Special Event: Muller Gives ‘Physics for Future Presidents’ Talk Today
Berkeley Lab physicist and UC Berkeley professor Rich Muller has been highly praised for his campus course “Physics for Future Presidents,” a scientific primer for potential commander-in-chiefs. Videos of the classes are among Cal’s most popular YouTube features, and more recently, a book based on the course was published. Muller now brings the subject to Berkeley Lab, conducting a lecture at noon today in the Building 50 Auditorium. Muller will discuss the physics of terrorism, energy, space and global warming, in a way any future president could understand.
Tech Transfer Update: Lab, Campus Collaborate on Clean Tech Licensing Effort
Berkeley Lab is partnering with the Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative (BERC) at UC Berkeley to engage graduate business, policy, law, and science students in efforts to move the Lab’s clean technology to the marketplace. The program will also match students with energy policy and analysis projects. The effort will culminate in a market analysis based on individual technologies and a VIP reception with energy notables. Contact Robin Johnston or Anthony Radspieler for more information, or go here.
Research News: DOE Award to Help Move Lab Energy Research to the Marketplace
The Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office is distributing up to $7 million to accelerate the movement of clean energy technologies from the national laboratories to the marketplace. Berkeley Lab was selected to receive $1.5 million, which will help post-research technologies in areas related to EERE programs move toward commercial viability. At Berkeley Lab, the money will be administered by the Technology Transfer Department to advance the Lab’s intellectual property and encourage private industry partnerships to ultimately bring new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies to market. More>
Election 2008: Initiative Seeks Presidential Candidates' Thoughts on U.S. Science
Science Debate 2008 — a non-partisan, non-profit organization that seeks to engage presidential candidates on a discussion about science in America — have posed questions for both Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Obama recently supplied answers to questions about genetics, climate change, education, energy, and ensuring the country’s leadership in innovation. McCain is expected to answer the same questions soon. Steve Chu, among hundreds of other scientists, is a member of Science Debate 2008.
Employee Activities: Third-Place Team Leaps Past Competition to Capture Softball Title
It was a true Cinderella story. Ballpark Estimates ended the regular season in third place, behind the ever-dominant Silver and Black and Rated X, who often beat their opponents by double digits scores. But the Estimates were not daunted heading into the Lab’s softball league championship last week. They beat the Silver and Black in a nail-biting first round match (10-9), then, using their momentum, slaughtered Rated X 17-2. The Animals came in fourth place. Go here to view a photo of the champions.
Employee Activities: Tennis Tournament Produces Champions
The temperature on the courts was warm, and the sizzling play that took place during the Lab’s annual tennis tournament last week was even hotter. Nearly 30 staff, guests and family members took rackets in hand and battled to determine champions. Emerging was doubles team Chris Petzold and Taek Soon Lee (right), both with Physical Biosciences. Runners up were Andreas Walker (AFRD) and Ichitaro Yamazaki (CRD). Go here to view a photo of tournament participants. The event was sponsored by the Lab’s Tennis Club, which regularly plays during the noon hour on campus. Contact Csaba Toth for information.
