U of Chicago physics prof named Argonne director

A University of Chicago physics professor has been named director of the Argonne National Laboratory in suburban Chicago.

Peter B. Littlewood also has been associate laboratory director for physical sciences and engineering at the U.S. Department of Energy research facility.

University of Chicago President Robert J. Zimmer says Littlewood has an international reputation as "an accomplished scientist."

The university has managed Argonne since the laboratory was established in 1946.

Scientists there work on projects involving clean energy, environmental issues, technology and national security.

Littlewood will be Argonne's 13th director. He'll succeed Eric D. Isaacs, who is leaving Argonne to become provost at the University of Chicago at the end of March.

Littlewood will be responsible for overseeing what officials call "high-impact projects" at Argonne.