March 17, 1997
Some of this week's stories

  • `Collaboratory' project to link microscopy labs, researchers

  • Lunchtime volunteers sought for `Science Careers in Search of Women'

  • Central stores to be closed April 1-4

  • Severe weather season arrives

  • Running Club plans fun run on St. Pat's Day

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    $10.9 million `collaboratory' project
    to link microscopy labs, researchers

    Argonne is playing a lead role in a $10.9 million project to develop an online "virtual laboratory" linking some of the nation's best experts and microscopes at several laboratories across the country.

    The Materials MicroCharacterization Collaboratory, or MMC, would be a materials research powerhouse, giving scientists access to the unique capabilities of electron microscopes at Argonne, the University of Illinois, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge national laboratories. Several private companies are part of the consortium. DOE matched funding put up by these organizations and several private companies.

    Work will initially focus on linking the laboratories' internationally recognized expertise and instruments through the Internet and creating software to let researchers use the instruments from their desktops anywhere in the world.

    The electronic laboratory will also allow experts at each site to work with researchers, sharing the best techniques for using each instrument.

    "The idea is putting good scientists in front of good tools," said Nestor Zaluzec (MSD), a prime mover in developing the MMC proposal. "The result will be good science. In the MMC, the collaboratory is the tool we'll be developing."

    The collaboratory will place scientists with complementary expertise together in an environment that allows interactions "to flow unencumbered by the limits of time and distance," Zaluzec said. The collaboratory should enhance the ability of scientists to conceive and execute research important to the United States and the world.

    The collaboratory will bring together every major materials characterization instrument and technology at the five research laboratories. "It's not just running a microscope over the Internet. We'll be merging the technology and the expertise at each laboratory."

    Scientists will be able to draw on the knowledge and experience of experts at each site, communicating in "real time" with scientists and technicians familiar with the capabilities and idiosyncrasies of each instrument.

    New ways to display data -- including "virtual reality" technologies like the CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment -- will eventually be part of the collaboratory. Other facets to be explored include online "notebooks," standardized instrument controls and security arrangements. Some of this work will be carried out together with Argonne's Mathematics and Computer Science Division.

    For more information, see the project's World Wide Web page.

    `Telepresence' technology
    already in use at Argonne

    Those with access to the Internet can get a glimpse of "telepresence" technology, a major facet of the Materials MicroCharacterization Collaboratory project.

    The Microscopy and Microanalysis web server gives web surfers a view of the advanced analytical electron microscope (AAEM) lab; the analytical scanning electron microscope (ASEM) lab; a library with archives of previous experiments; and a conference room. The video view is live, and broadcasts about two frames per second.

    Visitors can see live images from detectors on the AAEM and the ASEM. The site also allows authorized scientists to observe and control microscopy experiments from his or her own computer. The scientist can, for example, move the sample or magnify the image without being at Argonne-East.

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    Lunchtime volunteers sought for
    `Science Careers in Search of Women'

    Women scientists, mathematicians, engineers, lawyers, and other professionals are wanted to lunch with 300-400 sophomores, juniors, and seniors from about 100 area city and suburban high schools at "Science Careers in Search of Women," Friday, April 11 at Argonne-East.

    The luncheon is just one element of an all-day event, which includes a keynote address from a noted marine biologist, a presentation on career choices, career panels, booths and posters, and tours of the laboratory.

    The annual conference brings together students and technical and professional employees to discuss personal experiences, career choices, and related life concerns.

    Lunch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., with a menu of complimentary pizza, apples, cookies, and soft drinks. Table assignments are based on the professional interests of the young women.

    To volunteer, or for more information, contact Carole Szpunar (DIS) at ext. 2-7788 or e-mail to szpunar@anl.gov.

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    Central stores
    to be closed
    from April 1-4

    The central storeroom in Argonne-East's Building 5 will be closed April 1-4 while a physical inventory is conducted.

    Only emergency issues can be made while the storeroom is closed. Employees should plan withdrawals accordingly. The storeroom will re-open Monday, April 7.

    For more information, call Debbie Dedo (PFS-MAT) at ext. 2-4939.

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    Twistin' time is here:
    severe weather season arrives

    The recent spate of killer tornadoes in Arkansas are a reminder that severe weather season will soon arrive in northern Illinois.

    Chances are a tornado watch or warning will be issued for Argonne-East sometime in the next few months.

    A tornado watch means conditions are right for tornadoes to form. An alert tone is sounded on the site-wide address system, followed by an announcement.

    A tornado warning means a twister has been sighted in the area or detected by radar. Outdoor sirens will sound and a sitewide announcement will direct employees to head immediately for designated tornado shelters areas.

    Few places are really safe from a direct hit by a violent twister, except perhaps Argonne-East's old Zero-Gradient Synchrotron tunnels. But when the warning tone sounds from the public-address system at either Argonne site, employees can increase their odds of surviving a strike by following these guidelines:

    * Stay away from windows. When a tornado strikes, glass can dissolve into shrapnel moving at more than 100 miles per hour.

    Windows do not need to be opened to prevent the building from "exploding." The air pressure at the center of a twister just isn't that low. Tornados usually blow down one wall of a building, allowing high-velocity wind to enter the opening and lift the roof. Window position is irrelevant -- don't waste precious time that could be spent getting to shelter.

    * Know the closest tornado shelter area -- and when a warning sounds, go there immediately. Wait for the all-clear.

    * Those who work in trailers should seek shelter in a stronger structure. Check with an area emergency supervisor for details.

