NIST Technicalendar March 15 to March 19, 2004 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 - Microfabricated device for PCR by sample shunting
3:00 PM - Preconditioning Strategies for Models of Incompressible Flow

12:00 PM - NRC Postdoctoral Research Associates Monthly "No-Host" Brown Bag Lunch, Mar 16, 12PM, 222/B212

2:00 PM - Single Molecule Studies of Surface-Induced Protein Folding

1:30 PM - TRACKING AND REGISTRATION ERRORS FOR AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEMS

10:30 AM - Lise Meitner and the discovery of Nuclear Fusion
2:00 PM - Synthesis and Optical Characterization of Organic Nanoparticles

3/15 -- MONDAY

2:00 PM - MEMS/MICROFLUIDICS SEMINAR SERIES: Microfabricated device for PCR by sample shunting
Despite tremendous impact in clinical diagnostics, conventional end-point and real-time quantitative (RQ) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has near universal medical applications but suffers from intrinsic technical limitations. These restrictions include poor compatibility to study low transcript number amongst a high background of other nucleic acids, analysis of several targets from minute biopsy samples, plus additional constraints relating to time, expense and risk of cross-contamination. We are developing PCR micro-fluidic devices that will circumvent these drawbacks. Our novel approach is based on a sample-shunting system: the aqueous sample plug is shunted from one temperature zone to another by a pump system. This approach (see photo) will offer fast-cycling conditions, channel parallelization and a dimensionally favorable size and format that will ultimately derive uTAS devices for robust inter-laboratory standardization.
Pierre-Alain Auroux , Imperial College, London, UK.
Technology Building, Rm. A362. (NIST Contact: Michael Gaitan, 301-975-2070, gaitan@nist.gov) http://mems.nist.gov/Seminars/Auroux.pdf

3:00 PM - MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES DIVISION SEMINAR: Preconditioning Strategies for Models of Incompressible Flow
Howard Elman , Univ. of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science.
NIST North (820) Bldg, Rm. 145. (NIST Contact: Peter Ketcham, 301-975-5456, peter.ketcham@nist.gov) http://math.nist.gov/mcsd/Seminars/2004/2004-03-15-elman.html


3/16 -- TUESDAY

12:00 PM - NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (NRC) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIPS: NRC Postdoctoral Research Associates Monthly "No-Host" Brown Bag Lunch, Mar 16, 12PM, 222/B212
Dr. Jack Hsia, NIST NRC Postdoctoral Research Associateships Program Representative, Office of International and Academic Affairs, Division 109, is sponsoring monthly "no-host" brown bag lunch gatherings for NRC postdoctoral research associates. All postdocs are invited, from those newly arrived and those who may be nearing the end of their tenure at NIST. The purpose of these lunches is for NRC postdocs at NIST to get to know each other. The next no-host brown bag lunch is scheduled for March 16, 2004, 12:00pm-1:00pm, in the Division 109 conference room, building 222, room B212. Future no-host brown bag lunches are scheduled for April 20, 2004, and May 18, 2004, same location as stated above. These no-host brown bag lunches are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month.
Dr. Jack Hsia , Chief, Academic Affairs.
222 Bldg, Rm. B212. (NIST Contact: Janice Campbell, 301-975-3076, janice.campbell@nist.gov) http://www.national-academies.org/rap; http://www.nist.gov/oiaa


3/17 -- WEDNESDAY

2:00 PM - OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION SEMINAR: Single Molecule Studies of Surface-Induced Protein Folding
Adsorption of proteins at interfaces play a fundamental role in many natural processes that impact our lives. For instance, protein adsorption is responsible for initiating blood coagulation and the body’s inflammatory response to foreign particles. Protein adsorption also leads to undesirable consequences as in the case of biofouling of industrial and medical equipment. Because the secondary structure of adsorbed proteins often deviates substantially from native-state conformations in aqueous solution, an important aspect of protein adsorption is surface-induced conformational change. To understand the driving forces behind such changes we are using single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to directly measure the conformational distribution of a model peptide system in solution and at synthetic interfaces. These techniques give detailed information about conformational heterogeneity and about exchange times between different populations and promise to be applicable to a wide range of systems.
Doug English , Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland.
221 Bldg, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Lori Goldner, 301-975-3792, lsg@nist.gov)


3/18 -- THURSDAY

1:30 PM - INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS DIVISION SEMINAR: TRACKING AND REGISTRATION ERRORS FOR AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEMS
Simon Julier , Research Scientist, ITT AES / Naval Research Lab, Washington, DC, julier@ait.nrl.navy.mil.
220 Bldg, Rm. B127. (NIST Contact: Raj Madhavan, 301-975-2865, raj.madhavan@nist.gov)


