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Monday, July 12, 1999 --
Some of this week's stories:
Argonne, NIU
produce one-of-a-kind exhibit
Galayda
appointed Deputy ALD of APS
Shenoy named
Senior Scientific Director
Argonne-West,
INEEL host open house
Argonne
honored for waste reduction
Service awards |
Ten Argonne employees will receive the highest honor the University of Chicago can award to laboratory employees. The University of Chicago Distinguished Performance Awards and Outstanding Service Awards will be bestowed at a ceremony at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, at Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria. All employees whose schedules permit are invited to attend the ceremony and help honor the recipients.
A unique combination of rapid prototyping and X-ray imaging technologies, available only at Argonne, has helped produce a one-of-a-kind anthropology exhibit and may pave the way for better-fitting medical prostheses.
Milton Deemer, director of the Northern Illinois University Anthropology Museum, was preparing an exhibit of teeth that will allow visitors to explore the way primate teeth have changed over time in response to environmental pressures and the changing activities of their owners.
While he was able to sculpt large models of the teeth, it was difficult to find a way to show important internal features. Luckily, Deemer had an ace in the hole -- his son Chris Deemer (ET), who knew Argonne's Energy Technology Divisioncould build a large model of a chimp's tooth with all the internal and external features perfectly to scale.
"There are two technologies needed for this task," said Bill Ellingson (ET), who leads the group that built the tooth. "Argonne is probably unique in having all the tools in one place. The first aspect is reverse engineering."
Unlike other reverse engineering systems, which might use a laser or probe to read the outside of an object, Argonne uses an X-ray imaging system that produces an entire 3-D picture with both internal and external features. Argonne's prototype X-ray detector is the most advanced available.
"The micro-focus X-ray source gives a very high-resolution image," said Heung-Rae Lee (ET) a post-doctoral fellow who was responsible for producing the image of the chimp's tooth.
The X-ray detector system works like the CAT-scan system used in hospitals. The 3-D picture is built up slice by slice as the X-rays scan the object. Unlike hospital scanners, where the X-ray source rotates around a patient, the object in Argonne's flat-panel scanner rotates and the X-ray source and detector remain stationary.
Digital images of 100-micrometer-thick slices of the tooth were stored in computer files, then processed by special software that had the daunting task of defining the object's edge.
"Another piece of the project that needed to be in place was the software and the ability to deal with these huge image files," said Ellingson. "We have the high-speed computer system that can transfer a 1.5 gigabyte image file in 20 minutes."
Once Lee had created the image file of the tooth, he was able to direct the computer to scale it up by a factor of 10 with very fine detail intact.
Moving the chimp's tooth from the computer image file to a solid reality required another technology, called rapid prototyping or solid free-form fabrication. The rapid prototyping machines have a nozzle directed by the computer which squeezes out material, in this case nylon, like a tube of toothpaste. It builds objects layer by layer, just as the CAT-scan pictures the object slice by slice.
"We have two rapid prototyping machines, which we have modified for our work," said Jason Carroll, a student at the Illinois Institute of Technologyworking in ET, who supervised the tooth's actual production.
The tooth is about eight inches high and has extraordinary detail. "I believe that it will be much easier to teach important internal details from the 3-D model than it is from either a flat image picture or the real tooth, which is so small it's hard to see," said Milton Deemer, who hopes to use the tooth in physical anthropology classes as well as in the exhibit.
The Argonne project may someday have medical applications: using these techniques, the Argonne group may be able to fabricate a perfectly fitted bio-compatible ceramic to create prostheses.
-- Jeanne Galatzer-Levy
John N. Galayda has been appointed Deputy Associate Laboratory Director in the reorganization of the Advanced Photon Source (APS).
Galayda will have full executive responsibility for the technical operation of the APS and the development of accelerator R&D programs.
Previously, Galayda was the director of the APS Accelerator Systems Division, where he directed the construction and operation of the APS accelerator facilities.
