Carroll, left, Chu, and Kaarsberg

House Science Staffers
Visit Programs at Lab

Staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee's Subcommittee on Energy visited Berkeley Lab on Monday and Tuesday to meet with Director Steven Chu, tour national user facilities, and learn more about science programs at the Lab. In addition to meeting with Director Chu, Subcommittee Staff Director Kevin Carroll and Professional Staff Member Tina Kaarsberg, toured the ALS, NCEM, and the Electrochromic Window Facility. Discussions were also held with the Heavy Ion Fusion group, NERSC, and Life Sciences. The Energy Subcommittee has jurisdiction in Congress over all civilian research at the Department of Energy.

Staff Invited to Gay/ Lesbian Club Meeting

Berkeley Lab's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends club will meet tomorrow, from noon to 1 p.m., in the lower level of the cafeteria. Discussion topics will include a possible name change for the group, book and movie reviews, and the recent resignation of New Jersey's governor. All employees are invited to attend.

Sign Up For Proposal
Writing Workshop

Employees who write proposals and/or assist in developing proposals are invited to attend a workshop on "Proposal Writing for Success" on Sept. 9. Go here to register. Deadline is Sept. 3.

Construction Limits
Building 90 Parking

Parking will be limited in Lot C, north and west of Building 90, starting tomorrow through approximately Sept. 24 due to construction. Traffic controls also will be used as needed on Chamberlain Road. For information, call x5611.

Moss, Sponges, Leeches
Get JGI Treatment

Physcomitrella patens, a type of moss

Despite the perception that the genetic diversity among animals -- ranging from humans to worms -- is enormous, the reality is that it pales in comparison to the diversity between the microbes that make up the bulk of the biomass on the planet. Accordingly, to close conspicuous gaps in our understanding of the tree of life, the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) announces a heavy emphasis on microbes making up the list of organisms that will stoke the DNA sequencing engine of its Community Sequencing Program (CSP) over the coming year. Go here to read a JGI press release about the program. A story on this research will appear in the Sept. 3 issue of The View.

$24 Million in 'Nano'
Awards by DARPA

Nanosys and Nanosolar share more than a common goal in the production of flexible, low-cost solar cells. The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded each business a solar cell-related contract for research and development in the field of plastic solar cells. The total award for both contracts is $24 million. Nanosolar's $10.3 million contract will enable the company to develop innovative approaches "that enable revolutionary advances in performance, device design, and manufacture of solar electricity cells", according to the company. They will collaborate with Berkeley Lab and the Sandia National Laboratories on next-generation solar cells. Full story.