U.S. Department of Energy Number 99, May 2008 New role for nuclear medicine Rhenium-188 generator provides options for cancer patients in developing countries nuclear medicine radioisotope delivery “These liver cancers are more prevalent in leagues at ORNL in 1986, more than 500 A device developed at ORNL is poised to developing countries because they are often generators have been provided throughout the improve the lives of cancer patients in devel- brought on by infl ammatory responses such world through the ORNL Isotope Business oping countries, where certain types of malig- as hepatitis-C. These conditions aren’t as Offi ce, operated under the auspices of the nancies are more common than in developed prevalent in the West because of vaccinations DOE Isotope Program. nations. and generally better health care,” says Russ Rhenium-188 from the ORNL generators is Knapp, manager of the used for pre-clinical radiochemistry research Nuclear Science & Tech- and for clinical trials through physician-spon- nology Division’s Nuclear sored trials in association with ORNL. The Medicine Program. rhenium-188 from the ORNL generators is “In Vietnam and Mon- being used for the treatment of bone pain golia, in particular, primary from cancer metastases, ablation of bone liver cancers are major dis- marrow prior to stem cell rescue, inhibition of eases,” he says. arterial restenosis after coronary angioplasty, The tungsten-to-rhenium and for the treatment of arthritis. generator transforms the A promising new application is the treat- bulk radioisotope material ment of refractory liver cancer, which cannot tungsten-188, produced in be treated by other therapeutic strategies. ORNL’s High Flux Isotope “Other radioisotopes have shorter shelf Reactor, into the radioiso- lives or are much more expensive to keep tope rhenium-188. Rhe- supplied to these sometimes remote areas,” nium-188 is seen as ideal Russ says. for treatment of primary The International Atomic Energy Agency Rhenium-188 obtained from an ORNL tungsten-188/rhenium-188 and metastatic liver cancer invited Russ in 1999 to participate in the generator is used to treat a patient with inoperable liver cancer at a in these nations because the initial meeting in Singapore to discuss the hospital in Perth, Australia. generator, which is loaded adaptation of the ORNL generator system for Because of its portability, long shelf life with tungsten-188 with a half-life of 69 days, an international effort toward a liver cancer and relative ease of use, ORNL’s rhenium has a relatively long useful shelf life from therapy in developing countries. Use of the generator is being touted as an option for four to eight months. ORNL generator would require set-up and patients with liver cancer. Since development by Russ and his col- (See RHENIUM, page 4) Scholarship winner has research record atharine Michelle Sloop, an Oak Ridge High One of Katie’s earlier studies, called “Tune in to KSchool student who already sports an impres- This Station: A Solar Study at 20.1 MHz,” compared sive portfolio of scientifi c research, is this year’s data she took at the Tamke-Allan Observatory with UT-Battelle Scholarship winner. published data acquired by satellites and telescopes. The scholarship, which is worth up to $20,000, is She presented a poster on the work at the ORNL awarded annually to a top graduating senior who has Women in Science event in 2006. a parent working at ORNL. More recently, she also helped organize and lead Katie, an honor student with a 4.111 grade-point a CRESO team that studied the eastern box turtle’s average, has participated in research projects at response to habitat disturbance. Roane State Community College’s Tamke-Allan Katie is the daughter of Frederick V., Jr., and Observatory and with the Clinch River Environ- Betty Ann Sloop of Oak Ridge. Fred works in mental Studies Organization. She was most recently ORNL’s Chemical Sciences Division. named reserve champion of the Southern Appala- The UT-Battelle scholarship is awarded com- chian Science and Engineering Fair, where she gath- petitively to an outstanding graduating high school ered a number of special awards. student who plans to study science, mathematics “Her research efforts are original, meticulous and or engineering at the University of Tennessee. The Curtis Boles signifi cant,” wrote her advanced placement biology scholarship comes in $5,000 annual increments over Scholarship winner Katie Sloop teacher. Another advisor called her “one of the most a four-year period.