NIST Technicalendar March 16 to March 20, 2009 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/.

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 - Bioelectronics: Emerging Opportunities for Application-Driven Discovery Research
10:30 AM - NanoIR: Progress Towards Nanoscale IR Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging

10:30 AM - Exponential Smoothing and State-Space Modeling

11:00 AM - Pulse Shape Discrimination for a Fast Neutron Detector

10:30 AM - The Art of Science Television

3/16 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/17 -- TUESDAY

10:30 AM - SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRONICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Bioelectronics: Emerging Opportunities for Application-Driven Discovery Research
There is an opportunity for dramatically increased synergy between electronics and biology, fostered by the march of electronics technologies to the atomic scale and rapid advances in system, cell, and molecular biology. In the next decade, it may become possible to restore vision or reverse the effects of spinal cord injury or disease. Highly automated and miniaturized lab-on a chip platforms are envisioned to play an important role in drug discovery, medical diagnostics and instantaneous biological agent detection for these sensing platforms will not only provide improved detection but will also be cost effective. Bioelectronics is the discipline resulting from the convergence of biology and electronics, and it has the potential to significantly impact many areas important to the nation's economy and well-being, including healthcare and medicine, homeland security, forensics, and protecting the environment and the food supply. This presentation will provide an overview of the opportunities for and barriers to realizing the technical and commercial potential of bioelectronics.
Dr. Celia Merzbacher , Semiconductor Research Corporation. Dr. Sufi Zafar , IBM.
227/ACSL Bldg, Rm. A202. (NIST Contact: David Seiler, 301-975-2054, david.seiler@nist.gov)

10:30 AM - SURFACE AND MICROANALYSIS SCIENCE DIVISION SEMINAR: NanoIR: Progress Towards Nanoscale IR Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging
Craig Prater , CTO, Anasys Instruments, Santa Barbara, CA.
AML/215 Bldg, Rm. C103-C106. (NIST Contact: Chris Michaels, 301-975-5418, chris.michaels@nist.gov)


3/18 -- WEDNESDAY

10:30 AM - STATISTICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION SEMINAR: Exponential Smoothing and State-Space Modeling
Exponential smoothing methods for forecasting are sometimes regarded as a relic of the 1960s or, at best as a special case of simple ARIMA models. Neither characterization (or caricature) is correct. In this presentation we will examine the linkage between exponential smoothing and state-space models and show how this connection opens up ways to deal, at least approximately, with non-linear processes. Extensions to heteroscedastic processes are readily incorporated into the framework and several examples will be presented, including analyses of gasoline prices and of the records of an aging runner. Bio: Professor Ord's current interests lie in time series analysis and business forecasting. His most recent book was with R.J. Hyndman, A.B. Koehler and R.D. Snyder, Forecasting with Exponential Smoothing: The State Space Approach, Springer 2008. He is also a co-author of Kendall's Advanced Theory of Statistics, a two-volume reference work now in its sixth edition, and several books on spatial statistics and time series. Professor Ord is a professor with McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University since 1999. His prior positions include professorship and chairman at Penn State University and at the University of Warwick, England. He is a fellow of the American Statistical Association and of the International Institute of Forecasters. He is also an elected member of the International Statistical Institute.
Keith Ord , Professor, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, Washington DC, ORDK@msb.edu.
222 Bldg, Rm. A326. (NIST Contact: John Lu, 301-975-3208, john.lu@nist.gov)


3/19 -- THURSDAY

11:00 AM - STATISTICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION SEMINAR: Pulse Shape Discrimination for a Fast Neutron Detector
We are developing a detector that uses liquid scintillator loaded with 6Li for the efficient measurement of fast neutrons and their energy. The detector would have both scientific applications such as quantification of neutron energy spectra in underground science facilities, as well as security applications such as detection of contraband fissile materials. Fast neutrons deposit energy in the scintillator by nuclear recoil scattering. If the neutron loses enough energy, it can be captured by lithium and produce scintillation photons. Since background gammas produce scintillation light by electronic recoil scattering, we must reject them with high probability. With a prototype detector, we demonstrate the feasibility of a method to identify a sequence of events corresponding to nuclear recoil scattering followed by delayed neutron capture by 6Li. Our discrimination method is based on the Matusita distances between the corresponding normalized voltage pulses produced by each event and estimated template pulses corresponding to nuclear recoil events and electronic recoil events, and information about the pulse amplitude distribution corresponding to neutron capture events. We then estimate the pulse amplitude distribution corresponding to fast neutron calibration sources. (This talk is based on joint work with D. Vecchia, J. Nico and B. Fisher).
Kevin Coakley , Statistical Engineering Division/NIST-Boulder.
Building 222, Rm. A326. (NIST Contact: Charles Hagwood, 301-975-2846, hagwood@nist.gov)


