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Argonne wins two R&D 100 awards

One award winner is the "mass spectroscopy of recoiled ion (MSRI) analyzer," a device that lets scientists determine the surface composition and structure of thin films as they are growing. Many materials have important uses if they can be made in the form of thin films.

The MSRI analyzer will make it possible to markedly improve material properties and manufacturing processes in the semiconductor and electronic industries. It was invented by Vincent S. Smentkowski, Alan R. Krauss and Dieter M. Gruen (all CHM), and J. Albert Schultz and John C. Holecek of Ionwerks, Houston.

Argonne's second award is for work on a process that can help convert corn into a chemical feedstock for manufacturing clothing, fibers, paint, ink, food additives, and an array of other industrial and consumer products. The process ferments glucose sugar from corn into succinic acid, which can then be converted into a chemical feedstock.

The process was developed by Shih-Perng Tsai (ES), Mark Donnelly (ER), Cynthia Sanville Millard (ER) and May M. Wu (ES), along with scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tenn., the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Colo., Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Wash., and Applied CarboChemicals, a private firm in Pennsylvania.

Retirement vendors to meet with employees

Fidelity will be at the lab during the afternoons of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 23-25. Call Christine at 1-800-654-2238 ext. 3228 for an appointment.

Prudential will be at Argonne-East the afternoons of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 30-Aug. 1. Call Ann Fleming at (847) 619-3519 for an appointment.

A senior retirement consultant from TIAA/CREF will visit Tuesday and Wednesday Aug. 5-6 and Friday, Aug. 8. Appointments can be made by calling TIAA/CREF at 1-800-842-2005. All meetings will take place in Building 201, Conference Room 172-173.

Hollywood returns to Argonne-East site

Argonne's role in Simon is not so extensive as it was for last summer's less-than-blockbuster, "Chain Reaction." Director Harold Becker ("City Hall," "Malice," "Sea of Love") expects to complete all Argonne filming on one day, Friday, July 25.

Traffic through the East Gate is not expected to be affected by any of the work of the movie crew, or by the painters from PFS who will be sprucing up the guard post there. The only closing of East Gate will be to afternoon traffic on the day of shooting, July 25. Experiments will continue at the APS, and the only road closing, also on July 25, will be from the corner of Kearney Road and Old Bluff Road along Old Bluff Road past LOMs 434 and 435.

There are no parts for extras in the scenes at Argonne, but at least two of the Argonne employees who had extra roles in "Chain Reaction" - Bob Erck (ET) and Mary Kay Specht (ESH) - participated in "Simon" scenes shot in Chicago.

Popper wins top raffle prize

Other big winners included Amy Hull (ET) who won a weekend night stay at the Hyatt Regency Oak Brook; Diane Larkin (IPD-MED) who won Sunday brunch for two at the William Tell Inn; and Carol Fox (CMB) who won two tickets to the Paramount Arts Centre.

The raffle benefits the Argonne Combined Appeal which gives Argonne-East employees the opportunity to contribute to United Way/Crusade of Mercy, United Way Will County and 18 other charities.

United Way organizations provide support to a network of about 500 human-care service agencies in Chicago and 170 suburban communities in Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane and Lake counties.

The 18 other agencies supported by the Combined Appeal range from the American Cancer Society to Fish, Inc., a food pantry in Downers Grove. This year's campaign will begin in October.

Hahn certified by Professional
Photographers of America

PPA certification recognizes photographers who have artistic and technical skills and also demonstrate ethical and business competence. The honor is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers worldwide and only seven in the state of Idaho.

Hahn joined Argonne-West more than 30 years ago as a mail carrier and advanced to senior photographer. His responsibilities include the photographic documentation of industrial and scientific subjects in the studio and on location.

His work has appeared in several magazines, including Time, Newsweek, Nuclear News, and Popular Science. It has also appeared inside many trade publications and local, regional and national newspapers.

Hahn is a member of the board of directors of Professional Photographers of Idaho and a member of PPA.