3/19 -- FRIDAY

10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: Lise Meitner and the discovery of Nuclear Fusion
When the discovery of nuclear fission was first reported in 1939, it appeared that the chemists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann had performed the crucial experiments, while the physicists Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch provided the first theoretical explanation of the fission process. Historical accounts have tended to emphasize that divide ever since, as did the award of the Nobel Prize in chemistry to Hahn alone. But history and the published record can be deceptive, and Nobel committees can make mistakes. In this talk I will show that Meitner and nuclear physics were crucial to the discovery, but that Meitner’s role was obscured by her forced emigration, the political conditions in Nazi Germany, and the deliberate “forgetting” of the postwar period.
Ruth Lewin-Sime , Author and Science Historian.
Administration Bldg, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Flo Parkhill, 301-975-4203, florence.parkhill@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

2:00 PM - POLYMERS DIVISION SEMINAR: Synthesis and Optical Characterization of Organic Nanoparticles
How do molecules in solution self-assemble to form nanoparticles and/or bulk crystals? The focus of my research is the study of the nucleation and growth of organic nanoparticles prepared using an arrested precipitation method called “solvent shifting”. I will present some recent results on the optical characterization of the self-assembly of simple molecular crystals such as naphthalene, anthracene and Magnesium phthalocyanine. All of these materials have clear signatures in the optical spectra of the transition from single molecular species to dimers and above. These data are correlated with particle sizes determined by light scattering measurements to shed light on the mechanisms of particle formation. I will also describe plans to utilize a variation of the technique of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study self-assembly at the molecular scale. Finally, I will describe some current applications for nanoparticles synthesized with this method, ranging from novel optical materials to biocompatible drug formulations.
Edward Van Keuren , Professor, Georgetown University.
Polymers (224) Bldg, Rm. A312. (NIST Contact: CK Chiang, 301-975-3988, c.chiang@nist.gov)


ADVANCE NOTICE

3/26/04 10:30 AM - INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS DIVISION SEMINAR: Expectation-based, Multi-focal, Saccadic (EMS-) Vision for Perception and Control of Vehicle Motion
Over the last six years (1997 – 2003), building on two decades of experience with two generations of vision systems based on the 4-D approach to dynamic vision, the vertebrate-type EMS-vision system has been conceived, built and validated experimentally. The latest results with the two experimental vehicles VaMoRs (a 5-ton van) and VaMP (a sedan Mercedes 500 SEL) will be discussed. A new level of active gaze control and the explicit representation of behavioral capabilities allow great flexibility and adaptability. The intermediate level of dynamic knowledge representation nicely separates systems dynamics methods (exploiting large data streams from sensing) from AI-methods with predominantly quasi-static knowledge components (for mission planning, situation assessment and behavior decision). Behavioral capabilities are represented on both levels with correspondingly adapted interface parameters and methods. Results will be shown by video for combined radar/vision-based hybrid adaptive cruise control (keeping speed-dependent distance to the vehicle in front) on highways (VaMP) and for mission performance on a network of minor unmarked roads, and cross-country-driving on grass surfaces with avoidance of negative obstacles (ditches). In the last-mentioned application (maybe for the first time) full frame-rate, full image stereo interpretation in this complex environment has been achieved integrating special US-hardware (Pyramid Vision Technology ‘Acadia’) into the distributed COTS-PC-system used for EMS-vision.
Ernst Dickmanns , Prof. Dr. -Ing Universitaet der Bundeswehr, Munich (UBM), Munich, Germany, ld1beddi@UniBw-Muenchen.de.
Bldg 304 (Shops Conf. Room), Rm. B126. (NIST Contact: Craig Schlenoff, 301-975-3456, craig.schlenoff@nist.gov)

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


3/15 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/16 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/17 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/18 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

3/19 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

3/20/04 7:30 AM - CAPITAL SCIENCE 2004
. . , ..
Bldg, Rm. .
Conference Center, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. (NIST Contact: Peg Kay, 703-536-0990, pk@vertchnic.com) http://www.washacadsci.org/Wesbite/index.htm

4/15/04 8:00 AM - THE SECOND CONVOCATION ON ENHANCING THE POSTDOCTORAL EXPERIENCE FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, APRIL 15, 2004, NAS, WASHINGTON, DC
The 2nd Convocation on Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers will be held April 15, 2004, in the National Academies Main Building, 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC. There is no fee to attend. To register, please see the convocation announcement website at: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/postdoc. The goal of the 2nd Convocation is to evaluate the impact of the 2000 guide by the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) of the National Academies. This guide was drafted to inform postdocs, advisers, supervisors, institutions, and funding agencies of their opportunities, rights, and responsibilities, and what progress has been made since its release in 2000. This meeting will focus on collecting effective practices and determining next steps. The majority of the meeting will be spent in moderated working groups. The first convocation for this guide was held in March 2001 and had over 300 attendees including postdocs, advisers, graduate students, principal investigators, representatives from funding agencies, and other interested parties. Please contact Dr. Jack Hsia, OIAA (Div. 109), should you want to discuss any of the information that is posted on the web site, (301)975-3067, or e-mail, jack.hsia@nist.gov.
Dr. Jack Hsia , Chief, Academic Affairs.
Bldg, Rm. .
National Academies Main Building 2101 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: Janice Campbell, 301-975-3076, janice.campbell@nist.gov) http://www7.nationalacademies.org/postdoc; http://www-i.nist.gov/oiaa/oiaa_int.htm

