2005 Argonne News Releases and Features

Biologists and computer scientists join forces to lead biology revolution

ARGONNE, Ill. (Dec. 30, 2005) — Just as computers assist detectives in finding people by comparing fingerprints from crime scenes with millions in databases, Argonne scientists are using computers to mine genetic information from pathogens, people and plants. This information is essential to progress in medical science and biotechnology. More...

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide increases carbon retention in soil

ARGONNE, Ill. (Dec. 20, 2005) — Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory – with collaborators from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Kansas State University and Texas A&M University – have shown that soils in temperate ecosystems might play a larger role in helping to offset rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) concentrations than earlier studies had suggested. Results of the new study are published in the current issue of Global Change Biology. More...

Argonne wins $5 million NIH grant to study membrane proteins for drug development

ARGONNE, Ill. (December 19, 2005) – Biologists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have been awarded a $5 million, five-year research grant from the National Institute of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences to study membrane proteins, important for pharmaceutical development. More...

First vortex 'chains' observed in engineered superconductor

ARGONNE, Ill. (Dec. 9, 2005) — They look like tiny swirling dust devils on the surface of the superconductor: "vortices" that appear where magnetic fields interact with the material. Unlike harmless dust devils, however, vortices can sap a superconductor's ability to transmit current without resistance. More...

Argonne researchers confirm lead as cause of Beethoven's illness

ARGONNE, Ill. (December 6, 2005) – Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have found massive amounts of lead in bone fragments belonging to 19th Century composer Ludwig von Beethoven, confirming the cause of his years of chronic debilitating illness. More...

Mixed metals not so mixed up at the nano-level

ARGONNE, Ill. (Nov. 25, 2005) — With the help of the world's most brilliant hard X-ray beams at the Advanced Photon Source, scientists have seen for the first time metal atoms near the surface of a liquid alloy arrange themselves in alternating layers one atom thick. More...

Argonne researchers discover keys to improving commercial magnet technology

ARGONNE, Ill. (November 18, 2005) – Permanent magnets are important in a broad variety of commercial technologies, from car starters to alternators for wind power generation to computer hard drives. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have found new clues to making those magnets longer-lasting and more powerful. More...

Daniels to lead Argonne's Energy Systems Division

ARGONNE, Ill. (Nov. 16, 2005) — Ed Daniels has been appointed director of the Energy Systems Division at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. More...

Recycling automotive plastics is profitable and good for the environment

ARGONNE, Ill. (Nov. 11, 2005) — Recycling is not just good for the environment, it is good for business. Argonne researchers have developed a technology to successfully recover plastic from obsolete automobiles that may add plastic to the list of valuable materials recycled from old cars and trucks. More...

Rapid cooling technology could aid surgery patients, heart attack victims

ARGONNE, Ill. (Oct. 28, 2005) — A promising new approach to saving stroke and cardiac arrest victims is also being investigated as a technique to improve laparoscopic surgery. Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have developed a specially engineered ice slurry that cools organs, allowing doctors more time to treat patients. More...

Argonne National Laboratory hosts symposium for undergraduates

ARGONNE, Ill. (Oct. 26, 2005) — On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5, more than 300 undergraduate students from colleges and universities throughout the Midwest will converge at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory for the 16th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics. More...

'Physics of the Blues' makes TV debut

ARGONNE, Ill. (Oct. 19, 2005) — A video featuring an explanation of “The Physics of the Blues” by Murray Gibson, Argonne's Associate Laboratory Director for Scientific User Facilities, will air on 203 TV stations starting this weekend. The video will be featured on “Teen Kids News,” a syndicated television program from My Weekly Reader. More...

GREETing a cleaner, more energy-efficient future

ARGONNE, Ill. (Oct. 14, 2005) — With gas prices soaring, the fuel and vehicle options open to Americans are more varied than ever. But what fuel and vehicle combination provides the lowest total emissions with the highest energy efficiency? More...

Argonne, Notre Dame begin new nuclear theory initiative

ARGONNE, Ill (Oct. 4, 2005) – Physicists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Notre Dame have begun a new collaborative project to explore and explain the physics of rare nuclear isotopes. More...

