Employees interested in sharing engaging science activities with local students are invited to participate in an upcoming workshop, 'Sifting Through Science.' In this workshop kindergartners will explore buoyancy, magnetism, and the use of tools as they investigate the physical properties of objects. The workshop is part of the Lab's Center for Science and Engineering Education Berkeley Lab in School Settings (BLISS) program. It takes place on Monday, Feb. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Building 7-211. Registration is required and lunch will be provided. More>
Special Event: Brown Bag on Space Management Issues Tomorrow Come to a brown bag meeting at noon tomorrow in the Building 50 auditorium to voice questions, ideas, and concerns about space management issues at the Lab. Because the Lab is growing, in the coming 24 months it will need to find workstations for up to 500 employees as well as 20,000 square feet of additional laboratory space. The new Space Advisory Committee (SPAC), charged with recommending policies and procedures for managing space, wants to hear what employees have to say about how to solve the space crunch. More>
Rosio Alvarez, the Lab's Chief Information Officer and head of the Information Technology (IT), Division has accepted a position with the Department of Energy to act as senior adviser to Secretary Chu and Deputy Secretary Poneman on matters related to information technology and cyber security. She will provide advice and input on IT governance models, strategic initiatives, and engage the White House and other agencies to discuss current IT and cyber security mandates and programs. The appointment is temporary, not to exceed one year. Discussions on who will replace Alvarez on an interim basis are now taking place. Alvarez has been with the Lab just over three years. "As difficult as the temporary displacement will be personally, I feel fortunate to be going to Washington at a time when there is a good chance of effecting substantial positive change," said Alvarez.
Lab researchers — led by materials scientists Gabor Somorjai and Miquel Salmeron — have developed a technique whereby studies of model catalysts can be conducted under conditions comparable to those in which real catalysts operate. Through a combination of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, they were able to study the adsorption of carbon monoxide on stepped surfaces of single platinum crystals at ambient pressure and room temperature. Their findings showed that carbon monoxide molecules can reversibly alter the catalytically important structure of the platinum surfaces, a discovery that holds important implications for heterogeneous catalysis. The paper, "Break-Up of Stepped Platinum Catalyst Surfaces by High CO Coverage," appeared in the Feb. 12 issue of Science.
The University of California's Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) takes place May 3 to 7. MSAP will provide supervisors (with one to three years of experience) feedback on their skills through group work in simulated management scenarios. The Lab can send three supervisors to be assessed and one person to serve as an assessor. The deadline to apply for these positions is March 5. More>
"In Conversation With…" is the next-generation science seminar series, during which host Alice Egan interviews scientists about their lives and work in language everyone can understand. Her next guest is Matt Francis, who will discuss how proteins can be used to make new materials today at 1:30 p.m. in the Building 66 Auditorium.
The Red Wing Work Shoe vendor will be onsite tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 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>
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