Changed Security Level

Yesterday's edition of Today at Berkeley Lab incorrectly listed the Security Condition which appears at the bottom of the web page. The correct security condition is "Secon level 2." We regret the error.

Update on Molecular
Foundry Construction

The incorrect article appeared below the headline "Foundry Construction Limits Access in Area" in yesterday's edition of Today at Berkeley Lab. The correct article follows: The construction of the Molecular Foundry begins this week on the hillside between Buildings 66 and 72. Work on this project is estimated to take two years to complete. During construction, access to the project site will be restricted. Be sure to observe all construction signs and barricaded areas. Employees interested in taking a tour of the project site can contact project manager Joe Harkins. Go here for updated information on the Foundry's construction.

'Today at Berkeley Lab' Takes a Break

Due to the holiday shutdown, Today at Berkeley Lab will not publish again until Friday, Jan. 2. The editors hope employees have a happy and safe holiday break, and look forward to providing the Lab with news and information in 2004.

Dry Ice Deliveries During Holidays

Researchers can be assured of receiving dry ice to carry on experiments during the holiday hiatus. The Receiving Department will handle shipments on Dec. 29 and 30, and the Mailroom will be open every day except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Contact Mailroom supervisor Mario Cole at X5353 if you are expecting a shipment of dry ice.

Berkeley Lab to Drive New Nanotech Center
by Daniel S. Levine

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory started work this month on an $85 million nanotechnology center that is expected to fuel innovation and provide a critical resource to Bay Area companies. "It will be a really important facility for scientists who want to work in this field," said Paul Alivisatos, director of the Materials Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley. "It will increase innovation." Full story.



Long Haul to Restoring Power
by Carolyn Said

The lights went out in the blink of an eye for 120,000 San Francisco homes and businesses. But turning them back on was a laborious process that stretched out for more than 24 hours. That kind of catastrophic ripple across the grid was a factor in the East Coast blackout in August. Joe Eto, a scientist at Berkeley Lab, is a member of a task force investigating that blackout. Although he's not familiar with what happened in San Francisco, he explained in general how outages work. Full story.

Policy on Smoking in Public Places Revised

Assembly Bill 846 places new restrictions on smoking in public places. It becomes effective Jan. 1, 2004. In addition to continuing the prohibition on smoking in public buildings and vehicles, smoking is now prohibited within 20 feet of a building entrance or exit, or within 20 feet of an operable window. The law applies to all Laboratory buildings-owned and leased. In order to comply with the law, RPM Section 2.23(J) has been modified and will be effective January 1, 2004. Go here to read the new policy.