Xiang Zhang, a Berkeley Lab materials scientist and UC Berkeley professor, has created the world's smallest semiconductor laser, capable of generating visible light in a space smaller than a single protein molecule. This breakthrough, described in an advanced online publication of the journal Nature on Sunday, breaks new ground in the field of optics. Zhang and his team not only successfully squeezed light into such a tight space, but found a novel way to keep that light energy from dissipating as it moved along, thereby achieving laser action. More>
[Platts Inside Energy] Berkeley Lab Interim Director Paul Alivisatos is featured in the latest issue of Platts Inside Energy, a widely read and influential weekly newsletter that reports on energy policy developments in the U.S. government. This is the fifth in a series of interviews with directors of DOE national labs, which Energy Secretary Steve Chu has said will play prominent roles in the Obama administration. In his interview, Alivisatos argued that in addition to being incubators of scientific and technological innovation, national laboratories should also "be open to finding new ways to get those technologies from the workbench to the marketplace." Read the interview here (reprinted with permission from Platts).
The Emergency Services Program will hold the Lab's annual disaster exercise tomorrow. The exercise will evaluate the Lab's Emergency Response Organization and Alameda County Fire Department response to a plausible scenario at the Lab. Buildings 77, 48 and Blackberry Gate will be the sites participating in the exercise. Traffic signs will be posted in the area and shuttle buses will be routed around Building 77 when the exercise is in progress.
Have you ever wanted to check on an experiment or approve a requisition from your mobile phone? Do you have a great idea for how a mobile application could make life at Berkeley Lab better? If so, consider entering the IT Division's Mobility Competition, which launches today and runs through Dec. 1. Winners will receive cash awards of up to $2500 (pretax). Even those who don't write software can still participate by submitting ideas for mobile applications. Acting Deputy Lab Director Jay Keasling and Chief Operating Officer Jim Krupnick will judge the competition. More>
The Guest House is nearing completion and construction activities are winding down. As a result, a portion of the nearby Z Lot will be made available to Lab employees starting tomorrow, with the balance of the spaces used by the contractor as they finish the project. Some areas will barricaded to allow access for the contractor during their daily operations, so parking in those areas must be avoided. There may be certain days when large truck deliveries are scheduled for access to the Z Lot that may close off the parking area until safe access can be gained. For more information, contact Kirk Haley (x4171) or Don Beaton (x7109).
To accommodate the construction of a sidewalk along Lawrence Road opposite the new Guest House, 15 spaces in the cafeteria parking will be blocked off. Drivers in that area are asked to observe the 15 mph speed limit and pedestrians are urged to use the crosswalks provided, follow posted signage and use caution when traversing this area. For more information, contact Dave McPherson (x4869), or Brian Taylor (x7809).
Commute: Bay Bridge Closed Thursday Evening Through MondayThose who commute to the Lab from San Francisco are reminded that the Bay Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions beginning Thursday at 8 p.m. and will re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 5 a.m. Drivers should consider using public transit or alternate routes. More>
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