NIST Technicalendar May 21 to May 25, 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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2:00 PM - NIST's Inaugural Celebration of World Metrology Day

10:30 AM - Cold atoms and the 2D Bose-Hubbard model
10:45 AM - Structure and shear responses of poly(ethylene oxide)-Laponite nanocomposite hydrogels

No Scheduled Events

10:30 AM - Anisotropic Electron-Phonon Coupling in Doped Graphene
10:30 AM - Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanisms for Air Quality Modeling: The Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism, Version 2

10:30 AM - Thermal stability, sensitivity, and noise characteristics of MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions
10:30 AM - Polymer Droplets
3:00 PM - Mathematics in Industry: How is a Hidden Rule Found from Operation Data?

5/21 -- MONDAY

2:00 PM - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SEMINAR: NIST's Inaugural Celebration of World Metrology Day
NIST will hold an inaugural celebration of World Metrology Day on Monday, May 21, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. There will also be a videolink to NIST Boulder in Room 1107 at Noon MT. Join us in celebrating World Metrology Day -- a celebration of our core foundation and purpose! The theme for 2007 is Measurements in our Environment. NIST research and measurements provide a significant foundation for measurements made in our environment. Come to hear about NIST efforts related to this year's theme and stay for refreshments.
Katharine Gebbie , Director, Physics Laboratory, NIST. Jerry Fraser , Optical Technolgoy Division, Physics Laboratory, NIST. Pam Chu, Process Measurements Division, CSTL, NIST; Hunter Franney, Building Environment Division, BFRL, NIST; and Willie May, Director, CSTL, NIST
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Belinda Collins, 301-975-4500, belinda.collins@nist.gov)


5/22 -- TUESDAY

10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Cold atoms and the 2D Bose-Hubbard model
Cold atoms in optical lattices provide new avenues for studying iconic condensed matter problems. Using an initially Bose condensed sample of 87-Rb atoms, we implement the 2D Bose-Hubbard model (one intense lattice beam partitions the system into an ensemble of 2D systems; the remaining 2D lattice potential determines the constants in the Bose-Hubbard model). This model has a superfluid-insulator transition, and this experimental work focuses on the insulating phase. We carefully control the lattice parameters, the loading procedure, and the total atom number and we measure momentum distributions that agree quantitatively with the predictions of theory (for a homogeneous system). In our images, we also measure correlations in the atom-shot noise which give information regarding the spatial extent of the system. The correlation signal changes as expected as the insulating region develops.
Dr. Ian Spielman , Physicist, NIST.
221 Bldg, Rm. B-145. (NIST Contact: Ben Brown, 301-975-4841, ben.brown@nist.gov)

10:45 AM - ,. SEMINAR: Structure and shear responses of poly(ethylene oxide)-Laponite nanocomposite hydrogels
This research seeks to understand the structure and shear responses of poly (ethylene oxide)-Laponite nanocomposite hydrogels and to relate the macroscopic physical properties to the nanoscopic structural changes. Understanding that relationship is necessary, in order to tailor material properties to specific applications. Information on the structure at rest on multiple length scales was obtained by combining microscopic and neutron scattering techniques. The structural changes that occur in response to a shear field were explored using rheology and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). These structures were examined as a function of polymer molecular weight and polymer and clay concentrations. It was found that the dynamical behavior of these gels is controlled by the ability of a polymer chain to bridge clay platelets, which is influenced both by the length of the polymer and the clay and polymer concentrations.
Elena Loizou , NCNR, NIST.
Bldg. 235, E100 (Large Conf. room). (NIST Contact: Paul Butler, 301-975-2028, paul.butler@nist.gov)


5/23 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/24 -- THURSDAY

10:30 AM - EPG NANOTECHNOLOGY SEMINAR SERIES: Anisotropic Electron-Phonon Coupling in Doped Graphene
Jessica McChesney , Montana State University and the Advanced Light Source - LBNL, JLMcChesney@lbl.gov.
AML Bldg 217 , Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Jason Crain, 301-975-3744, jason.crain@nist.gov) http://physics.nist.gov/Divisions/Div841/Gp3/nanotech_seminar.html#current

10:30 AM - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES DIVISION SEMINAR: Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanisms for Air Quality Modeling: The Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism, Version 2
Millions of Americans are exposed to air with unhealthy levels of ozone and particulate matter. State-of-the-art air quality models are applied to plan air pollution mitigation strategies and to forecast air quality. The chemical mechanism used in a model is its heart and it may strongly affect the accuracy of the model’s calculated air pollutant concentrations. One of the standard chemical mechanisms developed internationally and used by the U.S. EPA and NOAA is the Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (RACM). The RACM mechanism is intended for simulating atmospheric chemistry under conditions that range from remote to highly polluted urban and at altitudes that range from the Earth’s surface through the upper troposphere. The RACM mechanism has been updated and expanded to create a new version (RACM2). The changes to the inorganic chemistry were relatively minor but there were substantial changes for many organic compounds. These revisions to the mechanism include more detailed aromatic and isoprene chemistry and the addition of the chemistry of less reactive compounds, such as benzene and acetone. In addition, this updated version includes updated cross-sections and quantum yields for its photolysis reactions. The RACM2 mechanism should be preferred because of its performance in simulating chamber data and its greater fidelity to known atmospheric chemistry. RACM2 is now being implemented in the EPA/NOAA Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ) where it will be used for research and the development of policy nationwide.
William Stockwell , Professor/Howard University, Washington, DC.
Physics (221) Bldg, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Vladimir Orkin, 301-975-4418, vladimir.orkin@nist.gov)