—B.C. and Lab Director Thom Mason. powerful and creative thinkers I have known.” Green initiative draws award from White House RNL’s Green Transportation Initiative mented a B20 (20-percent biodiesel, 80- O has received a White House Closing the percent petroleum diesel) alternative fuel Circle Award, recognizing outstanding federal initiative. The Lab now has 45 diesel vehicles environmental Stewardship practices. and numerous pieces of equipment in its fl eet The Offi ce of the Federal Environmental using B20, plus an on-site 6,000-gallon B20 Executive cited in particular the Lab’s efforts fuel tank and an 80-gallon B20 tank truck. in reducing energy consumption and use of “ORNL’s green transportation initiative alternative fuels in its work fl eet. has increased the use of bio-based materials In fi scal year 2007, under ORNL’s alterna- and specifi cally alternative fuel, reduced reli- tive fuel initiative there were 118 fl ex-fuel ance on petroleum-based materials, reduced vehicles in the fl eet, representing 25 percent tailpipe emissions and provided personnel The familiar E85 trucks played a role in the of the fl eet, fueled by an on-site 8,000-gallon with safer, more cost-effective transportation Lab’s receiving a White House Closing the E85 fuel tank. Nearly two-thirds of purchased options,” Kathye says. Circle Award. vehicles were fl ex-fuel vehicles. The award nomination also cited the Lab’s P2 Star awards.” In fact, says ORNL fl eet manager Kathye efforts to encourage walking and bicycle use, Since 1996, more than 200 Closing the Settles, the only time a fl ex-fuel vehicle is not its taxi service and the carpooling initiative. Circle awards have been given for innova- purchased to replace an older vehicle is if a “ORNL was recognized by the Offi ce of tive, cost-effective contributions in increasing fl ex-fuel vehicle is not an option. Science as Best in Class in Pollution Preven- the purchase of recycled content, bio-based, ORNL increased its use of E85, which is tion in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and we got a and environmentally preferable products and 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline, Noteworthy Practice in 2007,” says the Pol- services; reducing the generation of wastes; from just over 27,000 gallons in 2006 to lution Prevention program’s Susan Michaud. incorporating energy and environmental con- nearly 30,000 gallons in 2007. “This year we were recognized by the Offi ce siderations into building design; establishing “That increase in E85 resulted in reduced of Science for two nominations. The Green highly effective environmental management tail pipe emissions compared with using Transportation Initiative won best in class systems at federal facilities; using alternative gasoline and reduced petroleum products con- and the Comprehensive Sustainability Initia- fuel vehicles and reducing the fl eet fuel con- sumption,” Kathye says. tive (Green Buildings) won a noteworthy sumption; and promoting federal electronics Additionally in FY 2007, ORNL imple- practice. Both projects went on to win DOE stewardship efforts. —B.C. Team UT-Battelle volunteers start Habitat house crew of volunteer workers of 2006. Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County A from Team UT-Battelle “Working with a family to builds homes in partnership with hard-work- gathered last month to begin con- build a home is a wonderful ing, low-income families and individuals. struction of a Habitat for Human- experience,” says Michelle Future homeowners must put in at least 400 ity house in Clinton’s Hickory Buchanan, ORNL’s associate hours of “sweat equity” labor by helping to Ridge Subdivision. Laboratory director for Physical build their own home and working on other Team-UT Battelle, ORNL’s Sciences and leader of the Team Habitat projects. volunteer service organization, UT-Battelle effort at the Habitat “One of the many great things about Habi- has more than 2,000 participants house. “Previous volunteers tat for Humanity is that volunteers who work actively involved in more than 30 from ORNL have pitched in to on the projects don’t have to be experienced service projects in the Oak Ridge nail subfl ooring, install siding in construction,” Michelle says. area. and paint while enjoying the “There are plenty of other jobs that volun- The Anderson County project camaraderie of co-workers and teers can help with that lead to the construc- is one of four Team UT-Battelle contributing to a very worthy tion of a family’s new home,” she says. Habitat house projects since cause.” —Fred Strohl 2000. The fi rst home in Anderson The Daugherty family of County was built in Oak Ridge Michelle Buchanan Clinton will live in the new during the spring and summer pounds a nail for Habitat home when construction is for Humanity. complete. Club ORNL

is published for employees and retirees of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which Get the latest Club ORNL news on-line on is managed by UT-Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy. the ORNL home page and on ORNL Today. Retirees, to gain access to the ORNL home Bill Cabage, editor, 865/574-4399 or [email protected] page, fi rst register in XCAMS by going to http://www.ornl.gov/adm/clubornl_signup. Deborah Barnes, associate editor, 865/576-0470 or [email protected] shtml. After receiving your XCAMS account and Club ORNL membership, retirees On the Web: www.ornl.gov/reporter can then go directly to https://www.ornl. gov/adm/clubornl. Ross Toedte, 574-1912, DOE Inspector General Hotline: 1-800-541-1625 [email protected], is retiree point of contact.

