Paper Sensor Offers
Energy Savings

Ridgway
Russo

An innovative laser ultrasonic sensor designed and built by Lab scientists — including Environmental Energy Technologies Division's Paul Ridgway and Rick Russo — was recently successfully tested at a paper mill in Jackson, Alabama. The sensor measures a paper's bending stiffness and shear strength as it speeds through a production web, which ensures that the optimum amount of raw material is used. This could reduce the consumption of trees and chemicals and save the U.S. approximately $200 million in energy costs and $330 million in fiber costs each year. Full story.

First Gene For Inherited
Testicular Cancer Found

In last week's journal Nature, researchers report finding the first gene responsible for inherited susceptibility of testicular cancer in mice. The Ter mutation occurs in a gene called dead end, which is involved in normal testicular development and which may play a role in inherited forms of a testicular cancer occurring in infants. The mutation causes a huge increase in testicular cancer incidence, from five to 94 percent. Berkeley Lab collaborated with several other institutions in this study. Full story.

Weight Watchers
Meeting Cancelled

The Lab's Weight Watchers group will not hold its weekly meeting tomorrow. However, an additional meeting will be added to the end of the current session on Wednesday, July 20, at 1 p.m.

Soft Drink Discount
For Catering Orders

The cafeteria is offering a special discount on soft drinks with every catering order: a 20-ounce Pepsi can be purchased for the price of a 12-ounce drink. Go here to view a catering order form.

Colleagues, Scientists
To Honor Chuck Shank

Chancellor Birgeneau will speak at the event

An all-day symposium on "Science of the 21st Century" will be held in the Building 50 Auditorium today to honor former Berkeley Lab Director Charles Shank, who retired from his post last year after 15 distinguished years. Tributes will be paid in the form of half-hour summaries of world-class research, much of which was nurtured by Shank during his tenure. Presenters will include Presidential Science Advisor John Marburger, UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, current Lab Director Steve Chu, award-winning scientists Erich Ippen (MIT) and Nate Lewis (Caltech), and Berkeley Lab scientists Saul Perlmutter, Phil Colella, Jill Banfield, Eva Nogales, and Gerry Rubin. Lab Distinguished Scientist Mina Bissell will host as Chair of the Organizing Committee. Registration is required for attendance. Go here for details.

Emory & Henry Alum
Honored at Graduation

Buchanan

Berkeley Lab earth scientist Bob Buchanan was recently honored at the commencement ceremony of his alma mater, Emory & Henry College in Virginia. According to a press release on the occasion, Buchanan, a 1958 graduate, "has distinguished himself in the field of biotechnology" by conducting extensive plant and microbial biology research and publishing more than 400 articles. His specialty includes the development of genetically engineered cereals that reduce allergenicity and increase processing qualities.

Final Call for Bids
For Los Alamos

Offering a huge increase in the dollars offered for a lab manager, the Department of Energy made its final call for bids Thursday for management of Los Alamos Laboratory. The University of California has managed it since 1943, and made a maximum of $8.7 million a year. The DOE is now offering the winning bidder a maximum of $79 million. Bidders have 60 days to submit proposals for the contract for the New Mexico nuclear weapons lab. The DOE hopes to make its pick by Dec. 1. The University of California Regents will decide whether or not to compete for the contract at their meeting on Thursday in San Francisco. Full story (registration required).