Faculty and Student Teams Program

Project Descriptions

Argonne National Laboratory
The Advanced Photon Source (APS) Facility

Requesting applications from science or engineering faculty members at institutions serving students underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology to work on the following projects.

Project Description

This completed Project is the Laboratory's largest and most-important new activity. Currently in progress is construction, of additions to this synchrotron radiation facility that is capable of producing high-intensity, tunable X-ray beams. These photon beams serve the research needs of many fields of science, including physics, chemistry, materials and surface science, biology, and medicine.

Some representative examples of the research projects available for FaST teams are listed below. More detailed information regarding the myriad of research projects occurring at Argonne National Laboratory can be found online in our Research Participation Catalog (http://www.dep.anl.gov/catalog/catalog.htm). The catalog contains the titles and descriptions of almost all research projects underway at Argonne National Laboratory. The catalog is available for downloading OR one can browse the catalog online.

Research Opportunities at the APS

• ACCELERATOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
  Current research activities include accelerator physics research, charged-particle beam dynamics calculations, particle-beam transport design, measurement of accelerator magnets, fabrication and testing of vacuum system chambers, radio-frequency acceleration system measurements, accelerator diagnostic system research and development, and computer-based accelerator control system.

• EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
  These activities include research, development, and construction of instrumentation needed for the broad range of x-ray microscopy, scattering, spectroscopy, imaging, and time-resolved measurements to be performed at the Advanced Photon Source. Current activities are related to insertion devices, beam-line components, X-ray optics, detectors, novel synchrotron radiation instrumentation, and other experimental equipment useful for various research applications.

• FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
  These activities include construction-related field engineering, safety and environmental engineering, quality assurance, and project management; civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering; site improvements, and construction or modification of several buildings and utility systems.

• BIOPHYSICS (BIO-CAT)
  Primary foci are on the structure of partically ordered biological molecules, complexes of biomolecules, and cellular structures under conditions similar to those present in living cells. Research goals include the determination of detailed mechanisms of action of biological systems at the molecular level. Techniques used include x-ray fiber diffraction, x-ray scattering, x-ray absorption/emissions spectroscopy, and diffraction enhanced imaging. Consortium includes Illinois Institute of Technology.

• CONSORTIUM FOR ADVANCED RADIATION SOURCES (CARS-CAT)
  The consortium includes The University of Chicago, Northern Illinois University , Southern Illinois University, and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, and represents four national user groups: BioCARS for structural biology, GeoCARS for geophysical sciences, SoilEnvironCARS for soil/environmental sciences, and ChemMatCARS for chemistry and materials science. Techniques used include high pressure diffraction, microspectroscopy, microtomography, x-ray scattering, and crystallography.

• DU PONT-NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY-DOW (DND-CAT)
  This facility is dedicated to advancing x-ray study on new materials. Foci include the study of the atomic structures of bulk materials, the study of two-dimensional atomic structures, and polymer science and technology. Techniques include imaging, crystallography, scattering, and tomography.

• INDUSTRIAL MACROMOLECULAR CRYSTALLOGRAPHY ASSOCIATION (IMCA-CAT)
  This consortium involves crystallographic groups from 12 companies in the United States with major pharmaceutical research labs, in association with the Center for Synchrotron Radiation Research at the Illinois Institute of Technology. A large fraction of the research is proprietary. Techniques include multiwavelength anomalous diffraction.

• MATERIALS RESEARCH (MR-CAT)
  Illinois Institute of Technology is among four universities and one major corporation (BP-Amoco) involved with this collaboration. Foci includes studies of advanced materials in situ as a means of characterizing their structure and electronic properties, as well as understanding their preparation. Primary techniques include wide- and small-angle scattering, single-crystal and powder diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, reflectivity, standing waves, diffraction anomalous fine structure, and time-dependent and microfocus techniques.

• UNIVERSITY-NATIONAL LABORATORY-INDUSTRY (UNI-CAT)
  In these sectors, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is teamed with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and UOP Research and Development. This is a multi-purpose scattering facility capable of high-resolution scattering with excellent energy resolution and beam-focusing optics serving studies in materials, physics, chemistry, biology, and geology.

Applicants Responsibilities and Relationship to Project

Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty and Student Team (FaST) Research Program to work collaboratively with the project research team at the Laboratory for up to 10 weeks during the year starting during the summer of 2006. Summer and academic year visits to Argonne Lab will be scheduled by mutual agreement between the Research Project Directors at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the successful applicant. Faculty will be expected to identify students from their campus to participate in the Undergraduate Research Participation programs offered by the Department of Energy at ANL. Ideally, faculty will provide some mentorship and/or advising support to students during the summer research activities. It is expected that the faculty member will become an integral part of the research team working on this project and will support the project through the academic year on her or his campus.

Qualifications of Ideal Candidate

Support and Financial Commitments

See Financial Information.

For More Information contact:

http://www.dep.anl.gov