2 May 2008 results from DOE’s new bioenergy research cen- ters, including ORNL’s Bioenergy Science Cen- ter in the west campus’ joint institute. The researchers also expressed a number of research needs, ranging Cheetah: Eugene takes over. from best sustainability practices to the potential that had a peak performance of 166 gigafl op/s, pitfalls—both economic or 166 billion calculations per second. It had a and environmental—of a total of 1.1 terabytes of memory and 40 tera- shift to energy-producing bytes of disk space. agriculture. Buddy reports that Cheetah is survived by The group discussed approaches its younger cousin, “Eugene,” the IBM Blue- to countering increasingly negative Gene/P computer system, and its more power- media coverage when it comes to biofuels. ful neighbors, Phoenix—the Cray X1E—and Agencies compare bionenergy notes One suggestion: Counter the unknowns with the Cray XT4 Jaguar. A group of ORNL researchers got together more information about what researchers cur- And what happens to old supercomputers? last month with counterparts from the U.S. rently do know. Buddy says Cheetah is being applied as trade- Department of Agriculture to explore poten- Similar to DOE’s collaborations with in on Eugene. tial collaborations in an area of mutual inter- defense and national secu- est—bioenergy. rity-related agencies, the Researchers and offi cials from the USDA’s evolving bioenergy mis- subagencies, including the Agricultural sion seems like an excep- Research Service, the Forest Service and tionally logical fi eld of the Economic Research Services, met with cross-agency collaborative researchers from across the Lab on April 16- opportunity. In this case, 17 to compare notes, swap presentations and the fi rst ones checking out voice some common concerns. the scientifi c scene are the They also identifi ed opportunities for researchers. collaborations. For instance, the USDA pur- chases nifty satellite images from an Indian Cheetah retiring satellite that graphically show effects of Bill Cabage After more than six farming and other land use practices in the years of service, A nesting osprey on an artifi cial platform is on the left, and a power Midwest. The USDA can also provide survey “Cheetah,” ORNL’s serial pole that’s been “discouraged” is on the right, in the 0800 area. data from farmers that supply “ground truth” number 1 IBM Power4 to verify information gleaned from statistics computer system, is being decommissioned. Waterbirds take to homesites and remote surveys. The supercomputer was the eighth fast- Ospreys, the large fi sh-eating waterfowl that For their part, the USDA reps expressed a est computer in the world on the June 2002 crash-dive on their dinner, have taken up resi- keen interest in tapping the Lab’s supercom- Top500 list and was last seen on the list at dence on the Oak Ridge Reservation along the puting and computational modeling capabili- number 442 in June 2006. Clinch River. Wildlife and bird watchers are ties. Meanwhile, everyone is anticipating “Cheetah was an exception- delighted at the comeback after pesticide use ally reliable, powerful com- and habitat loss thinned their ranks in the mid- Earth Day econo-boxes puter system that was used twentieth century. for a number of impressive However, the predators’ choices for nesting April 22’s projects. Perhaps its biggest sites in the 0800 area had become a little prob- Earth Day accomplishment was provid- lematical. Ospreys prefer high perches, such celebration ing 40 percent of the cycles as the tops of dead trees. Utility poles, to the featured an for the Intergovernmental birds, seemed perfect. appearance Panel on Climate Change’s “We needed to discourage that,” says Char- by offspring Fourth Assessment Report, lie Bruce, the Lab’s chief electrician. There from last Gillispie Manuel year’s turtle which with Al Gore, won the was the risk that linemen might disturb the release (top) 2008 Nobel Peace Prize,” says nests while servicing the lines, combined with and the the Center for Computational the threat of the birds getting electrocuted. alternative Sciences’ Buddy Bland. Their solution was to set some poles in the vehicle show. Originally installed in the ground near the nests and top them with a Wendell Building 4500-North com- shipping crate for a platform. Then the empty Sharp puter center, it later moved nests atop the power poles were removed, and (bottom) to the more spacious digs in orange traffi c cones were fi xed atop them to ponders a the Computational Sciences make the perch unsuitable for a nest. Mercedes- Building. It worked. At least one nest has been estab- Benz “Smart Fortwo.” Cheetah comprised 27 lished atop an artifi cial perch. cabinets, each with one node Bill Cabage Hunted and gathered by Bill Cabage ORNL Reporter 3 or the patient, the Rhenium-188-HDD treat- Rhenium Fment is mainly palliative; that is, it relieves pain by shrinking the tumor. These cases are usu- Continued from page 1 ally inoperable and terminal, although the treat- use in the radiopharmacies, effective concentration ment eventually could prove to be therapeutic. of the rhenium-188 and attachment to the appro- The treatment has undergone 60 clinical trials. priate carrier radiopharmaceutical, which could be The intravenous