Also in the news . . .

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD) has released a computerized atomic spectroscopy database that contains wavelengths, transition probabilities, and energy levels for most ionization stages of 28 elements. Cost of the database is $215; for further information call (301) 975-2208. NIST has a World Wide Web page at www.nist.gov. . . . The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO) has awarded 11 companies for a total of $22 million in separate cost-shared subcontracts for improvements in photovoltaic manufacturing technologies. Contract awardees include Evergreen Solar Inc. (Somerville, MA), Solar Engineering Applications (Santa Clara, CA), and Solar Electric Specialties Inc. (Willits, CA). . . . Integrated Process Equipment Corp. (San Jose, CA) has acquired the precision materials operation of Hughes Danbury Optical Systems (Danbury, CT). The $20 million acquisition includes patented silicon-wafer-thinning and metrology technology. . . . The American Vacuum Society has chosen Gary E. McGuire as its 1996 president.