NIST Technicalendar June 30 to July 4, 2008 The NIST Technicalendar is issued each Friday. All items MUST be submitted electronically from this web page by 12:00 NOON each Wednesday unless otherwise stated in the NIST Technicalendar. The address for online weekly editions of the NIST Technicalendar and NIST Administrative Calendar is: http://www.nist.gov/tcal/.

In this Issue: Meetings at NIST Meetings Elsewhere Announcements Talks by NIST Personnel NIST Web Site Announcements NIST Administrative Calendar (current)   NIST Vacancy Announcements (current)

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10:00 AM - The Institute for Systems Research - A Model for Interdisciplinary and Systems Research

10:30 AM - Nanooptics of Photonic Crystals
10:30 AM - Social Network Concept Analysis

10:00 AM - Nanotechnology at General Electric
1:30 PM - Nano-Enabled Electronic and Opto-Electronic Devices
3:30 PM - Probing Hydrogen Storage Materials Using Neutrons

11:00 AM - Low Cost Reference Objects for Medical Imaging

No Scheduled Events

6/30 -- MONDAY

10:00 AM - SIMA SEMINAR SERIES: The Institute for Systems Research - A Model for Interdisciplinary and Systems Research
The Institute for Systems Research (ISR) is a permanent, interdisciplinary research unit in the Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. It is home to cross disciplinary research and education programs in systems engineering and sciences, and is committed to developing basic solution methodologies and tools for systems problems in a variety of application domains. ISR-based projects are conducted through partnerships with industry and government, bringing together faculty and students from multiple academic departments and colleges across the university. ISR began as one of the National Science Foundation's first Engineering Research Centers in 1985. It attained permanent institute status at the University of Maryland in 1992 and graduated from the NSF program in 1996. In this talk, we will describe the ISR model as a benchmark for interdisciplinary and, of course, systems research. We will provide a perspective on how it all works, and how it enables ISR to tackle multidisciplinary problems that couldn't really be addressed well within the confines of a single university department. Specific examples will be used to illustrate the ISR model, from the areas of neuroscience, manufacturing systems, systems engineering, cell-based sensors, manufacturing equipment and processes, and communications and control.
Prof. Eyad Abed , Director, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Mr. Jeffrey Coriale, Director of External Relations, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland
Administration Bldg, Lecture Rm. A. (NIST Contact: Steve Ray, 301-975-3524, ray@nist.gov)


7/1 -- TUESDAY

10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Nanooptics of Photonic Crystals
Photonic crystals (PCs) provide us with an unprecedented ability to control light in space and time. This control is achieved through the geometry of the PC and allows us, for instance, to manipulate the radiation dynamics of a source placed in the PC. In this talk I will show how near-field optical microscopy can be used to probe the optical landscape near an active PC structure and observe directly the spatial confinement of light. I will also show how defects and slow light modes can be combined to create efficient optical microcavities which can be used to fabricate microlasers.
Adel Rahmani , Centre for Ultrahigh-bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Physics Building, Room B145. (NIST Contact: Garnett Bryant, 301-975-2595, garnett.bryant@nist.gov)

10:30 AM - ITL SEMINAR SERIES: Social Network Concept Analysis
Abstract: We provide Social Network Concept Analysis (SNCA) as a new foundation for the analysis of scientific collaboration networks. In traditional Social Network Analysis (SNA), analytical measurements on individual actors include betweeness, centrality, prestige; global network properties include connectedness, density, symmetry and centralization. Such measurements have been performed on scientific collaboration networks of all types and shapes. For such studies, measurement outcome is clearly dependent on how networks are delineated and yet what constitutes a scientific collaboration network is a topic never studied with sufficient scientific rigor before. A principled methodology for the delineation of scientific co-authorship network is precisely what SNCA offers. This talk will cover (1) a mathematical definition of social network based on Formal Concept Analysis; (2) an algorithm for identifying scientific communities; (3) experimental results; (4) the utility of SNCA for vertical digital libraries, the topic of an earlier seminar presented at NIST by the same speaker. Bio: Dr. Zhang received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cambridge University, 1990. He joined the University of Georgia in 1989 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 1996 after returning from a two year leave from the AI Lab at the University of Michigan. He is currently Full Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Director of Informatics of the Center for Clinical Investigation, Case Western Reserver University. Professor Zhang's research interests broadly lie in theoretical and applied computer science. They include programming language semantics, formal concept analysis, ontological engineering, information retrieval and biomedical imaging informatics. Professor Zhang is internationally known for his work in domain theory. He is a founding member of the conference series International Symposium on Domain Theory and the International Conference on the Foundations of Informatics, Computing and Software. He is the book series Editor of Chapmann and Hall/CRC Press' Studies in Informatics. Professor Zhang has authored over 70 publications in computer science theory and applications, and lead the development of software systems including MIMI, for multi-modality, multi-resource information integration.
Dr. Guoqiang Zhang , Case Western Reserve University.
Administration Bldg, Lecture Rm. A. (NIST Contact: Larry Reeker, 301-975-5147, larry.reeker@nist.gov)