5/25 -- FRIDAY

10:30 AM - MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY SEMINAR: Thermal stability, sensitivity, and noise characteristics of MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions
Dipanjan Mazumdar , Brown University/Physics Dept, Providence, RI.
221 (Physics) Bldg, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: William Egelhoff, 301-975-2542, egelhoff@nist.gov)

10:30 AM - POLYMERS DIVISION SEMINAR: Polymer Droplets
Because polymers are large molecules it is straightforward to confine these macromolecules to small dimensions. As we might expect, when a molecule is confined to a length scale that is smaller than what it would have in a bulk material, the properties of the material can differ. Droplets are an ideal confining geometry because the length scales can be easily controlled and it is possible to arrange the system such that each droplet acts as an independent experiment. The talk will focus on two recent examples where we have used the droplet geometry: polymer crystallisation and the morphology of di-block copolymer droplets. It will become apparent in the presentation that the deviations from the ‘expected’ behaviour in confined systems are far from subtle!
Kari Dalnoki-Veress , Associate Professor - McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, dalnoki@mcmaster.ca.
224 Bldg, Rm. A312. (NIST Contact: Christopher Stafford, 301-975-4368, chris.stafford@nist.gov)

3:00 PM - MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES DIVISION SEMINAR: Mathematics in Industry: How is a Hidden Rule Found from Operation Data?
Junichi Nakagawa , Nippon Steel Corp., Japan.
Administration Bldg, Lecture Rm. C. (NIST Contact: A. Kearsley, 301-975-6103, ajk@nist.gov) http://math.nist.gov/mcsd/Seminars/2007/2007-05-25-nakagawa.html


ADVANCE NOTICE

6/11/07 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES : R&D To Deliver Practical Results: Extending Moore's Law
NOTE: Different Day Over forty years after its introduction, Moore’s Law continues to be the best predictor of future trends in silicon process scaling. Significant shifts in technology have occurred during this time to achieve increased performance and power efficiency. Advances in materials, processes, device structures, architectures, packages and systems will continue to enable the future. A research and development approach that leverages university and consortium research along with a strong, targeted, internal research organization will be discussed. The required investments necessitate a smooth transfer of ideas into development, and from development into high volume manufacturing. Use of integrated development and manufacturing capabilities enables co-optimizing the end product and manufacturing process. The model will be validated by considering Intel products and technical results.
William Holt , Senior Vice President and General Manager, Technology and Manufacturing Group, Intel Corporation.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

6/25/07 9:00 AM - METALLURGY DIVISION SEMINAR: IEEE Magnetism in Nanotechnology & 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.
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/

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


5/21 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/22 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/23 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/24 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

5/25 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

YOON, H. : SSE AND NOISE-OPTIMIZED INGAAS RADIATION THERMOMETER.
Tempmeko 07 , Lake Louise, CA, 5/21.

MEKHONTSEV, S. : NIST RADIANCE TEMPERATURE AND IR SPECTRAL RADIANCE SCALES AT NEAR-AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
10th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science, Lake Louise, Canada, 5/21.

TEW, W. (Co-Author: W.Tew , physicist, CSTL) : A DETERMINATION OF THE RATIO OF THE ZINC FREEZING POINT TO THE TIN FREEZING POINT BY NOISE THERMOMETRY.
TempMeko 2007, NRC-Canada and IMEKO Technical Committee 12 (TC12), Banff, Alberta, Canada, 5/21.

CURRY, J. : QUANTITATIVE INTERPRETATION OF BROADBAND X-RAY ABSORPTION IMAGING OF HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMPS.
The 11th International Symposium on the Science and Technology of Light Sources, Shanghai, China, 5/21.

NIKOOBAKHT, B. : A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR LARGE SCALE FABRICATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR NANOWIRE-BASED DEVICES.
NSTI Nanotech 2007 Conference, Santa Clara, CA, 5/21.

MESSINA, J. : ENGINEERING CHAIN.
NCR Teradata , San Jose, California USA, 5/22.

DELONGCHAMP, D. : THE MICROSTRUCTURE FOUNDATION OF HIGH CARRIER MOBILITY IN SEMICONDUCTING POLYMERS.
NSLS/CFN User Meeting, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 5/22.