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

SCOTT, J. : PRACTICAL ULTRAMICROANALYSIS IN THE ANALYTICAL ELECTRON MICROSCOPE.
Pittcon 2004, Chicago, IL, 3/11.

SOLES, C. : LOW-K DIELECTRIC POROSITY MEASUREMENTS USING X-RAY REFLECTIVITY.
1st International Symposium on Standard Materials and Metrology for Nanotechnology, AIST, Tokyo, Japan, 3/15.

HARMAN, G. : OUT OF THIS WORLD! (METALLURGICAL INTERCONECTIONS FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS).
2004 Government Microcircuit Applications Conference, Hyatt Regency Monterey, Monterey, CA, 3/18.

SUEHLE, J. : RELIABILITY METROLOGY FOR THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY AT NIST.
GOMACTech 2004, Hyatt Regency Monterey, CA, 3/18.

SUEHLE, J. : RELIABILTY IMPLICATIONS OF SCALING GATE OXIDES IN DEEP SUBMICRON CMOS TECHNOLOGIES.
GOMACTech 2004, Hyatt Regency Monterey, CA, 3/18.

REDDY, P. : ADENYLYL CYCLASES AS MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR VIRULENCE IN BACTERIAL PATHOGENS: MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION.
Biotechnology Division, Building 227, Room A202, 3/19.

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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: . ., ., .

UPDATE OF NRC/NIST POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIPS PROGRAM BOOK FOR 2005 AND CALL FOR ADVISER NOMINATIONS
Attention NIST postdoctoral research advisers and researchers, your laboratory offices are in the process of updating the NRC/NIST Postdoctoral Research Associateships Program Book for 2005 (deadline April 21, 2004). Please send your revised and/or new research opportunities in Rich Text Format, through your division, to your laboratory coordinators: Sheilda Bryner, EEEL; Lani Glover, MEL; Tia Crawford, CSTL; Flo Parkhill, PL; Jim Kelly, MSEL; Gail Crum, BFRL; Liz Lennon, ITL. NIST researchers who are not currently advisers are welcome to apply at this time or any time during the year. However, if applying to be an adviser by the April 21st deadline, please forward your nomination through your division, to your laboratory coordinator. To obtain a copy of the adviser nomination form, download the form at: http://www.national-academies.org/rap.
NIST Contact: Janice Campbell, 301-975-3076, janice.campbell@nist.gov

ATTENTION NIST RESEARCHERS: HOW TO BECOME AN NRC POSTDOC RESEARCH ADVISER
NIST needs researchers who are interested in becoming NRC/NIST postdoc advisers. Nominations are currently due April 21, 2004, coinciding with the annual update of the NRC/NIST Postdoctoral Research Associateships Program Book for 2005. Please forward NRC postdoc adviser nominations through your division, to your laboratory book coordinator: Sheilda Bryner, EEEL; Lani Glover, MEL; Tia Crawford, CSTL; Flo Parkhill, PL; Jim Kelly, MSEL; Gail Crum, BFRL; Liz Lennon, ITL. The nomination form may be downloaded at: http://www.national-academies.org/rap. Please contact Dr. Jack Hsia, Office of International and Academic Affairs (Division 109), (301)975-3067, jack.hsia@nist.gov, to inquire about this worthy opportunity to help attract NRC applicants to NIST.
NIST Contact: Janice Campbell, 301-975-3076, janice.campbell@nist.gov

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NIST WEB SITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE NIST VIRTUAL LIBRARY WEB SITE
You're invited to visit the NIST Virtual Library (NVL) Web site located at http://nvl.nist.gov. Use the databases, e-journals and subject guides. Read current and past articles in the Journal of Research, the Information Services Directions newsletter, and the NIST Technicalendar newsletter. The features available on the NVL are endless. Take a few minutes today to visit the NVL. We're open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
NIST Contact: . ., 301-975-3052, library@nist.gov

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For more information, contact Ms. Sharon Mingo, Editor, Stop 2500, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899-2500; Telephone: 301-975-TCAL (8225); Fax: 301-926-4431; or Email: tcal@nist.gov.

All lectures and meetings are open unless otherwise stated.

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