Prior to joining Argonne, Galayda was a physicist atBrookhaven National Laboratory. There, he also served as the associate chairman for the National Synchrotron Light Source.
Galayda holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Lehigh University and a Ph.D. in physics from Rutgers University. He is a member of the Board of Governors and the editorial board of "Physical Review Special Topics _ Accelerators and Beams," the first completely electronic journal published by the American Physical Society.
In 1989, Galayda received the R&D 100 award for global feedback orbit control and in 1996, he was named a fellow of the American Physical Society.
Gopal K. Shenoy has been appointed Senior Scientific Director in the reorganization of the Advanced Photon Source (APS).
Shenoy will provide scientific leadership for and oversight of APS scientific research. He will also conceive and direct new initiatives pushing the state of the art in research capabilities at the APS and future generation light sources.
During the past 10 years, Shenoy has been Director of the APS Experimental Facilities Division, where he led the team responsible for the research, design and development of the critical X-ray sources and beamline instrumentation for the facility and for the development of a broadly based user research program at the APS.
Prior to joining Argonne, Shenoy was a research associate at the Centre de Recherches Nucleaires (CNRS) in Strasbourg, France. He earned his Ph.D. in solid state physics from the University of Bombay. He has received the Argonne Pacesetter Award for developing the radiation characteristics for the APS and the University of Chicago Award for Distinguished Performance at Argonne.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Argonne-West and theIdaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, both facilities were opened to the public June 5.
At Argonne-West, the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II, the Fuel Conditioning Facility and the fire station were open for tours and a security display was outside Building 791. Remote manipulators and programmatic displays were set up in fire station garages. The rest of the site was closed to unescorted access, though qualified Argonne employees could take their families and friends to workplaces that do not require radiation monitoring.
Other 50th anniversary events include a historical display being shown in malls throughout the state this summer, historical presentations to chambers of commerce and service clubs, and a special anniversary video.
Argonne has received the 1999 DOE pollution prevention award for its superior achievement in solid waste reduction and prevention.
This recognition is the highest award given to DOE employees, sites, facilities, programs and contractors for pollution prevention accomplishments.
During 1998, Argonne-East used continuous improvement techniques as well as recycling, waste reduction, assessment, and educational programs to surpass the 1999 DOE Pollution prevention goals for sanitary waste reduction.
Argonne has reduced routine generation of sanitary waste by more than 50 percent and recycled 68 percent of sanitary waste from all operations _ saving the laboratory an estimated $400,000.
Representatives from Argonne accepted the award at an April ceremony held at DOE headquarters in Washington D.C.
Service Awards for June include:
40 Years
Eileen Helen Graff (OCF-BSS).
35 Years
Spence A. Barker (ED), William A. Basaraba (PFS-BM), Rosalie L. Bottino (HR), Gary R. Gunderson (ASD), William Haberichter (HEP), H. James Haupt (RE), Robert T. Kampwirth (MSD), Andrew L. Kelly (ASD), William Lawrence (ET), Beverly A. Marzec (PNS), Cedric C. Putnam (ASD).
30 Years
Paul H. Froehle (RE), Jerry L. Gillette (DIS), Diane M. Kurtz (OPS), Susan E. Webster (OCF-ACT).
25 Years
Bernard F. Cowan (OD), Joseph E. Herceg (RE), Miriam M. Jacobsgaard (OCF-ACT), David S. Kupperman (ET), Donald R. Phillips (PHY), Apostolos C. Raptis (ET), Frank E. Tomazin Jr. (OD), George D. Walker (OD).
20 Years
James P. Bresnahan (ESH-FD), Annette A. Edler (EA), Chandrakant B. Panchal (ES), John B. Rajan (CMT), W. Randall Sayer (RPS-QCI), Joan A. Waltz (OPA), Thomas Wiencek (ET), Richard S. Wisner (OD).
