Carole Browner (left), assistant to President Obama for Energy and Climate Change, visited the Joint BioEnergy Institute last Friday to participate in a briefing on biofuels, advanced solar research, and building energy efficiency. Browner visited as a guest of Congresswoman Barbara Lee (center, next to Paul Alivisatos) and was also accompanied by Greg Nelson from the White House Office of Public Engagement, and Matt Nelson, energy policy adviser to Sen. Diane Feinstein. Lee and Browner also visited Cypress Mandela, a green jobs training program in West Oakland. Go here to view larger image and caption.
Research: Ionic Liquid Diet for Biofuels Ionic liquids — salts that are liquids rather than crystals at room temperatures — are expected to play a starring role in the transformation of biomass into clean green transportation fuels once more is known about their unique ability to dissolve lignocellulose. Alex Bell, with the Chemical Sciences Division, reported on the headway being made by his research, funded by the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), at the American Chemical Society’s recent national meeting. More>
People: PBD appoints Jan Liphardt Acting Deputy DirectorJan Liphardt, a Physical Biosciences Division (PBD) faculty scientist since 2004, has been appointed as PBD Acting Deputy Director by the Acting Division Director, Paul Adams, effective immediately. Liphardt is a Divisional Director’s Fellow in the Department of Advanced Microscopies, an assistant professor in UC Berkeley’s Physics Department and a faculty affiliate of the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3). His research focuses on single-molecule biophysics, cell energetics, synthetic biology, and advanced microscopies.
Employees are invited to bring a youngster — be it a family member, relative, or friend — to the Lab for Daughters and Sons to Work Day (DSTW) on Thursday, April 23. The event includes hands-on experiments, a career fair, lunch and an ice cream social, among other activities. DSTW is open to children ages 9–16, and the cost is $25 per child. Go here for additional information, including registration and volunteer opportunities.
Facilities: Return Unused Keys to Lock ShopEmployees and guests of Berkeley Lab are responsible for returning any unused or unidentified keys to the Facilities Lock Shop. Those who have recently moved, changed furniture, or have keys in their possession that aren't being used, including keys for any cabinets, padlocks, offices or labs, are asked to return them to the Lock Shop at Bldg. 76-233 or send them via mail to MS 76-225. Call x7668 for more information.
Safety: Red Wing Shoemobile Onsite Tomorrow The Red Wing work shoe vendor will be onsite tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The shoemobile will be located on Lawrence Road near Strawberry Gate. Employees may be required to wear safety shoes to protect from potential hazards. Those working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, may be authorized to purchase safety shoes. More>
An advanced programming techniques class in MATLAB will be offered to interested employees on Thursday, April 23, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Perseverance Hall. The class usually takes 90 minutes with another 30 minutes for questions and answers. No sign up is necessary for this free seminar. More>
Community: Rebuilding Together Needs Volunteers for April 25 Event Rebuilding Together, a national volunteer organization that provides free improvements for the homes of low-income seniors and people with disabilities, is recruiting volunteers for its Saturday, April 25, project. Berkeley Lab employees are invited to participate in teams that will go house-to-house installing simple energy and water efficiency measures. Contact Allan Chen (x4210) in the Environmental Energy Technologies Division for more information, or go here.
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