Lab Takes Home
Two R&D 100 Awards

A unique new type of energy-saving electrochromic window and the smallest synthetic motor ever reported, both of which were developed by scientists at Berkeley Lab, have been recognized with 2004 R&D 100 Awards. Given by R&D Magazine, the awards have been called "the Oscars of technology." The addition of these two winners brings the total of R&D 100 Awards won by Berkeley Lab researchers to 34. The chief criterion for winning the award is the potential to "change people's lives for the better." Full story.

Bissell

Bissell Receives Medal
For Cancer Research

Mina Bissell, who holds the title of Berkeley Lab Distinguished Scientist, was honored with an inaugural Discovery Health Channel Medical Honor at a ceremony which will be broadcast on the Discovery Health Channel this Thursday, July 8, starting at 8 p.m., PDT. The star-studded ceremony was hosted by TV personality Regis Philbin. Mina received the award for her pioneering breast cancer research which revealed that what transpires inside a living cell is greatly influenced by the area immediately outside it. She was also recognized in this year’s U.S. News and World Report “America’s Best Hospitals” issue. Read it here.

Warning For Users
Of Internet Explorer

Although Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) is one of the most useful Web browsers available, it is also the most vulnerability-plagued browser of all. Numerous vulnerabilities in IE can allow attackers to remotely gain complete control of the computer on which IE is running. Worse yet, no patches for these vulnerabilities are currently available. The Computer Protection Program recommends that until Microsoft provides necessary patches, you should strongly consider using a different browser such as Mozilla or Netscape to the maximum extent possible. If you need to continue to use IE it is important that you make the change described here to keep Trojan software from being installed on your system. If you have enabled Windows Updates on your W2K, WXP or Windows Server 2003 system, this change will be made automatically on your system.

Family Day is July 17
At Great America

Grab your family and friends and come enjoy Berkeley Lab’s Family Day at Paramount's Great America, including Boomerang Bay, the new Water Park. Tickets are only $18 per person for Saturday, July 17. For more information email [email protected] or contact Arabella Schmidt at ext. 2902.

Remote Access Service
Rates Have Increased

For the second time in its 10-year history, Remote Access Service (RAS) rates have been increased to reflect the growing cost of providing these services. Effective the month of June and onwards, the rate increase affects employees using PPP, ISDN, cable and DSL. As more users move to broadband, fewer require dial-up services. This drives up service costs to remaining users. In an effort to offer the highest quality service for the lowest cost to users, LBLnet will continue to evaluate different service models in the future. For new rates go here.

Roofing Material Has Cool Nature
By Winn L. Rosch

Better camouflage makes soldiers reflect light more like leaves, and it may also mean lower cooling bills. Keeping a roof cool can substantially lower utility bills. A white roof has been proven to reduce the load about 19 percent but faces an obstacle: looks. Combine the pigments developed for military camouflage with roofing, and you get a cool roof that looks ordinary. The project has involved the Oak Ridge lab and Berkeley Lab, both working for the California Energy Commission. Together they have developed paints, coatings and even asphalt shingles that appear dark in visible light but reflect infrared. Full story.