NGUYEN, T. (Co-Authors: A.Granier N.Eidelman ) Martin, J : COVALENT FUNCTIONALIZATION OF CARBON NANOTUBES WITH DIFFERENT-REACTIVITY DIISOCYANATE FOR POLYURETHANE NANOCOMPOSITES .
Nanotech 2007, Santa Clara Convention Center, San Jose, CA , 5/23.

CLARK, C. (Co-Authors: J.Vaishnav , NIST I.Satija , NIST) : GENERATING NON-ABELIAN GAUGE FIELDS IN OPTICAL LATTICES.
Workshop on Quantum Gases, Centre Emile Borel, Institut Henri Poincare, Paris, France, 5/24.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES: DR. KRISTI ANSETH, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Hydrogel Niches Designed to Promote Tissue Regeneration Hydrogels provide a unique, largely aqueous environment for 3D cell culture and, when locally modified with appropriate signaling molecules, these synthetic niches can facilitate the regeneration of tissues. While the gel environment is often >90% water, the microscopic architecture and local chemistry play important roles in dictating cell morphology, proliferation, and differentiation; gel degradation and erosion; and the secretion and distribution of extracellular matrix molecules. This talk will illustrate several examples where the regeneration of neotissue structures is highly coupled to the biophysical and biochemical properties of the gels and demonstrate how appropriate tuning of the gel properties can create microenvironments that simply permit cells to function to those that actively promote specific cell functions. Integral to this understanding is the ability to manipulate the underlying gel chemistry and properties through the synthesis of macromolecular precursors and control of the gelation process. Thursday, 24 May / 11AM / Building 224 (Polymer), Room B-245
NIST Contact: Marcus Cicerone, 301-975-8104, marcus.cicerone@nist.gov

RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
Individuals at NIST who wish to do, or wish to sponsor any research involving human subjects, including human cells or tissue, are required by Federal regulations to obtain approval before embarking on the research. This includes: Research conducted here at NIST by NIST employees or guest workers Collaborative research with others outside of NIST, including CRADAs and other agreements Research funded by NIST through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements The current procedures for approving projects involving human subjects can be found in the NIST Administrative Manual Subchapter 14.01, Protection of Human Subjects (www-i.nist.gov/admin/mo/adman/1401.htm). These procedures ensure that the proposed research is in compliance with the applicable DOC Regulations, 15 CFR 27 (www.doc.gov/oebam/gforms.htm, click on 15CFR27 to download). NIST's Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews and approves those research proposals that require review except in cases where an outside IRB has jurisdiction. The NIST IRB is described in Administrative Manual Subchapter 3.01, Appendix A (www-i.nist.gov/admin/mo/adman/301irb.htm). These regulations are broader than many people realize, and involve more than, for example, just invasive medical procedures. They can also cover volunteers participating in questionnaires and surveys and people testing computer software. All research involving human subjects and being conducted at an institution outside of NIST that has not been determined to be exempt from the Federal policy by the appropriate NIST OU Director needs to have an approval from that institution’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) or from an IRB that has a current Federal-wide Assurance (FWA) or a Multiple Project Assurance (MPA) from the Office for Human Research Protections, DHHS. In addition, the institution conducting the research involving human subjects must have a current FWA. The outside IRB’s approval will be subject to concurrence by NIST. The NIST IRB Chair reviews the documentation from the outside researchers and IRB and recommends approval or disapproval to the NIST Deputy Director, with the concurrence of the NIST Counsel. Research being conducted at NIST by NIST employees that has not been determined to be exempt by the appropriate NIST OU Director must be reviewed by the NIST IRB (formerly called The NIST Human Research Ethics Committee). The use of human subjects in the project may not begin until the Counsel for NIST has concurred with the IRB's recommendation to approve the project and the Deputy Director of NIST has approved it. Signatures required before the proposal is sent to the NIST IRB include that of the Group Leader and Division Chief (who approve the scientific merit of the research), and the Laboratory Director (who determines whether it is exempt). An OU Director's exemption determination must receive concurrence from the Counsel for NIST and then be forwarded to the NIST IRB Acting Chair, Dr. Lisa R. Karam for noting and filing. For more information, contact the NIST IRB Secretary, Brenda L. Thomasson, (301) 975-3190 or (301) 975-3084, email: blthomas@nist.gov or visit our website at: http://www-i.nist.gov/director/IRB/ (For best viewing of all pages associated with this website, your monitor should have a display setting of 800 by 600 and in Microsoft Internet Explorer). All correspondence should be mailed to Mail Stop 2200.
NIST Contact: Brenda L. Thomasson, 301-975-3190, blthomas@nist.gov

VISITOR REGISTRATION FOR NIST EVENTS
Because of heightened security at the NIST Gaithersburg site, members of the public who wish to attend meetings, seminars, lectures, etc. must first register in advance. For more information please call or e-mail the "NIST Contact" for the particular event you would like to attend.
NIST Contact: . ., ., .

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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