MSU professor to lead high-energy physics programs at Argonne

ARGONNE, Ill. (Oct. 4, 2005) – Hendrik (Harry) J. M. Weerts has been named director of the High Energy Physics Division at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. More...

Stable, bright X-ray beam provides better data

ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 30, 2005) — What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago the Advanced Photon Source (APS) produced its first light. Today, the APS provides the most brilliant X-ray beams in the Western Hemisphere for research, and the beams are extremely stable and reliable. More...

New training course focuses on public health emergency preparation

ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 27, 2005) – In light of the growing threat of infectious disease epidemics, bioterrorism and natural disasters, the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has produced a new training course on public health emergency preparedness. More...

Students turn thick environmental report into easy-to-read public document

ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 16, 2005) – For the past four years, a biology class at Downers Grove South High School has tackled a problem that would give most adults fits – how to shrink a 250-page technical document down to 16 pages. Using microscopic fonts is not an option. More...

Argonne, University of Chicago reach out to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina

ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 16, 2005) —Staff members from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago, its operating contractor, are jointly and separately participating in emergency response efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. More...

Diamond nanotube technology promises new electronics products

ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 9, 2005) – The newest promising material for advanced technology applications is diamond nanotubes, and research at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory is giving new insight into the nature of nanodiamond. More...

Students fill summer days with intensive X-ray and neutron school

ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 2, 2005) — Each year as many as 200 students in Ph.D. programs compete to attend Argonne's National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering. For the talented 60 selected to attend the school here each August, it means two weeks of 10-12 hours a day, six days a week. More...

Argonne researchers create new diamond-nanotube composite material

ARGONNE, Ill. (August 30, 2005) – Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have combined the world's hardest known material – diamond – with the world's strongest structural form – carbon nanotubes. This new process for “growing” diamond and carbon nanotubes together opens the way for its use in a number of energy-related applications. More...

Argonne expert addresses energy, environmental impacts of fuel ethanol

ARGONNE, Ill. (Aug. 23, 2005) — A recent national debate has arisen over the net energy and environmental benefits of ethanol as a substitute for gasoline in transportation fuels. Argonne researcher Michael Wang, a world-leading expert in this field, presented the results of his research today at the Ethanol Energy Open Forum, sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. More...

Split beamlines can double research capacity at Advanced Photon Source

ARGONNE, Ill. (Aug. 19, 2005) — A new beamline dedicated this summer at the Advanced Photon Source sets a new standard for structural biology research at synchrotrons. More...

Midwest Center for Structural Genomics: Filling the structural biology pipeline

ARGONNE, Ill. (Aug. 19, 2005) — Faster, easier-to-use X-ray beamlines, such as those operated by the new GM/CA CAT, are allowing researchers to increase the pace of determining atomic structures of biomolecules important to life. More...

Argonne taps IBM Blue Gene for DOE INCITE program

ARGONNE, Ill. (August 17, 2005) – A new collaboration between IBM and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory will provide significant enhancements to computer capabilities available to scientific researchers around the world. More...

Argonne, Purdue-Calumet agree on water research, economic development

ARGONNE, Ill. (August 10, 2005) – Researchers from Purdue University Calumet and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory today signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on applied research to advance knowledge in water resources and support regional economic development. More...

Inspection technologies protect and enhance materials for power plants

ARGONNE, Ill. (Aug. 5, 2005) — Just as doctors want to avoid harming their patients during routine medical exams, engineers need to evaluate advanced materials without breaking them. Argonne's Energy Technology Division is developing an arsenal of techniques to address that need. More...

Electrochemical Society honors Thackeray

ARGONNE, Ill. (August 3, 2005) – Michael Thackeray of Argonne National Laboratory is the recipient of the 2005 Research Award of the Battery Division of the Electrochemical Society. More...

'SAMM' to boost microscopy capabilities

ARGONNE, Ill. (August 3, 2005) – The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory will soon be home to a new Sub-Angstrom Microscopy and Microanalysis (SAMM) facility, which will house four cutting-edge electron microscopes. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete next summer. More...

Argonne researcher wins $1 million math project award

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 26, 2005) – Hans G. Kaper, researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, has received a $1 million grant from DOE's Office of Science to study a multiscale approach to self-organization of microtubules. More...

