Lab-Wide Party
Friday in Cafeteria

The annual employee holiday party hosted by Director Steve Chu takes place this Friday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Employees can enjoy refreshments, musical entertainment and remarks by the director.

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Lab, Korean Energy
Officials Sign MOU

Representatives from the Korean Energy Management Company recently visited the Environmental Energy Technologies Division of Berkeley Lab to discuss potential areas of cooperation in energy research. During their visit, Lab Director Steve Chu and the visitors signed a memorandum of understanding pledging cooperation between KEMCO and the Lab to develop energy-efficient technologies, and work together on the analysis of policies and programs to promote energy efficiency. The agreement was the culmination of a process that began with contacts made by EETD scientist Jayant Sathaye and an EETD guest scientist from Korea, Yang-Hoon Sonn.

Faster Review Postings
From Health Institutes

The National Institutes of Health's Center for Scientific Review just released its latest "Peer Review Notes" reminding NIH principal investigators that as of this past October, the organization is posting summary statements of most reviews within one month after the study section meeting instead of two to three months after the meeting. In addition, NIH has started a "pilot program" to speed up review cycles starting with certain proposals submitted for the Feb. 1, 2006 proposal deadline. More information about this new process is available in the September edition of "Peer Review Notes."

Work, Play Safely
During the Holidays

The holidays are a time to get together with family and friends, travel, and prepare for various festivities. However, this busy season can also lead to an increase in accidents and injuries, so it is important to be vigilant and prevent mishaps before they occur. The Lab's safety culture, which relies on employees looking after one another and identifying unsafe practices, also applies at home. We ask that everyone take the time to ensure that his or her family, home and work areas are safe during the holidays. Go here for tips to help make your holiday season a safe and healthy one.   Please take a moment to read these suggestions and share them with family and friends.

Efficiency Expert Lauded
For Solar Light Diodes

Mills

Evan Mills, with the Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division, has received the Association of Energy Engineers Bay Area Chapter Award for Appropriate Technology Champion of 2005. He was recognized for his work on solar-powered energy-efficient white light-emitting diodes as the basis for more efficiently lighting the developing world while reducing fossil fuel emissions, and for his work on understanding the vulnerability of the insurance industry to global climate change.

Retirement Party
For Facilities Veteran

A retirement luncheon will be held in honor of Don Weber, the Maintenance and Operations Manager for the Facilities Division, on Friday, Jan. 6. Weber has worked at the Lab for over 20 years. Cost is $25 per person. To RSVP, contact Desiree Elvira (x6938), or Lisa Sangmaster (x6027).