Tucked in a hilly area off Interstate 580, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was once a Cold War bastion where scientists hatched ideas for building more powerful nuclear bombs. But last month, the research agency unveiled a different kind of technology: a new version of a high-tech device for stopping an oil tanker truck hijacked by terrorists. The news highlighted the way Livermore and two other major federal research labs — Berkeley and Sandia — have shifted focus since the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Full story.

Old Galaxies Observed
To Measure Dark Energy

University of Chicago scientists have co-founded an international collaboration — which includes Berkeley Lab — that seeks to measure with new precision the mysterious force causing the universe to fly apart. Plans call for the project, named the Dark Energy Survey, to collect data on approximately 300 million galaxies spanning two-thirds of the history of the universe. The survey could begin making observations as early as the fall of 2009. Although the DES remains more than four years away, more ambitious surveys will take at least a decade to produce results. Full story.

Reminder: Workplace
Violence Class Today

Workplace violence can happen anywhere, even at the Lab. This course provides managers and supervisors an overview of the causes and consequences, as well as information on what they can do to keep our workplace safe. The class takes place today at 1:30 p.m. in Building 2-100B. Go here to register (HRS 1004).

Property Management
Course to be Offered

Employees who assist with property accountability are invited to attend a two-part class that offers tips on property classifications, record maintenance, and use of online resources. The class runs 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday in Building 2-300F (ASD 9022), and 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday in the Building 69 training room (ASD 9025). Go here to register.