'Flame' Simulation Among First Tasks for Columbia

From top, Bell, Day, and Rendleman

Scientists at UC Santa Cruz are among the first to access the powerful new Columbia supercomputer at the NASA Ames Research Center. The group has been using the new system's unprecedented computing power to run simulations of supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts, and dark matter halos. Professor Stan Woosley is working with Berkeley Lab researchers John Bell, Marc Day, and Chuck Rendleman to study how a nuclear combustion front, or flame, moves through a star as it explodes in a supernova. They provided computer code for simulating flames that was applied to the astrophysics of supernovae. Full story.

U.S. Supercomputer
Mastery at Risk
By Glennda Chui and Therese Poletti

NASA's Columbia Supercomputer

The United States took the lead from Japan in the supercomputer Olympics on Monday, with an IBM system in Livermore and an SGI system in Mountain View placing first and second among the 500 fastest supercomputers in the world. But while the new ranking restores the nation's bragging rights, it is no guarantee that the United States will remain a leader in developing the monster machines used for everything from forecasting climate to modeling nuclear explosions, according to a report released Monday by the National Research Council. Supercomputing also is important from a broader economic standpoint, said Horst Simon, director of the supercomputer center at Berkeley Lab. Full story.

A Gold-Medal Career
Is Honored by DOE

Berkeley Lab chemist Richard Saykally (above, right) received his E.O. Lawrence Award from Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham (left) during a special ceremony in Washington D.C. this past Monday. The award includes a gold medal, citation, and $50,000. Saykally and six other winners were honored for their outstanding contributions in the general field of atomic energy. Go here to read an announcement on Saykally's receipt of this award in the Sept. 23 issue of Today at Berkeley Lab.

Foundry Construction
To Cause Traffic Delays

The structural steel for the Molecular Foundry construction will begin to arrive at Berkeley Lab on Friday. Much of it will be delivered to the Building 51 yard during off hours, but some trucks will be running during the day from Building 51 to the Foundry project site near Building 66. The trucks must move slowly when ascending hilly roadways. Employees should not pass these trucks and obey the directions of flagmen or pilot vehicles that are encountered. The shipments will continue until the end of December. For more information, call Joe Harkins (x7486).

Giving to SHARES
Just a Click Away

Haven't committed a gift yet to the 2004 SHARES charitable donation program at Berkeley Lab? It's as easy as filling out an electronic pledge form. Go here to access a simple-to-use program developed by the Community Health Charities organization for the Lab. Both payroll deductions and one-time gifts can be accommodated, and credit card donations are welcome. The campaign continues until Nov. 24. Paper pledges will also be accepted by the payroll office. To acquire a pledge form or to ask questions about the program, send e-mail here.