NIST Technicalendar September 28 to October 2, 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

11:00 AM - Protein Folding: From the Water to the Cell
1:30 PM - Nanochemistry: Synthesis, Size, Surface, and Beyond
1:30 PM - BFRL Deployment to the Station Fire

No Scheduled Events

10:00 AM - 2009 COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

10:30 AM - Supramolecular Self-Assemblies: From Fabrication of Nanolithography to Opto-electronic Applications
1:30 PM - SPIN TRANSFER TORQUE INDUCED LOW TEMPERATURE MAGNETIZATION DYNAMICS: A CASE STUDY

9/28 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

9/29 -- TUESDAY

11:00 AM - NIST BIOPHYSICS GROUP AND CARB, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE SEMINAR SERIES: Protein Folding: From the Water to the Cell
Although the focus in protein folding and protein dynamics is often on the polypeptide itself, the environment around the protein plays a major role. The free energy contribution of the solvent is in fact roughly comparable to that of the polypeptide. I present some experiments and analysis working towards differentiating solvent effects better: THz spectroscopy during protein folding can look at the water directly. Ultrafast high-pressure jumps reveal differential contributions to secondary and tertiary structure stability. Looking at protein folding in living cells reveals the effects of macromolecular crowders, producing a large spread of folding times and mechanisms. This seminar will be broadcast to NIST-Lecture Room A and presented at CARB, 9600 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville, MD
Martin Gruebele , Professor of Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics & Computational Biology, Beckman Institute, U of IL, Urbana-Champaign.
Administration Bldg, Lecture Rm. A. (NIST Contact: David Plusquellic, 301-975-3896, dplus@nist.gov)

1:30 PM - BIOPHYSICS GROUP SEMINAR SERIES: Nanochemistry: Synthesis, Size, Surface, and Beyond
We will use two examples to elucidate the importance of controlling the size and morphology of nanomaterials. More precise synthesis of nanomaterials has begun to allow us to achieve more detailed understanding of chemical reactions enabled by nanomaterials at unprecedented levels. The first example is using steam reforming of methane on monodisperse platinum nanoparticle catalysts to establish, for the first time, a quantitative understanding of the role of each reactive surface site. The second example is the understanding of how inert gold nanoparticles and nanotubes absorb x-ray photons to become chemically active. The role of surface and size is again assessed in this case.
Ting Guo , Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA.
Bldg 221, Room A366. (NIST Contact: Angela Hight Walker, 301-975-2155, ahight@nist.gov)

1:30 PM - FIRE RESEARCH DIVISION SEMINAR: BFRL Deployment to the Station Fire
The Station Fire west of LA started on August 26th, 2009 and by September 9th it had consumed 160,000 acres. As of September 15th the Station fire estimated containment date is September 19th. There were 4500 fire fighting crew and supporting team on this incident. Two firefighters have lost their lives and two civilians have been severely burned. The fire has destroyed over 90 homes and 132 vehicles. NIST deployed two Wildland Urban Interface researchers to conduct an initial reconnaissance of the fire. The three primary objectives of the deployment were: 1. In collaboration with Los Angeles County WUI damage assessment officials assess the benefits and limitations of their current field methodologies for recording damage assessment in burned WUI communities. 2. Extend our knowledge base of WUI fire incidents which will support our ongoing laboratory experiments, computer modeling, field measurements, and the development of field deployment procedures to assess burned WUI communities. 3. Assess NIST's ability to rapidly deploy to WUI fire incidents and effectively join ongoing efforts by local officials within the Incident Command System. The seminar will discuss the deployment process, integration into the Incident Command System of the Station fire and lessons learned for future deployments.
Alexander Maranghides , BFRL Fire Research Division. W. Ruddy Mell , BFRL Fire Research Division.
Bldg 224, Rm B245. (NIST Contact: Rodney Bryant, 301-975-6487, rodney.bryant@nist.gov)


9/30 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

10/1 -- THURSDAY

10:00 AM - ,2009 COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN SEMINAR: 2009 COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy initiated a program for Federal employees that has evolved into the world's largest workplace giving program--the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Last year, during one of the most economically troubling times in U.S. history, Federal employees in the Washington, DC area pledged a record $62.7 million to those in critical need of assistance. This year, you once again have the power to make a difference, as the 2009 Combined Federal Campaign is underway, and you will soon be receiving your 2009 pledge card from your keyworker. CFC KICKOFF & CHARITY FAIR, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1st – Please attend the NIST CFC Kickoff and Charity Fair on Thursday, October 1st, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Red Auditorium. The program will include singing by children from the NIST Childcare Center and opening remarks from Dr. Patrick Gallagher. Various CFC beneficiaries will share inspirational stories and information about their respective organizations. The Charity Fair, comprising local CFC organizations, will continue throughout Flag Hall and Lecture Rooms A, B, and D of the Administration Building until 2:00 p.m. Stop by to learn more about these organizations and enter your name in the drawing for one of the coveted CFC parking spots! For questions about the CFC Kickoff & Charity Fair, contact Dr. Harris Liebergot, 301.975.5196, harris.liebergot@nist.gov.
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Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Harris Liebergot, 301-975-5196, harris.liebergot@nist.gov)


