| August 1999 |
The HRIBF is the first facility to produce and conduct experiments with high-quality beams of radioactive fluorine-17, which has properties that are useful for studying astrophysics and nuclear reactions. Jerry Garrett, the facility’s scientific director, says their milestone was also the first experiment using the HRIBF’s isotope separator on-line (ISOL) technique.
The paper documented an experiment with fluorine-17 beam that provides insights into the nuclear reactions in a variety of stellar explosions such as novae and X-ray bursters. These reactions create the heavy elements that make up our world, but until the HRIBF success, researchers had lacked an experimental basis for those theories.
“Colleagues with prior ISOL experience told us that we could not produce fluorine-17 beam with usable intensity by the ISOL technique. You have succeeded through your hard work and innovative ideas,” Garrett told HRIBF staff. “The HRIBF is an operating RIB facility producing excellent science.”
The experiment was conducted by a collaboration of scientists from ORNL (the Physics Division’s Michael Smith and Jeff Blackmon), Yale University, the University of North Carolina, Duke University, Tennessee Technological University, the University of Edinburgh, Colorado School of Mines and the Chinese Institute of Atomic Energy in Beijing. The research also was the basis of the Ph.D. thesis of Dan Bardayan at Yale, who is now a research associate at ORNL.
Holifield Facility cranks out science
It was a good month for the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. HRIBF delivered its 1000th hour of radioactive ion beam in July. The Holifield Facility also saw its first scientific publication based on experiments there in the July 5 Physical Review Letters.
The model homes will come equipped with natural gas-operated GAX air-conditioning units. The newly developed GAX (generator-absorber-heat exchange) AC units will eventually be combined with GAX heating units, which outperform conventional gas furnaces by one-third, says Energy Division’s Bob DeVault. Energy Division has long been involved with industry in the GAX’s development.
Village Green’s groundbreaking, a ceremony hosted by actor Ed Begley Jr., also served as the event to announce the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing, or PATH, program, a public-private initiative that teams federal agencies and home builders to produce affordable yet energy-efficient homes.
More than 180 homes in the subdivision will have the GAX system, which uses no greenhouse gases. The California development, the first DOE field test of the fuel-frugal GAX system, includes numerous other energy-efficient and environmentally benign technologies; hence the name “Village Green.”
GAX on PATH to home use
The homes in the Los Angeles area’s new development, Village Green, are modestly priced. However, most will include cutting-edge climate control technology as part of a field test coordinated by ORNL.
—Reported by Bill Cabage
LM scholars make college plans
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| 1999 Lockheed Martin scholars whose parents work at ORNL are pictured with Deputy Director Richard Genung. From left: Laura Tortorelli, Katie Wilson, Katherine White, Patrick Kelly, Ned Andrews, Rebecca Hutton and Heather Janney. Pictured at left is Matthew Mei. |
Richard Genung, deputy director of ORNL, credited the high number of Oak Ridge area recipients to their parents and teachers.
“We are impressed with their accomplishments,” Genung said. “We look forward to hearing about their progress in the future, and will not be surprised if they come back to work at the Oak Ridge facilities.”
How will the scholarships be used? This year the Lockheed Martin scholars described some of their college plans.
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Katie Wilson, a graduate of ORHS, will enter Davidson (N.C.) College this fall. She plans to major in economics with a concentration in international studies. She is the daughter of Thomas and Janice Wilson.
ORHS grad Katherine White will attend the University of Tennessee to major in mathematics and foreign languages. Her parents are Lee and Vicky White of Oak Ridge.
Patrick Kelly, another ORHS graduate, will enter the University of South Carolina this fall. He is the son of Gary and Kathy Kelly of Oak Ridge.
ORHS graduate Rebecca Hutton will attend UT. Her plans are to major in computer science and world business. Her parents are John and Catherine Hutton of Oak Ridge.
Ned Andrews, who graduated from Webb School of Knoxville, will attend Yale University, majoring in history with plans to attend law school. He is the son of Andy and Carolyn Andrews of Oliver Springs.
Laura Tortorelli will attend the University of Virginia, majoring in English. She is a graduate of Bearden High School. Her parents are Janet and Peter Tortorelli of Knoxville.
Heather Janney, a graduate of Farragut High School, will attend the University of South Carolina, majoring in music education. She is the daughter of Mark and Cathy Janney of Farragut.
| —Fred Strohl |
