American Nuclear Society Awards BNL's Bob Bari
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Vol. 57 - No. 22 June 27, 2003 Scientists Demonstrate New Way American Nuclear Society To Control Chemical Reactions Awards BNL’s Bob Bari obert Bari, a senior physicist in nuclear reactor safety, and I appreci- Rthe Energy Sciences & Technol- ate Brookhaven’s continued support ogy Department, was presented with of such programs.” the 2003 American Nuclear Society Bari has been involved in the de- (ANS) “Tommy” Thompson Award, sign and safety assessments of com- which is sponsored by the ANS plex, high-technology facilities since Nuclear Installation Safety Division. he joined BNL in 1974. He has worked Bari received the prize, a plaque and on projects and issues regarding a monetary award, at the ANS annual nuclear safety and nonproliferation meeting held in San Diego, June 4. technologies, nuclear waste manage- The award was estab- ment, development of advanced lished in 1980 nuclear reactors, and other related Roger Stoutenburgh technologies. During the 1980s, at the request of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Bari created and led a team of experts in probabilistic risk assess- ment. This team expanded risk assess- D8070503 ment methodologies in areas of im- Zhen Song portance to the safety of nuclear power plants. In addition, Bari led a four-laboratory team in a year-long sing a low-temperature scanning trolled by tuning the parameters of the evaluation of the impact of fuel en- Utunneling microscope (STM) to tunneling electrons: the electronic cur- richment on the performance of the “tweak” the vibrations of individual rent and energy.” Advanced Neutron Source, formerly molecules selectively, scientists have Above a certain threshold energy, the planned for operation at Oak Ridge demonstrated a new way to directly in- tunneling electrons induced one mode National Laboratory. His current re- fluence the outcome of chemical reac- of molecular vibration that resulted in a search involves energy resources, na- tions. The ability to exert such control movement of the ammonia molecules to tional security, and reliability of the may one day allow scientists to elimi- new positions on the copper surface. national electrical grid. nate unwanted by-products or selectively Below the threshold, the electrons in- Bari earned an A.B. in physics in produce end products with potential duced a different mode of vibration that 1965 from Rutgers University and a commercial value. allowed the ammonia molecules to com- Ph.D. from Brandeis University in As described in the May 29, 2003, is- pletely disassociate from the copper. 1970. At BNL, he chaired the former sue of Nature, Zhen Song of the Chemis- “We can select a particular reaction 10-138-92 Department of Advanced Technology try Department, while working with col- pathway by adjusting the electronic tun- and served as the Interim Associate laborators at the Fritz-Haber-Institut neling current and energy,” Song said. Laboratory Director for Energy, Envi- (FHI) der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft in Ber- This is the first example of using STM ronment & National Security. lin, Germany, used the technique to in- in mode-selective chemistry, a field that A fellow of the ANS, Bari has vestigate the desorption of ammonia has previously been dominated by laser in memory served on its board of directors and molecules from a copper surface. This re- techniques. Using STM, the study of the Roger Stoutenburgh of Theos J. Thompson, is a past chair of the ANS planning search was a collaboration among scien- reaction mechanism can be achieved a pioneer who defined world reac- committee. He now chairs all risk tists at the FHI, the Consejo Superior de with very low power irradiation, and the tor safety. Bari is cited “for his out- standards development activities Investigaciones Científicas, Spain, the monitoring of the reaction is limited to standing contributions to the field of sponsored by the ANS. He has served Universit Paul Sabatier, France, and BNL. a single molecule. This approach is nuclear installation safety and his as president of the International As- By detecting and controlling the tun- complementary to the conventional la- outstanding wisdom and direction to sociation for Probabilistic Safety As- neling electrons running between tip ser techniques used in the study of key elements of the world of nuclear sessment & Management, and he and sample, STM techniques enable sci- mode-selective chemistry. safety activities.” was also a member of the board of entists not only to measure the structure “It would be interesting to extend this “For almost 30 years I have been directors for the Long Island Mu- of materials on an atomic level, but also methodology to more complex pro- part of the Brookhaven team that de- seum of Science & Technology and to manipulate molecules individually on cesses,” said Song. “For example, one velops methods and performs proba- the Long Island Forum for Technol- the substrate. could search for