MSD’s Alex Zettl
Wins Materials Prize

Zettl

Alex Zettl, a physicist with Berkeley Lab's Materials Sciences Division, has been named co-winner of the 2006 James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials by the American Physical Society. The prize, sponsored by IBM, recognizes and encourages outstanding achievement in the science and application of new materials. The citation that will appear on Zettl’s certificate reads as follows: “For developing novel synthesis pathways for preparing carbon and boron nitride nanotubes and for pioneering applications of these for sensing, electronics and nanomechanics.” Zettl shares the award with Hongjie Dai of Stanford University. For more about Zettl’s research, go here.

Proposed Policy Change
To Flex Work Options

The Laboratory is proposing to revise RPM §2.23(D) (Flexible Work Options). The revisions clarify the policies for Flextime and Telecommuting. These policies apply to non-represented employees only.  Represented employees should contact their union representative or collective bargaining agreement.  To comment on this proposed change, send an email or letter by November 19 to Mary Bishop (Mail Stop 939R0200).

Library Adds Backfiles
To ‘45 for Web of Science

The Berkeley Lab Library has recently added Science Citation Index backfiles to 1945 to its online collection. Previously, searches could only be accessed online to articles published in scientific journals since 1994. This additional access allows a greater level of queries and returns on all sciences represented in the database compiled by Web of Science. A library survey in 2004 indicated that additional resources in online research were highly desired by Lab scientists. If the Lab does not subscribe to the journal where the article was published, users will be able to only view citation information and not access the full article. For help, write here or call x5621.

The Advanced Light Source Users’ Meeting kicks off this morning with a full program of keynote speakers, poster sessions, workshops, and vendor exhibits. This year, a record 34 vendors will be on hand to display a wide range of scientific equipment. See the list of exhibitors here. All lab employees are invited to visit the exhibits, in the tent by the ALS and in Building 7, today from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon. Today’s program concludes with a free public lecture on “The Magic of Magnetism: From Physical Attraction to Spin Doctors,” by Dr. Joachim Stöhr, Director, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, at 7:15 p.m. in the Building 50 Auditorium. Go here for details on the talk.

ALS Meeting Limits
Parking Today, Friday

Nearly 200 attendees at the annual Advanced Light Source Users Meeting means that on-site parking will be at a premium for the next two days. In particular, 35 slots in the "Z" lot above the cafeteria will be reserved for exhibitors at the meeting. Lab employees are urged to bike or take public transportation where possible.

Students Explore Universe
At Chabot Space Center

One in a series of profiles of local charities highlighted in the Berkeley Lab SHARES charitable giving campaign.

Oakland’s Chabot Space & Science Center is an innovative teaching and learning museum focusing on astronomy and the space sciences. Its observatory, planetarium, exhibits, and natural park setting are a place where students, teachers, and the public can imagine, understand, and learn to shape their future through science. Find out more about Chabot here. Berkeley Lab employees can donate to the center, and many more programs, through the SHARES campaign, now through Nov. 18. To learn more about SHARES, go here. To make online contributions, go here. Send any questions to the SHARES answer line here.