treatment is particularly prefer- able to the use of external conventional radiation selectively delivered to the individual tumors. The High Flux “The IAEA identifi ed hospitals in 13 countries treatments in many of these cases, because selec- who expressed interest in participating. We agreed Isotope Reactor, with tive delivery of the radioactive rhenium-188-HDD to provide protocols on how to use the system source minimizes potential damage to surround- and provided guidance on use of the generator its high neutron ing tissue, Russ says. Such damage can be mini- mized or avoided by selective tumor delivery of and rhenium-188 concentration methods.We then thermal fl ux, is the worked with colleagues in the Nuclear Medicine the radioactive HDD agent. Department at the Seoul National University Hos- only reactor in the Russ was also invited to participate in an inter- pital in Korea for development of the HDD carrier national symposium in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in molecule to which the concentrated rhenium-188 West capable of 2007, where the results of these studies were high- would be attached,” Russ says. irradiating the lighted. A recent issue of the Seminars in Nuclear Subsequent meetings determined which patients Medicine (March 2008) has highlighted use of the would qualify, based on the nature of their tumors tungsten-188 targets. ORNL generator, development of the HDD and a and their patient history. Then discussion of the joint clinical data. the appropriate clinical proto- Nuclear medicine and the use of radioisotopes cols were developed. for diagnosis and treatment strategies was practi- The tungsten-rhenium gen- cally invented at ORNL, in conjunction with Oak erator, one of ORNL’s most Ridge Associated Universities. ORNL’s Graphite successful nuclear medicine Reactor produced the fi rst shipments of radioiso- inventions, is a fairly simple topes for medical uses in 1946. device. The generator comes Although the routine production and processing with a supply of tungsten-188, of most medical radioisotopes is now primarily which is bound to an alumi- conducted in the private sector, the national labo- num oxide material in the ratories still fulfi ll an important role in providing Russ Knapp generator. The rhenium-188, a those radioisotopes that must be specifi cally pro- decay product with a half-life duced at the DOE facilities. of around 17 hours, does not bind to the aluminum As a result of this handoff to industry, where oxide. When a solution is passed through the gen- in the 1950s and 1960s ORNL made more than erator, the rhenium-188 simply washes off. 1,500 radioisotope shipments per month, in 2007 The rhenium-188 is then chemically bound to there were 200 shipments for the entire year of the fat soluble HDD agent, which is then mixed medical and industrial radioisotopes that are with Lipiodol, which is essentially a fatty acid uniquely produced in the HFIR and from other widely used in radiology as a contrast agent for sources at ORNL. the visualization of soft tissue. The rhenium-188- “Production of tungsten-188 for our generator HDD is selectively delivered to the tumors by use is a key example, since very high thermal neu- of a catheter navigated through a blood vessel to Nuclear medicine tron fl ux is required to irradiate the targets, and the tumors. was practically the HFIR is the only reactor in the West with this “Most organs receive their blood supply through capability,” Russ says. arteries. The liver, however, is different; it obtains invented at ORNL. Over the last two years Russ and his colleagues its blood from the portal veins. The blood supply have been developing a current Good Manufactur- to these liver tumors, on the other hand, is from ORNL’s Graphite ing Practice quality program, through which the the hepatic arteries, which provide good access Reactor produced generators will be provided to manufacturers for by way of a catheter threaded through the femoral preparation of the various rhenium-188-labeled artery,” Russ says. the fi rst shipments agents for therapeutic use. As medical technologies progress, nuclear med- The interventional radiologist feeds the catheter of radioisotopes for through the femoral artery and then uses a contrast icine often takes a back seat to other treatments agent to locate the tumor vasculature. Once the medical uses. when they become available. The Rhenium-188- catheter is positioned for selective delivery to the HDD radiopharmaceutial treatments, however, are tumor, the Re-188-HDD radiopharmaceutical is expected to be extremely promising in the devel- then delivered from a syringe, with specifi c local- oping nations where state-of-the-art medicine isn’t ization and uptake into the tumor cells. available. And the rhenium-188 generator can be This selective localization of the radioactive shipped virtually anywhere in the world. agent within the tumor cells then provides the very “This is a perfect example of effective trans- high-energy-emitting radiation specifi cally to the lational research—from bench to bedside—and tumor cells with minimal radiation exposure of the illustrates the continuing important role played by normal liver tissue. the HFIR and radioisotope technology develop- ment at ORNL,” Russ says.—B.C.