New bioreactor could pave way for chemical feed stocks from biomass

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 22, 2005) — When Argonne biochemical engineer Seth Snyder drives past a corn field on the outskirts of Chicago, he sees the potential to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil while benefiting rural economies. Snyder and his colleagues in Argonne's Energy Systems Division are partners with agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, Ill., in a cooperative research and development agreement to develop a technology that turns corn sugars into valuable chemicals. More...

Seven projects receive Argonne-University of Chicago ‘seed grants' for collaborative research

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 21, 2005) – The University of Chicago's Board of Governors for Argonne has selected seven proposals for Collaborative Research Seed Grants for 2005. More...

Congressional testimony on the role of basic research for the hydrogen economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 20, 2005) — George Crabtree, Argonne Senior Scientist and Director of the Materials Science Division, testified about the role of basic research for the hydrogen economy before the Energy and Research subcommittees of the House Science Committee. More...

Argonne's Larsen discusses hybrid vehicles, student competitions

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 12, 2005) — Argonne's Bob Larsen, director of the Center for Transportation Research, talks to WBEZ about the laboratory's advanced car program and university student contests. More...

Argonne wins four R&D 100 Awards for scientific, technological innovation

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 8, 2005) – Advances in technology ranging from help for victims of Parkinson's disease and epilepsy to more efficient combustion in industrial furnaces are likely with award-winning research at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and its partners. More...

Argonne wins Diversity and Multiculturalism Best Practices award

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 6, 2005) – The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory won the Diversity and Multiculturalism Best Practices award – one of the top 10 “Elite” awards of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For – presented by the National Association for Business Resources. More...

$50 million grant will aid studies of protein structures

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 1, 2005) – Proteins are the molecular machines that make growth possible, and understanding their structure is key to developing pharmaceuticals, A new window to that understanding is being made possible under a $50 million grant to the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. More...

New technology could fuel biorefinery growth

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 28, 2005) – Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) are developing a separative bioreactor that efficiently turns sugar from corn into valuable chemicals. More...

Argonne researchers becoming nation's experts in lithium-battery technology

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 24, 2005) — Next-generation soldiers will wear vests with a battery to power the many high-tech devices that modern soldiers use in battle. Argonne – the nation's expert in lithium battery research – is developing the materials and cell chemistry for that battery. More...

Argonne honors teacher for excellence in science education

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 23, 2005) — Elementary school teacher Kathleen Lizarraga has received the Ellis P. Steinberg Award for Pre-College Science Teaching from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Argonne's chapter of Sigma Xi. More...

DISSCO makes ‘music' for Argonne, UIUC researchers

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 21, 2005) – A mathematician and a musician have teamed up to create a new computer program that both composes music and creates the instrumentation to play it. More...

Congressional testimony on nuclear fuel reprocessing

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2005) — Phillip Finck, Argonne's Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for Applied Science and Technology and National Security, testified about nuclear fuel reprocessing before the Energy Subcommittee of the House Science Committee. More...

Argonne scientists receive distinguished performance awards

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 16, 2005) — Five scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have received the 2005 University of Chicago Board of Governors for Argonne Distinguished Performance Award, which recognizes outstanding scientific or technical achievements or a distinguished record of achievements. More...

Argonne employees honored for outstanding service

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 16, 2005) — Four employees of the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have received the 2005 University of Chicago Board of Governors for Argonne Outstanding Service Award, the highest honor the university gives to Argonne employees in support positions. More...

Argonne director discusses key science issues with media

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2005) — Robert Rosner, director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, appeared this month on a number of Washington, D.C., TV and radio news programs to discuss key issues related to nuclear waste, sustainable energy and the importance of women and other minorities in science programs. Hear his interviews ...

Argonne researchers receive Presidential Early Career Awards

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 13, 2005) — Physicist John Arrington and computer scientist Robert B. Ross of the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory today received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) to recognize their contribution to the advancement of science. More...

Water cleanup is for the birds

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 10, 2005) — In an environmental restoration effort that will benefit birds and humans alike, scientists in Argonne's Environmental Research Division are helping to restore a wetland wildlife sanctuary near Utica, Neb., while cleaning up the town's contaminated groundwater. More...

