A new internal website with information about one of Berkeley Lab’s major initiatives, the Next Generation Light Source (NGLS), has been posted to help scientists understand what capabilities the NGLS would be designed to have and what kinds of science it would aim to accomplish. In addition to a general introduction for the curious and technically inclined, the new website lists a wide range of research and development needs if the NGLS is to become a reality. These are specifically intended to guide applications for the FY 2011 Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) proposal review. As noted in Tuesday’s Today at Berkeley Lab, LDRD proposals that are synergistic with the NGLS are strongly encouraged; approximately two-thirds of LDRD funding will be directed to the two areas of Carbon Cycle 2.0 and the NGLS.
In The News: It's a Golden Year for Lasers 
Fifty years after the first laser was demonstrated, engineers are celebrating the golden anniversary, marveling over how a once-feared "death ray" now touches almost every aspect of our lives, and setting the stage for future breakthroughs. Berkeley Lab's Wim Leemans is leading a team of researchers who are trying to develop a new type of accelerator that pumps up subatomic particles with laser light rather than microwaves. He compares laser plasma wakefield acceleration to the effect that a motorboat's wake has on a lake. If the laser energy is tuned just right, electrons riding the laser waves can be accelerated to higher energies over a very short distance. Small-scale, laser-based accelerators may open the door to new applications in medical imaging and radiation therapy. More>
Last month, Lab Director Paul Alivisatos recognized researchers who have earned royalties through the successful commercialization of their technologies. Out of the Lab’s $3.8 million in licensing income for FY09, an 18-percent increase from the previous year, over $1.2 million went directly to 128 scientists and authors from the Lab. The Technology Transfer Department negotiates the right to use Berkeley Lab inventions with organizations, from Fortune 500 firms to small start-ups. Offering exclusive or non-exclusive rights to the technologies ensures that the Lab’s inventions are successfully commercialized and, ultimately, meet society’s needs. Go here for full story and picture of royalty recipients.
Human Resources has announced the implementation of the Harry Reed Award, to benefit UC Berkeley SAGE (Student Achievement Guided by Experience) scholars. Reed, a longtime Berkeley Lab employee who passed away last year, served as a board member for SAGE. Two SAGE scholars will be selected every academic year and each will receive $5,000. Selection will be based on an essay about the positive impacts they have made in their community that foster the principles of diversity and inclusion, community development and service, equal employment opportunity, or perseverance through adversity. Winners will be announced at the SAGE graduation ceremony in early May. Contact Kamala Green for more information (x7635).
From training sessions on the restart of UCRP contributions to a workshop on coping with change, the HR Benefits department hosts a number of events to help staff manage their work and life. To assist in tracking upcoming events, the department produces a monthly calendar, and the March edition is now available.
Berkeley Lab's Asian Association will celebrate the 2010 Chinese New Year (the year of tiger) tomorrow in Perseverance Hall (Building 54) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of oriental food and drinks will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring in their own dishes to share. Activities include watching movies, singing, and a children’s talent show. All lab employees are welcome. For more information, contact Larry Li Guo (x6514).
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