4 May 2008 Governor’s Academy class displays Lab projects good way to fi nd out what Lab research- “We look for students who are rabid about of bismuth telluride. Another student, Jason A ers are up to is to see what their “proté- match and science,” says Vena Long, execu- Zhou, investigated materials for electricity gés” are doing. The fi rst class of the Tennes- tive director of the academy. generation through the thermoelectric “See- see Governor’s Academy for Mathematics The students go to class on Saturdays and beck effect,” including recharging a car’s bat- and Science presented their research projects stay immersed in schoolwork. tery with heat from the exhaust system. on April 23 in the Joint Institute for Computa- “They groan and complain, but they also Ethan Sanders and Aarson Smith, from tional Sciences lobby. love what they are doing,” Long says. Cumberland and Dickson counties respec- The presenters’ research areas ranged There has been some attrition. Of the origi- tively, worked with David Resseguie on a from a scientifi c approach to political wind- nal 24 students, 18 have remained with the project, called SensorPedia, which would sampling to thermodynamic power genera- program. Tennessee’s Governor’s Academy provide a clearinghouse of Web-based sensor tion, by some of the state’s brightest students has the benefi t of the experiences of 14 other data, including traffi c cameras, weather sen- in science and math. They have spent one states, who have told Long that even long- sors and radiation detectors. day a week at established academy programs While it stands to reason that many of these ORNL during the expect a 20-percent withdrawal exceptionally bright students will attend col- academic year rate for each class. lege in other locales, the hope is that many investigating their Here is a sample of what the will remain in Tennessee. The Governor’s assigned projects, Governor’s Academy students Academy’s proximity to UT and ORNL make under the guidance have accomplished this year. that a more likely prospect. of their ORNL Tania Emanuelle Torchon, “Our academy is special because of the scientifi c mentors. who attended Nashville Schoot resources in East Tennessee,” Long says. The session also of the Arts, has been working “This is a marvelous opportunity for Tennes- included several with Ross Toedte on visual- see as well as for the kids.”—B.C. Farragut High izing the amyloid plaques School students, thought responsible for who are in their Alzheimer’s disease. Her proj- UT, high school second year of ect aims to help understand the take Global Venture their curriculum. plaque’s molecular structure. Farragut served Amanda Lowrey, a Farragut Challenge awards as the pilot for the student, worked with Ram Governor’s Acad- Datar and Thomas Thundat he University of Tennessee’s “Volantis” emy program. on microcantilevers that can Tteam and their superhydrophobic hull The Governor’s Jellico native Shuvam Kabir came to detect the chemical signatures coating won the Idea to Product Competition Academy, which the Governor’s Academy poster session of tobacco. at last month’s Global Venture Challenge. was proposed by prepared to demonstrate thermoelectric Another Farragut student, Merrimack High School out of New Hamp- Gov. Phil Brede- properties. Justin Menestrina, is work- shire tied for second place with another UT sen from an idea ing with Brynn Voy on gene- team. based on similar academies in other states, is mapping for obesity inheritance. Farragut’s Green energy entrepreneur K.R. Sridhar an opportunity for exceptional high-schoolers Kulani Jalata is working with Bem Culliat on gave the keynote talk. Sridhar, CEO of Bloom to pursue a tuition-free, two-year advanced the relationship of a connective tissue disor- Energy, is developing a fuel cell for use in the course of study. The students get to conduct der to the Nell-1 gene. distributed-energy industry. hands-on research alongside top scientists in Eric Wilhite’s poster attracted a lot of atten- The Volantis team won $25,000; the Mer- their fi elds. tion. He is working with Robert Patton on a rimack and UT runners-up split a $15,000 The program requires a daunting commit- text analysis program that can predict events award. A University of California-Berkeley ment on the part of the kids, who are away based on the detection of precursor events. team came in fourth. from home and their former classmates for He used the current presidential campaign The projects were judged by a team of six extended periods. They can’t have cars, and as a model: “exploratory committee,” “fund venture capitalists from across the country. they’ve also forsaken their sports, music and raising,” “debates,” primary,” “convention,” Two dozen teams originally entered the con- other high-school extra-curriculars. It’s big- ultimately to “election.” test, which was held in ORNL’s Conference time academics. Aly Brunson worked with Esther Parish Center. They do get some perks, such as UT foot- and Aroop Ganguly to compare temperature The winning technology was a superhydro- ball games, visits to the symphony and other data in the Southeast in the periods 1870- phobic—meaning water-repelling—coating local arts and, of course, the area’s national 1940 with 1940-2006 to look for shifts related that goes on a ship’s hull. and state parks. to human activities. Her