Quantum Computing
Reaches the Classroom
By Lee Gomes

Crommie
Schenkel

Science often works in three phases. First, a scientist has an idea that seems more science fiction than science. A few years later, others begin to realize that the idea isn't so improbable after all. And a few years after that, the idea starts to be taught to undergraduates. That's what's happening with quantum computing, a radical redesign of computers that could result in unimaginably fast machines. At UC Berkeley, you have C191: Quantum Information Science and Technology, taught by professor and Berkeley Lab materials scientist Michael Crommie, who recently had as a class guest speaker Thomas Schenkel, with the Lab's Accelerator and Fusion Research Division. Full story.

Saturday Power
Outage Planned

There will be a planned power outage for electrical maintenance on Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Affected buildings include 4, 5, 7, 10, 10A, 14, 40, 41, 45, 48, 80, and 80A. For more information call Jim Murphy at x4899.

Potter Street Info
Available Online

As employees in the Life Sciences and Physical Biosciences divisions make their transition to the new Potter Street address in west Berkeley, information is being made available to make that transition easier. A new web site provides important details about security, EH&S, Laboratory resources, shuttle schedules, etc. The building, at 717 Potter Street, features 72,000 square feet of specialized research and development laboratory space on its second floor to serve nearly 200 Berkeley Lab scientists and support staff. Go here to access site information.

Reserve for Symposium
Honoring Chuck Shank

Symposium speakers include John Marburger

Berkeley Lab employees who would like to attend the May 24 symposium honoring former Lab Director Charles Shank should make their reservations now, since space is limited. The all-day program in the Building 50 Auditorium is entitled "Science of the 21st Century" and will feature distinguished speakers — including Presidential science advisor John Marburger — paying tribute to Shank and looking at the state of their fields of research. The $50 registration fee includes lunch and refreshments. Go here for more information and to register.

Cell Membrane Systems
Topic of QB3 Symposium

The California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research — a collaboration between UC's Berkeley, Santa Cruz and San Francisco campuses known as QB3 — will host an intense one-day symposium on cell membrane systems and technology on Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Among the scheduled speakers are Berkeley Lab scientists Jay Groves, Ehud Isacoff, Dan Fletcher, and Dan Minor (Lab guest). The event takes place at UCSF's Mission Bay campus. Go here for more information.

Reminder: Benefits
Audit Starts in May

Starting May 1, UC HR/Benefits will conduct a random audit of UC employees, retirees and their family members enrolled in UC-sponsored health and welfare plans. To prevent a de-enrollment (cancellation) of your UC-sponsored health and welfare coverage for 12 months, you must de-enroll any ineligible family member immediately. Before the verification process starts, you should review your health and welfare plan enrollments and make sure that your enrolled family members are eligible for UC-sponsored coverage. Go here for additional details.