NIST Technicalendar April 30 to May 4, 2007 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/.
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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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No Scheduled Events

10:30 AM - Squeezing light out of atoms: Using 4-wave mixing to generate strongly squeezed light
3:00 PM - Structural Analysis of Organic Electronic Materials

10:30 AM - Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Studies of Electrostatic Interactions between Charged Fluorescent Dye Molecules and the Surfactant Vesicles
3:30 PM - Hydrodynamics of Complex Fluids at Small Length-Scales

10:30 AM - Using Spike-In Experiments to Assess Microarray Data
10:30 AM - Fabrication and characterization of novel probes and devices for Data Storage Technology
3:00 PM - Sharp-interface Theory for Transitions Between the Isotropic and Uniaxial Nematic Phases of a Liquid Crystal

10:00 AM - International Organizations for Standardization - Directions for NIST
10:30 AM - Curiosity Driven Research: The Most Practical of All
2:00 PM - Radioactivity Standards for Nuclear Medicine

4/30 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/1 -- TUESDAY

10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Squeezing light out of atoms: Using 4-wave mixing to generate strongly squeezed light
While the first demonstrations of squeezed light used 4-wave mixing in 2-level atomic systems, this approach was largely abandoned in favor of more successful results from optical parametric oscillators. Recently we have been able to generate much stronger levels of squeezing with 4-wave mixing in hot atomic vapors by using an off-resonant 4-level system. We have generated up to -7.1 dB of relative intensity squeezing with it. The system is remarkably simple and robust and, without a cavity, is insensitive to acoustic noise. The multi-spatial-mode squeezing is easily adaptable to “quantum imaging” applications.
Dr. Paul Lett , Physicist, NIST.
221 Bldg, Rm. B-145. (NIST Contact: Ben Brown, 301-975-4841, ben.brown@nist.gov)

3:00 PM - POLYMERS DIVISION SEMINAR: Structural Analysis of Organic Electronic Materials
Advanced organic electronic materials can be formed by supramolecular assembly in liquid crystalline and crystalline phases. The rational design of such materials rests on structural data of a systematic set of materials. Various transmission electron microscopic techniques (sample preparation, diffraction, and bright-field, dark-field and lattice imaging) are used here to determine the alignment and structure of these phases.
Steve Hudson , Physical Scientist, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, steven.hudson@nist.gov.
Polymer Building, Room A312. (NIST Contact: Jack Douglas, 301-975-6779, jack.douglas@nist.gov)


5/2 -- WEDNESDAY

10:30 AM - OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION SEMINAR: Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Studies of Electrostatic Interactions between Charged Fluorescent Dye Molecules and the Surfactant Vesicles
Recently, surfactant vesicles, an alternate of conventional phospholipids vesicles in some applications such as in drug delivery and cosmetics, formed by mixing single-tailed cationic and anionic surfactants, have been explored for their highly efficient encapsulation and long term stability of ionic probe molecules. The strong electrostatic interactions between ionic probe molecules with net charged surfactant vesicles play an important role. In order to further understand the principles of ionic probe molecules encapsulation (or binding) to surfactant vesicles, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) technique has been applied. Hence, free energy will be obtained by FCS for comparing the association ability of ionic probe molecules with net charged vesicles. Single molecule FCS technique in here, leads to a new direction for understanding quantitatively of ionic probe molecules interacting with surfactant vesicles.
Xiang Wang , Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland,, College Park, MD, xiangw@umd.edu.
AML Bldg., Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Dr. Angela Hight Walker, 301-975-2155, angela.hightwalker@nist.gov)

3:30 PM - MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH DIVISION SEMINAR: Hydrodynamics of Complex Fluids at Small Length-Scales
Understanding fluid transport and interfacial phenomena of complex fluids at small length-scales is crucial to understanding how to design and exploit micro- and nano-fluidic devices. Three examples will be presented. The first studies evaporation driven self-assembly to synthesize nanoporous thin films. A combination of experimental measurement and modeling using lubrication theory shows how self-assembly influences coating film thickness. The second example studies how length-scale and fluid elasticity affect droplet pinch-off of "simple" polymeric liquids in microfluidic environments. The third example illustrates how confinement and flow induced phase transition can be used to make stable, biocompatible nanoporous gels.
Amy Shen , Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis.
226 Bldg, Rm. B221. (NIST Contact: Edward Garboczi, 301-975-6708, edward.garboczi@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available


