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Today

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Tuesday, Jan. 2

Noon
Environmental Energy Technologies
Modeling Approaches for Next-Generation Building Simulation Programs
Michael Wetter, United Technologies Research Center
Bldg. 90-3122

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Morning Editions: Biscuits and Gravy with 2 Eggs
Market Carvery: Chicken Curry with Basmati Riced
The Fresh Grille: Chicken Sandwich with Fruit and Fries
Menutainment: Viva El Burrito with Chicken or Pork

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

Researchers Receive
Physics Fellowships



Four Berkeley Lab scientists have been elected American Physical Society Fellows. They include Wladyslaw 
Walukiewicz
(Materials Sciences), who was recognized for his work in "amphoteric defects in semiconductors, Group-III nitrides, the effect of Mn interstitials in ferromagnetic semiconductors, and the formulation of the band structure of highly-mismatched semiconductor alloys"; David Attwood (Materials Sciences) for "the characterization and use of coherent extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray radiation, and for pioneering work in laser interferometry of dense plasmas"; Yury Kolomensky (Physics) for "elucidating the spin structure of the nucleon, the electroweak theory and B-meson decays"; Howard Matis (Nuclear Science) for "education and outreach on nuclear science including a website, wall-chart, guidebook, and Boy Scout merit badge, as well as a classroom cosmic-ray detector"; and Ian Hinchcliffe (Physics) for " theoretical and experimental physics of high energy colliders." Go here to see a complete list of fellows.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Quake is Reminder
To Be Prepared



The 3.7 earthquake on the Hayward Fault that many people in the Bay Area felt on Wednesday evening serves as a reminder for Berkeley Lab employees to check on their preparedness status. If a catastrophic earthquake occurs, it is likely that people will need to be self-sufficient for a period from 72 hours to 10 days.  Go here for some helpful emergency preparedness tips for the holidays, and here to see disaster kits offered at the Red Cross store.

Summer Science Education Programs Gearing Up Now

In preparation for its summer 2007 programs, the Lab's Center for Science and Engineering Education (CSEE) is accepting applications for student and teacher training. Applications for undergraduate student research opportunities are due Feb. 1. High School Student Research Participation (HSSRP) applications are due March 2. Teacher professional development opportunities continue, and teams will be forming for the DOE FaST (Facuulty and Student Teams) program. Mentors are sought for all of these programs.  Those who are interested should contact Laurel Egenberger, acting head of CSEE.

IN THE NEWS

Moving Gene Blocks
Like Electronic Parts


Engineers known as biosynthesists are leading a revolution in molecular biology. At this early stage, for instance, they are mixing genes from several different organisms to build whole new metabolic pathways and novel microbes. Some biosynthesists even expect to rewrite the genetic code altogether, designing creatures that span the divide between nature and machine. Such issues were the focus during the Second International Conference on Synthetic Biology at UC Berkeley last May. Hosted by Berkeley Lab Deputy Director Graham Fleming and Physical Biosciences Division Director Jay Keasling, the meeting brought together a diverse group of engineers and scientists from a variety of disciplines, including bioengineering, biochemistry, quantitative biology, biophysics, microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, bioethics, and the biotechnology industry. Full story.

HOLIDAY SHUTDOWN

Shut Down Non-Essential Computers Before Break



Lab computers are targeted more frequently over holidays than at any other time. Employees should shut down their computers unless it is absolutely necessary that they stay running. Those who must keep their machines running should update security patches to prevent attacks. Staff who think their system has been attacked should contact the Computer Protection Program. Those with computer security-related emergencies can call x7770.

Adjusted Bus
Schedule Today

The Lab's shuttle bus service has adjusted departure times from the Lab today. The last off-site bus leaves Building 65 at 6:10 p.m. The last on-site bus departs Buildings 66/74 at 6 p.m. The last Rockridge bus leaves Building 65 at 5:40 p.m. The last Bancroft bus departs Buildings 62/66 at 5:30 p.m. The last Potter Street van will depart that location at 5:40 p.m. There will be no bus service throughout the holiday break, but will resume on Jan. 2 with new routes and schedules.

WORLD OF SCIENCE




Los Alamos’ DARHT Facility Passes Test

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully tested a major project designed to study how nuclear-weapon parts work without actually setting off a bomb. In October, the second phase of the $350 million Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility began working as expected by firing a special electron beam. That portion of the project is still not complete, but lab leaders are clearly pleased with these early results. (Berkeley Lab contributors to the accelerator project included Frank Bieniosek, Joe Kwan, Enrique Henestroza, and Matthaeus Leitner). Full story.


 
spacer imageWEATHER
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30% chance of rain.
High: 54° (12° C)
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Extended Forecast
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Emergency: Call x7911
Cell Phones: Call 911
Non-emergency Incident Reporting: Call x6999


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