10/2 -- FRIDAY

10:30 AM - POLYMERS DIVISION SEMINAR: Supramolecular Self-Assemblies: From Fabrication of Nanolithography to Opto-electronic Applications
We (the organic opto-electronic laboratory at KAIST) investigate various molecular assembling materials to create new functionality in electronic and optoelectronic components and systems. Our research has two parallel and interacting thrusts: the creation of novel nanopatterning techniques, and their potential applications as opto-electronic devices. The first thrust is the development and/or modification of novel types of nanostructures, ranging from a few micrometers to nanometers in feature size, using molecular assembling systems such as liquid crystals, supramolecules, functional polymers and other advanced lithography, etc. This often means designing our own nanostructures or modifying commercial fabrications to make it compatible with the requirements for future opto-electronics, energy and biology. Another thrust is to use the nanostructure templates obtained in their practical applications as sensor and energy devices. Patterned functional opto-electronic materials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanowires are investigated to determine how the three-dimensional arrangement of the components influences their device performances. Here, we show perfect surface ordering of toric focal conic domains (TFCDs) with feature size of submicrometer over millimeter-scale area, which can be formed by smectic liquid crystals and a successful route for suitable surface treatment. This method has significant advantages over existing approaches to lithographic applications that this is easy to fabricate, generates long-range surface ordering with millimeter-scale, needs very short time to form periodic arrays, can generate various feature size ranging from micrometer to submicrometer, and has the possibility to control the geometry of the arrays through the geometry of confining channels. Various applications of the nanostructures from other self-assembling building blocks and nanoimprint methods, which include high performance of sensing devices, energy devices, high adhesion materials and electro-optical devices, are also presented.
HeeTae Jung , Prof., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea, heetae.jung@nist.gov.
224 Bldg, Rm. A312. (NIST Contact: Steven Hudson, 301-975-6579, steven.hudson@nist.gov)

1:30 PM - CNST ELECTRON PHYSICS GROUP SEMINAR: SPIN TRANSFER TORQUE INDUCED LOW TEMPERATURE MAGNETIZATION DYNAMICS: A CASE STUDY
Unambiguous evidence for the switching of sub-micron size spin-valves elements under the action of spin transfer torques was gained in year 2000 [1], i.e. some three years after the publication of John Slonczewski 's seminal patent [2]. Another key theoretical prediction is the existence of stable precession states under suitable field and dc current conditions [2]. Sustained precession gives rise to an rf GMR signal in the few GHz range, the frequency of which may be tuned by the amplitude of the dc current. A few GHz agility has been demonstrated in nano-contact devices [3] or GMR-type nanopillars [4,5] . Although the very existence of precessional states is understood in broad terms, fine features of the dispersion relations clearly call for an analysis beyond the single spin approximation. In spite, however, of the highly predictive power of micromagnetics, a fine comparison between theory and the most appealing experimental results has remained elusive. Rather than attempting to correlate experimental data with simulations based on assumed sample properties, it may well seem more appropriate to imagine which sample properties may lead to a given experimental response. It turns out that even a rather poor answer truly proves challenging. [1] F. J. Albert et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 77 (2000) 3809 [2] J. C. Slonczewski, US Patent 5 695 864 (1997) [3] W.H. Rippard et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 (2004) 027201 [4] I. N. Krivorotov et al., SCIENCE 307 (2005) 228 [5] I.N. Krivorotov et al., Phys. Rev. B76 (2007) 024418
Jacques Miltat , CNST Visiting Fellow/ Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, France.
Bldg. 217, Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Mark Stiles, 301-975-3745, mark.stiles@nist.gov)


ADVANCE NOTICE

10/9/09 10:30 AM - NIST PORTRAIT CEREMONY: NIST Portrait Ceremony October 9, 2009
NIST staff and alumni are invited to the ceremony adding nine portraits to the NIST Gallery of Distinguished Scientists, Engineers and Administrators in the Red Auditorium on Friday, October 9, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. The honorees are James Albus, MEL; Richard Durst, CSTL; Keith Eberhardt, ITL; Richard Fields, MSEL; J. William Gadzuk, PL; Frances Loomis Lloyd, EEEL; H. Steffen Peiser, OD; Tawfik Raby, NCNN; and John Stephenson, PL. The ceremony is an opportunity for all of NIST to observe and celebrate the accomplishments that have been achieved in outstanding NIST careers. It is a particularly good opportunity for younger staff to gain perspective on the variety, magnitude and influence of their career opportunities at NIST. Their families, friends and colleagues are invited to join the honorees in a breakfast reception in the Former Senior Lunch Club at 9:30 a.m. on October 9.
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Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Hans Oser, 301-975-2486, hans.oser@nist.gov)

