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Show 4 THE SUMMER UTAH CHRONICLE JUNE 5. 2003 Supercomputer Aids In Atom Research at U Cara Wleser Chronicle Staff Writer connecting mote than 64 computers together into a supercomputer, U associate professor of materials science and engineering Feng Liu proved a microscope could capture images of atoms and their "wings." His study was recently accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters journal and will help scientists better understand the bonds between atoms, which can aid in the development of stronger materials and machines. With the help of the supercomputer, Liu showed images of electrons as they made orbital paths around atoms. Although other scientists have attempted this previously, their work was considered inconclusive. Liu claimed his research does "not assume how the atoms interact with each By wing-shape- d 1 f C "7 h r 4 f 1 other. It solves them exactly." This proof led to the publication of his work in what Liu called "the most prestigious journal in all the fields of physics." To better explain his research, Liu said an atomic force microscope is used to "map out surface images of an atom." An atom has rapidly moving electrons surrounding it, which can look like wings. With the supercomputer which simulates an atomic force microscope and after six months of calculations, Liu was rewarded with an image of an atom and its orbiting electrons. The images can help industries design better metals and machines in the future by helping to reveal defects in industrial materials. "When there is a defect, the remaining atoms around the defect will rearrange themselves. The study will help us see how atoms bond around defect sites. This is important, because surface defects play an important role in the growth of new materials," Liu said. According to Liu, his research can help scientists construct materials and machines "atom by atom...If we can see not only atoms but also their atomic orbital, it will assist us to assemble them on surface the way we Security Council Lifts Ban on 'Blood Diamonds' in Africa U.N. - ' f .. .- 4 v.. vv , UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Security Counend a ban on the export "blood diamonds" from Sierra Leone of because of government efforts to control the diamond industry. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Sergey Lavrov, council president, said after a closed-doo- r council meeting that members agreed not to extend the ban, which expired at midnight Wednesday. "In light of the Sierra Leone government's increased efforts to control and manage its diamond industry and ensure proper control over diamond mining areas and full adherence to the Kimberley Process, it was agreed not to renew the sanctions," Lavrov told The Associated Press. The Kimberley Process, developed by the diamond industry, human rights groups and dozens of governments, aims to squelch the trade of diamonds to fund civil wars in Africa. The certification process is intended to track each diamond from the mine to the jeweler's window, blocking the trade of diamonds trafficked illicitly. Diamond production has financed deadly conflicts in countries including Angola, Sierra Leone, Congo and Liberia. Rebels use forced labor to mine diamonds, then use the proceeds to buy weapons and finance military activity. cil agreed Wednesday to x - so-call-ed Vv.v " the-curre- v. - Xs-- ... - ,' - y f f v.v -- (C" VA V, -- K v x X ., ' I , XT ' - VV' i NX 'KCsV.v I , 1 V 1 , -- ' V" The Associated Press MISSION continued from page 1 want." The point of controversy in previous studies was the question of whether the atomic (i 111) ... f at v ) over the coming six months, it should be a very interesting discussion," Francis said. Regardless, any updates in mission state- 1 force microscope was completely accurate. Because Liu used a : f . S. 1. 4 i I .JkJ'A 0 I ' . V 3 00 0 A This atomic force microscope image shows dozens of silicon atoms. ( supercomputer to simulate the microscope, he claimed he calculated the bond between atoms without using approximations, proving atoms can be imaged. cwieserchronicle.utah.edu ments must be approved by the Board of t- Feng Liu ss-- produced topographical map-lik- e images which represent atomic force. - Regents. For now, though, administrators are satisfied with the U's educational aims. "Some of the other schools may be planning to be something else, but we're not," Brinkman said. ahdsnaint&chronicle. utah. edu |