Argonne research could lead to cooler aluminum production

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 10, 2005) – Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and NorandaFalconbridge, Inc. are developing a way to produce aluminum at significantly reduced temperatures. More...

Argonne's near-frictionless carbon coatings find new use

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 10, 2005) – A research collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the Kurt J. Lesker Company will study the durability of nearly frictionless carbon surface coatings in high-performance, vacuum environments. More...

Argonne director addresses National Press Club

WASHINGTON D.C. (June 9, 2005) – Robert Rosner, director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, discusses today key issues related to nuclear energy, the importance of basic science research to the nation's global economic standing, plans for a sustainable approach to energy production, the significance of hard data in national science policy decisions and the importance of women and other minorities in science programs. More...

Argonne Director discusses vision for Argonne and Rare Isotope Accelerator

A transcript of Argonne Director Robert Rosner's May 24 appearance on WBEZ-FM's "848" program. More...

Argonne named one of “Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for”

ARGONNE, Ill. (June 1, 2005) – The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has been named one of “ Chicago 's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for” by the National Association of Business Resources. The award is made even more significant by the organization's decision to recognize only 40 area organizations on this year's list. More...

Argonne-designed instruments vital in RHIC discovery

ARGONNE, Ill. (May 27, 2005) — Argonne researchers played a significant role in research that led to the surprising finding of a possible ideal liquid instead of the expected quark-gluon plasma at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). More...

Argonne to receive $2.3 million for basic research on fuel cell catalysts

ARGONNE, Ill (May 26, 2005) — Argonne National Laboratory will receive $2.3 million over three years for basic science studies that may lead to improved catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells. More...

New hydrogen sensor faster, more sensitive

ARGONNE, Ill. (May 25, 2005) – The same kind of chemical coating used to shed rainwater from aircraft and automobile windows also dramatically enhances the sensitivity and reaction time of hydrogen sensors. More...

Site offers Web's most comprehensive information about Anti-Jet-Lag Diet

ARGONNE, Ill. (May 20, 2005) — With the summer travel season beginning, travelers who need to beat jet lag can learn how by visiting www.antijetlagdiet.com online. This Web site offers the most comprehensive free information anywhere on the Internet about how to use the famous Anti-Jet-Lag Diet, developed by biologists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. More...

Nanotube water doesn't freeze — even at hundreds of degrees below zero

ARGONNE, Ill. (May 13, 2005) — A new form of water has been discovered by physicists in Argonne's Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) Division. Called nanotube water, these molecules contain two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom but do not turn into ice — even at temperatures near absolute zero. More...

Argonne holds cornerstone ceremony at new Center for Nanoscale Materials

ARGONNE, Ill. (May 6, 2005) — More efficient energy transmission and implantable devices that automatically sense drug levels and administer drugs are just two examples of the benefits of research that may result from work at the new Center for Nanoscale Materials, under construction at the U.S Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. More...

The nano-revolution continues at Argonne

ARGONNE, Ill. (April 29, 2005) — Federal and state officials will visit Argonne National Laboratory May 6 to participate in a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Center for Nanoscale Materials. More...

Model car race tests students engineering, design skills

ARGONNE, Ill. (April 22, 2005) – Science and engineering education will be on a roll at the Chicago Regional Fuel Cell and Solar Car Race Competition Saturday, April 30. More...

Conferences encourage young women to explore scientific, technical careers

ARGONNE, Ill. (April 15, 2005) — It's personal experience that often leads a young woman to pursue a scientific or engineering career, and Argonne National Laboratory employees provide that personal touch to thousands of students each year because of their deep commitment to develop the next generation of scientists. More...

Morgan Park lights up Illinois Rube Goldberg championship

ARGONNE, Ill. (April 9, 2005) — Morgan Park Academy, Chicago, today won the seventh annual Illinois State Rube Goldberg Machine Championship by building the most creative and reliable machine to remove both old batteries from a two-battery flashlight, install new batteries and turn the flashlight on in 20 or more steps. More...