    * Employees using hazardous materials may be required to secure those substances for the duration of a tornado watch. Those working with sensitive or classified materials should secure them.

    Contrary to popular wisdom, studies of tornado damage have shown that the southwest corner is actually the least protected area of an above-ground structure. Basements are always the best bet. If there is no basement, head for an interior hallway -- away from windows -- and stay low. Getting under a stairwell, heavy table or workbench will add protection.

    If caught outside, try to move away from the tornado at a right angle -- for example, if the twister appears to be heading east, move south. If this doesn't work, try to find a ditch, culvert or other low area and cover your head.

    Drivers should not try to outrun a twister -- the storms can move at 60 miles per hour or faster and don't have to follow the road or slow for traffic. At least 25 of the 42 people killed in the Wichita Falls tornado of 1979 were in cars, as were 30 of the 59 people seriously injured. Leave the car and try to find shelter.

    Cafeteria shelters

    Although most severe thunderstorms strike in late afternoon, midsummer heat or a cold front can spawn tornadoes at any time of day -- even during lunchtime.

    The large free-span roof of Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria makes the main dining area a poor tornado shelter.

    If a tornado warning is issued during lunch hours, a public address system will inform those in the cafeteria. Marriott employees will direct cafeteria patrons to shelter areas.

    The cafeteria's tornado shelter areas are:

    * Basement locker rooms

    * Dock area stairwell

    * kitchen area (not the serving area)

    * Supply and storage rooms on the southeast corner of the building

    * Bathrooms near the entrance.

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    Running Club
    plans fun run
    on St. Pat's Day

    The Argonne Running Club will hold a "Shamrock Trot" fun run and walk at Argonne-East on St. Patrick's Day, Monday, March 17.

    Both the five-kilometer run and two-mile walk will begin at noon at the Argonne Pool.

    Refreshments will be available at the finish. A special prize will be awarded to the person wearing the most green.

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    Paul Blackburn, a chemist in the Chemical Technology Division who retired in 1992 with 25 years of service, died Dec. 20. He is survived by his wife, Joy.

    Harry Bryant, a physicist with the Office of the Director who retired in 1984 with 38 years of service, died Dec. 22. He is survived by his wife, Ruth.

    Armin Eilts, a machinist in Central Shops who retired in 1981 with 20 years of service, died Jan. 15. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Bryant.

    David W. Griffin, a firefighter with 30 years of service and who had been on long term disability, died Dec. 31. He is survived by his wife, Shirley.

    Amos C. Hatton, a group leader in the former Plant Operations Division who retired in 1979 with 15 years of service, died Dec. 7. He is survived by his wife, Wanda.

    Fred J. Kelly, a storekeeper in the former Supply Division who retired in 1981 with 22 years of service, died Feb. 17. He is survived by his son, Fred E. Kelly, and his daughters, Joyce Thurston and Janice Kiss.

    Ignacia Rodriguez, a janitor in the Plant Facilities and Services Division who retired in 1990 with 11 years of service, died Dec. 11. She is survived by her son, Mario.

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    Service awards for March include:

    35 Years

    Fritz Coester (PHY), Charles W. Dawley (OD), Bernard J. Kestel (MSD), Leroy Moor (PFS-DR).

    30 Years

    Joanne I. Day (OTD-APS), Vivian A. Granat (OTD-ERA), James N. Lyness (MCS), Joe R. Ross (ED).

    25 Years

    Patricia A. Carson (PFS-CU), Norman F. Hill (HEP), Edward J. Mickulas (SEC), Robert G. Palm (RE), Yong W. Shin (RE), David Sommers (OD-PS), Ronette M. Stec (OCF-PRO), Anthony F. Tummillo (CMT).

    20 Years

    Jeanne A. Blomquist (ESH), John D. Ditmars (EA), Joseph Harmon (CMT), William S. Mosevich (TD-DES), Michele M. Nelson (IPD-MED), Pamela J. Styka (XFD), Joyce A. Taylor (OCF-ACT).

    15 Years

    Goran Birgersson (RA), Judith A. McCabe (RPS-SPM), Robert G. Pahl Jr. (ED), Cynthia M. Putty (PFS-BM), Elliot G. Rolle (OD).

    10 Years

    Andrea T. Adams (PFS-DR), Ralph R. Bechtold (ASD), Terrence E. Hylka (EMP-WMO), George R. Lawhorn (PFS-IN), James E. McKiernan (PFS-BM), Donald T. Reed (CMT), Diana Speh (APO), Elise R. Wittkamp (OCF-PRO).

    5 Years

    Gregory Barrett (EMO), Patricia Cameli (OCF), Robert Cannon (EMO), Deborah Clayton (ITD), Joseph Clooney (ESH-HP), Gregory Dely (ESH), Thomas Gailus (PFS-BM), Edgar Garza (ASD), Charles Gold (ASD), Lohman Hafenrichter (CMT), Juanita Hayes (EMO), Douglas Horan (ASD), Eric P. Horman (RPS-RM), James Humbert (ASD), Gaylen Kuehl (PFS-BM), Sharon M. Lesinski III (PFS-US), William McGee (PFS-BM), Michael Phelan (ASD), Ronald Richardson (PFS-FPE), Garrett Rinehart (IPNS), Charlyne Robinson (HR), Darie Smith (PFS-US), Martin Smith (XFD), Robert Tesar (PFS-BM), Deborah M. Waters (OCF-ACT), Michael Weinstein (PFS-FPE).

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