7/2 -- WEDNESDAY

10:00 AM - SURFACE AND MICROANALYSIS SCIENCE DIVISION SEMINAR: Nanotechnology at General Electric
Since 2001 GE Global Research has established 6 advanced technology (AT) programs exploring long term technology spaces of interest to the Company, nanotechnology being one of these programs. GE views nanotechnology as the ultimate materials science in that it may enable novel materials properties that can ultimately impact multiple systems and applications. As such, five materials platforms have been established to explore common technology themes related to the synthesis, properties, and performance of nanomaterials based on them. These are: (a) nanoparticles, (b) nanowires and nanotubes, (c) nanoceramics, (d) metal nanocomposites, (e) hybrid nanomaterials. A review of these Nanotech AT program platforms will be provided along with a broader description of GE and activities at GE Global Research.
Margaret Blohm , General Electric-Global Research Center, Niskayuna, NY.
Building 215, Room C103-C106. (NIST Contact: Babak Nikoobakht, 301-975-3230, babakn@nist.gov)

1:30 PM - SURFACE AND MICROANALYSIS SCIENCE DIVISION SEMINAR: Nano-Enabled Electronic and Opto-Electronic Devices
We are developing various nanostructure-enabled electronic and opto-electronic devices for various GE applications. These include nanoelectronics, nanoelectromechanical switches, and nano-photovoltaics. We have demonstrated nanotransistors with promising mobilities and sub-threshold slopes, and have been exploring various nanomanufacturing issues associated with such devices. We have also demonstrated switches based on integrated, vertically standing silicon nanowires that have the potential to replace solid-state devices for computing applications. Finally, we have shown the first large-area, all-inorganic, silicon nanowire based solar cells on stainless steel substrates for use in low-cost PV applications. This is enabled by the fact that we have observed significantly enhanced broadband optical absorption in Si nanowire films compared to solid films due to Mie scattering and subsequent light trapping. An overview of these technologies will be given.
Loucas Tsakalakos , General Electric-Global Research Center, Niskayuna, NY.
Physics Building, Room B145. (NIST Contact: Babak Nikoobakht, 301-975-3230, babakn@nist.gov)

3:30 PM - SURF SUMMER SEMINAR SERIES: Probing Hydrogen Storage Materials Using Neutrons
Storing hydrogen molecules in porous media based on a physisorption mechanism is one possible approach to reach the U.S. Department of Energy targets for on-board hydrogen storage. Although the storage capacities of coordination polymers have progressed significantly over recent years, some technological obstacles pose challenges for their future improvement. These include the generaly low hydrogen adsorption enthalpy limiting room temperature applications and the lack of understanding of surface packing density hindering the efficient improvement of hydrogen adsorption uptake. Results of various neutron scattering experiments help to shed light on both of these topics and recent results will be presented.
Dr. Craig Brown , Center for Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, MD.
Administration Bldg, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Anita Sweigert, 301-975-4201, anita.sweigert@nist.gov)
Special Assistance; Contact A. Sweigert a week in advance.