3/20 -- FRIDAY

10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: The Art of Science Television
Using clips from the internationally acclaimed and award winning NOVA science series, Paula Apsell will discuss the art of science television. How are topics chosen? How does one make difficult material not only accessible but enthralling? How does one educate, entertain, and stimulate creative and critical thinking, all at the same time? And what particular challenges face science journalists and educators today, when scientific and cultural literacy are more at risk than ever in a computer-game-oriented society with literally hundreds of choices at their remote control?
Paula Apsell , Senior Executive Producer, PBS-NOVA and Director, Science Unit, WGBH (Boston).
Administration Building, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available


ADVANCE NOTICE

3/24/09 2:00 PM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Quantum Antidots: Spin-Resolved Transport and Quantum Structure
In two-dimensional electron systems, quantum antidots (ADs) are relatively unstudied in comparison to quantum dots. Where a quantum dot is essentially a 'valley' in a 2D potential landscape, an AD is a 'hill,' with circulating electronic states quantized by a perpendicular magnetic field due to the Aharonov-Bohm effect. When these states are coupled to current-carrying edge states in a quantum device, the AD serves as an electron interferometer, and so ADs are potentially important components of devices using quantum hall edge states (either integer or fractional) for coherent manipulation in solid state systems. I will describe some of the key features and potential applications of AD devices, and present the results of several recent experiments which probe the detailed quantum structure of AD states through spin-resolved measurements.
Lee Bassett , Cambridge University.
Physics Building, Room B145. (NIST Contact: Neil Zimmerman, 301-975-5887, neil.zimmerman@nist.gov)

3/25/09 10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Metallic nanoantennas for field-enhanced spectroscopy and microscopy: from visible to terahertz
Optical nanoantennas have shown their potential in field-enhanced visible spectroscopies such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. We extend this enhancement by these nanoantennas into the infrared by using a resonant plasmon-vibration coupling. We obtain direct surface-enhanced IR absorption spectral information of a few thousand molecules deposited on the antenna. Furthermore, we apply a metallic tip acting as an antenna to resolve the near-field information of nanoscale metallic particles in the IR, allowing for a resolution of lambda/1000. Finally, using terahertz radiation with these antenna tips, we obtain quantitative information on the doping concentration of free carriers in state-of-the-art semiconductor devices.
Javier Aizpurua , Donostia International Physics Center, San Sebastian, Spain.
Physics Building, Room B145. (NIST Contact: Garnett Bryant, 301-975-2595, garnett.bryant@nist.gov)

4/1/09 9:00 AM - CENTER FOR NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR: DC Regional Meeting of the AVS Mid-Atlantic Chapter and Open House of the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology
NIST staff, AVS members, potential members, and students and postdocs who are working in nanoscience are invited to a joint regional meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the AVS and an Open House of the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST). The meeting will feature invited speakers on local nanoscience research, information on how to become a facilities user at CNST, a tour of the NIST Nanofabrication Facilities, and a poster session for students and postdocs working in nanoscience.
Advanced registration required by , March 18, 2009.
Building 215, Room C103. (NIST Contact: Jay Hendricks, 301-975-4836, jay.hendricks@nist.gov) http://www2.avs.org/chapters/midatlantic

4/27/09 12:00 PM - OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION SEMINAR: Spectrophotometry Workshop
The Spectrophotometry Workshop, sponsored by the Optical Technology Division at NIST, targets engineers, scientists, technicians, managers, or others involved in the design or use of optical instrumentation, optical testing, or physical sciences in which optical properties of materials are important. The format of the workshop includes lectures and closely-related laboratory exercises. The purpose of the workshop is to familiarize the students with the fundamentals of science and technology related to the accurate measurement of optical properties of materials. Upon completion of the workshop, the student should have a good understanding of the theory and practice of spectrophotometry using dispersive and Fourier-transform techniques, as well as optical scatterometry. Particular emphasis is placed on the evaluation of uncertainties in transmittance, reflectance, and Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) measurements. To register, go to http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/confpage/090427.htm and follow the instructions.
Simon Kaplan , Physicist. David W. Allen, Thomas A. Germer, Leonard M. Hannsen, Maria E. Nadal, Eric L. Shirley, Howard W. Yoon
Metrology Building, Room B343. (NIST Contact: Simon Kaplan, 301-975-2336, simon.kaplan@nist.gov) http://physics.nist.gov/Divisions/Div844/spsc.html

