Argonne Accomplishments and Discoveries that Advance Economic Security

Grid computing and the Globus toolkit

Argonne is a leader in developing Grid computing and the Access Grid to support group-to-group interactions across the Internet. For example, the Access Grid (AG) is used for large-scale distributed meetings, collaborative work sessions, seminars, lectures, tutorials, and training. The Access Grid differs from desktop-to-desktop tools that focus on individual communication. The Access Grid has issued more than 3,400 certificates to users across 47 countries. Participating institutions have one or more AG nodes, or "designed spaces," that contain the high-end audio and visual technology needed to provide a high-quality compelling user experience. The nodes are also used as a research environment for the development of distributed data and visualization corridors and for the study of issues relating to collaborative work in distributed environments. Argonne is also a leader in developing the Globus Toolkit, an open source software toolkit used for building grids. More...

Recycling automotive plastics economically and efficiently

Argonne's "froth flotation" process recovers selected plastics from auto shredder residue, disassembled car parts, obsolete appliances, industrial scrap plastics and consumer electronics. Another process separates and cleans flexible polyurethane foam from auto shredder residue for reuse and reducing landfill waste. More...

Ultrananocrystalline diamond films and other nanotechnologies

A process for growing the world's smoothest diamond films, called ultra-nanocrystalline diamond films, was invented at Argonne. The technique may push microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) into the commercial mainstream. Ultra-nanocrystalline diamond is a key material in DOE's Artificial Retina Project. Ultra-nanocrystalline diamond is only one of Argonne's nanomaterial technologies licensed to industry for commercial development. More...

Non-destructive examination technologies

Argonne researchers have developed many non-destructive evaluation tools that enable engineers to detect flaws or damage before use in items such as pistons and valves for low-emission diesel engines and turbine blades and combustors for gas turbines. Flawed or damaged components can cause severe damage to engines if the components fail. More...

Grancrete promises low-cost housing for world's poor

The United Nations estimates there are almost a billion poor people in the world, of whom 750 million live in urban areas without adequate shelter and basic services. But scientists at Argonne and Casa Grande LLC have developed a promising new technology that may lead to affordable housing for the world's poorest. A tough new ceramic material that is almost twice as strong as concrete may be the key to providing high-quality, low-cost housing throughout developing nations. More…

Excimer laser surgery

In 1986, Argonne scientists recognized that the near-ultraviolet light from the 308 nm excimer laser could be transmitted with little energy loss through a quartz fiber-optic cable. At this particular energy, laser light breaks the bonds between biological tissues without burning or charring, providing a safe mechanism for laser surgery. Lasers had previously been used in some surgeries, but the combination of the excimer laser with fiber-optics made it possible for the first time to insert a fiber into the body to remove plaque from artery walls. The excimer laser is still widely used for this purpose.

Anti-Jet-Lag Diet

The Anti-Jet-Lag Diet, developed by Argonne biologists in the 1960s, has helped millions of travelers, including President Ronald Reagan, arrive at their destinations productive and ready to "hit the ground running." Argonne-developed software has been licensed to AntiJetLagDiet.com LLC and is available online for travelers to calculate personalized Anti-Jet-Lag-Diet plans. More...

Helping create the next-generation science and technology workforce

Argonne's educational program is the largest at any Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory. It is widely recognized that research and development is the engine that drives the economy. A variety of activities and programs at Argonne help to inspire and train the next generation of scientists and engineers needed to create the scientific and technological innovations that will keep the nation's economy competitive and growing.

• National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering – The main purpose of the National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering is to educate graduate students on the use of major neutron and X-ray facilities. Lectures by researchers from academia, industry and national laboratories include basic tutorials on the principles of scattering theory and the characteristics of the sources, as well as seminars on the application of scattering methods to a variety of scientific subjects. Students conduct short experiments at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source Division and Intense Pulsed Neutron Source Division to provide hands-on experience for using neutron and synchrotron sources.
• Science Careers in Search of Women – Held annually since 1987, Argonne's Science Careers in Search of Women conference attracts more than 350 young women from nearly 60 high schools throughout the Chicago area to participate in a day-long conference aimed at encouraging high school women to consider careers in science and technology. More...
• Rube Goldberg Machine Contest – Held annually since 1996, Argonne's Rube Goldberg Machine Contest asks student teams from Chicago-area high schools to compete to build the wackiest machine to accomplish some trivial task in 20 or more steps. Students gain confidence and share the experience of solving complicated physics and engineering problems as part of a team. Many of the students who participate in Rube Goldberg contest go on to study science or engineering in college. Argonne's contest has spun off two related contests – one at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the Illinois State Championship. Read more about Argonne's contest or watch a video online.