10/14/09 10:30 AM - PROCESS MEASUREMENTS DIVISION SEMINAR: PROCESS MEASUREMENTS DIVISION SEMINAR
High-Throughput Analysis of Protein Self-Association as a Guide for Understanding and Manipulating Protein Self-Assembly Weak protein interactions impact an array of biological phenomena, ranging from cell signaling and intracellular protein condensation to protein crystallization and the aggregation of protein therapeutics. Therefore, there is intense interest in understanding and controlling these interactions via systematic, high-throughput analysis of protein self-association. Since conventional biophysical methods capable of measuring protein self-interactions are low throughput, we are developing new methods of characterizing weak protein interactions (peptide microarrays and nanoparticle-based assays) for hundreds of samples in a near simultaneous manner. In this presentation, we will discuss these high-throughput assays and their use in deciphering the molecular determinants of diverse protein condensation and aggregation phenomena, ranging from prions and amyloids to antibodies. We will also discuss how our findings address several outstanding biological questions, including how prions establish and overcome species barriers, and how aggregation-resistant antibodies can be engineered in a rational manner.
Pete Tessier , Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, tessier@rpi.edu.
Physics Bldg, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Michael Tarlov, 301-975-2058, michael.tarlov@nist.gov)

10/16/09 1:00 PM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: Global Potential for Wind-Generated Electricity
Note: Videocast from Boulder The potential of wind power as a global source of electricity is assessed by assimilating wind data from a variety of meteorological sources. The analysis indicates that a network of land-based 2.5-megawatt (MW) turbines restricted to nonforested, ice-free, non-urban areas operating at as little as 20% of their rated capacity could supply 40 times current worldwide consumption of electricity and 5 times total global use of energy in all forms. Resources in the contiguous United States, specifically in the central plain states, could accommodate as much as 16 times the total current demand for electricity in the United States.
Michael McElroy , Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University.
Administration Building, Green Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

10/23/09 10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Material and Electrical Characterization for Qubit Devices
Silicon Quantum Dot fabrication for Qubits requires a minimum of defects to produce clean quantum dots and barriers. Identifying sources of defects in the process flow is critical for this goal. We can both i) characterize oxide quality with C-V and mobility measurements to improve fabrication processes, and ii) provide quantitative estimates of the defects, which provides guidance to design and modeling efforts. In this presentation, we report on the impact of several critical process steps, including poly-Si etch, top gate metallization, atomic layer deposition of dielectrics, and various anneals.
Greg Ten Eyck , Sandia National Labs.
Physics Building, Room B145. (NIST Contact: Neil Zimmerman, 301-975-5887, neil.zimmerman@nist.gov)

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


9/28 -- MONDAY

11:00 AM - CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON/GEOPHYSICAL LAB. SEMINAR: NEW STUDIES OF THE MAGNETIC PHASE TRANSITION IN MNSI AT AMBIENT AND HIGH PRESURE
S. Stishov , Russian Academy of Sciences.
Bldg, Rm..
Greenewalt Bldg., GL-DTM Grounds, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: R. Hemley, 202-478-8900, seminar@lists.ciw.edu)



9/29 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

9/30 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

10/1 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

10/2 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

10/13/09 9:00 AM - END-TO-END VOTING SYSTEMS WORKSHOP
The goal of this workshop is to understand the security and usability properties of end-to-end voting systems, one type of next-generation system of interest. This type of system enables voter-verification of election outcome. Several proposed systems have been prototyped; some have been tested in binding elections.
Ron Rivest , MIT. Josh Benaloh , Microsoft.
Bldg, Rm..
George Washington University, Third Floor Amphitheatre (Marvin Center), Washington DC 20052. (NIST Contact: Sara Caswell, 301-975-4634, sara@nist.gov) http://www.csrc.nist.gov/groups/ST/e2evoting/index.html

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

MOLDOVER, M. : "SECRETS OF THE 1988 ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT OF THE BOLTZMANN CONSTANT".
IV International Workshop on Determining the Boltzmann Constant; INRiM -Instituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Torino, Italy, 9/22.

MOLDOVER, M. : "THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF HELIUM AND GAS METROLOGY".
IV International Workshop on Determining the Boltzmann Constant; INRiM -Instituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Torino, Italy, 9/23.

SIMONS, D. : FIRST EXPERIENCES USING THE CAMECA AUTOMATED PARTICLE MEASUREMENT SOFTWARE WITH THE IMS-1280.
International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria, 9/28.

PAGE, K. : STRUCTURES AND DYNAMICS OF POLYELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS.
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 9/29.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

THINK SAFETY! THINK STANDARDS!
Safety standards are now available on the NIST Intranet. Standards are an important part of the safety literature and are vital elements in framing and defining safety policies and procedures. Consult this page for a variety of core safety standards relevant to NIST's operations and interests. NIST's NCSCI (National Center for Standards and Certification Information, TS, Standards Services Division) can send you any other safety standards you need and guide you to other relevant standards. Call NCSCI on ext. 4040 or email ncsci@nist.gov with your safety standards needs.
NIST Contact: Anne Meininger, 301-975-2921, anne.meininger@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: . ., ., .

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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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