Fed Ex Pickup times changed
The coating also has exceptional wear resistance and durability, said Argonne's
Ali Erdemir, who developed the material along with George Fenske (ET) and Osmon
Eryilmaz, a visiting scientist from The Technical University of Istanbul,
Turkey.
Its coefficient of friction is less than .001 when measured in a dry nitrogen
atmosphere -- 20 times lower than the previous record holder, molybdenum
disulfide.
For comparison, when tested under the same conditions, Teflon's coefficient of
friction is around .04; steel has a coefficient of about 1.1.
The material's wear resistance is tested in a machine that slides a sapphire
ball in a circle on the coating's surface under high pressure: one gigaPascal,
or about 145,000 p.s.i. In one test, the new material lost just one micron
(four-ten-thousandths of an inch) in thickness after five million cycles. The
test left a barely-visible ring on the material's surface.
The material is created in a radio-frequency chamber -- essentially a microwave
oven operating at a higher frequency. Carbon, in the form of methane, is piped
into the chamber where the radio waves turn it into plasma -- a gaseous soup of
atomic nuclei and electrons.
Carbon nuclei drift down from the plasma onto a substrate, usually a polished
disk of sapphire or steel, where they form the coating.
Erdemir and his team are still researching the material's composition and
formation process.
Compared to previous methods of producing carbon coatings, the new process is
quick -- a few hours -- and can produce large amounts of the coating. The
material adheres well to many kinds of substrates and is non-toxic.
Erdemir is looking for an industrial partner to help scale up the experiment
into a commercially viable process.
Potential applications for the coating include oilless bearings, spacecraft
mechanisms, rolling and sliding gear systems and bearings for ultrahigh vacuum
instruments like X-ray tubes. Erdemir is now testing the material as a coating
for turbocharger rotor shafts.
Used books of all kinds, audio tapes and video tapes will be collected in
marked barrels located in several sites around Argonne-East. All collected
items will be on sale at the fair on Thursday, Sept. 4, and Friday, Sept. 5,
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Building 213 cafeteria.
Book drop-off boxes are in the lobbies of buildings 201, 203, 205, 362, 401,
900 and the Building 213 cafeteria.
Unsold items from the book fair will be donated to local charities either for
use in their own libraries or for resale.
For more information about the book fair or about the ACA Campaign, call
Marietta Strachan (CMT) at ext. 2-1353. More information is available on he ACA
home page on the World Wide Web; follow the link on Argonne's home page to
"information resources."
The ACA campaign provides a means for employees to assist neighboring
communities. Last year, 64 percent of all Argonne-East employees participated
and more than $360,000 was raised for the United Way and other agencies.
Argonne meteorologist Doug Sisterson (ER) reported that an anemometer (an
instrument that measures wind speeds) on the southwest side of the site broke
apart during the storm; the last reading was a near-hurricane-force 74 mph but
the gust that destroyed the device was probably much higher. He attributed the
tree damage to one or more "microbursts," downward blasts of cold air from a
violent thunderstorm.
UPS will attempt to deliver "next day" packages, but service will be
inconsistent and sporadic. No packages will be accepted for shipment via UPS.
Other delivery companies have temporarily suspended delivery guarantees due to
the increase in demand for their services. Argonne employees can expect delays
of two to three days on domestic shipments, both inbound and outbound.
Argonne-West's shipments travel mainly via Federal Express and were relatively
unaffected as of Aug. 6; however, delays may occur if the strike continues.
Starting Aug. 8, the last pickup at Argonne-East's five Federal Express drop boxes will be made at 3 p.m. -- several hours earlier than usual.
This change, due to the United Parcel Service strike, is effective until further notice.
Drop boxes are located at buildings 360, 208, 201, 401 and 900.
Current registered owners of F-Prot can upgrade for free. The access password
remains the same.
Others can register to use F-Prot with ECT Account Services at ext. 2-5425. The
cost is $5 per copy.
Links to the F-Prot software can be found on Argonne's World Wide Web site at:
http://www.anl.gov/ECT/software/license.html.
