Noted Physicist Named Acting ALS Director

Kirz

Highly regarded physicist and x-ray microscopist Janos Kirz of State University of New York-Stony Brook has been named by Laboratory Director Charles Shank to serve as Acting Director of the Advanced Light Source (ALS) while Director Daniel Chemla continues on medical leave. The announcement was made to ALS staff yesterday. Kirz spent his 1993-94 sabbatical at Berkeley Lab and worked a full year initiating the diffraction imaging program at the ALS in 2002-03. From 1964-67, he also did graduate work here in the Alvarez group using the 72-inch bubble chamber at the Bevatron. He will begin at the ALS on June 1. Read the Director's division announcement here.

Mentors Needed For Summer Interns

Former intern Jennifer Guzman

The Lab will take on a youthful appearance this summer as students arrive for internships, sponsored by the Center for Science and Engineering Education.   There will be 91 undergraduate students arriving on June 7 for a 10-week session, while dozens of juniors and seniors will begin a six-week session (June 21-July 30) as part of the "High School Student Research Participation Program." CSEE is looking for research groups willing to host a high school students during this time.   Those who are interested can contact Rollie Otto at x5325. Go here for more information.

Community Wind Power Approaches Tipping Point

"Community wind" projects -- locally-owned wind plants with one or more utility-scale turbines -- may be reaching a "tipping point" beyond which they will spread more widely in the U.S., according to a new report from Berkeley Lab. The report, entitled "A Survey of State Support for Community Wind Power Development," describes the various policies and incentives that states are using to support community wind power development and how state and federal support influences the types of projects that are developed. The report's author, Berkeley Lab scientist Mark Bolinger, noted, "Experience in these states demonstrates that, with targeted incentives and creative financing and ownership structures, there are opportunities to make community wind work in the United States." Full story.

Irish Hills Off Limits
To Neutrino Dig

Physicists have identified Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant as the ideal location to build a facility to observe neutrinos. They have proposed drilling one or two tunnels into the Irish Hills behind the plant where sensors would record neutrino particles given off by the reactors. Information gathered could change the way scientists think about the origin of the universe, physicists say. There's just one catch: Plant owner, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., wants no part of it. Full story.

Take Me Out to
The Ball Game

Don't miss a classic Bay Area baseball battle as the A's and Giants face off on Saturday, June 26 at 6:05 p.m. Tickets for the game, which takes place in Oakland, will be on sale in the cafeteria next Monday through Friday, between noon and 1 p.m. Cost per ticket (for field level seats) is $23, and limited to six per employee. The sale is sponsored by the Employee Activities Association. For more information, call Arabella Schmidt at x2902.

Work Slows Traffic
At Strawberry Gate

Expect traffic delays at Strawberry Gate, starting today through next Friday, while workers construct a new bus shelter. The exit lane adjacent to the construction site will be barricaded, and the entrance lane will be coned for two-way traffic. When needed, flaggers will control traffic to allow movement of equipment. The work will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. each day. Drivers should use extra care when passing through this area. For information contact Tipasa Samatua at x5611.