data show that win- The high schoolers’ project, the Bio-Buddy, The students, some from far across the ters haven’t change much, but some areas is a miniature processor for biosdiesel fuel. state, live in Knoxville at quarters on the Ten- show warmer springs. The runner-up UT team brought an Air-Flow nessee School for the Deaf campus, with vis- Shuvam Kabir, a native of Jellico (“Oh, Hybrid Water Heater to the contest. its home every three weekends. The applica- you’ve heard of it?” he asks), brought gizmos This year’s entries, which included teams tions process, which this year gleaned a fi eld to demonstrate his study of thermoelectric from Berkeley, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, the of 174 down to two dozen, is exhaustive— properties. Energy exchanged when materi- University of Texas and London’s Imperial with teacher evaluations, phone interviews als shift from hot to cold can be tapped to do College. The event was organized by ORNL’s and math and writing tests and interviews to tasks, like recharge batteries. Shuvan’s study, Partnerships Directorate and Technology determine a general readiness for a college with mentor Hsin Wang, noted differences in 2020. environment. transport properties among different planes

ORNL Reporter 5 From Russia, with tech First S&T park tenant investigates promising, Soviet-developed surface-treatments RNL has a new neighbor that currently metal, glass, ceramic or carbide—with, say, facturing, a die-casting company headquar- O works inside the fence. That neighbor zirconium oxide in an organic liquid heated tered in in Muncie, Ind. is exploring a promising technology from the to 420°C by a tungsten halogen infrared “Magna-Tech treats aluminum parts after former Soviet Union. lamp. As the organic material evaporates, the the molten metal has solidifi ed in the steel On March 19, C3 International opened oxide forms an ultrathin fi lm that puts down die mold,” Mark explains. “Our custom- its Oak Ridge offi ce on the ORNL cam- nanoparticle roots into surface grain boundar- engineered chemical surface treatment could pus. It is the fi rst private company to have ies, holding the nanofi lm fi rmly in place. extend the life of the die tools from which a branch housed at a national laboratory. Through user agreements ORNL research- aluminum components are made, as well as C3 International’s Oak Ridge Laboratories, which occupies part of Building 2033, is the fi rst anchor tenant of the Oak Ridge Science The Russian American Technology Alliance reviewed 3,000 & Technology Park, which will eventually be Russian inventions that were once military secrets. constructed along Bethel Valley Road. Arvid Pasto and Billie Russell were the fi rst to move into the three offi ces after C3 ers helped Mark demonstrate the value of the parts themselves. Our licensing model is International and DOE signed a license agree- various surface treatments containing an to work with partners strategically located ment. Arvid, retired from his position as the organic compound and any one of 96 ele- in particular industries, like Magna-Tech. director of ORNL’s High Temperature Mate- ments, resulting in any one of 10,000 metal- We make the liquid coatings from different rials Laboratory, where Billie worked for him oxide coatings. elements for special applications in a given is now the director of C3 International’s Oak At HTML Harry Meyer used Auger spec- industry and then train a company’s employ- Ridge Laboratories. troscopy and Jane Howe used transmission ees to apply the coating.” Later in March, the three offi ces were electron microscopy to evaluate surface treat- Besides increasing the wear resistance and visited by Mark Deininger, chief executive ments with different rare earth oxides. Howe durability of cutting tools, rollers, bearings offi cer of C3 International, and two other obtained beautiful TEM images showing that and gears, C3’s custom surface treatments employees of the Alpharetta, Ga., company. zirconium oxide nanoparticles measured 3 to show promise as a solid oxide fuel cell elec- Already the company has 40 part-time 5 nanometers. trolyte in support of the power grid, as a workers and 21 fulltime employees. Mark Craig Blue showed that cerium oxide and ceramic fi lter catalyst for diesel exhaust fi ltra- is expecting to hire several retired tion and as an anti-corrosive for ORNL researchers looking for part- petrochemical systems. time work, as well as support some Chaitanya Narula, ORNL ORNL research through work-for-oth- catalyst chemist, has found ways ers agreements. to use engineered C3 surface Mark is no stranger to HTML. treatments on particulate exhaust Arvid invited Mark to give a presen- fi lters for diesel engines. As a tation there in 2002 after a mutual result, the traps use less energy to ceramic engineer friend convinced remove carbon. Arvid that Mark’s patented technol- Materials scientist Jim Keiser ogy was not snake oil. The former has a work-for-others agree- trial lawyer persuaded ORNL group ment with C3 International to leaders that the surface treatment con- determine which type of surface cept developed in Russia on which his treatment is best suited to resist company is based has many potential carbon buildup, or coking, in applications. metal tubes like those used Mark learned about the surface throughout petrochemical plants