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DNA won't carry electrons very far

Some researchers, most notably at Columbia University and the California Institute of Technology, had offered the theory that duplex DNA might transport electrons over long distances, functioning as molecular wire. If true, the approach would not only be useful in microelectronic devices, but would also have ramifications for biological electron transfer.

The Northwestern-Argonne research, however, shows that while DNA does carry electrons, it doesn't carry them very far, and certainly not far enough to make it useful for microelectronic devices.

"What we've learned is that DNA is a molecular material with no special conductive properties," said Frederick D. Lewis, chemistry professor at Northwestern and leader of the research team.

The researchers prepared synthetic strands of DNA and excited the strands with a laser to initiate the electron transfer. "We learned that the DNA would accept the electron, but that the rate of electron transfer falls off very quickly with distance," Lewis said.

Lewis and his colleagues joined with Michael R. Wasielewski (CHM) and his colleagues at Argonne for the research project. Wasielewski, who also is a member of the Northwestern chemistry faculty, has been studying electron transfer in living materials for several years.

Book fair to benefit
Argonne Combined Appeal

The Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) wants that book, and any others like it.

Employees can donate their used books to the ACA campaign through the month of August. The books will be sold at a book fair fundraiser at Argonne-East in early September.

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 Argonne Combined Appeal home page.

Tickets for two
Argonne Club events
go on sale this week

The first event is a trip to Navy Pier on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The bus will leave from Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at Navy Pier take place at 9:30 p.m., and the group will return before midnight.

Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

The club also will host a night at the races at Sportsman's Park on Friday, Sept. 19.

Cost is $10 per person and includes a full buffet dinner, clubhouse admission, racing program and bus fare. Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Post time is 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call Sherry Strahla (ECT) at ext. 2-5678.

Argonne-West interns
finish a busy summer

These internships, however, are about more than the projects the participants complete.

Jenni Sullivan (ED), an intern designing World Wide Web pages about Argonne's history, said this summer she took classes and gained new skills. "I've had to learn new computer skills, such as how to use Hypertext Mark-Up Language (HTML) and programs such as Adobe Photoshop," she said. "I learned about designing products to optimize performance in a Human Factors class, which is interesting and helpful for designing Web pages."

Internships at Argonne-West help to prepare the participants for life after college.

Intern Jason Lund (ED), who has put the Material Stores Request form on line, said he will leave with job experience and increased motivation. "I was beginning to think that I would not be able to do any job once I was done with college," Lund said. "But now, after six weeks, I am excited about getting back to school and learning again."

Intern Kamie Newell (ED) summed up what seemed to be the general opinion of the interns. "I'm enjoying my summer, and I like the project I'm working on," she said. "The experience I'm getting is great and I know it will benefit me in the future."

Security Force
now stopping
traffic violators

Typical violations include speeding and failing to stop at stop signs.

Employees stopped by the Security Force should stay in their vehicles and have their driver's licenses and Argonne or DOE badges ready to present to the officer.

Canteen survey
includes
prize drawings

Survey forms will be available on that day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the lobby of Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria. Surveys completed and dropped in the collection box will be eligible for prize drawings.

Winners will be notified by phone by the end of the week. Surveys can be sent by interoffice mail to "Canteen, Building 314" no later than Sept. 5.

Chess champs to plan strategy for season

The Argonne Knights are the reigning league champions. Argonne teams have won the league championship three of the last four years.

All interested employees are invited. The meeting will be held in Argonne-East's Building 201, conference room 276.

For more information, call Dave Baurac (OPA), ext. 2-5584.

English composition
to be taught on-site

The three-credit course will be taught from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday evenings in Building 202, Room E126. There is no prerequisite course but a placement evaluation test is required.

The course introduces students to college-level writing and developing and supporting a thesis in an organized essay. The skills taught in this course are essential to earning virtually any college degree and success in most jobs.

Course instructor Margaret Wilhelm will be on site to discuss the course on Monday, Aug. 25, at 4:30 pm in Building 202, Room B169. Call Karen Kroczek (ESH) at ext. 2-8764 by Aug. 21 to indicate interest.

Course cost will be approximately $225.

For further information and educational support forms, call Kroczek or John Hyzer (HR) at ext. 2-3503. Registration and support requests must be completed by Sept. 12.

Weight Watchers
to hold open house

The meetings will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Tuesday, Sept. 2, in Building 200, Room J183. Those interested in the program will be able to sign up and prepay at the open house.

For more information, call ext. 2-2813.

HR hosts retirement seminar
for hearing impaired

Employees interested in attending these workshops should contact Wanda Hanuska (HR) at ext. 2-2989, or by e-mail at whanuska@anl.gov.

Requests for invitations must be received by Friday, Aug. 29.

More than 70 PFS mechanics
complete pump training program

The training combined lectures, discussions and question-and-answer periods with hands-on work on disabled pumps. Topics included types of pumps and their uses, seals and bearings, use of pump curves to optimize operations, lubrication guidelines and troubleshooting.

The sixteen-hour course evolved from a pilot series presented to mechanics and management. The content and delivery of the course was adapted after each session, based on input from the participants.

Participants gave the course good evaluations. Scores on pre- versus post-course tests increased by more than 25 per cent on average, and participants say the training will translate into more efficient and effective pump operations and maintenance.

Daryl Bomkamp, a chemical engineer in the Technology Development Division, died July 4. He is survived by his wife, Regina, a daughter, Kathryn and a son, Christopher.

John DeVries, a groundsman in the former Plant Operations Division who retired in 1971 with 13 years of service, died April 7. He is survived by his sons, Arthur and John.

Alice E. Doolin, a janitor in the Plant Facilities and Services Division who retired in 1985 with 20 years of service, died April 20. She is survived by her son, William.

Edward G. Erickson, an engineering assistant in the former Reactor Analysis and Safety Division who retired in 1984 with 27 years of service, died April 19. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn.

Fred Jones, an auto mechanic in the former Plant Operations Division who retired in 1979 with 23 years of service, died May 22. He is survived by his wife, Ella.

George A. Klochan, a health physics senior technician in the Environment Health and Safety Division who retired in 1989 with 26 years of service, died June 2. He is survived by his wife, Martha.

Frank J. Lonergan, a fire inspector in the former Occupational Health and Safety Division who retired in 1987 with 29 years of service, died May 31. He is survived by his wife, Ann, his daughters, Judith Eriksen, Sally Parkhill and Lynde Loyd, and his sons, Phillip Lonergan and Robin Lonergan.

John McKee, a metallurgical engineer in the former Components Technology Division who retired in 1985 with 18 years of service, died May 22. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor.

Clifford Missal, a pipefitter in the former Plant Operations Division who retired in 1975 with 24 years of service, died May 5. He is survived by his daughter, Elaine Hoger.

Michael J. Ryan, a manager in safeguards and security in the Plant Facilities and Services Division who retired in 1988 with 15 years of service, died May 29. He is survived by his wife, Margaret.

Leland H. Sprouse, a health physics senior technician in the Environment Safety and Health Division who retired in 1993 with 38 years of service, died July 3. He is survived by his wife, Anna.

Albert J. Zimanek, a foreman in the former Plant Systems Division who retired in 1969 with 18 years of service, died May 6. He is survived by his niece, Cecelia Raymond.

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