Radioactive Potassium May Be Heat Source in Core
By Robert Sanders

Radioactive potassium, common enough on Earth to make potassium-rich bananas one of the "hottest" foods around, appears also to be a substantial source of heat in the Earth's core, say UC Berkeley geophysicists, who conducted some of their experiments at the Lab’s Advanced Light Source. Radioactive potassium, uranium and thorium are thought to be the three main sources of heat in the Earth's interior. Together, the heat keeps the mantle actively churning and the core generating a protective magnetic field. Full story.

Energy Department Debuts Climate Change Website

The Department of Energy this week launched a new website that will serve as a resource for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity reduction activities by industry associations participating in the Climate VISION program. The website enables the public and association member companies to track their progress in meeting their reduction commitments under the program. This is the official website of the Climate VISION program — Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now — the Presidential public-private partnership initiative launched by the DOE in February. Full story.

The Lab’s shuttle service will run on the following schedule during the holidays:

• Dec. 18: normal schedule until 2 p.m.; only one bus in operation, leaving Building 65 at 2, 2:40 and 3:20, following Bancroft Ave. to BART, then Centennial Drive to the Strawberry gate, then back through the Lab to Building 65; normal service resumes at 3:30 p.m.
  
• Dec. 22, 23, and Jan. 2: Hearst bus, 6:20 a.m.-6:20 p.m., every 20 minutes; Bancroft bus, 7 a.m.-6:25 p.m., every 30 minutes; on-site shuttles, 6:40 a.m.-6 p.m., every 20 minutes; Rockridge route will not operate.
  
• Dec. 24-Jan. 1: Laboratory closed.

Alivisatos Gives Talk
For Non-Scientists Today

The ASD Academy is sponsoring a talk by Lab researcher Paul Alivisatos today at 11 a.m. in the Building 66 Auditorium. He’ll discuss “The Promise of Nanoscience at the Molecular Foundry." The lecture is part of the academy’s on-going “Science for Non-Scientists” series.

Mileage Reports
Due Tomorrow

Due to the holiday shutdown, Fleet Operations is asking all vehicle custodians to report their monthly mileage by today. E-mail this information to [email protected] or call x5475. Also, if drivers experience vehicle problems on site during the holidays, contact Facilities Maintenance at x5481.