his ceramic assistants
Find a warm little compound with zero resistance.
At the big ring down south, with its URF on the hill,
Let them map the AIDS virus, to be cured with a pill.

"Let our scientists answer the national call
For cars that exhaust next to nothing at all.
And with Bethel, our partner, we must pave the way
To save inner cities from urban decay.

"A couple more things," I asked friendly St. Nick:
"Let ATLAS reveal what makes nuclei tick.
Let our physicists (in the high-energy sector)
Find bunches of Higgs with the new Swiss detector.

"Our computer folks need a teraflopper or two.
And a long-term way to store radwaste is cool.
And if you can pull it from your bulging great pack
Give the riggers a break from the aches in their backs!"

"A tall order indeed," mused the man in the suit,
"But I'll throw in some Nobel Prizes to boot."
When that had been said, he climbed into his sleigh,
Spat a curse at his deer and fast sped away.

But I heard him exclaim
O'er the Experiment Hall
"Merry Christmas to Argonne
And more funding for all!"

Peace, good health and a joyous new year

from the Office of Public Affairs

and the staff of Argonne News

-- 30 --

Deadline Information

Story ideas, comments and suggestions are welcome. The Argonne News office is in Building 201, room 2Q-02 (OPA-201). The fax number is ext. 2-5274. Send E-mail to Argonne News editor Dave Jacque.

Seminar listings: Send by inter-office mail to Evie Fagan, Building 201, room 2U-09 (OPA-201). Fax to ext. 2-5274, or send by E-mail.

Classified ads: Please limit ads to 25 words. Send by inter-office mail to Evelyn Fagan, Building 201, room 2U-09 (OPA-201). A drop box is located at the Argonne News office.

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