Internet helps get the job done

"When Argonne created its Web site, the purpose was to let the world know that we existed and what we were about," said Fred Moszur (ECT). "In addition, researchers wanted to share science and technical information with other laboratories or industries."

By publicizing current research on the Internet, scientists and engineers enhance the possibility of collaboration with companies and industries around the world. Also, researchers can use the Internet for faster, easier communications with sponsors.

For example, Randy Winans (CHM) is performing joint research with Chevron Research and Technology Co., in Richmond Calif.

"We were sending Chevron large files through e-mail, but they were experiencing difficulty receiving the files," Winans said. "So, we set up a protected Internet site that allows us to transmit data more easily."

Both Chevron and Argonne can put information on the site for the other to use. "It provides instant communication of data between us that includes graphs, plots, and spreadsheets," he said.

A home page that shows his division's work on the Premium Coal Sample Program on Argonne's Web site has helped other scientists in the same field.

"The Web site for our program includes a description of the coals, how to order them, how they are processed, analytical information about them, and a bibliography that can be used to search for authors and topics of specific papers," said Winans. "Scientists around the world can then compare their work with that of others and aid in correlations that can improve the value of the research."

Argonne's Environmental Research Division has also set up a protected Internet site for their sponsor, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Commodity Credit Corporation.

"This way we both get the most recent information," said Carol Rosignolo (ER). "I also use the Internet to exchange files with sponsors, and I can log onto various databases to gather information to help me in my research."

ER personnel have been able to access maps from the U.S Census Bureau and databases from the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and the Kansas Geological Survey for information on geosciences.

Employees in administrative roles find that they can locate information on the Internet to help them complete routine assignments. Sharon Ryan (DIS) uses two readily available resources.

"I use the Internet to trace federal express packages, because I can locate where the packages are and find out when they arrive at their destination," said Ryan. "I also use the Internet to check on flight schedules, and to check on the weather for travelers in my group, especially if they are going overseas."

Faith Ruppert (EAD) has searched the Internet home pages of various professional societies to find information about on-going events.

"I can get information on upcoming annual meetings, and I can even register the people in my group who will be attending the meetings over the Web," said Ruppert. "I also gather other information such as conference agendas and list of attendees."

-- RoseMary Fabian

Internet should be used for business only

Messages sent over the Internet are considered public information. Trade secrets and classified government documents should not be transmitted over the Internet. Files copied off of the Web may contain viruses that destroy files, disk drives or networks.

Newcomers plan picnic, swim party

The event will begin at noon in the picnic shelter beside the Argonne pool. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share, enough to serve ten.

For more information, call the Newcomers Office at ext. 2-8647 or Susan Berger at (630) 963-3735.

Nationally known author to give talk

Titled "Conflict Resolution: The Struggle Between Boomers and Busters," the talk will focus on sources of conflict and communications strategies designed to reduce it.

The presentation is sponsored by the Human Resources Division/Diversity Program Office and is open to all employees. For more information, call ext. 2-3021.

HR offers classes on meetings, presentations

* Facilitating Effective Meetings (HR636) -- The course teaches a six-step meeting process and group facilitation techniques to help build consensus, handle conflict and keep meetings on target. It will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 212, Room A157. This is a change in date and location from what was printed in the summer flyer. Call John Hyzer (HR) at 2-3503 for more information.

* Presentation Excellence (HR532) -- The two-day course teaches a system of presentation design to help organize data and thoughts in a targeted message. Instruction includes how to control nerves, how to create visual aids and how to handle difficult questions. It will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22-23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 212, Room A157. Registration deadline is Friday, July 18. Call Charlyne Robinson (HR) at 2-8786 for details.

* Building the Work Relationship (HR630) -- This course teaches how to adapt working styles to reduce interpersonal tensions. It will be held Thursday, Aug. 7, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 362, Room F108. Registration deadline is Wednesday, July 23. Call John Hyzer (HR) at 2-3503 for details.

To register for any of these courses, employees should contact their division TMS representatives.

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