7/3 -- THURSDAY

11:00 AM - STATISTICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION AND ITL IDUS JOINT SEMINAR: Low Cost Reference Objects for Medical Imaging
Real world medical computerized tomography images are frequently difficult to compare quantitatively, yet it would be helpful to be able to do so for diseases such as lung cancer and emphysema. Here, I discuss two prototype reference objects including preliminary data for each.
Zachary Levine , Physicist, Electron and Optical Physics Division, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, zachary.levine@nist.gov.
222 (Old Chemistry) Bldg, Rm. A326. (NIST Contact: John Lu, 301-975-3208, john.lu@nist.gov)


7/4 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


6/30 -- MONDAY

11:00 AM - CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON/GEOPHYSICAL LAB. SEMINAR: TBD
B. Luz , Hebrew Univ., Israel.
Bldg, Rm..
Greenewalt Bldg., GL-DTM Grounds, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: R. Hemley, 202-478-8900, seminar@lists.ciw.edu)



7/1 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

7/2 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

7/3 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

7/4 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

MAHONEY, C. : SURFACE AND IN-DEPTH CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS USING CLUSTER SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMETRY.
Gordon Research Conference on Polymer Physics, Newport, RI, 6/30.

HUNT, F. : DYNAMIC ROUTING AND CONGESTION CONTROL THROUGH RANDOM ASSIGNMENT OF ROUTES.
5th International Conference on Cybernetics and Information Technologies, Systems and Applications, Orlando, FL, 6/30.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

2008 WORLD STANDARDS DAY PAPER COMPETITION
The U.S. standards community will celebrate World Standards Day on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. The theme for this year's celebration, "Intelligent and Sustainable Buildings," recognizes the critical role of standards and conformity assessment programs in ensuring safety requirements; facilitating coordination among contractors, builders, engineers, and architects; and incorporating new technologies in design and construction. In conjunction with this year's event, the 2008 World Standards Day sponsors, including NIST will hold the annual paper competition. The 2008 World Standards Day Paper Competition invites papers that use specific examples to show ways that standards and conformity assessment programs are used for intelligent and sustainable buildings. Paper competition winners will be announced and given their awards at the US celebration of World Standards Day. The first place winner will receive a plaque and $2,500. Second and third place winners will receive $1,000 and $500, respectively, along with a certificate. In addition, the winning papers will be published in SES's journal, "Standards Engineering." ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to U.S.-based individuals in the private sector, government, or academia. Papers may be co-authored. RULES: Entries must be original and not previously published. NIST papers must be processed through WERB or BERB. All paper contest submissions must be received with an official entry form by midnight on August 29, 2008, by the SES Executive Director, 13340 SW 96th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33176. Complete details and official entry forms are available on the SES website www.ses-standards.org (follow the link for "2008 WSD Paper Competition.") For additional information about the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day, or to register for the event, please visit www.wsd-us.org.
NIST Contact: Mary Donaldson, 301-975-6197, mary.donaldson@nist.gov

PUBLICATIONS PRINTING DEADLINE AUGUST 14, 2008
August 14 is the last day in FY 2008 to submit materials using FY 2008 funds to the Electronic Information and Publications Group (EIPG) for printing at the Department of Commerce or Government Printing Office. To assure timely processing, bring your Editorial Review Board-approved document or administrative printing job and appropriate paperwork to the EIPG office by close of business on Thursday, August 14, 2008. The office is located on the mezzanine floor of the NIST Research Library in the Admin Building, Room E220. Questions? Ilse Putman, x2780 or Barbara Silcox, x2146.
NIST Contact: Ilse Putman, 301-975-2780, ilse.putman@nist.gov

VISITOR REGISTRATION FOR NIST EVENTS
Because of heightened security at the NIST Gaithersburg site, members of the public who wish to attend meetings, seminars, lectures, etc. must first register in advance. For more information please call or e-mail the "NIST Contact" for the particular event you would like to attend.
NIST Contact: . ., ., .

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NIST WEB SITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Web Site announcements this week.

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For more information, contact Ms. Sharon Hallman, Editor, Stop 2500, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899-2500; Telephone: 301-975-TCAL (3570); Fax: 301-926-4431; or Email: tcal@nist.gov.

All lectures and meetings are open unless otherwise stated.

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