treatment in the 1990s after forming and oil refi neries. Keiser says he the Russian American Technology and his associates are testing C3’s Alliance, which reviewed 3,000 Rus- “super ceramic” coatings to see if sian inventions that were once mili- C3’s “super ceramic” coatings are being studied to see if they could help any could reduce carbon dioxide tary secrets. On one of Mark’s visits petrochemical plants reduce carbon dioxide emissions. emissions in petrochemical pro- to Russia, a chemist in the Russian cesses. army told Mark about his coating, devel- zirconium oxide coatings passed the acid In January 2008, C3 entered into a joint oped to prevent carbon deposits on spark test—unlike other coatings, they prevented development licensing agreement with UOP, plugs. The Russian was pleased when Mark attack of molten aluminum on steel, poten- a division of Honeywell. UOP serves more obtained for him a U.S. patent and assigned tially lengthening the usefulness of steel than 340 oil refi neries worldwide. the right to C3 International to use his new molds for forming aluminum automobile Mark frequently calls the C3 coating tech- material coating. C3 has since generated reve- parts. In 2006 C3 International and ORNL nology “an ion implantation that anchors a nues from applications of custom-engineered received an R&D 100 award for the coating nanofi lm.” As a businessman, he believes chemical surface treatments in a number of technology. Arvid will make C3 International’s new disparate industries. branch a successful nanotechnology lab The coating can be applied by dipping, n late 2007 C3 International signed a that anchors the new S&T park. — Carolyn spraying or wiping an inorganic substrate— Ilicense agreement with Magna-Tech Manu- Krause

6 May 2008 NSD notes program progress: New Staff YAGWAMs are out, THANCS is in Members AGWAMs are no more. The acronym, “General,” he explains, actually represents David Charles Anderson, Robert Link Dear- Ywhich stands for Yet Another General organizations—Department of Defense, stone and Ashraf Abd El Aziz Ibrahim Without Any Money, has been retired by the DOE, NNSA, Department of Homeland Abdou, NScD Neutron Facilities Develop- National Security Directorate in favor of a Security—across the board. ment new one, THANCS, which stands for Tech- “Over time, those external sponsors are Ramesh Ramchandra Bhave, Rosa Maria nology Help and New Customer Support. happy with what we’ve provided and they Trejo and Stewart Lancaster Voit, Materials National Security Associate Lab Director are coming back. Researchers and adminis- Science and Technology Frank Akers and his staff hosted a reception trators are keeping the relationships going. Kevin John Burbank, Human Resources Dir. for Lab researchers and support staff May 1 YAGWAM is no longer just generals, it’s Aaron E. Coleman, Research Accelerator as thanks for their successes in serving the customers at all levels. It’s the scientifi c staff Jennifer Lorraine Fox and Fan Zhang, Envi- national security business sector. And as a that does it; NSD is part of that process,” Tim ronmental Sciences wake for YAGWAM. says. Stephen Jesse, Center for Nanophase Matl’s The YAGWAM sobriquet was applied Examples of areas of national security Sciences several years ago to the concatenation of interest include the NanoScience Center sometimes star-spangled visitors who were and the Spallation Neutron Source, for their William Monday and Brandon Allen Wise, trooping through ORNL labs and offi ces to synthesis and characterization and advanced Global Initiatives Dir. check out how the Lab’s capabilities could materials, along with computational science, Melissa Alyne Shanken, Energy & Engineer- suit their needs. Those visits have helped GIS science, complex systems and algorithm ing Sciences Dir. grow a major, multimillion-dollar Laboratory development. Even biofuel technologies are Mark James Turner, Facilities Development business portfolio. attracting interest. Douglas Jacob Kyle, Fabrication, Hoisting & “The generals saw they could take our “These areas provide the fundamental Rigging technologies and apply them to their needs. building blocks of technology,” Tim says. Valeria Lauter, Neutron Scattering Science Now we’re a $400 million organization, “We’re being received much more warmly Derek Matthew Arnold, Research Reactors which means our ORNL research staff is and openly by these customers.” Judith Christine Hill, Computer Science and delivering,” says NSD’s Tim Vane. So THANCS.—B.C. Mathematics Ronald Jason Livesay, Nuclear Science & Technology Jane Reno plans to give back Lloyd Edward Reid and Robb Merkel, Nuclear & Radiological Protection visited her mother frequently during the last hh…retirement. The very word brings Lindsey Jane Amason and Robert Warren years of her life. Ato mind images of relaxing in a boat on Cottingham Jr., Biosciences a beautiful blue lake or not having to set the Jane plans to donate her time to provide Thomas Edward Briggs, Energy & Transpor- alarm clock early pedicures and manicures for the ladies in the tation Science in the morning to homebound ministry. get up for work. “I will do whatever I can for these ladies, Douglas Ely Eckard Jr., and Gary Franklin For others, retire- because they deserve to be treated special,” Watlington, Laboratory Protection ment provides Jane adds.