Today at Berkeley Lab: December 13, 2006

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Today

8:30 a.m to 10:15 p.m.
Human Resources
New Employee Orientation
Bldg. 50 Auditorium

10 a.m.
EHS 123
Adult CPR
Bldg. 48-109

10 a.m.
EHS 62
WorkSmart Ergonomics
Bldg. 70A-3377

10:15 a.m.
EHS 10
Intro to EH&S at LBNL
Bldg. 50 Auditorium

11:30 a.m.
EETD
Performance of Daylight Responsive Dimming Systems
Anseop Choi, Sejong U., Korea
Bldg. 90-3122

Noon
Dance Club
Waltz Practice
Bldg. 51 Lobby

Noon
Yoga Club
Class with Naomi Hartwig
Bldg. 937-302

12:15 p.m.
Yoga Club
Class with Chris Hoskins
Bldg. 70-191

1 p.m.
EHS 116
First Aid Safety
Bldg. 48-109

1 p.m.
EHS 256
Lock Out/Tag Out Verification
Bldg. 70-3377

1 p.m.
Computational Research
An Integrated Predictive Simulation System for Earthquake and Tsunami Disasters/The GeoFEM Benchmarks for the Parallel Finite Element Method on NERSC Computers
Kengo Nakajima, U. of Tokyo
Bldg. 50B-4205

3 p.m.
Advanced Light Source
Micro-Scale Investigation of Ni(II) & Co(II) Uptake by Cement Using a Combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy and Synchrotron-Based Techniques
Marika Vespa, Paul Scherrer Institute
Bldg. 6-2202

4 p.m.
Chemical Sciences
Understanding the Atomic-Scale Aspects of Radiation Damage and Aging in Pu and Pu/Ga Alloys Through Computer Simulations
Alison Kubota, Livermore Lab
Bldg. 70A-3377

Tomorrow

8 a.m to 5 p.m.
Benefits Office
FITSCo One-on-One Couseling
Alyssa Valladao
Bldg. 26-109

8:30 a.m.
EHS 400
Radiation Safety Fundamentals
Bldg. 70A-3377

9 a.m.
EHS 135
Earthquake/Wildland Fire Safety
Bldg. 48-109

10:30 a.m.
Beam Physics
The Fermilab Electron Cooling System
Sergei Nagaitsev, FNAL
Bldg. 71-264

Noon
Benefits Office
Enrolling in the UC Retirement Savings Program
Alyssa Valladao, FITSCo
Bldg. 26-109

1 p.m.
EHS 154
Building Emergency Team
Bldg. 48-109

1 p.m.
EHS 339
Asbestos Awareness
Bldg. 70A-3377

1:30 p.m.
Computational Research
Hardware and Software Co-Design for Managing Massive Concurrency
Andrew Mihal, UC Berkeley
Bldg. 50F-1647

1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
CITRIS
Symposium: Engineering a Better World
Sibley Auditorium, Bechtel Engineering Center (campus)

Morning Editions: Pork Chop and Egss with Home Fries
Tomorrow's Breakfast: Avacado and Swiss Omelet with Fruit, Toast
Market Carvery: Turkey Lasagna with Salad
The Fresh Grille: Mushroom and Swiss Burger with Fries
Menutainment: Penne Pasta with Shrimp Toss

B'fast:	6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch:	11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Full menu

Academy Study Reports
On Isotope Accelerator





Freedman

The federal government is reviving plans to build a $500 million rare isotope accelerator that scientists at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory hope to bring to Illinois. A report released Friday by the influential National Academies of Science supports the notion and a task force organized by the government met in Chicago Friday to discuss how such a project might proceed. The proposal under consideration "would complement nuclear research machines being built in other countries," said Stuart Freedman, Berkeley Lab nuclear scientist and co-chairman of the report committee. Full story.

Research on Appliance Energy Drain on CNN





Meier

Work by Berkeley Lab researcher Alan Meier, with the Environmental Energy Technologies Division, was featured in a report produced by CNN's "Student News" program. In the report, Meier describes "electronic vampires," the extended energy drain caused by appliances that are turned off, but left in standby mode. Go here to read a transcript of the story.

Resolution Laud's
Lab's 75th Birthday

In the wee hours of last Saturday morning, the 109th Congress adjourned. The newly constituted 110th Congress will convene on Thursday, Jan. 4. Although unable to agree on a final budget for most of the federal government, including the Department of Energy, some work was accomplished. One piece was a senate resolution congratulating Berkeley Lab on its 75th Anniversary. A copy of the resolution, which passed by unanimous consent, can be found here. The resolution was sponsored by Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM), Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Democrat Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

North State Jumps
On Biodiesel Wagon





Van Buskirk

A recent story in the Sacramento Bee discusses how the business of biodiesel is ramping up in Northern California, in particular, using waste grease as an alternative energy source. Unfortunately, waste grease is in short supply — which Berkeley Lab energy efficiency researcher Robert Van Buskirk thinks can be supplemented by growing mustard, an oilseed crop, on otherwise fallow fields during winter months. Full story.

Holiday Shutdown Cost
Savings, Work Approvals

The Lab's holiday shutdown — 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, through Monday, Jan. 1 — offers a significant opportunity for energy cost savings. These savings are realized by shutting down equipment and utilities. Minimum work forces will continue the following functions during the shutdown: plant operations, safety, animal care, hydrogen safety, and receiving and mail. IT services will be available with minimal support for critical outages only during the shutdown period. Backups will only be provided for servers. Go here for more details on the shutdown.

Retirement Savings
Workshop Tomorrow

FITSCo representative Alyssa Valladao will lead a one-hour workshop on the UC Retirement Savings Program tomorrow at noon in Building 26-109. This workshop is for those not yet participating in the 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Topics will include how to create a savings budget, program advantages, investment options, and program enrollment. No reservation is required to attend.

Safety Survey
Needs Your Input

The Lab's Safety Culture Survey is continuing to collect responses. Those who have not yet completed the 10-minute survey are urged to do so by Friday, Dec. 22. The information gathered will help make the Lab safer. To complete the survey, go here. To date, employees in Materials Sciences have beaten out all other divisions with 184 responses, followed by Facilities at 80, and Accelerator and Fusion Research with 23.

UC Sexual Harassment Policy Applies to Lab

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all persons who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the University community should be aware that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment, and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by University policy. The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of sexual harassment, and will take appropriate action to prevent, to correct, and if necessary, to discipline behavior that violates this policy. The University of California's policy and procedures concerning sexual harassment apply to Berkeley Lab and are part of RPM §§2.01(A)(1)(b) and 2.05(C). Additional information on reporting sexual harassment may be found here.

WEATHER

40% chance of rain.
High: 57° (14° C)

Extended Forecast

EMERGENCY INFO

Emergency: Call x7911
Cell Phones: Call 911
Non-emergency Incident Reporting: Call x6999

SECON level 3

More Information

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