Argonne to showcase science and technology at open house Saturday, October 7

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ARGONNE, Ill. (Sept. 5, 2006) — Science enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the featured presentations that are part of Argonne National Laboratory's upcoming open house on Saturday, October 7. The U.S. Department of Energy lab is celebrating its 60th anniversary with its first open house in seven years. The facility will open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its site at 9700 S. Cass Ave., near Darien.

This open house will be bigger than ever, thanks to the participation of The University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. The University of Chicago has managed Argonne throughout its 60-year history and, beginning October 1, will manage the laboratory through a new organization, UChicago Argonne, LLC, which includes as members of its Science Council Northwestern and the University of Illinois.

Tours include the Advanced Photon Source, the Western Hemisphere's most brilliant source of X-rays for research; the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source; ATLAS, the Argonne Tandem-Linac Accelerator System; and Argonne's newest research facility, the Center for Nanoscale Materials.

Demonstrations across Argonne's 1,500-acre site will include a discussion – with live piano examples – of “The Physics of the Blues”; “Getting Excited about Science” with Steve Belliveau, which uses audience participation and Belliveau's skills as a magician to educate and entertain; and science shows that feature The Science of Toys; Electricity and Magnetism/Air Pressure; Forensics; Microscopy; and Cryogenics.

Besides the featured presentations, the Argonne open house will showcase more than 100 different exhibits staffed by professional scientists and engineers. These include:

• Osteoporosis and the environment.
• Biofuels as an alternative to petroleum.
• Argonne's biochip for detection and diagnostics.
• “Race the Robot” in a speed challenge.
• Virtually explore Ancient Mesopotamia, the Middle East, the stars and more.
• Visualize blood as it flows through arteries on an 8'x15' tiled wall display.
• Watch a hurricane form.
• Watch a star explode on a 12 million pixel, high-resolution tiled display.
• Walk through an accelerator and learn how to control one.
• Watch a light and optics show.
• View a model chain reaction.
• Build your own 3-D earth.
• See cosmic rays from space in a cloud chamber.
• Learn how Argonne's transportation research program is helping to make automobiles, heavy vehicles and locomotives more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
• Test your knowledge of science and Argonne trivia.
• Pose with Einstein and his friends and have your picture taken.
• Learn about cancer detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Admission to the open house is free, and bus service will be provided to take visitors between buildings. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Argonne is located 25 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, just south of Interstate 55 near Darien and Lemont; the main entrance is off Cass Avenue in Darien.

For more information on the open house, call the Argonne Public Affairs Office at (630) 252-2525.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

For more information, please contact Steve McGregor (630/252-5580 or media@anl.gov) at Argonne.