—Bonnie Hébert Mark Lorenc, Information Technology more time for giv- Services ing back to their local communities. Service mation Services Dir.; Denny Ray Wilson, Human Fabrication, Hoisting & Rigging; Lisa Marsh Resources’ Jane Anniversaries Thompson, Global Initiatives Dir.; Thomas Reno, HR man- Edward Stanford, Information Technology ager for several Services; Joseph Philip Cunningham, Mea- divisions in the May 2008 35 years: Howard Edward Freeman, Fabrica- surement Science & Systems Engr; Mark W. ESH&Q Director- Wendel, NScD Neutron Facilities Develop- ate, is retiring after tion, Hoisting & Rigging; Robert M. Sexton, Facilities Management ment; Alexander W. Riedy, Nuclear Science 19 years of service. & Technology A veteran of all 30 years: Kaye P. Habenschuss, Asset Mgt & Small Business Programs; Cynthia H. John- 20 years: Melissa Byrd Hood, Business & three Oak Ridge Jane Reno, gardener son, Communications & External Relations Information Services Dir.; Michael William sites, working at Price, Campus Support & Instrumentation; Oak Ridge was a Dir.; Brenda L. Bush, Energy & Transporta- tion Science; John Scott Bowman and Steve Ted A. Bumbalough, Facilities Management; familiar concept to Jane since her mother was Vincent William Campbell and Alta Marie employed at Y-12 as a calutron operator and Armstrong, Facilities Management; Byrl P. Adkisson Jr., Integrated Operations Sup- Williams, Materials Science and Technol- her father was in Security Operations at Y-12. ogy; John Kenneth Keith Jr., NScD Research She plans to donate at least a full day each port; Dennis L. Brown and Ken C. Pressley, Logistical Services; Cecil V. Parks, Willena Reactors; Richard Edward Hale, Nuclear Sci- wek to her local church, Highland Park Bap- ence & Technology; D. R. Anderson, Nuclear tist in Lenoir City, and its homebound minis- C. Carter, and Ronald Ray Brunson, Nuclear Science & Technology & Radiological Protection; Stephanie A. try. Jane became familiar with the program Burke and Teresa A. Childs, Quality Systems when her pastor and members of the ministry 25 years: Sheryl. B Milan, Business & Infor-

ORNL Reporter 7 Nuclear medicine abroad, page 1 UT-Battelle scholar, page 1 INSIDE . . . Lab Notes: Ag-energy collaboration, ospreys, Cheetah retires, page 3 No. 99 May 2008 Gov’s Academy science, page 5 Soviet tech trove, page 6

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American professional ceramic engineers and Summer intern Marcus Allegood’s poster, scientists. The ACS has awarded Corporate titled “Determining the Optical Properties of ORNL People Fellow Paul Becher the 2008 John Jeppson Biological Tissue Samples Using an Integrat- Award, which recognizes distinguished scien- ing Sphere Method,” was selected as the best The Computing and Computational Sci- tifi c, technical, or engineering achievements in the math, technology, and engineering ences Directorate’s Gil Weigand has received in ceramics. category during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement the inaugural James R. Schlesinger Award, A paper by the Environmental Sciences of Science, earning Marcus recognition in an newly established by Sec- Division’s Robin L. Graham, along with upcoming edition of Science. Marcus worked retary of Energy Samuel co-authors John Sheehan, Lynn Wright, consecutive summers with Justin Baba. Bodman. Gil was cited Bob Perlack and Richard Nelson, has been for his work in conceiving identifi ed by Essential Science Indicators as a Recent ORNL retiree Mike Westfall has and implementing DOE’s “New Hot Paper” in the fi eld of Agricultural received a Distinguished Career Service Accelerated Strategic Com- Sciences. “Current and Potential U.S. Corn Award from the NNSA in recognition of his puting Initiative. Another Stover Supplies,” published in the Jan.-Feb. “exemplary technical support to the Depart- ORNL team was honored 2007 Agronomy Journal, is one of the most- ment of Energy Nuclear Criticality Safety by Secretary Bodman for cited papers in its discipline published during Program for over a decade.” support of DOE’s national the past two years. security mission. Dave Weigand Scott Sluder of the Energy & Transporta- Felde and Ron Miskell The Materials S&T Division’s Hua-Tay tion Science Division’s Fuels, Engines & of the Nuclear S&T Division; Jon Kreykes, Lin has been selected as a 2008 ASM-IIM Emissions Research group, is a 2008 recipient Jim Sumner and Duane Starr of the Global (Indian Institute of Metals) Visiting Lecturer. of the Society of Automotive Engineering’s Forest R. McFarland Award. The SAE also Initiatives Directorate; and Alan Parker of Nuclear S&T Division Director Jim Rush- conferred an outstanding oral presentation the Legal Directorate received the Secre- ton has been selected to receive the Univer- award on Brian West for his talk, “Fuel tary’s Achievement Award. sity of Wisconsin College of Engineering Economy and Emissions of the Ethanol-Opti- Distinguished Achievement Award from his Andrew Wereszczak, senior reseacher mized Saab 9-5 Biopower,” the third such alma mater. Meanwhile, the Alumni Associa- in the Materials S&T Division, has received award for Brian. the 2008 Richard M. Fulrath Award from the tion of Reading (Pa.) Senior High School American Ceramic Society. The award rec- has named Peter J. Blau their distinguished ognizes collaborations between Japanese and alumnus for 2008.