4/30/09 10:30 AM - CNST NANOFABRICATION RESEARCH GROUP SEMINAR: Materials Challenges in Nanostructured ZnO-Conjugated Polymer Photovoltaic Devices
It has been widely recognized that increasing the sources of clean energy is absolutely critical for maintaining living standards while halting environmental degradation. Solar energy holds a great promise as a clean energy source, but current technologies are too expensive for wide usage. In addition to traditional semiconductor solar cells, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been targeted for inexpensive, lightweight applications, such as consumer electronics and field deployable sensors. A subset of OPVs, called hybrid solar cells, uses a wide bandgap oxide semiconductor as the electron acceptor. They take advantage of the environmental stability and high electron mobilities of metal oxide semiconductors, while largely retaining the solution-based processing available to organic semiconductor devices. In addition, the use of ordered nanostructures increases the area of the heterojunction, resulting in increased dissociation of photogenerated excitons and collection of charges. We focus on nanostructured ZnO – polythiophene (P3HT) heterojuctions. The challenges are to form oxide nanostructures with spacings that match the exciton diffusion length in conjugated polymers (~ 10 nm), to infiltrate high-molecular weight polymer in the dense oxide matrix, and to achieve efficient charge transfer at the heterojunction interface. In this talk, I will discuss progress made on each of the challenges and discuss future directions.
Julia W. P. Hsu , Sandia National Laboratories.
Bldg. 217, Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Nikolai Zhitenev, 301-975-6039, nikolai.zhitenev@nist.gov)

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


3/16 -- MONDAY

11:00 AM - CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON/GEOPHYSICAL LAB. SEMINAR: PHASE TRANSITION AND MELTING IN THE DEEP LOWER MANTLE
S. Tateno , Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Bldg, Rm..
Greenewalt Bldg., GL-DTM Grounds, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: Y. Fei, 202-478-8900, seminar@lists.ciw.edu)



3/17 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/18 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/19 -- THURSDAY

11:00 AM - CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON/GEOPHYSICAL LAB. SEMINAR: "KINETICS OF THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER FROM CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES AND INFLUENCE OF MINERALS
Y. Kebukawa , Osaka Univ..
Bldg, Rm..
Greenewalt Bldg., GL-DTM Grounds, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: D. Rumble, 202-478-8900, seminar@lists.ciw.edu)



3/20 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

CICERONE, M. : BROADBAND CARS MICROSCOPY.
American Physical Society Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/16.

BOSSE, A. : FIELD-BASED MODELING AND SIMULATION OF INTERFACIAL FLUCTUATIONS IN BLOCK COPOLYMERS.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/16.

SOLES, C. : VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF NANOIMPRINTED POLYMERS.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/16.

HUDSON, S. : POLYELECTROLYTE AND NANOPARTICLE ADSORPTION TO NANOPATTERNED SURFACES.
American Phyical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/16.

HUDSON, S. : THIN FILM MORPHOLOGY OF ORGANIC ELECTRONICS MATERIALS.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/16.

HUDSON, S. : HELIUM ION MICROSCOPY AND ITS APPLICATION TO ORGANIC MATERIALS.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/16.

HUDSON, S. : INTERFACIAL RHEOLOGY IN COMPLEX FLOW.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/17.

YAGER, K. : BLOCK COPOLYMER ORDERING THROUGH A THERMAL ZONE.
American Physical Society Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/17.

CICERONE, M. : HYDROGEN-BAND NETWORK DYNAMICS IN SUGAR-BASED GLASSES.
American Physical Society Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/18.

GERMER, T. : ESTABLISHING TRACEABILITY OF SCATTEROMETRY TO THE SI METER.
Scatterometry and Ellipsometry on Structured Surfaces, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Germany, 3/18.

STAFFORD, C. : IN-SITU ADHESION MEASUREMENTS UTILIZING LAYER-BY-LAYER FUNCTIONALIZED SURFACES.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/18.

MATHEY, L. : APS MARCH MEETING.
APS March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/18.

WU, W. : HIGH K DIELECTRIC FILM MEASUREMENT IN FINFET.
ISTC Conference, Shanghai, China, 3/19.

CICERONE, M. : PEPTIDE PROBE FOR CRYSTALLINE HYDROXYAPPATITE: IN-SITU DETECTION OF BIOMINERALIZATION.
American Physical Society Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/19.

STAFFORD, C. : DIFFUSION-CONTROLLED, SELF-ORGANIZED GROWTH OF SYMMETRIC WRINKLING PATTERNS.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/20.

VAISHNAV, J. : AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY MARCH MEETING.
American Physical Society March Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/20.

HAYES, C. : SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION OF HYDROGEN ATOM TRANSFERS IN ALKYL, ALKENYL, AND FUNCTIONALIZED RADICALS, AS PREDICTED BY COMPOSITE AB INITIO METHODS.
237th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT, 3/22.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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: . ., ., .

PUBLICATIONS PRINTING DEADLINE AUGUST 14, 2009
August 14 is the last day in FY 2009 to submit materials using FY 2009 funds to the Electronic Information and Publications Group (EIPG) for printing at the Department of Commerce or Government Printing Office. To assure timely processing, bring your Editorial Review Board-approved document or administrative printing job and appropriate paperwork to the EIPG office by close of business on Friday, August 14, 2009. The office is located on the mezzanine floor of the NIST Research Library in the Administration Building, Room E220. Questions? Ilse Putman, x2780 or Barbara Silcox, x2146.
NIST Contact: Ilse Putman, 301-975-2780, ilse.putman@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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