Lab Assures Berkeley
Foundry Will Be Safe

In response to a few citizen concerns about the potential health and safety risks to the community that the Molecular Foundry might present, Berkeley Lab forwarded to City of Berkeley leadership this week a summary of planned nanotechnology research activities and safeguards that are in place to ensure program safety. The Foundry, one of the world's most advanced centers for nanoscience, is scheduled to open early next year. It is one of five such centers being funded by the Department of Energy, which has expressed its commitment to ensure safety at all facilities. Go here to read the PDF document that describes the research and discusses the environmental, health and safety issues that will be addressed at the Foundry.

Photovoltaic Technology
Gets License Agreement

RoseStreet Labs announced yesterday an exclusive license agreement with Berkeley Lab for Multi-Band Semiconductors and High Efficiency Solar Cells. This agreement will support RoseStreet Labs' commercialization of full spectrum photovoltaics. The company believes the Berkeley Lab's technology can potentially achieve efficiencies above 48 percent in a single junction device, and encompasses a breakthrough multi-band material that may significantly reduce the complexity and manufacturing costs associated with high solar efficiencies. Full story. Go here to learn more about the Lab's photovoltaic research.

Afternoon Craft Fair
Showcases Staff Skills

Berkeley Lab's annual craft fair will be held today from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. This is a great opportunity to purchase handmade items as holiday gifts for friends and family. For more information, contact Robin Mitchell (x4141).

Lab Bone Research
On Radio Program

Ritchie

Materials scientist Robert Ritchie and his research on the structure of human bones was featured on Science Today, a radio program produced by the University of California and broadcast by the CBS network. Go here to read or listen to Ritchie's interview.

Clearing the Air
On Indoor Pollution
By Chandra Shekhar

Three decades after the Clean Air Act, the air outdoors is much cleaner, even with many more people, cars and industries. But indoor air, which some say is filled with pollutants, is another matter. Buildings were sealed up to save energy after the oil embargo in the 1970s, say some experts, which led to cases of "sick building syndrome." In response, institutions, including Berkeley Lab, are now conducting indoor air science. Full story.

Deep Underground Labs
Topic of Talks in the City

Lesko
Wang

While the word "deep" has different meanings for earth scientists and astrophysicists, the concept converges for both fields when it comes to the development of a Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory, or DUSEL. Two talks will be held at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting in San Francisco this week on DUSEL. A town hall meeting on the topic will be held today at 6:15 p.m. at the Moscone Center (Level three, room 3009), and a workshop on the Homestake DUSEL takes place tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. in the Marriott Hotel (Pacific 1). The events are being organized by Berkeley Lab earth scientist Joe Wang and nuclear scientist Kevin Lesko.

Cafeteria Parking
Limited Today

Employees are reminded that, due to this afternoon's craft fair, space in the cafeteria's "Z" parking lot (area for general use) will be limited between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Use of the Lab's shuttle bus service is recommended.