15 Years
Gale A. Boyd (DIS), Monty L. Conley (ED), Leroy P. Gebhart (HR), David J. Hill (RE), Sami A. Kamal (RE), Dave J. Nobles (OD), Charley Yu (EA).
10 Years
Alvin Baggett (PFS-IN), Richard A. Chlapecka (PFS-BM), Adrian M. Collins (RPS-EWM), Mark Gibson (PNS), Richard J. Goyette Jr. (PNS), Kelly Hodges (RPS-SUP), John G. Michalakes (MCS), John C. Molburg (DIS), P. Todd Pettingill (RPS-SEC), Morley "Skip" Wallace (NT-AW), Linda K. Zander (DIS).
5 Years
Steven Armstrong (ER), Samuel I. Baker (ESH-HP), Terri Shearer Bray (ET), Gerald S. Czop (XFD), James Frego (ESH-EMP), Rodney E. Gerig (ASD), Marilyn M. Gliva (TD), B. Gaye Grant (RPS-HR), Linda H. Hansen (RPS-EWM), Kirby J. Hanson (OD), Philip Horstman (EA), Dawn L. Howard (DIS), Darlene Kinney (OCF-PRO), Rachel Mirelez (DIS), Timothy E. Nelson (ECT-CTT), Allen Pancner (ECT-EE), Terri L. Patton (EA), Vern M. Peterson (RPS-RM), Randall D. Scott (OD), Barry F. Smith (MCS), Janice Stefka (HR-MD).
Gian Piero Felcher, senior physicist in Argonne'sMaterials Science division, has been awarded the Humboldt research award for senior U.S. scientists.
The Humboldt research award recognizes Felcher's past achievements in research and teaching and offers the opportunity for an extended research stay in Germany to promote its scientific cooperation with the United States.
Felcher joined Argonne in 1966 as an assistant physicist in Argonne's Solid State Science division and went on to become a physicist in the division. He is currently a senior physicist in the Materials Science division, studying the structural and electronic characteristics of artificially produced thin films and multilayers.
Felcher is also the associate editor of the Journal of Applied Physics and has served as a NATO visiting professor.
In 1981, Felcher was named a fellow of the American Physical Society. In 1986, he received the Department of Energy award for outstanding research in solid state physics. In 1987, he received the industrial research 100 award for the polarized neutron reflectometer.
Vendor Rate Contributions From Earned Thru
TIAA Traditional 7.25% 7/1/99 _ 9/30/99 2/29/00
TIAA Supplemental 6.75% 7/1/99 _ 9/30/99 2/29/00
Prudential Fixed Interest 6.76% 7/1/99 _ 9/30/99 6/30/00
Prudential Guaranteed Interest 5.40% 7/1/99 _ 9/30/99 12/31/00
Randy Alkire (BIO) is not only developing new experiments at the Advanced Photon Source's structural biology beamline, he's also developing new ways to have fun _ with Crazy Rummy, a double-ended deck of cards he invented himself.
Crazy Rummy looks like two half-cards stuck together. Both the white traditional half and the yellow "crazy" half can be played simultaneously, challenging the player to keep track of twice as many cards -- and creating more winning matches.
Alkire's cards are marketed under the Bicycle brand name, which put them into commercial production last August. They can be purchased for $3.99 at Target stores nationwide.
The game package includes rules for eight games that target a broad spectrum of ages and expertise. "It's the perfect match for families," says Alikire. Games such as "End over End" and "Face to Face" can be played by very young kids because they require no prior knowledge of card games, Alkire said, whereas games like "Crazy Rummy" and "Super 7s" require more skill.
The idea of the card came to Alkire in a dream. The first real interpretation was a failure. "It was too easy," he said. Feedback from family and friends drove him to create the cards marketed today.
"I always have a set of cards with me," says Alkire. When the structural biology beam stops for maintenance, he invites his team members to play a couple of rounds.
Alkire's new dream is to create another version of Crazy Rummy for solitaire games.
--Linda Wang