ECT encourages employees to run regular (and automated) virus checks to ensure
infection-free workstations and servers. For other useful computer security
information, visit the Computer Protection home page at:
http://www.anl.gov/CPP/cpphome.html.
The league bowls on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Strike `N Spare II
in Lockport. Bowling starts Sept. 3. Bowlers of all skill levels are welcome.
For more information, contact Sharon Cleary (OCF-PRO) at ext. 2-8531 or Janet
Carothers (CMT) at ext. 2-1499.
Bowlers of all skill levels are welcome. Bowling starts at 5:45 p.m.
For more information, call Gale Teats (CMT) at ext. 2-7553.
Presenter Catherine Weigel Foy, senior staff therapist at the Family Insitute,
will explore the factors that play a part in determining self-esteem and guide
participants through exercises aimed at enhancing one's self-confidence. Foy
will also discuss how self-esteem of parents helps foster self-confidence in
children.
All Argonne and DOE employees and adult family members are invited to attend.
The seminar is sponsored by Argonne's Employee Assistance and Preventive Health
and Wellness programs.
Classes are taught by DDF Computer Training and are limited to eight
participants. Cost $125, except as noted. All classes will be held in
Argonne-East's Building 221, Room A142.
For more information or to register, contact a Training Management System
representative.
* "Intermediate Windows 95" (ECT305) covers the Microsoft Windows 95 in detail.
Topics include advanced file management, protecting data and customizing the
desktop. Prerequisite: Introduction to Windows 95 Class will be held Tuesday,
Aug. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
* "Word Version 7.0: Formatting Documents" (ECT306) will highlight techniques
for enhancing the appearance of documents using Microsoft Word 7.0. Topics
covered include changing document margins and font type, style, and size;
setting tabs; inserting headers and footers; and creating numbered and bulleted
lists. Prerequisite: Introduction to Windows 95. Class will be held Tuesday,
Aug. 19, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* "Formatting Excel 7.0 Worksheets" (ECT307) will teach formatting techniques
to enhance the appearance of an Excel spreadsheet. Topics include formatting
numbers and text, the AutoFormat feature, and adding graphic objects (pictures)
to spreadsheets. Prerequisites: Introduction to Windows 95 and Introduction to
Excel 7.0. Class will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30
a.m.
* "Intermediate PowerPoint Version 7.0" (ECT308) will help participants enhance
the look of a presentation. Topics include formatting characters, creating and
editing graphs, inserting clip art pictures and using design templates.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Windows 95 and Introduction to PowerPoint 7.0
Class will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* "Intermediate Access Version 7.0" (ECT309) will cover enhanced query, table,
form and report design. Participants will learn queries and work with filed
properties and tables. Prerequisite: Introduction to Access. Class will be held
Thursday, Aug. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $175.
Contact a division Training Management System representative for an enrollment
form or to register.
* "Sharpening Your Business Writing Skills" (HR325) helps participants meet the
challenge of writing effective and concise business documents that gain
attention and get results. Participants will practice organizing and expressing
ideas and review the basic principles of readability, grammar and punctuation.
The course will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Classes will be held Aug. 12-Sept. 11 from 11:30-1 p.m. in Building 201, Room
238. The cost is $210.
Call Betty Iwan (HR) at 2-3410 for more information.
* "Time Management" (HR486) will help participants assess their time management
habits and examine the issues of choice and control and their impact on time
management. Several techniques to improve self-management skills will be
discussed.
The class will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 1 p.m to 5 p.m. in Building
212, Room A157. The cost is $25 for participant materials. Call John Hyzer (HR)
at ext. 2-3503 for more information.
* "Coaching For Maximum Performance" (HR634) helps supervisors refine the
skills required to deliver positive and corrective feedback to improve employee
performance. Participants will learn to identify the causes of poor employee
performance, develop a clearer understanding of employee behavior and values,
plan and conduct a practice coaching session.
The class will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Building
362, Room F108. The cost is $25.
Call John Hyzer (HR) at ext. 2-3503 for more information.
