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6 A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 FEEDBACK Welcome to Research Tracks! This space will be used to highlight a variety of research consortiums and facilities across the country and around the world whose work in- volves materials science and engineering. Our goal is to include institutions where advanced research is taking place and keep track of the type of work each organi- zation specializes in. We’ll also share news about funding opportunities and awards. As part of a new fellowship an- nounced by the Department of Energy (DOE), graduate students will have the opportunity to conduct extended work and research at one of several DOE fa- cilities. Beginning with the 2018-19 ac- ademic year, the DOE National Nucle- ar Security Administration Laboratory Residency Graduate Fellowship (NNSA LRGF) will support doctoral candidates working in areas important to nation- al security. Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous DOE agency responsible for enhanc- ing national security through the mili- tary application of nuclear science. Ac- cording to the DOE, NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weap- ons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nu- clear propulsion; and responds to nu- clear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. The Krell Institute of Ames, Iowa, manages the fellowship under a contract with the DOE. Fellows will serve at least two 12-week residencies at one or more facilities including: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Calif.; Los Alam- os National Laboratory, N.M.; Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M.; and the Nevada National Secu- rity Site. The program encourages stu- dents to pursue their thesis research during their stays and to take on addi- tional extended residencies. Besides introducing fellows to the laboratory system, the NNSA LRGF will promote UNSINKABLE ALUMINUM NOT NEW I amwriting to take exception to the news item on page 13 of the October 2017 issue that states, “A new technology for producing an unsinkable material made of aluminum alloy was recently patented at Peter the Great…” I produced foamed aluminum in 1957 while at Battelle in Columbus, Ohio, under a DOD contract that was looking at novel ways to replace honeycombmaterial for airplane wings. Yes, it also floated. Unfortunately, it was not taken beyond concept development because funding ended in 1958. The pro- cess was similar to that briefly described in the note. In addition, I believe that what I had created was not new technolo- gy, but rather a new application. David Stahl, FASM COPPER OK, TITANIUM BETTER I had a good laugh at the article on the use of copper to stop bacteria [“Cop- per Alloys Resurface as an Antimicrobial Force,” October 2017]. That was very high tech—3500 years ago! Granted, it would make for lots of new jobs polishing all that brass. The recurring 99%mentioned in the article means about as much as the old “Ivory Soap, 99 and 44/100 percent pure,” absolutely nothing. Bacteria re- produce very quickly. Instead of stainless steel, the comparison should have been made with something that works, say ti- tanium? A bit of UV light and everything is gone, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and biofilms. Material cost means nothing for medical applications. Add in light weight, high strength, good looks, and long work- ing life—titaniumwill win every time. Chuck Dohogne RESEARCH TRACKS Send letters to frances.richards@asminternational.org. interactive relationships connecting them and their faculty advisors to lab- oratory scientists. These collaborations will give students and faculty access to unique and powerful DOE experimen- tal resources and are expected to lead to employment opportunities and ad- vancement within the labs. The pro- gram is open to U.S. citizens working full-time toward a doctoral degree at an accredited U.S. university. At the time they apply, students must be entering their second (or later) year of doctoral study in one of these fields: • • Accelerator design • • Atomic physics and visible/UV/x-ray spectroscopy • • Dynamic materials/shock physics • • Pulsed power science and engineer- ing • • Radiation magneto-hydrodynamics/ nuclear astrophysics Besides the residencies, fellow- ship benefits include a $36,000 year- ly stipend, full payment of tuition and fees during the appointment period, an annual $2000 academic allowance, par- ticipation in a yearly program review, and more. The fellowship is renewable for up to four years. All material must be submitted via the online application by March 14. For more information, visit krellinst.org/lrgf. NEW FELLOWSHIP SUPPORTS DYNAMIC MATERIALS RESEARCH