5/3 -- THURSDAY

10:30 AM - STATISTICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION SEMINAR: Using Spike-In Experiments to Assess Microarray Data
In this paper, I will show how I have used spike-in experiments in the past to compare statistical procedures geared towards analyzing microarray data (in particular, preprocessing). I will also show some recent work related to comparing different platforms.
Rafael Irizarry , Department of Biostatistics, The John Hopkins University.
Building 222, Rm. A264. (NIST Contact: Charles Hagwood, 301-975-2846, hagwood@nist.gov)

10:30 AM - EPG SEMINAR SERIES: Fabrication and characterization of novel probes and devices for Data Storage Technology
The $100-billion data-storage market is driven by, arguably, the fastest moving technology in high-tech industry, where the nano-scale is already commonplace in products. Instruments that aid in the fabrication and characterization of advanced devices are critical to sustaining the growth of storage technology, where not only are bits measured in nanometers, but data rates (> GHz) have driven timescales sub nanosecond. For magnetic recording technology in particular, there are many physical barriers that need to be overcome to further increase the density of bits on a disc (areal density) in the endless push for more memory. Smaller bits need higher anisotropy to be thermally stable, which requires a tinier source (the writer) to deliver larger magnetic fields (> 2 Tesla) in an even shorter timeframe. This is a daunting task, but a great opportunity for science and engineering. In this talk, I will discuss some of our work that explores the effects of shrinking bits and short timescales, focusing on two measurement tools, in particular, that aid our characterization and fabrication: a dualbeam FIB/SEM and a recently developed ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) probe.
Thomas Clinton , Research Staff Member, Seagate Research, Pittsburgh, PA, thomas.w.clinton@seagate.com.
217 Bldg, Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Daniel T. Pierce, 301-975-3711, daniel.pierce@nist.gov)

3:00 PM - MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES DIVISION SEMINAR: Sharp-interface Theory for Transitions Between the Isotropic and Uniaxial Nematic Phases of a Liquid Crystal
Eliot Fried , Washington University in St. Louis.
Administration Bldg, Lecture Rm. B. (NIST Contact: Geoffrey McFadden, 301-975-2711, geoffrey.mcfadden@nist.gov) http://math.nist.gov/mcsd/Seminars/2007/2007-05-03-fried.html


5/4 -- FRIDAY

10:00 AM - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SEMINAR: International Organizations for Standardization - Directions for NIST
Alan Bryden, President and CEO of the International Organizations for Standardization, headquartered in Geneva,Switzerland, will be at NIST on May 4. You are invited to attend a briefing and discussion with Mr. Bryden, during which he will address ISO's strategic direction, involvement in innovative fields of technology, the ISO business model, possibilities for greater involvement of industry and non-government organizations in ISO and ISO standards, and general issues of public policy. Mr. Bryden would very much like to hear your questions and views on any and all of these topics, and is happy to answer your questions about ISO.
Alan Bryden , President & CEO, Intl Organizations for Standardization, Geneva, SW.
Chemistry Building, Room A116. (NIST Contact: Belinda Collins, 301-975-4500, belinda.collins@nist.gov)

10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES : Curiosity Driven Research: The Most Practical of All
Pure research is the origin of applications of the future. Its ultimate value cannot be judged in contemporary terms. Things that appear as having no immediate value economically may appear very different in decades to come. Michael Lazaridis is the president and co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company that invented the BlackBerry wireless platform and developed the associated suite of BlackBerry products and services. He is also the founder of the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics and the Chancellor of the University of Waterloo. Among other honors he has received both an Academy Award and an Emmy for his technical innovations.
Michael Lazaridis , President and Co-CEO at Research in Motion.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

2:00 PM - IONIZING RADIATION DIVISION SEMINAR: Radioactivity Standards for Nuclear Medicine
The number of nuclear medicine procedures being performed in the United States continues to rise, due in part to the expanding number of applications for both diagnosing and treating diseases. The safety and effectiveness of these procedures are highly dependent on the accuracy of the radioactivity measurements made in the clinic, whether they are of the amount of contained activity in the radiopharmaceutical being injected or of the measured distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in the body. The Nuclear Medicine Standards Program in the NIST Radioactivity Group provides the standards and calibrations that help ensure the accuracy and consistency of radioactivity measurement in nearly all areas of nuclear medicine practice. This talk will present an overview of the activities of the Program, including plans for a major initiative in the development of standards for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), key tools in medical imaging.
Brian Zimmerman , Research Chemist, Gaithersburg, MD, bez@nist.gov.
245 Bldg, Rm. C301. (NIST Contact: Brian Zimmerman, 301-975-4338, bez@nist.gov)


