Nanoparticles with (above) and without (below) water bound to the surface.

As scientists shrink materials down to the nanometer scale, creating nanodots, nanoparticles, nanorods and nanotubes a few tens of atoms across, they've found weird and puzzling behaviors that have fired their imaginations and promised many unforeseen applications. UC Berkeley scientists — including Lab researchers Hengzhong Zhang and Jillian Banfield — have found another unusual effect that could have both good and bad implications for semiconductor devices once they've been shrunk to the nanometer scale. Click here to read Robert Sander's UC Berkeley press release.

Developers of the Home Town neighborhood wanted to provide not only a focal point for the city of North Richland Hills, but to also use natural shade, street layout and other features to reduce outdoor temperatures by as much as five degrees. They were assisted in this endeavor by Berkeley Lab’s Hashem Akbari. Full story.

The ethanol plant in Marcus, Iowa has brought money and hope to corn farmers here, but some researchers say ethanol takes up to a third more energy to produce than it provides as a gasoline additive, and has only two-thirds the energy content of gasoline. "It’s good for a small group of people who stand to benefit multibillions of dollars, but it's a huge loss to everyone else," said Berkeley Lab’s Tad Patzek. Full story.

Road N next to buildings 6 and 37 will be closed to traffic (except emergency vehicles) today, due to construction activities for the ALS user space project. Traffic to the building 80 parking lot will be rerouted to Road N1. Parking spaces along Road N1 will be barricaded to allow two-way traffic. Pedestrian traffic will not be allowed through the work area.

The Lab will be closed for the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 1. "Today at Berkeley Lab" will resume publication on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Have a pleasant and safe three-day weekend.