strategies to control and bilistic risk assessments for a wide ogy. Bari has lectured internation- “We selected a chemisorbed ammo- enhance reactivity at surfaces through range of nuclear technologies,” said ally on risk assessment and nuclear nia molecule on a copper surface under the discovery of new reaction pathways Bari. “I am proud to be part of the safety, and authored more than 100 the microscope and used the tip of the that are inaccessible via classical ‘thermal’ worldwide collaboration that estab- papers and reports in these areas. STM to excite vibrations of the mol- chemistry.” — Karen McNulty Walsh lished, implemented, and maintains — Jane Koropsak ecule,” said Song. “We found that the See also www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/ motion of the molecule can be con- 2003/bnlpr052803b.htm. SBU Student Researcher at BNL Selected to Meet Nobel Laureates aul Lawrence, a graduate student at kinds of protein-protein interactions that which is managed by ORAU for DOE. respond to radiation medical emergen- PStony Brook University who is con- might one day yield novel approaches for The Oak Ridge Institute for Science cies, support national security and emer- ducting research at BNL, has been selected protein imaging or drug delivery. and Education (ORISE) is a DOE facility gency preparedness, and educate the by DOE as one of 18 outstanding research In nominating Lawrence for the focusing on scientific initiatives to re- next generation of scientists. ORISE is participants to attend the 53rd interna- honor of attending the Nobel laureates’ search health risks from occupational managed by ORAU. tional convention of Nobel laureates in meeting, Freimuth said, “Paul has a lively hazards, assess environmental cleanup, — Karen McNulty Walsh Lindau, Germany, June 30 - July 4, 2003. and inquiring mind. He is a representa- Lawrence, who is working toward a tive of the very best young scientists any- Ph.D. in molecular genetics and microbi- where that are involved in DOE-sup- ology, will be participating in activities ported research.” with Nobel laureates relating to biology DOE participants are joining 10 other and medicine. Since 1951, Nobel laureates students to represent the United States, in chemistry, physics, and physiology/ and more than 400 other international medicine have annually convened in students at the convention. The other Lindau to have open and informal meet- students representing the United States ings with students and young researchers are sponsored by Oak Ridge Associated from around the world. Universities (ORAU), the U.S. Army Cen- “I’m overwhelmed and excited about ter for Health Promotion and Preventive this remarkable opportunity to interact Medicine, and the University of Arizona. with Nobel laureates and to meet other Participants are traveling to Washing- Roger Stoutenburgh graduate students from across the United ton, D.C., for a meeting at DOE head- States and around the world,” said quarters on June 27, before departing for Lawrence. “I’m very grateful to the De- Germany. More information on the partment of Energy for offering me this meeting is available at: www.orau.gov/ incredible experience.” orise/edu/lindau2003. The Web site and Lawrence is currently working under travel arrangements for all participants D0350603 the guidance of Paul Freimuth in the Biol- are being administered by the Oak Ridge Paul Lawrence ogy Department, investigating particular Institute for Science and Education, The Bulletin June 27, 2003 Calendar BNL Awarded as Family-Friendly Employer of Laboratory Events he Family and Children’s Family and Children’s Association. on-site child care center, college perwork, Family and Children’s Association, a human ser- Said Foster, “Brookhaven has scholarships for employees’ Association representatives visit • The BERA Sales Office is located in T Berkner Hall and is open weekdays from 9 vices network with more than been a family-friendly work- children, an employee assis- each place of work to assess it a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on BERA events, contact Andrea Dehler, Ext. 20 locations on Long Island, has place long before it was fashion- tance program that offers pro- in comparison with others. 3347; or Chris Carter, Ext. 2873. chosen BNL as a winner of the able to be one. We have culti- fessional counseling services, “We took them to visit the •Additional information for Hospitality 2003 Long Island Family- vated a willingness to listen to maternity and paternity leave, on-site Child Development Committee events can be found at the Lollipop House and the laundry in the apartment area. Friendly Employer Award. Four our employees to understand sick leave for family illness, and Center, where Deborah O’Neill • The Recreation Building (Rec. Hall) is companies received this honor, what it is they need to allow periodic surveys or reviews of [CDC Director] showed them located in the apartment area. • Contact names are provided for most one in each of four categories; them to combine their respon- employees’ needs.