Underground physics: Searching for neutrinos in deep places

ARGONNE, Ill. (April 1, 2005) — A new physics experiment combines thousands of tons of steel plates, a powerful particle accelerator and 450 miles of solid rock to reveal the secrets of a particle that sometimes seems to barely exist. More...

'Einstein the Man" in free performance at Argonne

ARGONNE, Ill. (March 23, 2005) — “Einstein the Man,” a play presenting the ideas of the great physicist Albert Einstein in his own words, will be performed at Argonne by Emmy Award-winning actor Bill Landry on Thursday, April 7. More...

Innovative software tools keep electrical markets humming

ARGONNE, Ill. (March 18, 2005) — Flip a switch and the power goes on. Argonne's Decision and Information Sciences Division helps keep the power on with next-generation energy and environmental market-simulation tools that model the complexity of the modern energy industry. More...

New study of tree roots will alter carbon-sequestration models

ARGONNE, Ill. (March 4, 2005) — Using a new carbon tracing method, Argonne ecologists and their colleagues have determined that life spans of fine tree roots are much longer than expected and differ according to the species. The fine roots of pine trees last four to six years, while sweetgum roots have shorter life spans of 1.3 to three years. More...

Conference encourages young women to explore scientific, technical careers

ARGONNE, Ill. (March 1, 2005) — The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory will host the 18th annual Science Careers in Search of Women conference, Thursday, March 10. More...

Argonne researcher writes the book on chemically bonded ceramics

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 25, 2005) — Argonne National Laboratory researcher Arun Wagh has written the book on chemically bonded ceramics — literally. Wagh, an award-winning inventor, is the author of “Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics,” which summarizes the wide ranging body of research on these materials. More...

Morgan Park Academy wins 10th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 18, 2005) — Morgan Park Academy, Chicago, today won Argonne National Laboratory's 10th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest held at Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier. More...

New materials provide insight into radioactivity in the environment, self-assembling nanostructures

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 18, 2005) — A new class of materials that could enhance basic understanding of how radioactive materials behave in the environment has been discovered by researchers from the University of Notre Dame and Argonne National Laboratory. Called actinyl peroxide compounds, these materials self-assemble into nano-sized, hollow cages that could have useful new electronic, magnetic and structural properties important to the emerging world of nanotechnology. More...

NASA honors Argonne's Ellingson

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 8, 2005) — Bill Ellingson, a researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, was honored in 2004 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for his work on ceramic composite components. More...

Rube Goldberg machine contest shines light on engineering, fun, learning

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 7, 2005) — It may be better to light a candle than curse the darkness, but at Argonne National Laboratory's 10th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, students will find shining a light somewhat of a challenge. More...

Export control helps prevent WMD proliferation

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 4, 2005) — While inspecting a container ship docked at a major transshipment hub, an alert official, trained by Argonne export control specialists, noted tons of a controlled chemical with many legitimate uses but which also could be used for weapons. More...

Four new members join Argonne Board of Governors

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 1, 2005) — The University of Chicago has named four new members to its Board of Governors for the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. More...

Rube Goldberg contest shines light on engineering, fun, learning

ARGONNE, Ill. (Jan. 24, 2005) — It may be better to light a candle than curse the darkness, but at Argonne National Laboratory's 10th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, students will find shining a light somewhat of a challenge. More...

Web harnesses storm of environmental data

ARGONNE, Ill. (Jan. 21, 2005) — As the volume of environmental data grows, so does the need to manage it and make it available. Argonne's Environmental Assessment Division is developing innovative, Web-based applications that encourage greater stakeholder involvement, simplified project management, cost savings and improved products. More...

X-ray movies reveal insect flight, muscle motion

ARGONNE, Ill. (Jan. 21, 2005) — Watching flies fly may not seem like high-tech science, but for researchers using the Western Hemisphere's most brilliant X-rays, located at the Advanced Photon Source at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, it not only helps explain how insects fly but also may someday aid in understanding human heart function. More...

Conference honors Black History Month, World Year of Physics

ARGONNE, Ill. (Jan. 7, 2005) — In honor of both Black History Month and the World Year of Physics , Argonne is hosting the National Society of Black Physics Students Conference February 3 through 5. More...