** Note: Retroactive to July 7, 1997, Lincoln Life has reinstated the 5.75
percent interest rate, guaranteed through Dec. 31. The minimum guaranteed
interest rate for 1997 is five percent for this account.
The class is designed to help participants take advantage of OnTime's powerful
scheduling capabilities. OnTime allows users to schedule appointments, check
the availability of co-workers, schedule a group meeting and generate a variety
of printouts of the user's schedule.
Taught by training specialists from OnTime, the class is limited to 10. The
cost is $125.
To register, contact a Training Management System representative; the class
code is ECT317. Also fax name, extension, and cost code to Diane Cavazos (OPS)
at ext. 2-9689.
The course comprises a total of eleven classes, to be held from 4:30 p.m. to
7:30 pm in Building 202, Room B169.
Participants can receive four credit-hours for the class, which is a
requirement for the College of DuPage programmable controllers or process
control instrumentation certificate. The course will require travel to the
college's campus in Glen Ellyn. Prerequisites include knowledge of schematics,
electronics, and programmable logic controllers.
The cost for the course will be about $250, which includes the textbook.
Enrollment forms (ANL-89s) can be obtained from Karen Kroczek (ESH) at ext.
2-8764 or John Hyzer (HR) at ext. 2-3503. Enrollment must be completed by
Wednesday, Aug 20.
-- 30 --
anti-virus software
now available
Seminars
Classified Ads
Deadline
informationWhere to send seminars
and classified ads
New material may set record
Scientists at Argonne have developed an ultrahard coating that may have the
lowest coefficient of friction of any carbon-based material in the world.
for low-friction coatings
Book fair to benefit
The 1997 Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) campaign is collecting donated books to
be sold at a book fair fundraiser at Argonne-East during August.
Argonne Combined Appeal
Storm wracks
Dozens of trees across the Argonne-East site were damaged or destroyed during
an intense thunderstorm storm Aug. 3.
Argonne-East
UPS strike to cause shipping delays
Until the strike is resolved, the United Parcel Service (UPS) strike will
result in delays for Argonne-East's inbound and outbound shipments.
Federal Express moves
pickup time to 3 p.m.
Latest `F-Prot'
F-Prot virus protection software, version 2.27.2 (for all IBM-compatible
platforms except NT) and version 3.0 (for Windows NT) is now available on the
PC Public Volume.
anti-virus software
now available
Bowlers wanted for
The Argonne Mixed Bowling League needs men and women bowlers.
Wednesday nights ...
... and Thursdays
The Argonne Thursday Night Men's Bowling League is looking for bowlers to join
in the fun at Willowbrook Lanes, Willowbrook.
Talk to focus
A seminar for parents on "Building Self-Esteem" will be held on Tuesday, Aug.
12, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 200 Auditorium.
on self-esteem
ECT offers classes
Electronics and Computing Technologies will offer several classes in office
computer software duing August and September.
in office software
HR offers business skills classes
Human Resources/Performance Development will offer three classes in business
skills at Argonne-East during the next few weeks.
Current interest rates announced;
Current rates for fixed interest accounts in Argonne's retirement plans are:
Lincoln reinstates 5.75% rate
*Non-staff retirement plan only.Fund Contributions made from: Rate Earned, Through TIAA Regular 07/01/97 - 09/30/97 7.25%, 09/30/97
TIAA Supplemental 07/01/97 - 09/30/97 6.75%, 09/30/97
Prudential Fixed Interest Account* 07/01/97 - 06/30/98 6.86%, 06/30/98
Prudential Guaranteed Interest Account 07/01/97 - 09/30/97 6.35%, 12/31/98
Lincoln Life (Old Account) 01/01/97 - 12/01/97 3.50%, 12/31/9
Lincoln Life "No Load"** 07/01/97 - 12/31/9 5.75%, 12/31/97
ECT offers class
ECT will offer a class in "On Time" scheduling software on Wednesday, Aug. 27,
from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Argonne-East's Building 222, Room A240.
in `OnTime'
Robotics class
Paul Slomkowski of the College of DuPage will begin a course in robotics at
Argonne-East on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
offered on-site
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