Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2018 PSE Excellence Awards:

• Alison Dunlop, Andrew Jansen, Bryant Polzin and Stephen Trask
• Katrin Heitmann 
• The Nanoscience and Technology (NST) Hazardous Gas Response Team, comprised of Hua Chen, David Czaplewski, Stuart Feinberg, Brandon Fisher, Scott Massow, Eugene Stewart, Ron Tollner and Judi Yaeger

The PSE Excellence Awards demonstrate the high value PSE places on its most valuable resource—its people.

The awards recognize teams and/or individuals for outstanding achievements and distinguished service in project-, process- and people-related areas. Up to three awards are presented annually. The PSE Prize and Awards Committee recommends the top three nominations from the directorate and the PSE Associate Laboratory Director makes the final determination.

2018 PSE Excellence Award: Project category

PSE has recognized Alison Dunlop, Andrew Jansen, Bryant Polzin and Stephen Trask for making significant capability contributions to the Cell Analysis, Modeling and Prototyping (CAMP) facility, the nation’s leading battery cell fabrication facility, which DOE relies heavily on to support high profile battery R&D programs. Argonne constructed a new dry room in 2018, three times the size of the former location, allowing the CAMP facility to continue expanding its R&D capabilities as new opportunities arise within the energy storage field. Throughout the relocation process, the CAMP facility team maintained key relationships and met commitments while continuing to expand influence within the scientific community. Notably, they received new support from DOE in the area of fast charge (XCEL) and recycling, and DOE approval to purchase a new advanced multi-function coater that will further enhance CAMP facility capabilities.

2018 PSE Excellence Award: People category

PSE has recognized Katrin Heitmann for outstanding leadership, outreach and inclusion contributions. She plays a vital role in the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and is instrumental in the production of ​“DC2”, the second of three data challenges designed to prepare the collaboration for the arrival of data from the LSST. Heitmann actively recruits women and minorities to Argonne and ensures that the group research environment is collegial and that students and postdocs receive beneficial mentoring. Positions with the Cosmological Physics and Advanced Computing (CPAC) group at Argonne are highly sought as a result of Heitmann’s reputation as a scientist and intellectual mentor. In the 2018 DOE review of HEP Theory program, CPAC was singled out and commended for its prioritization of diversity, due in large part to Heitmann’s work.

2018 PSE Excellence Award: Process category

The NST Hazardous Gas Response Team, including Hua Chen, David Czaplewski, Stuart Feinberg, Brandon Fisher, Scott Massow, Eugene Stewart, Ron Tollner and Judi Yaeger, has been recognized for establishing a process for responding to potential leaks of toxic, flammable and pyrophoric gases used in the Building 440 cleanroom. The goal was to maximize researcher efficiency during testing and sensor faults, and to aid Argonne Fire Department response to alarms. Improvements include decreased risk to people, facilities and environment; more prompt responses; and minimization of impact to research. The process is considered a model for others to emulate across the laboratory.