ADVANCE NOTICE

5/8/07 10:00 AM - SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRONICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Are We Heading Towards Performance-Based MEMS Standards?
Research at the micro/nano-scale poses new challenges for metrology and technological advancement. This talk begins with an overview of several of these challenges. Then an interesting metrology technique will be presented, which may be used to help with such challenges. The talk will conclude with a discussion of a few benefits and applications of this new methodology. Advancements in micro/nano-scale materials, sensors, actuators, typically depend on precise measurements of new phenomena, and accurate characterizations of performances through modeling. To verify analytical and numerical models of such phenomena, it is necessary that the performance of the models match the performance of the actual devices. To accomplish this, the model and device must share the same geometric and material parameters. These parameters should be measured for each device because parameters vary across and within fabrication runs. To address this challenge, EMM is being developed to exploit the strong coupling between micro/nano-mechanical parameters and precise micro-electronic measurands. That is, it deduces many geometric, dynamic, and material properties by electronic probing. Since EMM is performance-based, it retains a clear meaning to manufacturers and users; and it applies to a wide variety of micro/nano-devices. Preliminary results show that EMM is several orders of magnitude more precise than convention.
Jason Clark , Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and of Mechanical Engineering, at Purdue, West Lafayette, IN, jvclark@purdue.edu.
Technology Building, Rm A362. (NIST Contact: Janet Marshall, 301-975-2049, janet.marshall@nist.gov)

5/10/07 1:30 PM - PROCESS MEASUREMENTS DIVISION SEMINAR: New and Renewed Technologies for Characterizing Biopharmaceuticals
Several new analytical technologies have become available over the last few years which enable more efficient characterization of biopharmaceutical products. These new or renewed analytical tools have led to a greater understanding of the structure-function relationships between the protein product and its disease target. Considerable progress has been made in utilizing new or existing tools for characterizing the 3-dimensional structure of proteins such as EM tomography, X-ray crystallography, and computer modeling. Other biophysical characterization techniques are also re-emerging to better characterize protein particles (visible and subvisible) including laser light scattering, nephelometry, analytical ultracentrifugation, microchemistry, light microscopy, and FTIR microscopy. The ability to better characterize biopharmaceuticals earlier in development enables better product and process understanding and can help accelerate progress through the pipeline.
Dr. Mark Schenerman , Vice President of Analytical Biochemistry, MedImmune, Gaithersburg, MD.
227 Bldg, Rm. A202. (NIST Contact: Mike Tarlov, 301-975-2058, mtarlov@nist.gov)

5/17/07 10:30 AM - QUANTUM ELECTRICAL METROLOGY DIVISION SEMINAR: Two-Level Systems in Superconducting Circuit Resonators
For use in quantum computers, superconducting qubits currently suffer from short coherence times. A couple of years ago wiring dielectrics used in the circuit fabrication of superconducting phase qubits were a suspect in limiting decoherence times. To uncover this, microwave resonators were used to measure the dissipation in amorphous dielectrics at stored resonator energies down to a single photon. It was found that the nonlinear loss tangent of the dielectric was consistent with a continuum of parasitic two-level systems. Phase qubits also exhibit splittings due to the interaction of the qubit with discrete two-level systems. To study these splittings further, we have recently fabricated a high-Q Josephson junction resonator that allows us to tune the resonance frequency. We measure the Josephson junction resonator down to the single photon limit and observe discrete two-level systems, similar to those in the qubit, that are attributed to defects in the Josephson junction. At higher photon numbers the resonator non-linearity becomes apparent and a bifurcation of dynamic states occurs, which has further applications in superconducting quantum computing.****Bio: Kevin Osborn received his doctorate in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2001 under the advisement of Professor Dale Van Harlingen, with a thesis on critical fluctuations of the superfluid density in high-temperature superconducting films. He then went to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado and completed two postdoctoral projects. In the first project he measured individual electrons tunneling onto InGaAs quantum dots using Al single-electron transistors. Then in 2004 he received a National Research Council Postdoctoral Award and stayed at NIST-Boulder to investigate decoherence mechanisms caused by two-level systems in superconducting phase qubits with microwave resonators. In January of 2007, Kevin came to the Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the University of Maryland to lead research on superconducting circuit resonators for quantum computing.
Kevin Osborn , Laboratory for Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Metrology Building, Room B365. (NIST Contact: Neil Zimmerman, 301-975-5887, neil.zimmerman@nist.gov)

6/25/07 9:00 AM - METALLURGY DIVISION SEMINAR: IEEE Magnetism in Nanotechnology & Electronics Conference 2007
The IEEE Magnetics Society Chapter of the Northern Virginia/Washington DC is organizing the IMAGINE Conference 2007 to provide an occasion for the magnetism researchers in this region and nearby to meet, interact, and exchange ideas. In addition, this is a good opportunity for postdoc/junior researchers and graduate students to present their research and gain exposure in the magnetism community
IEEE IMAGINE , CONFERENCE.
Administration Bldg, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Wing Tat Pong, 301-975-8876, ppong@nist.gov) http://ewh.ieee.org/r2/wash_nova/mags/ieeeimagine/

6/25/07 9:00 AM - METALLURGY DIVISION SEMINAR: IEEE IMAGINE Conference 2007 ­ IEEE MAGnetism In Nanotechology & Electronics Conference
The IEEE Magnetics Society Chapter of the Northern Virginia/Washington DC is organizing the IMAGINE Conference 2007 to provide an occasion for the magnetism researchers in this region and nearby to meet, interact, and exchange ideas. In addition, this is a good opportunity for postdoc/junior researchers and graduate students to present their research and gain exposure in the magnetism community. This event is FREE for IEEE members.
. . , ..
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Philip Pong, 301-975-8876, ppong@nist.gov)

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


4/30 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/1 -- TUESDAY

4:15 PM - JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV. CHEMISTRY DEPT/ EPHRAIM AND WILMA SHAW ROSEMAN COLLOQUIUM SERIES: INITIATION AND REACTIVITY OF ENERGETIC MATERIALS AT EXTREME CONDITIONS
M. R. Manaa , Lawrence Livermore Nat. Lab.
Bldg, Rm. .
Chemistry Dept., The Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD. (NIST Contact: R. Elder, 410-516-7432, rosalie@jhu.edu)



5/2 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/3 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/4 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

SHULL, R. : NANOTECHNOLOGY: WHAT IS IT? WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?.
Materials Advantage Chapter Speaker, Virginia Polytechnic Institute , Blacksburg, VA, 4/26.

SHULL, R. : NANOMAGNETISM: A NEW MATERIALS FRONTIER.
Department of Chemistry Colloquium, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA, 4/27.

RHODERICK, G. : STATUS OF NIST METHANE SRMS AND PRIMARY STANDARDS.
NOAA , Boulder, CO, 5/2.

OBRZUT, J. : MEASUREMENT OF IMPEDANCE OF INDIVIDUAL CARBON NANOTUBES.
IEEE 2007 Conference on Measurement for Nanotechnology, Warsaw, Poland, 5/2.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

NIST-NRC POSTDOC PROGRAM
On Thursday, May 17, 2007, the National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associateship Programs Staff will be visiting NIST Gaithersburg to discuss the NIST-NRC Postdoc Program. The visit will take place in the Administration Building, Lecture Room B at 11:00 a.m. The NRC Staff welcomes a discussion with NIST Postdoc Advisors, Supervisors, Managers and other interested parties. Please pass this information on to all interested parties in your OU. This is NIST's opportunity to ask about the NIST/NRC Postdoctoral Research Associateship Program and we encourage broad participation in the 11:00 a.m. session. NRC Participants include: Dr. Ray Gamble, Program Director, Postdoctoral Research Associateship Programs Ms. Suzanne White, Program Coordinator, Postdoctoral Research Associateship Programs PLEASE NOTE: For Boulder Staff, there will be a separate session in Boulder on June 6, 2007. For further information, please contact Susan Heller-Zeisler, (301) 975-3111 or szeisler@nist.gov
NIST Contact: Susan Heller-Zeisler, 301-975-3111, szeisler@nist.gov

2007 WORLD STANDARDS DAY PAPER COMPETITION
The U.S. standards community will celebrate World Standards Day on Thursday, October 18, 2007, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. This year’s theme, “Standards and the Global Village” recognizes the global consensus-building capacity of standards developing organizations. Along with this event, the 2007 World Standards Day sponsors, including NIST, will hold the annual paper competition. Papers are invited that show, using specific examples, ways that standards developing organizations have encouraged and created global consensus for the economic and social benefit of the global village. Paper competition winners will be announced and given their awards at the U.S. celebration of World Standards Day. Cash prizes are awarded by the Standards Engineering Society (SES) and the World Standards Day Planning Committee. 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 all U.S. individuals in the private sector or at government facilities. 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 August 31, 2007, by the SES Executive Director, 13340 SW 96th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33176. Complete details and entry forms are available on the SES website www.ses-standards.org (follow the link for “2007 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

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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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